Ecuador Travel

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Read Samantha Brown's Travel Guide to Quito, Ecuador Read and add to these pages: Ecuador: Hotels Ecuador: Sightseeing Ecuador: Restaurants Pictures of Ecuador Shopping in Ecuador

Ecuador at a Glance:

Capital of Ecuador: Quito

Population of Ecuador:
13,800,000

Currency: US dollar

Languages Spoken:
1. Spanish
2. Quichua

Largest Cities/Population:
1. Guayaquil 2,200,000
2. Quito 2,100,000
3. Cuenca 400,000

Major National Holidays:
1. 10 de Agosto (August 10th, Independence Day)
2. Day of the Dead
3. Your town's patron Virgin Mary's day or saint's day (parades etc...)

Know Before You Go

Tips for getting around (taxis, trains, buses, etc):
Buses are not always safe. Try to stay close to the driver, watch bags. private coaches, look like tour buses, go all across the country super cheap, about $15 per $100 it would cost you to fly. They're pretty safe but can take as long as 12 hours for what you can fly in 45 mins b/c of the mountains.

It's best to cal radio taxi, or taxi you call to pick you up. Get a number from a hotel restaurante in the area etc.. I also go to main roads and hail the yellow cabs. they are usually fine but the best bet is to call.

Like most places, they also have "taxi ruta" that goes from one major place to another that you agree upon with the driver, but they wait to get other passengers and squish you in. you might be jammed in a compact with 6 ppl and someone's dog on your lap licking your face (it happened to me :)

It's best not to walk around at night. Some streets in some neighborhoods may be safe, sobetter be safe than sorry.

If you rent a car, DO pay ppl a little change, 25, 50 cents or whatever, to keep an eye on your car if they offer. they'll approach you as you're leaving your car. if you are unsure, just tell them you'll get it to them when you leave, and then hand it to them when pulling out after you see the car is OK.

They have a trolley that goes to various area in the city, shopping etc. I feel they're safer than the bus but still keep an eye on your stuff. and try to ride in the daytime.


Immunizations needed (if any):

If you're going to the jungle, like any tropical place, you might want to be protected against the moquito-borne illnesses.

Travel documents needed (visas, etc):

passport and another id, e.g. driver's license, you can use if you go out and need to deal with police doing checks etc..

Savvy traveler tips (safety, using the phones, local customs, etc):

1. Can you safely drink the water?
I wouldn't drink the tap water. There's really no avoiding it but get the pills for "amebas" before you come back so if you have an upset stomach you can just take them. Stay away from street vendors with fresh ice cream etc. and remember, they usually make things that day so it's not like you can save something. you usually have to eat it soon b/c , for example, on sandwiches they'll use fresh mayo and it won't keep for the whole morning.

Helpful Travel Resources

The Quito Visitors' Bureau has several visitor information centers in the city. The largest is on main square of the Old Town. This also has free use of lockers and internet, a bookshop, shop, with lots of maps and leaflets and advice. Their webpage is www.quito.com.ec

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism has its offices in the modern sector of the city, at Eloy Alfaro y Carlos Tobar, although they are not brilliant on tourist information. You can find out more about travel in the country at their websites: www.purecuador.com and www.viveecaudor.com

The South American Explorers have a clubhouse in Quito which is a great resource for travellers. Find out more about the club at www.saexplorers.org