Ecuador - MEDLIFE

Why we work in ecuador

Diverse landscapes pose challenges for health care and infrastructure development
Approximately 2.1% of the population in Ecuador is multidimensionally poor
Rural areas often lack healthcare facilities and face challenges in accessing medical professionals
5.9% of the population is classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty
Basic infrastructure such as roads, water, and sanitation systems require improvement in many regions
Economic inequality impacts access to healthcare, education, and other essential services

ECUADOR at a glance

Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent. Ecuador is named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that splits the country in two. Most of the country is in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Galápagos Islands, 596 miles (960 kilometers) west of the mainland of Ecuador are part of Ecuador and are home to unique reptiles, birds, and plants. The Costa, or coastal plain region is where many of the world’s bananas are grown. The Sierra is also made up of farmland. The Oriente is east of the Andes and is rich in oil.

Official Name:
Republic of Ecuador

Form of Government:
Republic

Capital:
Quito

Population:
16,498,502

Official Languages:
Spanish & Quechua

Money:
U.S. dollar

Area:
109,483 mi² (283,560 m²)

MEDLIFE’s impact in ECUADOR

Total patients attended: 122,884

Toothbrushing patients: 30,363

PAP smears: 3,339

Breast exams: 10,498

Requirements To Visit

Ecuador travel requirements:

A passport with six months validity is required to enter Ecuador. Before you travel, ensure that your passport is valid and up to date. If you need to renew your passport before traveling, do so as soon as possible.

Ecuador visa requirements:

Travellers entering Ecuador do not need to obtain a visa if their stay is under 90 days.

Do you need vaccinations to go to Ecuador?

While no vaccinations are required to enter Ecuador, it is advisable to get up to date on certain vaccinations like typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever, rabies, and COVID-19.

Ecuador travel restrictions:

It is important to stay up to date on the travel advisories for Peru from your country’s government website.

highlights of service learning trips

Duration of trips:
8 days

Average Cost:
$1,650

Seasons:
The dry season in the Sierra lasts from June–September, while the rainy season runs from October–May. Rains usually fall in the afternoon during the wet season.