How to Call Ecuador from US
How to Call a Landline in Ecuador
Calling an Ecuadorian landline from the United States (USA) follows this standard international format:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Ecuador's country code: 593
- Dial the Ecuadorian area code (1 digit): [Area Code] (e.g., 2 for Quito/Pichincha)
- Dial the 7-digit local phone number: [Local Number]
For example, if you're calling a landline number in Quito (Area Code 2), with the local number 123 4567, you would dial: 011 593 2 123 4567.
Ecuadorian landline numbers consist of the country code (593), a 1-digit area code, and a 7-digit local number, totalling 8 digits after the country code (593).
Dialing an Ecuador landline:
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Ecuador
Calling an Ecuadorian mobile phone from the United States (USA) uses this format:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Ecuador's country code: 593
- Dial the mobile indicator prefix: 9
- Dial the remaining 8-digit mobile number: [8-digit Mobile Number]
For example, if the Ecuadorian mobile number is 09 8765 4321 locally, you would dial: 011 593 9 8765 4321 from the USA.
Ecuadorian mobile numbers have 9 digits following the country code (593), always starting with '9'. Just drop the leading '0' from the local mobile number format (09 XXXX XXXX).
Dialing an Ecuador mobile:
Ecuador Landline Area Codes (Provinces)
Ecuador uses single-digit area codes for its provinces. When calling a landline from the USA, use the format: 011 + 593 + Area Code (1 digit) + 7-digit Local Number.
| Area Code (Dial after 593) | Major Provinces / Cities Covered |
|---|---|
| 2 | Pichincha (Quito), Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas |
| 3 | Tungurahua (Ambato), Chimborazo (Riobamba), Cotopaxi (Latacunga), Bolívar (Guaranda), Pastaza (Puyo) |
| 4 | Guayas (Guayaquil), Santa Elena |
| 5 | Manabí (Portoviejo, Manta), Los Ríos (Babahoyo), Galápagos Islands |
| 6 | Imbabura (Ibarra), Esmeraldas, Carchi (Tulcán), Napo (Tena), Sucumbíos (Lago Agrio), Orellana (Coca) |
| 7 | Azuay (Cuenca), Loja, El Oro (Machala), Cañar (Azogues), Morona Santiago (Macas), Zamora Chinchipe |
Note: Some area codes cover multiple provinces. The local 7-digit number ensures the call reaches the correct destination within that region.
Mobile Phone Networks in Ecuador
Ecuadorian mobile numbers always start with the digit 9 after the country code 593. The format when calling from the USA is 011 + 593 + 9 + 8-digit mobile number. The total number dialed after '011' is 12 digits.
The main mobile operators are Claro, Movistar, and CNT. Number portability is active, meaning the first few digits after the '9' (typically indicating the original operator) might not reflect the current service provider.
| Network Provider (Original Blocks) | Common Prefixes (Start with 9 after 593) |
|---|---|
| Claro (formerly Porta) | 99, 98, 96 (examples: 99XXXXXXX, 98XXXXXXX, 96XXXXXXX) |
| Movistar (formerly BellSouth/Otecel) | 99, 98, 97, 96 (examples: 99XXXXXXX, 98XXXXXXX, 979XXXXXX, 969XXXXXX) |
| CNT Mobile (formerly Alegro) | 99, 98, 96 (examples: 99XXXXXXX, 98XXXXXXX, 96XXXXXXX) |
Time Difference in Ecuador (Mainland)
Mainland Ecuador, including major cities like Quito and Guayaquil, observes Ecuador Time (ECT), which is UTC-5 year-round. Ecuador does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
(Note: The Galápagos Islands are UTC-6, one hour behind the mainland).
This means the time difference with the United States (USA) changes depending on US Daylight Saving Time (DST - approx. mid-March to early November):
During US Standard Time (approx. early November to mid-March):
Ecuador (Mainland) is the same time as US Eastern Time (ET / EST).
Ecuador is 1 hour ahead of US Central Time (CT / CST).
Ecuador is 2 hours ahead of US Mountain Time (MT / MST).
Ecuador is 3 hours ahead of US Pacific Time (PT / PST).
(Example: 9 AM EST is 9 AM ECT)
During US Daylight Saving Time (approx. mid-March to early November):
Ecuador (Mainland) is 1 hour behind US Eastern Time (ET / EDT).
Ecuador is the same time as US Central Time (CT / CDT).
Ecuador is 1 hour ahead of US Mountain Time (MT / MDT).
Ecuador is 2 hours ahead of US Pacific Time (PT / PDT).
(Example: 9 AM EDT is 8 AM ECT)
Always double-check the current time difference before calling, especially near the US DST transition dates.
Ecuador's Phone System
Ecuador has a reasonably developed telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in urban centers like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. Mobile phone usage significantly outweighs fixed-line connections for personal communication. The main mobile providers, Claro, Movistar, and CNT, offer widespread coverage, including 3G and 4G/LTE, although service quality can vary in remote or mountainous regions. Fiber optic internet is increasingly available in cities, supporting VoIP calls and messaging apps. Fixed-line services are still used, especially by businesses.
Best Times to Call Ecuador
Considering Ecuador's mainland time zone (ECT, UTC-5) and typical business hours (roughly 9:00 AM to 5:00 or 6:00 PM local time, Monday-Friday), the best calling window from the USA depends significantly on US Daylight Saving Time.
When the US is on Standard Time (Nov-Mar): Ecuador is the same time as US Eastern Time. Calling during standard US business hours (9 AM - 5 PM ET / 8 AM - 4 PM CT / 7 AM - 3 PM MT / 6 AM - 2 PM PT) works well.
When the US is on Daylight Saving Time (Mar-Nov): Ecuador is 1 hour behind US Eastern Time. The best overlap is typically during the US morning and early afternoon. Aim for 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM US Eastern Time. This corresponds to 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Ecuador, covering most of their business day.
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Using our service is simple:
Dial local access number
Call the local access number provided with your card (specific to the United States (USA))
Enter your PIN
Input your unique PIN when prompted
Dial Ecuador number
Follow the format based on your destination (after entering PIN):
For Landlines: 593 + Area Code (1 digit) + Local Number (7 digits)
For Mobiles: 593 + 9 + Mobile Number (8 digits)
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