Security

What can I do to protect myself and my valuables while traveling in Quito and else where?

• Make copies of your important documents, such as your passport, airplane tickets, and credit card numbers. When possible, leave the originals in a safe box at your hotel. Always keep a copy of your passport with you. Keep all important documents and cash that you must carry with you in a secure place, such as an inner pocket or a pouch that is hidden under a layer of clothing.
• In general, carry credit and debit cards instead of large sums of cash. Change your currency in a bank or in your hotel, never on the street.
• Be wary of people who are too friendly too quickly, or that offer to show you around.
• Don't wear expensive jewelry or wristwatches. They make you a target. Your cameras are also valuable; keep them inside your bag or somewhere out of sight.
• Keep an eye on your shoulder-bags and purses. When walking, wear backpacks in front of you instead of on your back. When in restaurants and other public places, keep all bags and other valuables near you and within eyesight.
• If you rent a car, park it in parking lots, and don't leave valuable objects in the car.
• Follow the instructions on the security signs in national parks, and stay on the paths when indicated.
• For more information on security, visit the U.S. State Department travel information page for Ecuador, at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1106.html.

Money and ATMs

What is Ecuador’s currency? Can I pay with credit and/or debit cards? Is there ATM access in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands?

• Ecuador's official currency is the US dollar. All bills in circulation are US-minted currency, while coins include US and Ecuadorian versions, which are different but equally accepted. Many locations will be wary of accepting bills of denominations larger than $20, so you may want to try to change your $50 and $100 bills before arriving or at a bank.
• In Quito and Guayaquil, there are numerous ATM machines that will work with Visa and MasterCard-linked debit cards. Larger stores and restaurants are likely to accept credit and debit cards for payment, but many will not. Cash is almost always needed to buy handicrafts in the public markets. It is best to keep smaller amounts of cash with you at a time. Traveler's checks are not recommended because of difficulty of use in Ecuador.
• Smaller cities such as Tena, Ambato, Baños, and Coca have ATM access as well, but it is scarcer. More locales are likely to be cash-only.
• In small towns, almost all transactions occur in cash, and there are likely to be no ATMs. In the Galapagos Islands, there is only ATM access on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands.

Weather and altitude

What is the weather like in Ecuador? How can I avoid altitude sickness?

• Quito is about 9,200 feet (2,820 meters) above sea level. This high altitude results in colder weather (even on the equator) and more intense UV radiation. The average temperature year-round in Quito is about 64ºF (15ºC), with daily highs up to 78ºF (26ºC) and nightly lows reaching 55ºF (7ºC). There are two seasons, wet (also called winter) from October-May, and dry (considered summer) from June-September.
• Abrupt changes in elevation sometimes have ill effects on travelers. Altitude sickness usually manifests itself in insomnia, headaches, and/or nausea. To prevent altitude sickness, or to at least stave off some of its effects, ascend gradually (when possible) to provide your body with time to adjust to the change. In the event that you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness, in most cases, they can be remedied by drinking lots of water, getting extra rest, and taking aspirin.
• With Quito’s altitude at 9,200 feet, you should be careful to avoid strenuous physical activity the first day of your arrival. We also recommend drinking plenty of water to help avoid symptoms of altitude sickness. Skip alcoholic beverages and rich foods the first night. A headache can be controlled with an aspirin or another pain reliever.
• Solar radiation is more intense along the equator than in other latitudes, so wear sun block with a high SPF even on cloudy days.
• Depending on your trip itinerary, you may be traveling in warm tropical rainforest, windy highland paramos, or any combination of other climates – and often in the same day. Check your trip itinerary for the box of “important information” that describes the weather and climate of the location(s) you will be visiting. And remember, Ecuador's weather is characterized by being very variable. It is often best to dress in layers, as you may experience strong changes in temperature.

Packing

What should I wear/bring with me?

• Remember: you are on the equator, so sun block with a high SPF is always needed, no matter where you travel.
• You’re most likely staying in hotels for most of your travel, so you won’t need to pack towels or most toiletry items. But if you’re traveling on one of our camping trips or staying in more rugged lodges, you’ll want to pack necessary items accordingly. It’s also recommended to keep a roll of toilet paper with you while traveling, since most public restrooms expect you to bring your own.
• Check your specific trip itinerary in the “important information” section for other recommended items that are specific to the region you are visiting or the activities you will be participating in. Examples are bathing suits, flashlights, water shoes, quick-dry trekking gear, etc.
• In Quito and the highlands: Wear spring attire during June, July, and August. During the rest of the months, use warmer clothing like what you would wear during the fall. Dress in layers so that you’re ready for temperature changes throughout the day. A raincoat or jacket is useful at night since it gets pretty chilly. An umbrella will be especially useful during the wet season (October-May). Sun block with a high SPF is always needed.
• Guayaquil and other coastal cities: Wear summer clothing all year round. During the rainy months, December to May, the weather is still very warm. During the months of June to November the weather is cloudy and a little bit colder. Bring along a light jacket. You’ll probably want a bathing suit to take a dip in the warm waters of the Pacific Coast beaches.
• Galapagos: Wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing. Shorts, t-shirts, and summer clothing will be just fine. Don’t forget a hat, a camera, sun block, and a bathing suit. During the months of June to November the weather is cloudy and a bit colder. Bring along a light jacket.
• Amazon or jungle: Wear clothing adequate for rain. If you can get yourself a raincoat (poncho), take it with you, as well as several sets of light pants and short and long sleeve shirts. Shorts are less useful because of the insects and abundant vegetation you will walk through on your excursions. A hat, rubber boots, and insect repellent are also a must. If you plan to take non-digital pictures, you will need high-speed film.

Food and water

Are there foods or drinks I should avoid? Can I drink the tap water?

• Eat only well-cooked food or fresh fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Do not eat un-pasteurized dairy products. Refrain from eating food sold by street vendors; eat only in restaurants that seem clean and well-kept.
• Ecuador’s tap water is not drinkable. Drink only bottled or boiled water, and avoid ice in drinks. Make sure that fresh juices are prepared with bottled water as well. In your hotel, use the bottled water provided for brushing your teeth.

Phone and internet

How extensive is telephone and internet access?

• Ecuador has a complete land-line telephone network that covers almost all the national territory, including the Galapagos Islands. International call access is possible form all hotels, and there are numerous call centers with local and international services – cabinas telefónicas or centros de llamadas – in most towns. Calls to local cell phones, however, are often restricted to specific cabins in these call centers.
• There is effective cell phone coverage throughout the entire country, although some companies work better in more remote areas than others. Porta has the most extensive coverage network in the Galapagos Islands, while Movistar is also present but with limited access. You can rent mobile phones at the international airports or at numerous cellular phone shops.
• Almost all hotels will be equipped with internet access, and the better hotels will also have wireless access. There are also hundreds of “internet cafés” in the commercial and tourist areas of most cities where computers and internet can be used at relatively inexpensive rates.

Transportation

Is there public transportation in Quito? What are the best modes of transportation elsewhere?

• The Trolley and the Ecovia buses in Quito are the most modern and efficient public transportation in the country. Their routes are clearly published on maps and at the bus stops. There are also numerous private buses that traverse the city, but their routes are not published other than on the buses themselves, and they are complicated to navigate. It’s better to use taxis, as they are relatively inexpensive as well.
• Cabs are a very popular way to move around in big cities. Taxis use meters to calculate the cost of your ride. In Quito, the cost begins at US $0.37 and goes up based on time and distance. An average ride will be between US $2.50 to US $5. During the day, be sure to ask that the cab driver set the meter at the beginning of your trip. At night, some cabs stop using meters – but the cost of the ride at night should not exceed a dollar or two more than the same ride at daytime.
• It’s safer to use a radio taxi at night than to catch just any taxi off the street. Ask the clerk at the hotel to call one for you, and keep the number of a radio taxi service with you when you leave your hotel.

Health

Are there particular ways to prevent travel-related illnesses? Do I need any vaccines before arriving in Ecuador?

• Your best bet is to check the U.S. CDC traveler’s health information page for Ecuador, at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationEcuador.aspx, and follow the advice there, which will depend on where you are traveling in Ecuador. It is possible to contract Hepatitis A from unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the country, so this vaccine (which is not routinely administered in the U.S. or many European countries) is recommended before your arrival. Diseases such as yellow fever and malaria are for the most part only present in the Amazon region.
• When traveling in the Amazon, along the coast, or in other wet and warmer regions, wear plenty of bug repellent with a high DDT factor to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that may carry diseases.
• Wear plenty of sun block with a high SPF and reapply throughout the day to avoid sunburn.
• See the sections above on food, water, and altitude for advice on how to avoid these travel-related illnesses.

Airport tax

I have heard there is an airport tax to leave the country. How much do I have to pay?

• There is a $41.60 tax fee for anyone leaving the country from Quito or Guayaquil. Only cash is accepted.