Ecuador

Itineraries While we intend to adhere to the route described in your contract, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion, it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.
The contract is a general guide to the tour, region, and proposed itinerary any mention of specific wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be encountered, as we can never guarantee what mother nature has to offer us.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Accommodation If a hotel is unexpectedly fully booked, we will always contact you before booking an alternative. We will always offer alternatives of the same level and value for money.
Kindly note that water is scarce in many parts of the world, so we always recommend taking short showers and reuse towels if possible.

Emergency Contact Should you need to contact Your Travel Nation during a situation of dire need. If you do not receive an immediate answer for any reason, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so we may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. We have an emergency line, which will connect you directly with our office.
+1 757 656 3391  

Luggage You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be restricted to one medium-sized rolling bag, duffle bag, or backpack, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited.

Packing list
Documents:
• Flight info (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the immigration)
• Insurance info (With photocopies)
• Passport  (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates  (With photocopies)
• Copy of your contract

Essentials:
• Any medication you might need: This should include medication for possible common situations like headaches or diarrhea;
• Sunblock, sunglasses, hat, and lip balm.
• Your electronic devices and chargers.
For camera and lenses; we recommend bringing a wide lens (about 17-55mm) for those scenery pictures, and GoPro for those action shots; Renting a camera is not possible. Please ensure your camera equipment is appropriate for different weather conditions;
• Clothes: Comfortable and casual clothing. You should pack T-shirts, shirts with long sleeves, jeans, a sweater and a jacket (for the cold mornings), swimwear (if the accommodation you selected has a pool or if you do a beach extension), and comfortable hiking shoes;
• Insect repellent;
• Refill water bottle;
• Adaptor for A and  B Type plugs.

Laundry Hand washing of clothes can be done at most of the hotels where you will stay. We recommend you bring a non-polluting/biodegradable soap, as well as a roll of simple string to act as a drying line for your clothes. If you arrive in the late afternoon, or if there is poor weather, it may not be possible for your clothes to completely dry. Your hotels may also have a laundry service available at an additional fee.

Visa & Entry requirements Travelers will all need a passport valid for at least 6 months after they depart. Most travelers do not need a visa for Ecuador. To date, visas are required only for travelers from the following countries: Costa Rica, Cuba, China, Bangladesh, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Vietnam, and most middle-Eastern countries. Entry requirements change with surprising frequency. It is each traveler's responsibility to check with the consulate for the most up-to-date visa information.

Insurance A travel insurance is highly recommended when traveling. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that we highly recommend good medical coverage and repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage, and personal effects.
We don’t issue any insurances; however, we recommend using www.worldnomads.com

Health We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least three months before departure or in case of a last-minute tour, as soon as you confirm your travels. Travellers are also advised to carry a basic first-aid kit and hand sanitizers/antibacterial wipes on their travels. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your local guide of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling. Your local guide will be able to inform you of local health advisories (e.g. drinking water quality). Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor.

Allergies and dietary restrictions This is something we take very seriously. Upon booking with us, we will send you a form in which you will be able to indicate any dietary preference or restriction or any specific request you might have. We will then provide that information in advance to all the hotels.

Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. 
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, bank cards, cash, and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of your group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our local guides have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes. 

Photography and drone laws Please refrain from taking photos of police stations, airports, bus stations, immigration or border crossings, army barracks and personnel, or any government building. It is against the law and will result in the minimum of your film and camera being confiscated. Drone use is allowed in Ecuador but several drone laws need to be followed when flying in the country.

Electricity For Ecuador there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin.

Religion Catholicism is the largest religion in Ecuador.

Climate Ecuador is bisected (in the north) by the Equator, the imaginary line that divides the Earth into two halves, and where the day lasts 12 hours throughout the year. Therefore, one would expect an equatorial climate, hot and humid with year-round rains, but this is only true for the eastern part of the country and the northernmost part of the coast, both covered by forests. In fact, the central part is crossed by the Andes and is, therefore, more or less cold depending on altitude, while almost all of the western part, on both the plain and the coast, is affected by a cool ocean current, which lowers a bit the temperature and makes the climate arider.

The best time to visit The warmest and driest months in the sierra is June to September, though this is complicated by various microclimates found in some areas. The coast has the most clearly defined wet and dry seasons, and the best time to visit is from December to April when frequent showers alternate with clear blue skies and temperatures stay high. From May to November it’s often overcast and relatively cool, especially in the south, with less chance of rainfall.

Plastic bags Plastic bags are banned from entering Ecuador. However, plastics carrier items known as “Ziplock bags” that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed of in the country. 

Money and currency Ecuador’s official currency is the US dollar. Aside from euros, Peruvian soles, and Colombian Nuevos soles, it’s very difficult to change foreign currencies in Ecuador. ATMs are the easiest way of getting cash. They’re found in most cities and even in smaller towns, though they are occasionally out of order Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, and tipping. We always recommend carrying enough cash if you would like to pay for something in a remote place and the credit card machine cannot connect to any network. In Ecuador, merchants accepting credit cards will often add between 5% and 10% to the bill. Paying cash is often better value.

Tipping Better restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. Add another 5% for great service, handing it to the server directly. Taxis Not usually tipped; always appreciated. Tips expected on guided tours.

Dress code What you wear on a day-to-day basis in Ecuador is entirely up to you. There’s no real etiquette when it comes to clothing in Ecuador, and no strict religious or social taboos to bear in mind. But people will judge you to a certain extent depending on what you’re wearing, as they do across the globe.