Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS

CAPITAL

Quito.

LANGUAGE

Spanish & Quechua is the official language of Ecuador.

RELIGION

90% of the population are Roman Catholics. Other Christian denominations account for 10% of the population.

LOCAL TIME

The standard time for Ecuador is calculated from Quito. Ecuador Time (ECT) is 5 hours behind GMT.

ELECTRICITY

110 volts - sockets are two-pronged US flat-pin.

PASSPORT & VISA

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access our link to the Travel & Visa Requirements Section in our Before You Go page available in each itinerary web page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting.

Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

GALAPAGOS TRANSIT CONTROL CARD

To enter the Galápagos Islands, you must present the Galápagos Transit Control Card (Tarjeta de control de tránsito, or TCT). You can apply for the Galápagos Transit Control Card online or obtain it at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil. The maximum stay for tourists is 60 days in a 1-year period. Keep the card in a safe place since you must also show it when departing the Galápagos Islands.

TRANSPORTATION

Taxis: Always ask for taxis at a hotel or at a shopping complex, preferably do not grab a taxi from the street, this will ensure your security and your taxi rate. (Pay what the meter indicates/ make sure its on)

MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE

Please note all travelers visiting Ecuador must have health insurance coverage. Proof of coverage may be/can be requested upon arrival by immigration/customs officials. Should you not have proof of coverage you can be denied entry to Ecuador.

Indus Travels offers TripMate Insurance and can provide you with a quote.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The monetary unit in Ecuador is the US Dollar (USD).

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

MONEY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARD & ATM

If you need to change money into Dollars, you can do it at the bank after exiting the luggage hall or use one of the ATM’s outside the terminal. Please note that outside of the larger towns the use of credit cards and ATM’s will be limited so we would recommend that you ensure you have enough cash to cover during these times. If you do use a credit card in restaurants, please bear in mind that you may be charged a fee on top of the bill. Banks are open on weekdays from 9am to 1.30pm. Currency exchange bureaus (casas de cambio) are usually open from 9am to 6pm, and until noon on Saturdays. It is recommended that you bring $US in hard currency as smaller towns outside of Quito and Guayaquil may have difficulty changing currency from your home country. ATM machines in Ecuador are compatible with foreign credit and debit cards. Any PIN longer than four digits is not likely to be recognized by Ecuadorian ATM’s. Occasionally some machines will souvenir a card; if you wait a few minutes, it may be released. ATM’s accepting Visa are very common however there is only a MasterCard ATM on the Galapagos Islands. Credit cards are commonly accepted in large restaurants, hotels, shops, and travel agencies. Smaller and cheaper places will prefer cash.

CLOTHING

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In the hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. Be prepared for cooler evenings - for this reason you will generally find it better to pack several thin layers rather than one thick layer. A fleece can be invaluable. Water resistant jackets are essential during the rainy season between November and April.

• Galapagos Islands:  Two seasons (hot/rainy or dry/windy season) comfortable shoes and sandals, shorts and t-shirts, a jacket might be needed for rain or wind.
• The coast: This is a hot and humid region; light clothes will work but a thin sweater might be needed for a windy night.
• The Andes: Is hard to predict the weather in the highlands, it could turn from a sunny spring morning to a rainy cold afternoon, long pants and a jacket is always recommended so as good shoes for hikes.
• The Amazon: Hot and humid climate, heavy rains, light clothes are recommended, don’t forget to bring good shoes for walks and a rain jacket as well. Insect repellant is required.

COMMUNICATION

Internet
The easiest and cheapest form of communication is via the Internet. In Quito it is very cheap, approximately $1 per hour.

Phone
Telephone systems are a little unpredictable in Ecuador and although long distance calls can be made easily from big cities, calling from smaller villages and the Galapagos Island’s can be difficult. Andinatel and Pacifictel are the two major service providers for international connections. Open from 8am – 10pm. International calling cards tend not to be accepted by local agencies in Ecuador. Local phone cards are printed in English and are available everywhere.

Post
Mail from Ecuador takes approximately 2 weeks to arrive in Europe or the US.

Emergency Numbers

Tourist Police            02/2543--983

Tourist Information   148

General emergencies 911

Ambulance               131

Fire                         102

Police                      101

MEALS

Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack - $US 0.50
• Light meal - $US 1-5
• Fancy restaurant - $US 10-30

DRINKS

The following is a rough guideline for drinks bought in a shop on the street. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below:

• 1l of water: $US 1.00
• 30cl bottle of soft drink: $US 1.50
• 50cl bottle of beer: $US 2.00

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Ecuador however bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available.

FOOD
There are three main regions in Ecuador, each with its own style of cooking: highland cuisine revolves around warm, hearty dishes such as roast guinea pig and locro, a soup of potato, cheese, corn and avocado; coastal cuisine is dominated by seafood; and Oriente dinner tables typically feature rice, banana, yucca (a type of manioc root) and fish, including piranha. Most food isn’t spicy, but is inevitably accompanied by a bowl of aji, a hot pepper sauce for the bold to add at their peril.

Specialities: 

Cuy: Roast guinea pig.
Locro: Soup of potatoes, corn, cheese and avocado.
Empanadas: Corn pasties stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables.
Llapingachos: Cheesy potato cakes.
Seco de chivo: Goat stew usually served on special occasions.
Ceviche: Raw seafood ‘cooked’ in lime and chilli.
Encocados: Traditional coastal dish of fish served in a coconut sauce.
Aji: An Ecuadorian hot pepper sauce.
Fanesca: A special soup served at Easter, made with beans, grains and cod.
Fruit: The best jungle fruits include: chirimoya, with its delicious custard-like inside; mamey, with its sweet, squash-like meat; and pepinos, a sweet cucumber-like fruit.
Pilsner: A beer drunk by half of Ecuador.
Club: A beer drunk by the other half.
Pisco: The local brandy.
Chicha: Fermented corn drink.
Inca Kola: A green version of Irn-Bru.
Herbal teas: Made from a range of native plants.

Water: Do not drink water from the tap, always buy bottled water.

Liquor: It can be acquired any day of the week, but Sundays due to the Ecuadorian law which establishes the prohibition of consuming or selling alcohol on this day.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

In the lowland areas it can get particularly hot on clear days, with temperatures easily topping 30° (Celsius). The coast has the most clearly defined wet and dry seasons, with the best time to visit being from December to April, when you'll get frequent showers but also clear blue skies and warm weather. From May to November, the southern coast, is often overcast and relatively cool, with less chance of rainfall. Weather on the Galapagos Islands is defined entirely by the arrival and departure of the sea currents. The hot season is from December to May when conditions are tropical, with calm seas and occasional tropical showers, which turn the islands green and lush. Temperatures range from 26-30 (Celsius), with a water temperature of around 26 (Celsius) and good underwater visibility. The days are sunny and warm, and wildlife is not so active under these conditions. From June to November, the trade winds bring the cooler ocean currents and a thin layer of cloud. During this dry season, the seas become a little choppier and the air temperature is cooler, ranging from 23 – 26 (Celsius), and sea temperature is around 19-23 (Celsius). The islands take on a barren/volcanic appearance and wildlife is at its most prolific.

Quito: (approx)

Guayaquil: (approx)

Galapagos: (approx)

Galapagos National Park Rules and Regulations

According to National Park rules and regulations, a naturalist guide must always accompany visitors during excursions on the islands. You will be informed of everything that visitors are permitted to do. Nevertheless, it is extremely important to observe all the rules to preserve this natural paradise for you and future generations. Do not touch or disturb any plant, rock, or animal on the islands. Be careful not to carry any living material to the islands or from island to island. Check your clothing for seeds and insects before disembarking. Do not feed the animals. Always remain on the path. Always remain with your guide. Do not startle or chase any animal from its nest or resting place. Be extremely careful in and around breeding grounds. Do not force your way through dense bushes or thickets. This will destroy the plant life and seeds may become lodged on your clothing. Do not litter on land or from the vessel while at sea. Do not buy souvenirs made from any native animal part, coral or plant. Do not write graffiti or deface rocks and plants on the islands. Do not hesitate to show your conservationist attitude and explain the rules to others. Notify the National Park Service if you see any damage being done.

TIPPING

More upscale restaurants will add a 10% service charge to the bill. If the service has been good, consider adding another 5% for your server. Cheaper restaurants don’t include a tax or service charge, so if you want to tip your waiter do so directly, don’t just leave money on the table. Locals don’t always tip, but visitors to Ecuador often do. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped. On a group tour you should tip your guides about $5 per person a day, while on a private tour you should leave $10 per person per day or more. If you are going on a long tour that involves guides, cooks, and crew you should tip more. For example, on Galapagos tours, a tip of about $75-100 per traveler per week to be distributed among the staff is standard.

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. Health plans only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Your travel agent can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable. High risk activities such as skydiving, parachuting, and bungee jumping are also not covered by insurance. Understand the complete insurance coverage you have before travelling out of the country.