Currency
The official currency in Ecuador is US Dollar, divided into 100 cents. The US Dollar replaced the Sucre as in September 2000. Euros are not commonly used and we therefore recommend bringing USD cash for the first days. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and at exchange houses or ‘casas de cambio’. The rate of commission varies between 1 per cent and 4 per cent. It may be difficult to exchange money in remote towns.

ATMs, travelers’ checks and credit cards
ATMs are available in large urban areas. Most ATMs accept cards from the Cirrus network. ATMs with the Maestro or the Cirrus sign allow customers to withdraw money with a credit or debit card. Note that many banks assess a 1% to 3% ‘transaction fee’ on all charges you incur abroad. If you are unable to use ATMs for any reason, you can get a cash advance from the bank showing your passport or ID card. It’s very hard to make change, especially for any bill over USD 5. Therefore ask in advance for USD 1, 5, and 10 bills when changing money.

Traveler’s checks can be changed in the largest banks or in ‘casas de cambio’. Generally speaking you'll pay a service charge ranging from 1% to 4%. Most stores don’t accept traveler’s checks.

MasterCard and Visa are accepted most everywhere.

Tipping
A tip in Ecuador like in most of the countries in South America is given to reward good service. Porters in hotels and airports expect US dollar 1 for 2 pieces of luggage. A 10% tip is sufficient in most restaurants unless the service has been exceptional. There is no need to tip taxi drivers. Remember that the minimum ride costs US dollar 1. Especially in Quito Taxi drivers ‘must’ use taximeters. It is customary to offer your tour guides and driver a token of appreciation at the tour’s end (of course if you feel pleased with the service).

Taxis
Taxi drives are not expensive. Be aware that in the main city's airports such as Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca taxi drivers ‘must’ use taxi meter. The taxi fare starts with USD 0,35 cent. Remember that the minimum ride costs USD 1. We recommend you to arrange a price previously if you are planning a long ride.

Bargaining
Bargaining with taxi drivers, at expensive stores and in open markets, bargaining -gentle, good-natured haggling over prices- is accepted and even expected. However, be careful of getting the haggling fever and trying to bargain beyond reason. Consider how important the one or two extra dollars are to you compared to how important they might be to the vendor. Bargaining is not common in restaurants.

Phone calls and internet access
It is relatively simple to make local and long-distance domestic and international calls from public phones, placed in public buildings and in small stores. Most of the public phones take only phone cards or ‘tarjetas telefónicas’. There are a few coin-accepting phones (usually charging 10 to 20 cents). Many of these cards can be purchased at newspaper kiosks and street vendors. Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is variable. Mobile phones can be rented in Quito’s airport or cellular phone shops.

Internet access is broadly available, especially in Quito where there is large number of Internet cafes.

Electricity
Electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz. Flat two-pin plugs are standard.

Airport Taxes
Since 8 February 2011 the airport tax for international flights from Quito and Guayaquil has to be included in the airfare (about 36 USD). The fees for domestic flights must also be included in the fare and will be approximately 6 USD (for flights from Quito - Guayaquil) and about 22 USD for flights to the Galapagos.

Time difference
Time difference GMT- 5 hours on mainland Ecuador and GMT- 6 hours on the Galapagos Islands.

Immunizations
You should visit your personal physician for a check-up prior to taking your trip to Ecuador. The following are the recommended vaccinations for Ecuador: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhus, hepatitis A/B, rabies. P A yellow-fever vaccine is strongly recommended for trips to the Amazon. The vaccine is required for all travelers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or Latin America. The yellow-fever certificate is valid 10 days after vaccination and for a subsequent period of 10 years. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) recommends taking anti-malarial drugs in case you are travelling to all areas at altitudes lower than 1500 (4921 ft). Please refer to your doctor for the most up to date information about anti-malarial medication.

Protection against insects
You will find mosquitos and other stinging insects especially in the rainforest. A good protection not only prevents from itching eczemas but also from transmission of diseases such as Malaria or yellow fever. The main messages are: wear light-colored clothing; wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts; use mosquito repellents containing the compound DEET on exposed areas; avoid perfumes and aftershave. Use a mosquito net impregnated with mosquito repellent (permethrin). In case you have a very sensitive skin you could use an anti-allergic cream, for example ‘After bite’ or ‘Bite away’ that reduces the itchiness. Double-check that your lodge provides a mosquito net in your room.

Food & Drink
The standards for health and hygiene in the larger cities and touristy regions are relatively high. Nevertheless, travelers should drink only bottled water, which is widely available. Do not drink tap water, even in major hotels, and try to avoid drinks with ice. If you’re trekking in the mountains or visiting remote rural areas where bottled water is not available, boil water to purify it or use water-purification tablets. You are safer eating fruits that you can peel or salads and fruits washed with purified water, as well as foods that have been thoroughly cooked. Your best bet is to eat at clean restaurants and to avoid food vendors.

Altitude sickness
First signs of altitude sickness may already emerge upon your arrival to Quito (2,800m/6,500ft). The lack of oxygen causes many individuals to suffer headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, physical weakness. You are advised to take it easy for the first few days and to avoid alcoholic beverages for the first day or two. Try to eat light food and drink a lot of water, especially the local coca tea is recommended in case of altitude sickness.

The varied geography of Ecuador means the country is divided into several micro-climatic zones. Your packing list will vary depending on the regions you are travelling to.

Guayaquil and coastal cities
The weather on the coast of Ecuador is constantly hot, the rainy season, accompanied by high humidity, occurring between January and May. Average temperatures will generally be between 30°C- 35°C (86°F-95°F) und lowest temperatures reaching 20°C (68°F). Rainfall in the Costa decreases from north to south.

Quito and the Highlands
The mountainous area is cooler, depending on the altitude. Day and night temperatures can vary dramatically with warm days and cool nights (5 - 25 °C /41- 77°F). Winter, or the rainy season, lasts from January through June, and the dry season or summer from July through December. Most rain falls in April.

Oriente or Amazon Jungle
The Eastern lowlands in the Oriente experience an equatorial climate. Rainfall is abundant, especially from June through August while September through December are the driest months. Temperatures average 25° C in the western parts of this region. The jungle-covered plains of the Eastern lowlands register high levels of rainfall and temperatures surpassing 28° C.

Galapagos Islands
The unique mixture of relatively cool waters, tropical latitudes and islands with different altitudes produces an ever changing environment. There are two seasons in the Galapagos. The dry or ‘garua’ season which runs from July to December. This season is the one that gives the islands their totally untropical look: dry, windy, barren. ‘Garua’ refers to the fog and mist that common hangs on the higher elevations during this season. The hot or wet season lasts from January through June, with March and April generally being the wettest months. Tropical showers are not too overwhelming, and a typical day may include a shower or two that will only last for an hour or so. Precipitation (rainfall): ranges from 38 mm (December) to 62 mm (April), with its peak rainy at 87 mm (March).

Staying safe
We consider Ecuador a safe destination. Nevertheless pickpocketing is a problem especially in the touristy areas. Demonstrations occurred in the past in the cities of Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, but the situation has returned to normal. Rural highways are sometimes blocked by protesters. These strikes do not happen frequently and are not targeted towards tourists, and typically do not pose a threat.

The possibility of having a bad experience can be greatly reduced by taking a few simple precautions: