Spanish is the official language of Ecuador, and outside the cities relatively few locals speak English — so a few words of Spanish will serve you well. But Spanish shares the stage here: Ecuador is officially a plurinational, intercultural country, and its Indigenous languages are very much alive.
Ecuadorian Spanish is generally clear and measured, especially in the highlands, and many travelers find it one of the easier accents in the region to follow. Alongside it, Kichwa — the Ecuadorian form of Quechua — is spoken by Indigenous communities throughout the Andes and is recognized in the constitution for intercultural use, as is Shuar in the Amazon. In all, around a dozen Indigenous languages are spoken across the country, from the highland villages to the rainforest.
Most staff at hotels, restaurants and tourist sites — including in the Galápagos — speak English, and every one of our guides is English-speaking, with other languages available on request. Just ask!
You don’t need to be fluent — a handful of phrases goes a long way. A “Spanish for Travelers” class, the Rosetta Stone software, or a free app like Duolingo makes it easy to pick up the basics before you fly. Start with these:
And in the Andes you might also hear — and try — a little Kichwa: Alli puncha (“good day”) never fails to raise a smile.
Ready to put your new vocabulary to work, from the Andes to the Galápagos? Browse our Ecuador tours — with English-speaking local guides every step of the way.
