The +593 country code is for Ecuador. Sitting on the equator on South America's Pacific coast -- the country is literally named after it -- Ecuador is home to about 18 million people. Quito, the capital, sits at 2,850 metres in the Andes and is one of the highest capital cities in the world. Guayaquil, the largest city and main port, is down on the hot coastal plain. Ecuador is the country that gave the world the Galápagos Islands, the panama hat (which is actually Ecuadorian, not Panamanian), and has used the US dollar as its currency since 2000 after its own sucre collapsed in a banking crisis.
Quick answer: The country code +593 is for Ecuador. Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +593, starting with 9:
+593 9X XXX XXXX. Landline numbers are 8 digits, starting with an area code (2-7):+593 [2-7] XXX XXXX. The trunk prefix is 0 -- drop it when dialing internationally.
How to call Ecuador: quick reference
Ecuador uses the trunk prefix 0 for domestic calls. When calling from abroad, drop the leading 0. So if someone gives you a number like 09X XXX XXXX, you'd dial +593 9X XXX XXXX.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +593 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-593-[local number] |
| Spain | 00-593-[local number] |
| Italy | 00-593-[local number] |
| Colombia | 00-593-[local number] |
| Peru | 00-593-[local number] |
Understanding Ecuador phone numbers
Ecuador has two number lengths depending on the type:
- Mobile numbers: 9 digits after +593, always starting with 9.
- Landline numbers: 8 digits after +593, starting with the area code (2-7).
The trunk prefix 0 is used domestically but must be dropped for international calls. A number stored locally as 099 123 4567 becomes +593 99 123 4567 internationally.
Mobile numbers
All Ecuadorian mobile numbers start with 9 after the country code. The second digit indicates the carrier (though number portability means this isn't always reliable):
- Claro: 96X, 97X, 98X, 99X (many ranges)
- Movistar: 98X, 99X (some ranges)
- CNT: 95X, 96X (some ranges)
Format: +593 9X XXX XXXX (9 digits total after +593)
Landline numbers and area codes
Ecuador's area codes are single digits, mapped to regions:
| Area code | Region / City |
|---|---|
| 2 | Quito, Pichincha province (northern highlands) |
| 3 | Ambato, Riobamba (central highlands) |
| 4 | Guayaquil, Guayas (southern coast) |
| 5 | Manta, Portoviejo, Manabí (central coast) |
| 6 | Tulcán, Ibarra (northern highlands/border) |
| 7 | Cuenca, Loja (southern highlands) |
Format: +593 [2-7] XXX XXXX (8 digits total after +593)
Landlines are declining as in most of Latin America, but businesses in Quito and Guayaquil still use them. Government offices, hotels, and restaurants typically have landline numbers.
Mobile carriers in Ecuador
Ecuador has three mobile carriers. The market is dominated by one player, with two others competing for the rest.
Claro (América Móvil)
Claro is the market leader with roughly 55-60% of subscribers. Owned by Carlos Slim's América Móvil, the same company behind Claro in most of Latin America. Claro has the widest 4G coverage in Ecuador, including smaller cities and towns. Most Ecuadorians default to Claro. If you're calling an Ecuadorian mobile number and don't know the carrier, it's probably Claro.
Movistar (Telefónica)
Movistar is the second carrier with about 25-30% market share. Owned by Spanish telecom giant Telefónica. Movistar competes aggressively on data plans and is popular with younger users in Quito and Guayaquil. Coverage in rural and Amazon areas is spottier than Claro.
CNT (Corporación Nacional de Telecomunicaciones)
CNT is the state-owned carrier with about 10-15% market share. It runs both the mobile network and Ecuador's fixed-line infrastructure. CNT was created from the merger of the old state telecom companies (Andinatel and Pacifictel) in 2008. It also provides internet and TV services. Mobile coverage outside major cities is limited compared to Claro.
Don't confuse +593 with nearby codes
Ecuador's +593 sits in a cluster of South American country codes in the 59X range. It's easy to mis-dial.
| Code | Country | Region |
|---|---|---|
| +593 | Ecuador | South America (Pacific coast) |
| +591 | Bolivia | South America (landlocked) |
| +592 | Guyana | South America (Caribbean coast) |
| +595 | Paraguay | South America (landlocked) |
The most common mix-up is +593 vs. +591 (Bolivia). Both are Andean, Spanish-speaking countries. Another is dialing +53 (Cuba) when trying to dial +593 -- if you forget the 9, you'll reach Havana instead of Quito.
Time zone considerations
Ecuador mainland runs on Ecuador Time (ECT, UTC-5) year-round with no daylight saving time. This is the same offset as US Eastern Standard Time (EST). The Galápagos Islands are one hour behind the mainland at UTC-6.
| Your location | Time difference | Call Ecuador 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Same time | 9 AM - 6 PM EST |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Ecuador is 1 hour behind | 10 AM - 7 PM EDT |
| US West Coast (PST) | Ecuador is 3 hours ahead | 6 AM - 3 PM PST |
| Spain (CET) | Ecuador is 6 hours behind | 3 PM - 12 AM CET |
| Spain (CEST) | Ecuador is 7 hours behind | 4 PM - 1 AM CEST |
| Italy (CET) | Ecuador is 6 hours behind | 3 PM - 12 AM CET |
| Colombia (COT) | Same time | 9 AM - 6 PM COT |
| Peru (PET) | Same time | 9 AM - 6 PM PET |
Tip: The US East Coast-Ecuador connection has the best time overlap of almost any Latin American route -- they share the same time zone in winter (EST). For the Spanish diaspora, the 6-7 hour gap means calling in the late afternoon or evening from Spain.
Communication in Ecuador
Business hours and calling patterns
Standard business hours in Ecuador are 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Government offices often close for lunch (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM). Guayaquil businesses tend to start earlier (8:00 AM) and finish earlier due to the heat. Banks close at 4:00 PM. Saturday mornings are active for retail and some businesses.
WhatsApp and messaging
WhatsApp is the primary communication tool in Ecuador. Nearly everyone with a smartphone uses it -- for personal calls, business inquiries, doctor appointments, and even government services. Voice notes are common. Many small businesses list their WhatsApp number rather than a landline. WhatsApp calls over WiFi are the standard way Ecuadorians abroad stay in touch.
Facebook Messenger is also used, especially among older users and for marketplace transactions. Telegram has a small but growing user base.
Network coverage
Coverage in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and other cities is reliable on all three carriers. 4G is available in urban areas and along major highways. The Andes highlands have decent coverage along main roads, but remote mountain communities and Amazon jungle areas can be spotty or limited to 2G/3G. The Galápagos Islands have mobile coverage in the main towns (Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno) but not in the national park areas.
The Ecuador diaspora
Ecuador experienced a massive emigration wave between 1999 and 2007, triggered by the banking crisis and dollarization. An estimated 1.5-2 million Ecuadorians left the country in less than a decade. The diaspora is concentrated in a few key destinations:
Where they went
- United States: About 600,000-700,000 Ecuadorians, the largest community outside Ecuador. New York City is the epicentre -- Jackson Heights and Corona in Queens are essentially Ecuadorian neighbourhoods. You'll find Ecuadorian restaurants, money transfer shops, and phone card vendors on Roosevelt Avenue. Significant communities also exist in New Jersey, Connecticut, Chicago, and the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.
- Spain: About 400,000-500,000 Ecuadorians, making it the second-largest destination. The wave peaked between 2000-2007 when Spain's construction boom needed workers and Ecuadorians needed work after the banking crisis. Madrid has the largest concentration, followed by Barcelona, Valencia, and Murcia. Many Ecuadorians in Spain have obtained Spanish citizenship.
- Italy: About 90,000-100,000, concentrated in Milan, Genoa, and Rome. Many arrived in the early 2000s. The community is smaller than Spain's but well-established.
- Colombia and Peru: Ecuador's northern and southern neighbours. Cross-border movement is constant, especially in the border regions. Many Colombians also live in Ecuador (refugees from the armed conflict), so calls flow both directions.
- Chile: Growing Ecuadorian community, part of the broader Latin American migration to Chile that accelerated in the 2010s.
Why they call
The 1999 crisis split families apart rapidly. Parents left for Spain or New York and left children with grandparents in Ecuador. These transnational families still call regularly -- it's a generation-defining experience. Remittances from the US and Spain are a major part of Ecuador's economy (about $4 billion annually). Calls often coincide with money transfers: "I sent $200 through Western Union, go pick it up tomorrow."
Ecuadorian holidays that drive call volume include Carnival (February), the founding of Quito (December 6), and regional festivals. Mother's Day (second Sunday of May) is particularly heavy -- it's one of the most celebrated days in Ecuador.
Dialing examples
Example 1: Calling a Quito mobile (Claro) from the US
- Ecuadorian number (local format): 099 876 5432
- Drop the trunk prefix 0: 99 876 5432
- From a US mobile:
+593 99 876 5432 - From a US landline:
011 593 99 876 5432
Example 2: Calling a Guayaquil landline from Spain
- Ecuadorian number (local format): 04 231 4567
- Drop the trunk prefix 0: 4 231 4567
- From Spain:
00 593 4 231 4567
Example 3: Calling a Cuenca mobile from Italy
- Ecuadorian number (local format): 098 765 4321
- Drop the trunk prefix 0: 98 765 4321
- From Italy:
00 593 98 765 4321
Example 4: Calling a Quito landline from Colombia
- Ecuadorian number (local format): 02 345 6789
- Drop the trunk prefix 0: 2 345 6789
- From Colombia:
00 593 2 345 6789
Common mistakes to avoid
Keeping the trunk prefix 0
The most common mistake. Ecuadorians give their numbers in local format (09X XXX XXXX for mobile, 0X XXX XXXX for landline). That leading 0 is the trunk prefix for domestic calls only. When dialing from abroad, drop it. +593 099 876 5432 won't work -- use +593 99 876 5432.
Wrong number length
Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +593. Landline numbers are 8 digits. If you're dialing a mobile and only have 8 digits, you're missing a digit. If you're dialing a landline and have 9 digits, you might have included the trunk prefix.
Confusing +593 with +591 (Bolivia)
Both are Andean countries, both Spanish-speaking. +593 is Ecuador, +591 is Bolivia. If your call connects to someone speaking Spanish but in the wrong country, check which code you dialed.
Dialing +53 instead of +593
If you forget the 9, you'll dial +53, which is Cuba. You'll still hear Spanish, but you'll have reached Havana instead of Quito.
Forgetting the Galápagos time difference
If you're calling the Galápagos Islands, they're 1 hour behind mainland Ecuador (UTC-6 vs. UTC-5). A 9 AM call to Quito is 8 AM in the Galápagos.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +593 country code?
The +593 country code is for Ecuador.
How many digits is an Ecuadorian phone number?
Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +593 (starting with 9). Landline numbers are 8 digits after +593 (starting with area code 2-7).
How do I call Ecuador from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +593 followed by the number (drop the leading 0). From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 593, then the number without the leading 0.
What time zone is Ecuador in?
Ecuador mainland is on UTC-5 (same as US Eastern Standard Time) year-round. The Galápagos Islands are on UTC-6. Ecuador does not observe daylight saving time.
What is the difference between +593 and +591?
+593 is Ecuador (capital: Quito). +591 is Bolivia (capital: Sucre/La Paz). Both are Andean, Spanish-speaking countries, but they don't share a border.
Does Ecuador have a trunk prefix?
Yes. Ecuador uses 0 as the trunk prefix for domestic calls. Drop it when dialing from abroad.
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