Communication
The international code to call outside of Ecuador is 00
The international code to call Ecuador is +593
Internet
Cyber cafes are located in almost every city in Ecuador. The cost varies slightly per location, but on average you will pay US$1.00 for an hour of Internet. Wi-Fi is readily available throughout most major cities in Ecuador, including Cuenca. (In the El Nomad Center, you will be able to use the Internet for free)
Cell Phones
Cell phone chips (sim cards) may be purchased for use with your cell phone from your home country as long as the phone has been unlocked for international use. In order to do this you need contact your local carrier in your home country and tell them that you would like to unlock your phone so that you may use it abroad. This process can take several days and is well worth the effort. However, if you cannot unlock your phone, you may purchase a mobile phone once in Ecuador from any of the mobile phone companies. The mobile phone companies in Ecuador are:
PORTA
Prepaid cards of $3.00, $6.00, $20.00 and $30.00
Calls cost $0.10 - $0.15 per minute (plus taxes)
MOVISTAR
Prepaid cards of $6.00, $10.00, $15.00 and $20.00
Calls cost $0.10 - $0.15 per minute (plus taxes)
Mail
Mail sent to Occidental Europe and the United States takes around one week to arrive. For mail sent to the rest of the world, delivery can take between 8-15 days. Delivery of mail sent to Ecuador is very irregular and can, at times, take 15 days or more to arrive. If documents or packages are urgent, we recommend using a private carrier such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL. These services are available in most cities.
