Quick answer. Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency, so at Quito's Mariscal Sucre (UIO) there is nothing to exchange and no FX markup: a US card works dollar-for-dollar. The only cost is the $2-3 operator fee that Ecuadorian bank ATMs (Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacifico, Banco Guayaquil) charge foreign cards; Banco del Pacifico usually has the lowest fee and the highest cap, and a Charles Schwab card refunds the fee entirely. Withdraw enough dollars in small bills before heading to the Galapagos, where machines are scarce. Always decline DCC (meaningless here, both sides use USD). Note the airport sits in Tababela, about 43 km (40-60 minutes) from Quito, so budget for transport: the Aeroservicios shuttle to the old airport (Parque Bicentenario) is about $8, a taxi runs $25-35, and Uber runs $20-30.
Where to get US dollar at UIO
The Quito money story is unusual: because Ecuador uses the US dollar, there is no exchange rate to lose on and no FX markup. The only variable is the ATM operator fee ($2-3 flat, lowest at Banco del Pacifico) and whether your card refunds it. The cost math below assumes you withdraw $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banco del Pacifico ATM + Schwab (fee refunded) | Arrivals area | Dollar-for-dollar, operator fee refunded | ~$100 |
| Banco del Pacifico ATM (lowest fee, one larger pull) | Arrivals area | No FX; ~$1-2 flat operator fee | ~$98-99 |
| Banco Pichincha / Guayaquil ATM | Arrivals area | No FX; ~$2-3 flat operator fee | ~$97 |
| Standalone unbranded ATM with DCC | Terminal / hotels / Galapagos | Operator fee + DCC pitch | ~$90-95 |
| Exchange counter (for non-USD arrivals) | Arrivals | High spread; irrelevant if you carry USD | ~$90 |
Where to find the Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacifico and Banco Guayaquil ATMs at Quito (UIO)
Quito's Mariscal Sucre International (UIO) is Ecuador's busiest airport, but it is not near the city: it sits in Tababela, about 43 km east of central Quito, a 40 to 60 minute drive depending on traffic. The award-winning single terminal opened in 2013 to replace the old in-city airport. Because Ecuador has used the US dollar as its official currency since 2000, there is nothing to exchange and no FX markup: a US debit or credit card works dollar-for-dollar. Your only cost is the operator fee Ecuadorian bank ATMs charge foreign cards, typically $2-3, posted on screen before you confirm. Look for a Banco Pichincha (the largest network), Banco del Pacifico or Banco Guayaquil machine in the arrivals area rather than a standalone unbranded ATM. Banco del Pacifico historically has the lowest fee and the highest per-withdrawal cap, so it is the pick for pulling a larger amount; a Charles Schwab card refunds the operator fee worldwide, and a Wise card keeps everything else at zero. Withdraw enough dollars in small bills before any onward flight to the Galapagos, where ATMs are scarce and pricey. Decline DCC (the 'charge in USD' offer is pointless when both sides already use USD).
Main Terminal (Tababela, opened 2013)
Avianca, LATAM Ecuador, American Airlines, United, Delta, Copa Airlines, Aeromexico, KLM, Iberia and regional carriers, plus connections to Guayaquil, Cuenca and the Galapagos (Baltra and San Cristobal). The single modern terminal handles all scheduled flights
In the arrivals area, walk past any exchange counter and look for a Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacifico or Banco Guayaquil ATM. All dispense US dollars at par (no FX), charging only the $2-3 operator fee shown on screen (lowest at Banco del Pacifico); a Schwab card refunds it. Withdraw one larger amount to spread the flat fee, take small bills for the Galapagos, decline DCC, then head to the Aeroservicios shuttle, the taxi rank or the Uber pickup for the 43 km trip into Quito.
Do you actually need cash at Quito (UIO)?
Partly, and more than in most capitals because UIO is far from town and the Galapagos runs on cash. Quito malls, chain hotels and Uber take cards; taxis, markets and the islands want small-bill US dollars. Here is what works on a card and where cash rules:
Aeroservicios shuttle bus (~$8 to Parque Bicentenario (old airport)): Scheduled shuttle to the old airport site in northern Quito, from where a short taxi reaches your neighborhood; the cheapest comfortable option, though it drops you north of the center.
Official airport taxi (~$25-35 to central Quito): Regulated taxis at the rank run 40-60 minutes to the historic center or La Mariscal; agree the fare and pay cash. Having small bills from an airport ATM helps.
Uber (~$20-30 to central Quito): Uber operates at UIO and bills your card through the app, usually cheaper than the official taxi; follow the app's rideshare pickup instructions.
Public bus (~$2): A public bus runs toward the city for a couple of dollars cash, but it is slow and awkward with luggage over the 43 km route.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Quito (UIO) to Quito?
No. Aeroservicios shuttle bus accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order US dollar before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical US dollar to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 US dollar for taxis and tips on day one.
Do I need to exchange money at Quito Airport?
No. Ecuador's official currency is the US dollar, so there is nothing to exchange and no FX markup: a US card spends and withdraws dollar-for-dollar. The few exchange counters at UIO exist for travelers arriving with euros, pounds or other South American currencies. If you carry US dollars or a US card, ignore them and either spend on the card or pull dollars from a Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacifico or Banco Guayaquil ATM.
Which ATM at UIO is cheapest?
Banco del Pacifico usually charges the lowest operator fee (around $1 to $2) and offers the highest per-withdrawal cap, so it is the best choice for pulling a larger amount in one go. Banco Pichincha has the widest network and Banco Guayaquil and Produbanco are also fine; all charge roughly $2 to $3 per foreign-card withdrawal, shown on screen before you confirm. Since the fee is flat and there is no FX cost, one larger withdrawal beats several small ones. A Charles Schwab debit card refunds ATM operator fees worldwide, which effectively makes UIO withdrawals free. Always decline DCC and choose to be charged in US dollars (which is all there is).
How do I get from Quito Airport into the city, and how much does it cost?
Budget for it, because UIO is about 43 km from central Quito (40 to 60 minutes). The cheapest comfortable option is the Aeroservicios shuttle bus to the old airport site at Parque Bicentenario in northern Quito for about $8, from where you take a short taxi to your neighborhood. Official airport taxis run about $25 to $35 to the historic center or La Mariscal, and Uber runs about $20 to $30 (follow the app's pickup instructions). There is also a public bus for around $2, but it is slow and awkward with luggage. Whatever you choose, having a few dollars in cash for the taxi leg helps.
Should I bring US dollars in small bills for Ecuador and the Galapagos?
Yes, especially for the Galapagos. Quito hotels, malls, chain restaurants and Uber take cards, but a lot of Ecuador runs on cash small bills: taxis, markets (Otavalo, Saquisili), neighborhood restaurants and intercity buses. The Galapagos is the big one: on-island restaurants, water taxis, gear rentals and the multi-day cruise tip pool consume large amounts of small-bill cash, and island ATMs are few and expensive. Budget $100 to $200 in $1, $5 and $10 bills for a Galapagos cruise, and pull the rest from a mainland bank ATM (Banco del Pacifico for the highest cap) before you fly out to the islands.
Is there a Bank of America Alliance partner at UIO?
No. Ecuador has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA debit card pays the local operator fee at any bank ATM. Because everything is already in dollars there is no FX cost, but the cleanest setup is still a Charles Schwab card (refunds the operator fee) or a Wise card, plus a supply of US dollar small bills for taxis, markets and the Galapagos.