Andean Capital · Mariscal Sucre · Galápagos Gateway

Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) — The Complete Master Guide 2026

Q: Do I need a visa to enter Ecuador?

No. US, Canada, EU/UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and most Latin American passport holders enter Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days — just a passport stamp on arrival. No advance form, no ETIAS, no e-Visa. Officer's discretion sets the actual stamp duration based on declared travel duration. Onward ticket sometimes asked at check-in.

Q: Does Ecuador really use the US dollar?

Yes. Ecuador adopted the US dollar as official currency in 2000 after the sucre collapsed in hyperinflation. No exchange needed for USD-holding tourists. Cards work everywhere except small markets and rural shops. Bring small bills (US$1-20); US$50 and US$100 notes are sometimes refused due to counterfeit fears. Local centavos coins are minted in Ecuador.

Q: How much does the Galápagos National Park fee cost in 2026?

US$200 per non-Ecuadorian adult, doubled from US$100 in October 2024. Children US$100. Plus US$20 INGALA transit-control card bought at UIO/GYE departure. Total mandatory Galápagos fees: US$220 per adult. Pay in cash USD at GPS or SCY airport arrivals.

Q: Will I get altitude sickness at UIO?

Maybe. UIO airport sits at 2,400 m elevation; Quito Centro is at 2,850 m. Mild altitude sickness (headache, fatigue, light dizziness) is common in the first 24-48 hours for visitors arriving from sea level. Hydrate aggressively, skip alcohol day 1, eat light meals, take it slow. Coca tea (mate de coca) is widely served and helps. If symptoms worsen (severe headache, nausea, breathlessness at rest), descend.

Q: Does Uber operate at UIO?

Yes. Both Uber and Cabify operate at UIO — pickup at the ground-floor curbside outside arrivals. Sample fares: Centro Histórico US$25-35, Mariscal/Foch US$22-30, La Floresta US$22-30, Cumbayá US$15-22, Tababela US$5-8. Cabify is consistently 10-15% cheaper than Uber in Quito. Both apps work in English with Spanish addresses.

Q: How do I get from UIO to Quito Centro?

Three options. Uber/Cabify US$25-35 (45-75 min, 18 km). Cooperativa airport taxi US$30-35 (10-30% pricier than apps). Aeroservicios airport bus US$8 to Quitumbe or Carcelén stations every 30-60 min 04:00-22:00 (90+ min including transfer to Trolebus). For 1-2 day stays Uber is the clean default; for budget travellers with light luggage, Aeroservicios saves money.

Q: Can I drink the tap water in Quito?

No. Use sealed bottled water for drinking and tooth-brushing. Bottled water US$0.50-1 / 500ml at any tienda. Restaurants and hotels use filtered water for ice and cooking; eating out is generally safe. Hotels typically provide complimentary bottled water; if not, 5-litre Galones at supermarkets cost US$1.50-3.

Q: What changed with the Spirit Airlines collapse?

Spirit collapsed in May 2026. Their UIO-FLL daily route has been absorbed by JetBlue and Frontier at slightly higher fares. Old Spirit FLL-UIO US$200-340 round-trip has been replaced by Frontier US$240-360 and JetBlue US$280-440 (with bag and seat included). JetBlue is now the cheapest reliable option for FLL-UIO.

Ecuador’s capital airport at 2,400 m elevation in the Tababela valley, the gateway to the Galápagos Islands (via the GPS/SCY transit) and the Andes. Ecuador uses the US dollar as official currency since 2000, US/CA/EU/UK/AU passports are visa-free 90 days, and the Galápagos National Park entry fee doubled to US$200 in October 2024. Quito Centro Historico is UNESCO 1978 (the first World Heritage city in the Americas).

✈️ IATA: UIO📍 18 km E of Quito Centro🚚 Centro 45-75 min · Mitad del Mundo 90 min💵 USD official since 2000

⚡ 2026 Quick Reference — Key Facts at a Glance

Single terminal
Opened 2013 in Tababela valley · replaced old Mariscal Sucre at 2,800 m · ~5 million passengers/year

Distance to Centro / Old Town
18 km E to Centro Histórico · 45-75 min off-peak · 90+ min in 17:00-19:30 weekday rush

Currency
US dollar (USD) official since 2000 · no exchange needed · cards everywhere except small markets

Uber / Cabify
From arrivals · Centro US$25-35 · Mariscal/Foch US$22-30 · cheaper than cooperativa

Visa-free
90 days for US/CA/EU/UK/AU/JP/most LATAM · passport stamp only · no ETIAS/e-Visa

Altitude reality
UIO 2,400 m, Centro 2,850 m · mild altitude sickness common · hydrate, no alcohol day 1

Galápagos park fee
US$200 since Oct 2024 (was US$100) · cash USD at GPS/SCY arrivals only · INGALA US$20 transit card

Hub airline
LATAM Ecuador + Avianca Ecuador · American/Delta/United/KLM/Iberia from north · Aerogal/Equair domestic

🏢 1. Single Terminal & the 2013 Tababela Move

UIO (Mariscal Sucre International, named after Antonio José de Sucre, hero of Latin American independence) opened in the Tababela valley in February 2013, replacing the old in-city airport at 2,800 m elevation that was notorious for surrounding-mountain approach difficulty. The new airport sits at 2,400 m in a valley 18 km east of Quito Centro — safer for big jets but a longer transfer to the city. ~5 million passengers/year.

🛫 Single Terminal — Concession by Quiport

Operated by Quiport (Corporación Quiport S.A.) under a 35-year concession from the Municipality of Quito. Wi-Fi works, signs bilingual Spanish/English, immigration moves reasonably fast outside the late-evening US arrival wave (typically 21:00-23:00).

Heavy carriers: LATAM Ecuador (the largest, hub-style ops), Avianca Ecuador, American (MIA daily, JFK seasonal), Delta (ATL daily), United (IAH daily, EWR seasonal), KLM (AMS daily via Guayaquil GYE), Iberia (MAD 4-5x weekly), Air Europa (MAD 3-4x weekly), Copa (PTY 3-4x daily), Aeroméxico (MEX daily), Avianca Brazil (BOG hub).

Don’t over-buffer. 2.5 hours for international (no US preclearance at UIO). Domestic Galápagos / Coca / Cuenca: 90 min is enough. Allow extra during the 06:00-09:00 LATAM/Avianca domestic wave.

📥 Spirit Airlines Collapse & the LATAM Ecuador Hub

Spirit collapsed May 2026. Spirit operated UIO-FLL daily; the route is absorbed by JetBlue (US$280-440) and Frontier (US$240-360). JetBlue is now the cheapest reliable option for FLL-UIO with bag and seat included.

LATAM Ecuador is the hub airline for inter-Ecuador (Galápagos GPS/SCY, Cuenca, Coca, Manta) and regional (Lima, Bogotá, Buenos Aires). Avianca Ecuador covers Bogotá (BOG) connections heavily. The Galápagos run is the daily highlight — UIO-GPS via GYE typically 4-5x daily on LATAM/Avianca.

🌍 The Altitude Reality — Take It Easy On Day 1

UIO airport sits at 2,400 m elevation; Quito Centro is at 2,850 m. Mild altitude sickness (headache, fatigue, light dizziness) is common in the first 24-48 hours. Hydrate aggressively, skip alcohol day 1, eat light meals, take it slow. If symptoms persist or worsen (severe headache, nausea, breathlessness at rest), descend to lower elevation. Coca tea (mate de coca) is widely served and helps.

🛂 2. Visa, USD Official, Galápagos Park Fee & the Altitude Reality

Ecuador is one of the most welcoming entry stamps in South America. US, Canada, EU/UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and most Latin American passports get up to 90 days visa-free on arrival. The unique Ecuador feature: USD has been the official currency since 2000 (replaced the sucre after hyperinflation). The Galápagos National Park fee doubled in October 2024 from US$100 to US$200.

💾

90-Day Visa-Free Stamp

US/CA/EU/UK/AU/NZ/JP/most LATAM passports get up to 90 days visa-free, just a passport stamp. Officer at immigration enters days granted on the stamp; politely ask for the full 90 if your itinerary needs them. Up to 90 days per calendar year. No advance form, no ETIAS, no e-Visa. Onward ticket sometimes asked at check-in.

💵

USD Official Since 2000

Ecuador adopted the US dollar as official currency in 2000 after the sucre collapsed in hyperinflation. No exchange needed for USD-holding tourists. Cards work everywhere except small markets and rural shops. Bring small bills — US$1, US$5, US$10, US$20 work everywhere; US$50 and US$100 bills are sometimes refused (counterfeit fear). Local centavos coins are minted in Ecuador and used as USD-equivalent change.

🌍

Galápagos Park Fee — US$200 Since Oct 2024

The Galápagos National Park fee doubled from US$100 to US$200 in October 2024 for non-Ecuadorian adults (children US$100). Pay in cash USD at GPS or SCY airport arrivals. Plus INGALA transit control card US$20 bought at UIO/GYE departure (the green card). Total mandatory Galápagos fees: US$220 per adult.

💉 Yellow Fever Cert — Required If From Risk Country

Ecuador requires a yellow fever certificate if you’re arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country — primarily Brazil (parts), Bolivia, Colombia (Amazon), Peru (Amazon), Venezuela, parts of Africa — with a connection <7 days. Vaccination should be at least 10 days before travel. Direct from US/Europe/most LATAM not flagged: no yellow fever required. Drones over 250g require pre-arrival permits from DGAC; under-250g exempt. Cash declarations: US$10,000+ must be declared.

🚚 3. Transport: Uber, Cabify, Aeroservicios, the 18-km Centro Drive

UIO is 18 km east of Quito Centro, 22 km east of the Mariscal Foch tourism zone, 23 km east of La Floresta cafe district, 35 km east of Cumbayá (the affluent valley between airport and city). Uber and Cabify both operate at UIO. The Aeroservicios airport bus runs to Quitumbe and Carcelén stations; cooperative airport taxis use fixed zone fares.

⭐ Uber & Cabify — The Apps That Work

Pickup zone: ground-floor curbside outside arrivals, follow “Aplicaciones” signs. Both apps work in English with Spanish addresses; Uber drivers in Quito generally speak only Spanish.

Sample fares (2026): UIO to Centro Histórico US$25-35. Mariscal/Foch US$22-30. La Floresta US$22-30. Cumbayá US$15-22. Tababela town (right by airport) US$5-8.

Cabify is consistently 10-15% cheaper than Uber in Quito. Try Cabify first; Uber as fallback.

🏘️ Cooperativa Taxi — The Airport-Authorised Taxi

Cooperativa booth inside arrivals. Fixed zone-based pricing: Centro Histórico US$30-35, Mariscal US$28-32, La Floresta US$26-30, Cumbayá US$18-22. Roughly 10-30% pricier than Uber/Cabify. Pay at the booth or in the car.

Don’t take a “free” street taxi from outside the cooperativa zone — unauthorised taxis are price-rigged and occasionally tied to short-distance robbery in less-policed areas.

🚂 Aeroservicios Airport Bus — The US$8 Option

Aeroservicios Express Bus runs UIO to Quitumbe (south Quito) and Carcelén (north Quito) every 30-60 minutes 04:00-22:00 for US$8 per ride. Both Quitumbe and Carcelén connect to the Trolebus / Ecovía BRT systems for further transit into Centro/Mariscal.

Useful for solo budget travellers with light luggage; not practical for couples with multiple bags. Buses have luggage compartments. Buy ticket on board cash USD.

🚗 Rental Car — For Cotopaxi & Otavalo Day-Trips

Useful for Cotopaxi National Park (90 km S, 2 h), Otavalo Saturday market (95 km N, 2 h), Mindo cloud forest (2.5 h NW), and the Quilotoa Loop. All major US firms at UIO: Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, plus locals Localiza Ecuador and Latitud 0°. Drive on the right; signs Spanish only.

Don’t drive in Quito Centro — one-way streets, aggressive lane discipline, pico y placa license-plate restrictions in city center on weekday rush hours. Pick up at UIO, drive directly to your destination.

Decline mandatory CDW pitch if your credit card covers Ecuador (Chase Sapphire / Amex Platinum do).

📍 Pico y Placa Restrictions

Quito enforces “pico y placa” (peak-hours license-plate restriction) on weekday mornings (07:00-09:30) and evenings (16:00-19:30). Last digit of plate determines restricted weekday — if you’re driving a rental on the wrong day, you’ll be ticketed. Rental car agencies handle this with non-restricted plates, but verify before driving in Centro on weekday rush.

🛍️ 4. Lounges: VIP Lounge UIO, LATAM, Avianca, Priority Pass

The UIO lounge picture is decent for South America’s smaller capitals. Three options: VIP Lounge UIO (Plaza Premium-network), LATAM Lounge UIO, Avianca Sala VIP. What’s missing: no Centurion, no AA Admirals, no Delta Sky Club, no United Polaris.

VIP Lounge UIO (Plaza Premium-network)

Hours: 05:00-22:30. Free with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, Diners Club. Walk-up: ~US$45 / 3 hours. Hot food (locro de papa, eggs, soup, pasta), open bar from 11:00, decent espresso, showers (US$15 surcharge). Crowded 18:00-22:00 international wave (KLM/Iberia/American/Delta).

LATAM Lounge UIO

Hours: 04:30-22:30. Free: LATAM Black/Top, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald (codeshare), Star Alliance Gold (via TAP partnership). Pay-in: ~US$40 / 3 hours. Standard hot food, open bar from 11:00. Smaller than VIP Lounge UIO but functional.

Avianca Sala VIP

Hours: during Avianca operations. Free to Avianca LifeMiles Diamond, Star Alliance Gold (Avianca is Star Alliance). Pay-in not available. Standard regional Avianca-affiliated lounge food. Useful only if flying Avianca.

📍 Quiet Zones & Power

International departures area past security has comfortable seats with USB ports. Free Wi-Fi 30-50 Mbps in 45-min renewable slots. Type A/B (US-style, 110V) plug at gate seats — bring a US plug adapter (Ecuador uses USD and US-style plugs since the 2000 dollarisation).

🥩 5. Food & Duty-Free: Locro, Ceviche, Cuy, Pilsener, Café de Loja

Ecuadorian cuisine reflects its three geographic regions: highland (locro de papa, hornado, llapingachos), coastal (encebollado, ceviche, encocado), and Amazon (maitos de tilapia). The cuy (guinea pig) is the iconic regional dish — not for the faint-hearted. Pilsener beer and Café de Loja coffee are the take-homes; cocoa from Ecuador is among the world’s finest.

The Ecuadorian Food Canon

Locro de papa: highland potato-cheese-avocado soup. Hornado: roast pork, often eaten as the Saturday-Sunday family meal. Llapingachos: potato-and-cheese pancakes with chorizo. Encebollado: the coastal hangover-cure fish-and-onion soup. Ceviche ecuatoriano: shrimp-or-fish with tomato sauce and chifles (plantain chips). Cuy (guinea pig): roasted whole, the highland Andean classic. Café de Loja is among South America’s best coffees.

Airport Food Reality & Centro Restaurants

UIO airside has Juan Valdez Café (Colombian chain), Cinnabon, Burger King, “Sabor Ecuatoriano” kiosk doing decent locro/empanadas at airport prices. Prices 60-100% above Mercado Central de Quito. A locro that costs US$3.50 in town costs US$8 here. Strategy: eat in Centro before heading 18 km east. Octava de Corpus, La Choza, Theatrum (in the Teatro Sucre), Casa Gangotena rooftop, Zazu are the destination meals. Mercado Central for the authentic locro experience (US$3-5 plates).

🥪 Pilsener, Café de Loja, Cacao — The Take-Homes

UIO duty-free carries Pilsener (Ecuador’s national beer, US$2-3 per can) and the premium Bicervecera lineup (US$4-6). Café de Loja is the southern Andean coffee, sold at airport for US$8-15 / 250g (vs US$5-9 in town). Ecuadorian cocoa is genuinely world-class — Pacari, Kallari, Republica del Cacao all stock at UIO duty-free. Pacari single-origin bars US$5-9 each. Worth a take-home. Pisco / aguardiente options modest. US 1L duty-free; pack alcohol in checked baggage.

💡 6. Insider Tips: Galápagos, Mitad del Mundo, Cotopaxi, Otavalo

UIO opens four classic Ecuador onward destinations: Galápagos Islands (the global biodiversity icon, via UIO-GPS or UIO-SCY direct or via GYE), Mitad del Mundo (the Equator monument 90 minutes from UIO), Cotopaxi National Park (the iconic glacier-capped volcano, 2 hours south), Otavalo Saturday market (the indigenous artisan market, 2 hours north).

Galápagos Reality — Plan 8+ Days

UIO-GPS (Baltra) or UIO-SCY (San Cristóbal) direct flight 3 h or via GYE. Park fee US$200 + INGALA US$20 per adult. Cruise tours US$2,500-7,000 / week including park fees, food, naturalist guides. Land-based stays (Puerto Ayora, Puerto Villamil) US$1,500-4,000 / week with day-tour options. The animals don’t fear humans — the unique Galápagos magic. Plan 8+ days minimum to make the journey worthwhile.

Cotopaxi, Mitad del Mundo, Otavalo

Cotopaxi (90 km S, 2 h): the world’s tallest active volcano, 5,897 m glacier-capped. Day-trip US$80-150 organised tours. Mitad del Mundo (15 km N of Quito Centro, 90 min from UIO): the Equator monument; tourist-y but iconic. Otavalo (95 km N, 2 h): the indigenous Saturday market — Latin America’s largest. Best Saturday morning. Day-trip US$70-120 organised tours.

Safety, Tap Water, Tipping

Quito has elevated petty-crime rates compared to other South American capitals; tourism zones (Centro Histórico, Mariscal Foch, La Floresta) are heavily policed. Avoid Mariscal Foch after midnight (drunk-tourist robbery zone). Don’t drink tap water — bottled water US$0.50-1 / 500ml. Restaurants use filtered ice safely. Tipping: 10% restaurants (sometimes auto “10% servicio” on the bill). US$1-2 per ride for Uber. Bargaining expected at Otavalo market.

🌍 Centro Histórico (UNESCO 1978) & Mariscal Foch

Quito Centro Histórico is UNESCO World Heritage 1978 — the first World Heritage city in the Americas (along with Krakow). Plaza Grande, Cathedral, La Compañía Church (the gold-leaf Baroque masterpiece), Plaza San Francisco, Calle La Ronda. Mariscal Foch / La Mariscal is the modern tourism + nightlife district. La Floresta is the cafe / boutique hotel quarter. Cumbayá (between airport and city) is the affluent valley with high-end restaurants.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to enter Ecuador?

No. US, Canada, EU/UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and most Latin American passport holders enter Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days — just a passport stamp on arrival. No advance form, no ETIAS, no e-Visa. Officer’s discretion sets the actual stamp duration based on declared travel duration. Onward ticket sometimes asked at check-in.

Does Ecuador really use the US dollar?