Ecuador is the new destination for inernational travelers

A country of immense cultural wealth and geographical diversity, unmatched in the Americas. Only half the size of France, the striking geographical and cultural contrasts found in this one small country are what make Ecuador such a fascinating place to visit.  Ecuador consists of the towering Andes, snowcapped volcanoes, fantastic animals, expanses of Amazon jungle, the Pacific Cost and the Galapagos Islands. Ecuadorians include descendants of the Spanish conquistadors and original pre-Columbian inhabitants, many of whom still speak "Quicha" and maintain traditions from Inca times and before. The people are approachable and easy going and you will find them remarkably open to foreigners.

THE COUNTRY
The land that is now Ecuador was first brought under one rule when the Incas of Peru invaded in the middle of the 15th century.  The republic of Ecuador took its name in the early 1800's from the equatorial line that runs through its heart.  Straddled across the Andes on the most westerly point of South America, it is the smallest of the Andean countries.   The Andean mountain chain divides the country into three distinct regions: the coastal plain or "Costa"; the mountains or "Sierra"; and the eastern jungle or "Oriente".  The fourth region is the Galapagos Islands, 1000 kilometers due west from the mainland in the Pacific Ocean.

The country is made up of virgin-forested canyons, interspersed with small farming villages. Abundant tropical flora and fauna complete the picture.  Numerous species of colorful birds such as toucans and macaws can be seen in the lower elevations.  Ecuador is a bird watcher's paradise!  The wide variety of habitats ⎯ from tropical rain forests to windswept highlands, from mangrove swamps to hilly forests, provide a birder with a wider range of species than any other country in the Americas.  Over 1,500 bird species have been recorded here (which is two times as many as in the US and Canada combined).

THE CLIMATE
Located directly on the equator, Ecuador's climate is not a four-season climate. The seasons simply alternate between dry and rainy.  Temperatures change little between seasons; however, each day runs the gamut of temperatures (i.e.: Quito's daily range of temperature is between 56° - 70°F).  There is one rainy season: November - May, with frequent rainfalls during the afternoon and evening.  Typically, days will start out warm. If clouds build up in the afternoon, temperatures will drop, and rain is likely in the late-afternoons.  Evenings are cool.

THE CAPITAL: QUITO
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is a beautiful city.  At 9,400 ft., it is surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes ⎯  just 24 kilometers from the equator.  Although it was an important Indian City in Inca and pre-Inca times, its indigenous buildings have been erased, and today it is divided between the colonial architecture and sculpture of its Spanish conquest days and the clean line of its modern section. This combination of well-preserved colonial churches and contemporary architecture makes it one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of Latin America. Quito is very urban, full of ex-patriots, and their influence is everywhere. It is a well-traveled country for Europeans and staying in Quito will be one of the highlights of your trip.

THE PEOPLE AND THE CULTURE
Ecuadorians include descendants of the Spanish Conquistadors and original pre-Columbian inhabitants, many of whom still speak "Quichua" and maintain traditions from Inca times and before.  The people are approachable and easy-going, and you will find them remarkably open to foreigners.  Politically Ecuador has been under democratic rule since 1979. Oil has occupied a key place in recent Ecuadorian history, bringing Americans into the country in the early '70s. The Lonely Planet describes Ecuador as one of the safest to travel in South America.

TRAVEL TIPS

• Expect that the pace will be different than what you are used to in the States.  Leave U.S. expectation at home and enjoy the cultural change. Life moves at a different pace in Ecuador.  You will find that many times you will hurry up, just to end up waiting.  Remember, you’re on vacation ⎯ leave your watch behind!
• Travel Guide – we have copies of the Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit book in stock in our store. We can send a copy to you. 
• To visit as a tourist, all you need is a valid passport. The expiration date on your passport must be six months after your travel dates.  You will get a T-3 tourist card from Immigration, which you should keep as it is needed to leave the country.  Before leaving home, photocopy your passport and have it in a separate spot than your original.
• No vaccinations are required to enter the country. Diarrhea is the most common illness. We personally recommend Hepatitis, Tetanus and Flu Shots.  Malaria is a small risk in the lower coastal regions.  We strongly encourage you to consult your personal physician about what would be best for you.
• Bring strong sunscreen and a hat.  Altitude sickness (soroche) can sometimes affect travelers arriving in Quito. Andean air is thin, so take it easy for the first day.
• Pull out your Spanish!  Costa Ricans will be most helpful in trying to figure out what you are saying, especially when accompanied by a smile.
• Statistically Ecuador is safe, but travel wisely as you would in any big city.  Avoid flashy jewelry and keep track of your purse, wallet, backpack or fanny pack.  If you are in downtown Quito, watch out for pick- pocketers. Taxis are inexpensive and an easy solution to wandering around looking lost.
• Ecuador is on the US dollar.  Plan on bringing your money in traveler’s checks and small bills ($5 and $10 bills). It is difficult to find change for large bills (a $20 is considered large on the street!).  Major credit cards are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants and shops in Quito. Once outside Quito do not plan on finding any ATM machines.
• Food and Water- Do not drink the tap water (bottled water is readily available). Stay clear of uncooked vegetables, salads not properly treated or unpeeled fruits, as well as food vendors on the street.

COMMUNICATION
If you need to stay in touch with those at home, plan on the following: In Quito it is effortless. There are Internet Cafes on every block, providing inexpensive computer time and Internet phone calls.  It is also very easy to purchase a phone card and use satellite phones.  Take caution making a phone call from a hotel room or through a US phone service—both are very expensive, especially relative to the Internet or phone cards.  Once out of Quito, internet cafes are found even in smaller towns, as well as internet phones. There is fantastic cell phone coverage in the country, but we recommend you check with your provider for an international plan while you are travling.

WHAT TO DO WITH EXTRA DAYS
Ecuador offers such a great diversity that we cannot possibly acquaint you with it all in your days of paddling.  We highly encourage you to spend some extra time touring Ecuador’s fascinating sites.  And we highly recommend Altar Tours in Quito to help you with all your extra travel needs.  Options to get you started include:

• Hang-out time in Quito with its churches and museums and great places to just “hang out”
• Galapagos Islands-how could you pass up the chance!
• Climbing Volcano Cotopaxi or Chimborazo
• Taking an Amazon Jungle Tour
• 1-day bike trips from Cotopaxi
• Otavalo Market.
• Shopping- there is no better place in all of Latin America to purchase hand crafted items! Saturday will provide you with the opportunity to wander through the many shops and boutiques of New Quito.  Note: Haggling on prices is appropriate in the market areas but not in the shops.  As a tourist you are a target for being charged more.  ALWAYS ask the price before accepting it and do not be shy about haggling for a lower price. And make sure you have small bills (20’s are large in Ecuador).  Exception: the finer stores. No haggling and credit cards are accepted.

READING LIST
Van rides/early nights do provide an opportunity to read that you might not have at home. Some guide/trip members reading lists include: 

• Insight Guides, ECUADOR (APA Publications) 
• Lonely Planet Guide to Ecuador

 Other interesting reading material found in the hands of paddlers on our trips:

• The White Rock, Hugh Thompson;
• Tropical Nature, Adrian Forsyth & Ken Miyata
• Valverdes Gold, Mark Honigsbaum
• Land of Ghosts, David Campbell
• River of Doubt, Candice Millard
• Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson
• any Christopher Moore or Carl Haissan book (guide favorite)
• Latin American Heroes, Jerome Adams
• When the Rivers Run Dry, Fred Pearce

"This is a long overdue Thank you note, but I wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate all the work that you did for our trip to Ecuador. I had an amazing time, and I am grateful for the way that you welcomed me into “the family” with such open arms. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of Ecuadorian culture and rivers with me. Hopefully that was the first of many future paddling adventures with you."
-Lorri Eberle, CA