What are you
packing?
Ecuador’s climate is as varied as its
geography. See Ecuador takes place in both the Andes and on the
Pacific seaboard, so participants need to take clothes for
spring-like weather (with a mean of around 21˚C (70˚F) in the
day and 14˚C (57˚F) at night in the Andes),
and
for tropical warm weather (mean of 30 ˚C (88˚F) in the day
and 22˚C (73˚F) at night on the coast).
ANDES (Quito/Cuenca)
In the Andes, we can get all four seasons in one day. Act
accordingly, please: sunhat, sun-block, sunglasses, light
T-shirt/shirt, trousers/skirt; a light fleece or sweater;
light-weight raincoat or umbrella. Nights are chilly. The evening
parties you will attend will be partly outdoors. Please bring a warm
jacket, warm trousers/skirt, a shawl/wrap for ladies, a scarf for
gentlemen.
GUAYAQUIL
The weather is quite hot and humid, so light-weight clothes are
advised. The sun is powerful, so sun-block and hat are recommended.
In May, the chance of rain is little, but a light-weight raincoat or
umbrella is an idea. For the city tour, wear comfortable shoes. For
the trip out of Guayaquil on the 8th, mosquito repellent
is advised.
Health
Drink lots of water and liquids (delicious juices!) while in the
Andes, to combat the symptoms of altitude sickness. If you feel
headachy or dizzy, you simply have to take it easy and lie down for
a while.
Alcohol and altitude do not make the best of friends. Drink by all
means, but do not blame us when you feel terrible the next day.
Moderation is advised!
Check with your doctor or a travel clinic about vaccinations before
starting your journey. Several transmittable diseases and conditions
occur in Ecuador, particularly in rural areas. Vaccinations for
yellow fever, Hepatitis A, polio, rabies, tetanus and typhoid are
usually recommended. The risk of cholera is low enough that
vaccination isn’t usually prescribed.
Currency
Ecuador uses the American Dollar (USD). Notes and coins issued by
the US are common tender, although Ecuador produces some of its own
coins (such as 5, 25 and 50 cent coins).
Please bring US dollars, and some American Express Travelers’
Cheques as a back-up. Bring small denomination bills; nothing
larger than a $20 bill. If possible, bring $10 bills only. ATMs are
widely available throughout the country.
Airport Tax
When leaving
Quito international airport, the exit tax is $40.80 in cash or with a Diner’s Club credit card, following check-in.
From Guayaquil international airport, the exit tax is $27.15
cash.
This sum is not covered in the trip. NOTE:
The above taxes are as of May 2009.
Time
Ecuador is
the same time zone as Eastern Standard Time (EST). They do not
have Daylight Savings Time, so during this time period they will are
one hour behind Eastern Daylight Time.
Electricity
Ecuador operates on 110 volts (60-cycle), and uses standard North
America flat, parallel two-prong plugs. If you’re travelling from a
country not compatible with this shape, purchase an adapter before
you leave. Some jungle lodges may use their own generators, in which
case you should check with the managers before plugging in an
appliance.
Water
We advise you to drink bottled water. Water from taps (faucets) is
fine for teeth brushing, however.
Etiquette
Ecuadorians
are formal and friendly when it comes to greetings. One says ‘buenos
días’ getting in to a lift/elevator, for instance. You should shake
hands or give everyone a kiss when you meet them, for example. In
Ecuador, we kiss one cheek only. Handshakes for men are usually
accompanied by a tap on the elbow, shoulder or back as a sign of
familiarity or affection.
A word from the Wise
Allow extra
time and include a dose of patience when paying bills or dealing
with paperwork in Ecuador. In North America or Europe, we may be
used to express checkouts and swiping credit cards nonchalantly.
This is not the case in Ecuador, where bills/checks (“facturas”) are
often printed in triplicate, etc. Please take these considerations
into account. Allow more time for check-out/payments than you would
back home. Smiling will always get you checked out quicker.
