Ecuador & Galapagos Travel Tips
Please,
read the following useful tips before traveling to Ecuador.
 South
American Explorers |
The
S.A.E is staffed by volunteers and is nonprofit run, giving excellent
information and services on the country as well as offering various
work programs for the various volunteers who come from all walks
of life. S. A. E., also has an extensive library, equipment, maps
and a system for holding mails, emails and fax facilities for
members. Address:
Jorge Washington 311 and Leonidas Plaza. Tel & Fax: 2225228,
in Quito.
|
Tourist
information |
Tourist
promotions and information is controlled through national level
by the Ministerio
de Turismo
(Ministry of Tourism) at Eloy Alfaro 1214 and Carlos Tobar, Quito.
Tel. 2500719, 2507555 and 2507560. Fax: 2507564 / 2507565.
The Instituto
Geográfico Militar
in Quito has several topographic maps of the country with the
following scale formats : 1:250,000, 1:100,000, 1:50,000 and 1:25,000.
The latter two scales are used for trekking whilst Maps of the
border areas and coastline and surrounding areas are highly classified,
and aren't purchasable without a military permit.
Cámara
Provincial de Turismo de Pichincha (CAPTUR), is located
at information booths in the main Quito airport as well as the
old city and new city. The administrative offices are sighted
at 6 de Diciembre 1424 and Carrión. Tel. 2224074, Fax:
2507682. In addition if you wish to investigate out of the country
of Ecuador, tourist information can often be realized from the
Ecuadorian
embassies and consulates.
Business
Travelers information.-
This can be procured from Trade Partners UK, a government network.
Contact Pippa Lodge. Tel. 020-72154715. Fax: 78288141. In addition
the Ecuadorian News Digest is published by the Ecuadorian American
Association, 150 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038.
|
Entry
Requirements |
Ecuador
as with all countries, needs valid passports from all people entering
the country and proof of return tickets to the traveler's home
country or another country after Ecuador, you may get away with
a single ticket, the risk is yours. In addition the travelers
from the following countries will need a consular visa to enter
Ecuador as Tourists stated in alphabetical order: Algeria, Bangladesh,
China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan,
North and South Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian
Authority, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam and Yemen.
Upon
entering it is mandatory for visitors to complete an international
embarkation/disembarkation card, it is then stamped with your
passport. Do keep this card in your passport, losing it can make
problems when exiting the country along with spot checks on buses,
clubs, restaurants or in the streets.
|
Customs |
Once
you've cleared immigration at the main airports or entered via
road and past checkpoints you will be inspected by the customs
officials although unless you're bringing in several items of
the same thing to sell out here few tourists are ever troubled
or have any problems in this area although weaponry is not permitted.
Importing
goods to Ecuador is expensive with high taxation levels so, you
are recommended to bring all you need for the trip in your luggage.
When leaving the country you may be searched and inspected by
security including drug checks carried out often by well trained
dogs. There are no taxes for souvenirs and gifts but do not attempt
without permits to exit with plants, animals or archaeological
items.
|
Spot
checks |
Spot
checks with travelers passports are verified near the main frontier
areas of Peru and Colombia as well as at police checkpoints on
main routes of the country. The other main checks can be made
in discos, bars and coastal holiday resorts that have high frequencies
of foreigners. Street checks are rare and could be fakes just
wanting money if you don't have your passport or a photocopy,
they will nearly always be in uniform with police numbered codes
or badges so, if you are asked by non-uniformed officials ask
for their ID and ask them to escort you to a nearby police building,
if they refuse you'll know immediately they are criminals and
bandids and so don't give them any documents.
|
Visas |
Normally
you will be stamped upon entry to the country with 60 or 90 day
visa passes, but do tell the official the number of days or write
it down if you don't speak Spanish before they stamp your passport,
for extension up to 180 days see below.
To
learn more about visas, see our Immigration
& Visas section.
|
Tourist Visa Extensions |
If
you stay over for example 60 days a small fee is charged for extensions
up to 90 days. You can visit or inquire for your extensions depending
where you are staying at the following offices:
In
Quito go to Jefatura Provincial de Migración
de Pichincha. Address: Isla Seymour 44-174 and Rio Coca. Tel.
2247510. In Guayaquil, visit the Jefatura Provincial
de Migración del Guayas. Address: Av. Río Daule
(by the Terminal Terrestre). Tel. 2297004. In Cuenca go
to the Jefatura Provincial de Migración del Azuay,
Address: Luis Cordero 662 between Presidente Córdova and
Juan Jaramillo. Tel. 2831020.
If
you are in the Galápagos islands visit Puerto Baquerizo
Moreno at the Jefatura Provincial de Migración de Galápagos.
Tel. 2520129.
To
receive extensions over 90 days, you must initially be approved
for a 90 day stay (either on first arrival or as above with an
initial extension), then you need to go to the immigration police
headquarters in Quito: Dirección Nacional de Migración,
Address: Amazonas 171 and República (Opposite Mall "El
Jardin"). Telephone numbers: 2454122 - 2451222 - 2449346
- 2437800.
All
above immigration officials operate the same hours Monday to Friday
0:800-12:00 and 15:00-18:00. Processing time of your visas can
be done sometimes inside a day although it is best to allow a
week in case of holdups or overcrowding of requests.
|
Passports |
Warning:
Technically you should carry your passport with you wherever you
go, if you adventure to carry only a copy, you can always carry
your hotel address and room number with you and ask to be escorted
to the hotel and explain that you're nervous of robbers stealing
the original, it may be wiser due to Ecuadorian law to carry it
hidden anywhere, as deportation and imprisonment could result
if you get the wrong officer or were heavily intoxicated and appear
irresponsible your original passport could be required to get
you off the hook.
If you don't want to carry your passport by any means, then get
at least a certified photocopy from your embassy (See
our embassies section)
that may be acceptable to the local police.
If you ever lose your passport, report it immediately to your
embassy or consulate and follow the local procedures, which are
provided by your embassy.
|
Airport Departure Tax |
A
US$25.00 departure tax is requested upon exiting the country while
tickets for external or local national flights are subject to
a 12% tax, the exception to the former cash requirement is when
a traveler is staying less than a day in the country with onward
flights.
|
Permission to Leave |
If
you have your entry or exit card along with your passport you
may leave the country anytime without problems as long as it's
inside the time frame of your visa however, if you are over your
allotted time period you must get a stamp on your passport (Salida)
before departing via either Quito's Jefatura Provincial de
Migración de Pichincha, at Isla Seymour 44-174
and Rio Coca. Tel. 2247510, or if in Guayaquil go to the Jefatura
Provincial de Migración del Guayas, at Av. Río
Daule (by the Terminal Terrestre). Tel. 2297004. These formalities
are usually managed by a tour agency without any problem, but
you have to pay a small fee.
|
Health |
Although
legally you are not required to have any specific health vaccinations
before entering the country do study the Health
section
thoroughly in the website before departing to Ecuador.
|
Traveling
responsibly |
Do
respect the local culture and etiquette whilst in Ecuador also
shown in this Website, especially taking photographs of indigenous
groups as well as video recordings (ask always permission first),
also try to stay in local hotels as the costs are often lower
although style and non-backpackers along with older generations
may enjoy greater facilities with the larger chains, the more
rustic locations may offer more cultural education, all tastes,
budgets are of course catered for in Ecuador. While in the streets,
never give money to children (give them sweets, or pencils).
|
Electricity |
Whilst
North American travelers may enjoy the same voltage and alternating
currents as their homelands USA 110 volts 60 cycles (Hertz)
AC. Europeans must bring adapters for their appliances.
|
Dangerous areas |
Generally
the larger cities, Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca as with all big
cities and capitals around the globe are likely to be more dangerous
in certain areas than the countryside, while certain border
areas close to Colombia due to the Guerrilla which is under
scrutiny from the United States military based in Manta can
cause tensions and some danger from time to time. During carnival
and festivities some people do go over the top with over drinking
and so, do be careful near and during these times.
|
Tipping |
At
airports a tip of US$ 0.50 is adequate for porters helping you
with your luggage while in hotels and restaurants, a 10% service
charge usually is sufficient already for tips, if you wish to
give another tip in relation to good service a further 5-10%
is discretionary. If you have a car and park it for an hour
or so there are boys and men who will take up a look out position
on most streets and they warrant between US$0.25-$0.30 cents
again at your discretion.
|
Taxi tips |
Be
aware that in the main city's airports such as Guayaquil, Quito
and Cuenca, taxi drivers usually speculate on prices. Remember
that the minimum ride costs US $1. Especially in Quito Taxi
drivers "must" use taximeters, if they don't have
it on, it is because they are planning to charge you more than
the average rate and speculate. If you don't mind paying more
than the established rates, arrange a price previously.
|
Safety |
Ecuador
is a fairly safe country to travel. The normal rules of large
city applies everywhere and so Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca the
country's most highly populated areas should be respected for
tidy safety precautions and some ideas for care and attention
have been summarized below.
1.
All important documents should have carbon copies made of
them and if possible scanned onto e-mail accounts with non-accessible
mailing systems such as top secret hush mail as well as Yahoo,
Crosswinds, Gmx, or Hotmail for access in Ecuador for back up
copies that can easily be reprinted while in the country.
2.
Do ensure your major documents including airline onward tickets,
credit cards and passport are not all kept in one place as well
as your cash because the worst thing that could happen is that
you lose all resources in one fell swoop. Credit cards, money
wires and travelers checks are still the safest way to travel.
3.
Don't always go for the cheapest hotels usually in more dangerous
areas or around bus stations and wherever possible take a taxi
home after darkness unless you're close and in an area well lit.
Beware of anyone becoming very friendly rapidly or offers services
and guided tours, be direct and firm.
4.
For backpackers do ensure your equipment is lockable as well as
ladies with shoulder bags should carry them in front and not behind
them.
5.
Travelers should not expose cameras or expensive jewelry including
watches, as they may become a studied target and prey for an odd
robber.
6.
Do not ever carry any type of drugs with you including Marihuana
because even a small piece will make the police authorities think
that you are involved in the trafficking of drugs and you'll be
placed under arrest and sent to prison for several years while
the trials can often take up to a year to come to fruition.
In
addition try to avoid dubious areas such as bars or discos where
you either see or acknowledge these types of practices and if
checked in these places get a witness to be present while you're
searched so that no one can plant anything on you.
7.
Many thieves use accomplices who act as decoys distracting your
attention while his partner gets your valuables or pickpockets
something from you so do be always conscious of these practices.
8.
Check with your hotel, other tourists and information kiosks for
the dangerous areas and keep away from them.
9.
It is wise to travel by day as more road hold ups by robbers occurs
at night including buses with both intercity and longer journeys
such as from Quito to Guayaquil so, do try to travel during daytime.
10.
Don't go into parks after darkness or areas with no people
and if you do suffer or come up against a dangerous situation
hand over your valuables in case of being attacked by withholding
your items.
11.
Be careful in crowded areas, markets, night life areas and
buses where pickpockets and bag snatchers can thrive usually in
the main cities.
|
Final tip |
In
summary, Ecuador is one of the safest and friendliest countries
you could ever wish to visit and often go to great lengths with
affection to make you most welcome whilst visiting their beautiful
country. If you do get robbed don't try to attack your robber
because if he has a gun, knife or any other dangerous weapon the
consequences will far outrun the loss of a few items, by taking
necessary precautions and observing all around you most robberies
can be cut to a minimum.
Now,
through our extensive florist Network in Ecuador, you can send flowers for any occasion anywhere in Ecuador.
