Ecuador

In Ecuador, it is customary to start a conversation by saying hello, and to ask how the other person is. ‘Buenos días, Como está?’ is a common expression. When saying goodbye after meeting someone, even if the contact was short, women are often lightly kissed on the cheek, by both men and women. Indians do not kiss; sometimes they offer only a weak handshake. Politeness is highly valued. Ecuadorians have a different conception of privacy and mix much more intensively than us. They are always dressed well and do not expect tourists to go around as beggars! Shorts are not really viewed as offensive, but in the Sierra it is definitely more accepted to wear long pants. Besides, it is often too cold to wear shorts. It is insulting to call someone from Indian descent an Indio. Indigena is better.

Food: We recommend you eat in busy restaurants or cafes. People do not go there without a reason and the turnaround of the food is higher. Wash your hands well before dinner.

Breakfast (Spanish: desayuno): The most common breakfast is a filling meal of bread and eggs (huevos), prepared in the manner of your choice. Or you can ask for a desayuno Americano, or, if this is all too heavy, you can often get a breakfast of toast, jam and sweet breads. Coffee, mainly, is instant. If you like it with milk, ask for café con leche (hot milk with instant coffee). Fruit juice is always available, but make sure you are served pure juice (jugo puro) and not diluted with water (con agua). The many types of fruit juice include jugo mora (blackberry juice), naranja (orange), naranjilla (local fruit), maracuya (passion fruit) and piña (pineapple). If you want to try something different, ask for humitas (sweet corn pancakes), served particularly in the highlands.

Lunch (almuerzo), dinner (cena or merienda) and snacks: For Ecuadorians, lunch is the main meal of the day, while for visitors, who are often enroute; it can be the least important. Meat, fish or poultry is an important part of the diet, and the quantities are often larger than we are used to in Europe, particularly in the more expensive tourist restaurants. Churrasco is a meat dish usually served with fried eggs and chips. Most dishes are not very spicy. If you like to try something special, order cuy. It is roasted guinea pig and it is a delicacy from the Inca era. Everywhere in the cities, excellent fish dishes are served. We particularly recommend ceviche, fish, shrimps or shellfish marinated in lemon, always served with popcorn. Otherwise, nearly all other dishes are served with rice. In the cities, also western foods such as pasta and pizza can be found. In Chifas you can find delicious Chinese cuisine. Delicious snacks are the llapinggachos, made of baked and mashed potatoes and cheese and sometimes carrot (as colouring), sometimes also prepared with bits of fried pork.

Drink: Water from the tap is not suitable to drink. Mineral water is widely available (Agua mineral). An important brand is Güitig, and another good brand is Agua Linda. Agua mineral con gas is carbonated; sin gas is still water. Otherwise, the usual soft drinks are on sale, such as Coca Cola and Sprite.
The local wine is rather horrible, and wine is not as common with meals as beer, but it is available almost everywhere. Local beer brands include Club and Pilsener. Among Ecuador’s liquors are rum, the locally brewed aguardiente (made of sugar cane) and the side product; Canelazo.

Ecuador (Spanish for Equator) offers a wide variety of landscapes and cultures. The largest part of the country is low-lying Amazonian rainforest. The Ecuadorian jungle (called ‘Selva’) is perennially hot and humid. Home to a great many indigenous groups; it has an extremely varied flora and fauna. The area is criss-crossed by big rivers, of which the Rio Napo is the most well known. On the east, the country borders Peru, while in the west its jungle ends on the slopes of the imposing Andes range. Rising steeply, the Andes Mountains, known in Spanish as ‘La sierra andina’, consists of two ranges or ‘Cordilleras’. The climate here is radically different. Throughout the year, it has a spring-like quality. From times immemorial, this region has been densely populated, as the volcanic earth makes it highly fertile. This is Inca country, which is apparent at ‘Ingapirca’, the most important Inca ruins in Ecuador. It is in this area that you can find the ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’, one of which is the famous Cotopaxi, with its 5897m the highest active volcano in the world. Another famous volcano is the Chimborazo, with its 6310m the highest mountain in the country and also, seen from the centre of the earth, the highest mountain on earth. This is because of the earth’s tendency to bulge at the Equator. Further west lays the Costa, or the coast. The Galápagos island’s are part of Ecuador, some 1000km off the coast. This archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is made up of a group of 13 large and 6 tiny volcanic islands and many rocks protruding from the sea. Most islands have two or three names, a Spanish, an English and an official Ecuadorian name. Throughout the year the islands offer unparalleled bird and animal watching, including the blue-footed booby and the Galápagos turtle.

Flora
Ecuador is blessed with a splendid and multifaceted plant and animal kingdom that it owes to its variety of climatic zones. On the coast you will find primarily mangrove forest and rainforest. Where the Andes range halts the rain clouds in their course, the slopes are covered in misty rainforest. On the Andes highlands, you will find the páramo, a landscape largely made up of grasses and low shrubs. This is where the spectacular bromelias bloom, and the gentians and Ecuadorian’s pride: the Chuquiragua. In the nooks of the mountains the polylepidous forest makes you feel as if you have entered a fairy-tale. Finally, there is the tropical rainforest east of the Andes, with its infinite variety. During our trip, you will see all of these individually stunning landscapes.

Fauna
The animal kingdom is just as varied. Over 300 mammals have been spotted on Ecuadorian territory, including as many as 100 species of bats. The Andes is home to the rare spectacled bear and puma. Common animals of the páramo include deer, rabbits and fox. In the rainforest, you wake up to the yelling of howler monkeys. Here you can look for sloths, peccaries (wild hogs), armadillos, capybaras and anteaters. When in the Amazon region, you could even spot a river dolphin. Other exotic animals occurring here but seldom spotted, are jaguar, ocelot and tapir. When it comes to birds, there is a choice of magnificently coloured hummingbird, many species of birds of prey including the condor, as well as various species of toucan. A small country, Ecuador is home to over 1500 species of birds and new species continue to be found, sometimes deep in the jungle. Thousands of insects have already been described and a similar number are still waiting to be discovered. Of these, the butterflies are the most splendid; some of them can become over 15cm big.

For bird lovers, the Galàpagos Islands are true paradise. They are home to many endemic species, including albatross, cormorant, Darwin finch, frigate bird, pelican, flamingo, blue-footed booby and of course the Galàpagos penguin. Other animals that you will most probably see here are giant turtle, land and sea iguanas and sea lions. What makes the animals on the Galàpagos island’s so special is that you can get very near them, as they have no natural enemies. The underwater scenery is equally unique and snorkelling amidst the many species of tropical fish is a must.

Ecuador has over 13 million inhabitants and the country’s population density per square kilometre is the highest in South America. The indigenas (Indians) make up 25% of the population, while 65% is Mestizo (mixed Indian/Spanish descent). Seven per cent is white and there is a fair number of black inhabitants, as well as a minority of Asians. Each region has its own dress and it is possible to know from someone’s poncho, blouse, skirt or hat where they are from. Well-known Indian tribes from Ecuador include the Otavaleños, Salasacas, Cañaris and Saraguros. Most people live on the coast and in the highlands. A number of Indian tribes still live in the Amazonian rainforest.

Most people are Roman Catholic and this becomes clear from the multitude of magnificent churches and cathedrals that dot the country. The Indians often mix the Catholic creed with their own traditional beliefs.

Climate: Equador is on the Equator and the lower parts of the country have a tropical climate. In the Andes, the higher you get the cooler it gets. Here, there are hardly any changes in temperature and the rain is hardly a hindrance. Roughly, there are two seasons in Equador: the dry season and the wet season.
Coast: tropical and humid climate, with a relatively dry period from July to November. In the rainy season, it is not raining all day; usually there are some downpours towards the end of the day. The temperature on the coast is an average 30°C.
Andes (Sierra): the temperatures are determined by the height above sea level of the location. In Quito, it is pleasant between 14 and 21°C. In most places, it is sunny and fresh in the morning, with temperatures rising with the hour. The rain tends to come late in the afternoon, and in the evening it can cool off considerably. The nights can be really cold. The rainy season in the Sierra is from November to May, with rain falling in the afternoon and evening – although even in the dry season it regularly rains here. Even in the rainy season, the sun comes out for a few hours every day.
Amazon region: tropical and sultry throughout the year, with lots of rain – hence the name rainforest! April to June are the wettest months and August to November and December to March the driest months – however, dry is very relative here! Do take a raincoat. Temperatures average between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.
The Galàpagos archipelago also has two seasons: a rainy season from January to June and a dry season from July to December. During the rainy season it is pleasantly warm and usually sunny, with now and then a tropical rain shower. This tends to be the best time to visit. The rest of the year it is cooler and often misty. This mist is named Garua. In this period of the year, there is hardly any rain.

Best Time to Travel: You can travel to Ecuador the whole year, but the dry season, from July to November, is the best time. There are roughly three regions.

On your first day in Quito make sure you take it easy. Take time to acclimatise. The change of climate and time zone can have quite an impact. However, it will mainly be the altitude that you have to get used to. Take in the country at your leisure, learn some Spanish and enjoy Ecuador!

Electricity is the same as in the United States: 110-125 volt, 60 hertz, with matching (plug) sockets - so coming from Europe, you will need an adaptor.

The following health information is a general text that applies to all our travellers in South America. Those who pay some attention to hygiene and skincare don’t usually run into health problems.

Food and drink: Temperatures may be very high in these parts, and if you do not drink enough, you risk dehydration. This risk is higher because of the altitude. Tap water is not suitable to drink. Mineral water is generally available. When ordering a drink, ask the waiter not to put ice in it, as ice cubes are made using tap water and thus may contain germs. In small restaurants, it is wiser not to order fruits and salads that have been prepared in advance. You do well to eat in busy restaurants – people have a reason to go there and the turn-around of the food is high. Wash your hands before eating and keep your fingernails short.

Sunbathing: The sun is fierce, especially at a certain altitude, and it is a major source of problems. Sunburn and sunstroke are more easily caught than you would imagine. During the hottest hours of the day, avoid going in the sun, wear a sun hat or umbrella when walking and use a good quality sunscreen. It is best to take this from home. Drink abundantly, as the sun causes you to loose lots of moisture. The other important tip about skin care is to put disinfectant cream or iodine on every sore, however small. Infections are very easy to contract but very difficult to get rid of.

Diarrhoea: Next to sunburn, the most common health problem is diarrhoea. Travellers are often hit by it after they have been on holiday for only a few days. In most cases it is an utterly innocuous phenomenon caused by the change of diet, the heat or harmless bacteria, against which the body will soon develop its defences. The main risk is dehydration, especially in children. It occurs when the body loses more fluid, salt and sugars than it receives. The result is a feeling of listlessness and weakness. It can be prevented by drinking a solution of water and ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). It is sold in bags at the pharmacies and contains all the minerals and sugars that are evacuated with diarrhoea. Instead of this solution you can also take non-carbonated soft drinks or heavily salted broth. For many people, Coca Cola has a constipating effect in the first stages of diarrhoea. When the diarrhoea is accompanied by high fever and/or bloody defecation it is sensible to consult a physician. When the diarrhoea lasts for more than a few days without the above-mentioned symptoms or when you have to travel, you may take Imodium (or Diacure) a couple of times. It is an opium-like preparation that prevents bowel movement for a number of hours.

Insect bites: Mosquitoes are not really a big nuisance in these parts. In some places they may occur, and then citronella or other insect repellents may have some effect, but do not expect miracles.

Doctors, dispensaries and medicines: If you need to see a doctor, ask for advice from the guesthouse or hotel staff, or from your travel guide.

First-aid kit: When travelling in these parts, a small travel first-aid kit could contain the following items: plasters, bandages, cotton wool, a small pair of scissors, a thermometer, iodine, pain-killers, ORS sachets, Immodium or Diacure, sunscreen, ear plugs, pinchers, insect repellent such as citronella and itch-alleviating ointment or stick. In case you have to take essential medicines, take an exact description (not the brand names but rather the composition and dosage). Take a double amount for the length of the trip and keep the extra amount separate from the normal dosage, so that you have a contingency. Finally, it is recommended to take some painkillers against headache.

Altitude sickness: About half of the people who stay above 3500 metres will suffer from altitude sickness to some degree. It is a reaction of the body to the reduced oxygen content of the air. The most important problem is the development of the accumulation of fluid in the lungs or the brain. Altitude sickness is potentially deadly. Be sure to be alert of the symptoms in yourself and in your fellow travellers. Before we give a description of the symptoms, note the following: contracting the illness is not dependent on your physical fitness or routine of walking at great altitude. Experienced mountain climbers and even the carriers in Nepal can contract it for the first time after many times. People under thirty, people who have had altitude sickness before, and people with a pulmonary or heart condition are at a greater risk. This is also the case for people who let themselves, be unnecessarily egged on by the pace of the group. There is a whole range of symptoms of altitude sickness. The French Alpine Association works with a scoring system in order to assess the seriousness of the condition. Symptoms of the first grade are: nausea, headache, insomnia, and dizziness. Second grade: vomiting, headache that does not react to aspirin. Third grade: excessive fatigue, shortness of breath or tightness of chest without exertion, little or no urination. If a person does not score more than third grade, you can keep going up slowly, but it is better to continue climbing when the symptoms have disappeared. Between four and six points you have to be careful and wait till the symptoms have disappeared, or even better, descend a couple of hundred metres. More than six points means: there is a life-threatening situation at hand, descend immediately, the patient cannot stay at this altitude and should certainly not spend the night there. During this journey we will stay at a height of 4200 metres at the most. This is not an altitude where one can expect great difficulties but it is necessary to be alert. Most travellers will probably experience the difference when physically exerting themselves. At a height of 4000 metres even climbing two flights of stairs can be a difficult task. The best thing to do is to take it easy and drink a cup of Coca Tea now and then.

Vaccinations: Below is the latest vaccinations advice, at the time of writing. Be aware that this information is liable to change. The vaccinations you need also depend on previous vaccinations you had, sensitivity to certain substances, pregnancy, age etc. so ALWAYS consult you GP or the UK vaccination authorities. We do not give any further information by telephone. The package recommended for South America is: DTP, hepatitis A, typhoid and yellow fever.

Obligatory yellow fever vaccination (only for jungle extension): Not long ago, it has become obligatory for travellers with a jungle extension to be vaccinated against yellow fever. You must be able to demonstrate you are vaccinated through a certificate or a stamp in your vaccination register.

Some more advice for a pleasant stay: Take time to allow your body and mind to adjust to the new time zone and location. Avoid stress; do not draw up a busy schedule. In any case, take it easy the first day. It is a good idea to get up early; in hot countries the morning temperature is often the most pleasant. Besides, the people in the country you are visiting are also used to getting up early. If you adjust to the local rhythm, you will take in most. If you are well rested, you can handle all new impressions best and you will have enough energy to do a lot.

Ensure that those at home know in which country you are and how long you are planning to stay away. You may fix a date when you will contact them again. Making telephone calls from Ecuador is expensive. There are many places where you can email. Provide the people that will pick you up from the airport with your flight times and numbers. Shoestring cannot provide flight and/or travel information, hotel names and telephone numbers to third parties. Any information on delays may be retrieved at the airport information number.

Contact person
In case of an emergency it is important for us to have details of someone we can contact on your behalf. You have entered a name on the booking form. It is possible that this person is unavailable or on holiday during your trip. If so, enter a second person so that we are sure to be able to get in touch with somebody.

During one day traveling in Ecuador, all seasons can occur. Reflect all climates and all types of weather in the clothing you take. Ecuador may be on the Equator, but in the Andes the height compensates for the heat. In Quito (2850m) in July it may be a pleasant 20-21°C, but after 7pm, when the sun sets, it becomes chilly very rapidly. The higher you get, the cooler. On the slopes of Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, you will be close to the snow line and, despite the sun, you’ll feel it. A warm jumper, thick pants, a shawl (to cover your mouth against a fierce wind and lashing lava sand), and a rain jacket/windcheater are no luxury. For the jungle and the coast, you will need light summer clothing. But bring something to protect you against the sun. Even with a fully overcast sky, you can get badly sunburnt.
The same applies for shoes. In the jungle and on the beach you do not need walking boots (in the jungle rubber boots are best, but you will be able to borrow some, while on the coast you need only sandals). However, if you want to go climbing in the Andes, you will need sturdy, high, well worn-in walking boots with good tread. In the evenings, in the jungle and on the coast, have a high-collared t-shirt with long sleeves or a thin cotton roll neck sweater to protect against mosquito bites. There is no mosquito netting in the accommodation in the jungle. The windows are fully covered with fine-meshed gauze. A mosquito net is not really necessary but you could consider bringing one. Other important items to pack include: sunglasses, sun lotion and after-sun lotion, lighter, mosquito repellent, toiletries, sun hat, books, first-aid kit, camera or video camera, (spare) camera batteries or film, pocket knife (not in hand luggage during the flight!), rope/washing line, water bottle, alarm clock, pen and paper, passport valid at least another six months, sufficient cash and traveller cheques, a list with the numbers of your cheques and your purchasing slip, if you want a credit card or your bank card, copies of passport and travel insurance (keep separately from the originals), air tickets, a travel insurance pass with the emergency number, diary with important addresses, a good travel guide. Optional: roll of toilet paper, towel and a penlight. Preferably take a canvas bag or a backpack rather than a stiff suitcase, as these are less convenient to transport. Besides, a smaller daypack or a shoulder bag for your daily luggage. To keep your money and documents, it is recommended to take a thin cotton money belt that you can wear underneath your clothing. Make sure you pack some clean clothes in your hand luggage and,other items so that you can go without your other luggage for 48 hours, in case the luggage arrives later than yourself. For example: pack important medication and your toothbrush in your hand luggage. Take care not to pack too much.

The amount of pocket money suggested is the minimum required to pay for your meals, drinks, optional excursions, entrance fees, airport taxes and tips. The amount you actually need clearly depends on your own spending pattern; that is why souvenirs are not included. We suggest € 200-250 per week.

Good quality film rolls are widely available but expensive. Please pay attention to the date of packaging and only buy from stores where the rolls are kept in a cool place. It is best to bring the films from home. Never leave a film or camera in a locked car. The mounting temperatures can badly affect the quality of the photographic material. Not all types of camera batteries are easy to find, so make sure you bring batteries that will last the entire trip or take a spare set. Cheap cameras are for sale in each city, but only in cities such as Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil are there any quality cameras in stock, or a repair service. People are not always happy when you take a picture of them. When in doubt, ask for permission. Sometimes they will say no, or ask for money, which they clearly have a right to.

In cities, pickpockets sometimes operate. It is easy to keep them at bay: make sure to carry your bank notes and valuable documents underneath your clothing, in a way that isn’t visible. Keep a little money at hand so that you do not have to look for your valuables out on the street. If your daypack contains valuables, carry it in front. Carry your camera in your bag, so that it isn’t immediately visible. Mugging occurs now and then in the larger cities and along the coast, and if it happens, it is usually in places that you would normally avoid, such as dark, quiet streets. Never talk to people offering drugs and do not go with police unless they wear proper identification. In hotel rooms, your belongings are reasonably safe, but do not leave any money or valuables lying around. Preferably put them in a bag that can be closed, or even better, give them to the hotel reception. In the hotels we are using, you can almost always leave your valuables safely in a locker (caja de securdidad). Particularly in Quito, we would advise you not to take your passport with you unless you have to change money, and leave it safely in the locker. Do not wear expensive-looking sunglasses or jewellery out in the street. In restaurants and internet cafes, take good care of your luggage. If you are alert and use your common sense, you should not expect problems – although exceptions prove the rule.

Ecuador is GMT -5 on the mainland; GMT -6 in the Galapagos Islands, and in summertime it’s an extra hour behind.

Restaurant and hotel employees are not well paid. You may not have a ready solution for the country’s poverty, but the least you can do is to tip those working for you. The guideline is (provided you are satisfied with the service) about 50 cents tip, per room per day for hotel employees. The same amount goes for the bus drivers, hired by Shoestring, per person per day. A tip box is useful in this case, which the passengers will take turns in administering, in consultation with the travel guide. Moreover, while the group is on the road, snacks can be purchased from this money. In small restaurants, a tip of 10 % of the total amount is customary. You do not need to tip taxi drivers. In general, the fare tourists are charged, exceeds by far the amount paid by locals. In addition, the travel guide expects a tip at the end of the trip; provided she/he has done her/his job well. Our guideline is € 1 per passenger per day.