Ecuador Travel Adaptor Kit has the adapters you will need for taking your North America appliances with you to Ecuador.  Ecuador has the same type of wall outlet as North America, however the power outlets are not required to be polarized (one pin larger than the other).  Because of this an adapter may still be required to operate your blow dryer, or charge your cell phone.

Adapter plugs allow electrical connections up to 240 volts. An adapter plug does NOT change the current or voltage (this requires a converter) unless your appliance is dual voltage. A non-grounded adapter may NOT be used with appliances that have grounded plugs; for these you will need a grounded adapter.  If your hair dryer, curling iron, electric razor is not dual voltage you will most likely need a converter to use your electric.  For more information see Going In Style's Adapter and Converter Finder.

Many of our customers find it handy to have multiple adaptors while traveling - either to run several appliances simultaneously or simply as a backup.

Why do I need a North American adapter?

Even though Ecuador uses North American sockets, the sockets are not required to be polarized. Since devices such as laptops have a polarized plug with one prong wider than the other, you may still need an adapter to use your plug in Ecuador.

Going In Style Ecuador Model GIS-EC-A-GUA

Grounded Adapter Plugs

If you are traveling with a grounded United States dual/multi-voltage appliance or using a grounded Transformer you will need to use a grounded adaptor plug. A grounded United States plug has two flat blades and one round pin.

Non-Grounded Adapter Plugs

Going In Style offers non-grounded adapter plugs for use with your voltage converter, transformer, or dual/multi voltage appliance. A non-grounded United States plug has two flat blades.

Shop Going In Style Converters and Transformers

Cycles: 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz.

Ecuador operates on 120 volt electricity and is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. United States 110-120 volt electricity is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. Many foreign countries operate on 60Hz. This difference in cycles may cause the motor in your 60Hz United States appliance to operate slightly slower when used on 50Hz foreign electricity. Most modern electronic equipment including battery chargers, Lenovo, HP, Asus, Toshiba computers, iPods, etc., will not be affected by the difference in cycle.

Computers and Apple Products

If you are traveling overseas with a Toshiba, Hp, Lenovo, Asus, laptop or Apple device such as an iPad, chances are you won’t need a voltage converter. Most laptops are multi-voltage and will operate on voltages ranging from 100 to 240 volts. However, computers do need to make safe connections to foreign power systems and a surge protector is recommended and you will still need an adapter to use your plug.

About Ecuador

Geography

Ecuador is located in Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru and its area slightly smaller than Nevada. Its climate is tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands. The terrain is coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente). Natural resources include fish and timber.

Currency

Currency in Ecuador is US Dollar (USD). Credit cards are generally accepted. Foreign money and travelers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks throughout Ecuador.

Staying Connected

Ecuador has an elementary fixed-line service, but increasingly sophisticated mobile-cellular network. Fixed-line teledensity stands at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular use has surged and subscribership reached 100 per 100 persons in 2010; use of smartphones increasing. Cell phone coverage is patchy. When travelling to Ecuador you will want to take an international or unlocked cell phone with a prepaid Ecuador SIM card. You can also contact your mobile service provider to set up an international calling plan. You will need an adapter to charge your phone. Most cell phone battery rechargers should be multi-voltage, therefore will not require a converter. If the charger says 100-240 volts, 50-60 cycles then your charger in multi-voltage.

Ecuador has 162,281 internet hosts and over 3.352 million internet users. There is internet access in tourist hotels and internet cafes throughout the major cities. When traveling with your laptop or iPad you will need an adapter to charge your device.

Why do I need a GUA plug in Ecuador?

Even though Ecuador uses North American sockets, the sockets are not required to be polarized. Since laptops have a polarized plug with one prong wider than the other, you will still need an adapter to use your plug in Ecuador.