| Frequently Asked Questions about the Amazon |
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We present this information in hopes of answering all your questions about the Amazon. Should your questions not be answered by our Faq, please don't hesitate to chat live with one of our representatives. |
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| Air Transportation |
| Flights to the Amazon depart ONLY from Quito. Small commercial planes are used by most lodges; if you require specific information as to the type of aircraft please enquire with us. Depending on the lodge, the flight may last ½ hour or 1 ½ hour Open motorized canoes with a canvas top are used for river transportation. Depending on the lodge the river trip may last around 3 hours. [back to top] |
Airport Greeting |
The English speaking guide will either travel with the group from Quito, or meet the group upon arrival at the airport, with a sign of the lodge. Luggage will be taken care ofby the lodge crew. [back to top]
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ATM's |
Don’t expect to find working ATM machines in jungle towns. Make sure you bring your money in small denominations for personal expenditures. [back to top] |
Baggage |
Due to limited plane size, baggage allowance for jungle flights is 20 lb / 10 kg, plus a carry on.[back to top] |
Banks and Bank Hours |
Banks are open to the public from 9:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. Monday to Friday. Don’t expect to make a transaction with your National bank from an Amazon town. The time between the flight arrival and the canoe departure is about 15 minutes. [back to top] |
Best time to visit the Amazon Rain Forest |
| The Ecuadorian Rain Forest can be visited during any time of the year. The period from October to March is usually the drier, but with some rain everyday. [back to top] |
Booking and Pricing Information |
Our booking and pricing information allows you to see our rates as well as our booking and cancellation policies. Click here to open a PDF version of our Booking/Pricing policy. [back to top] |
Climate |
The rainiest months are from April to September. The average temperature throughout the year is 80°F / 26°C. [back to top] |
Communication Facilities |
Lodges maintain contact only through short wave radio. No mobile or regular phones are available. Amazon towns have regular telephone facilities (both standard and mobile)[back to top] |
Currency |
| The currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar. Small denominations should be brought to indigenous markets. Avoid bringing $100 dollar bills as these will not be easily accepted except at banks. [back to top] |
Customs |
Upon international arrival in Quito every traveler must go through Customs. The use of X-Rays machines expedites the procedure. There are no limitations for standard traveling items like clothing, cameras, film, medicines, etc. Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes are allowed if not in large quantities. There are no Customs procedures for domestic flights. [back to top] |
Diet |
All jungle lodges permanently cater special diet requirements like vegetarians or allergies, but not Kosher food. Dietary requirements must be informed well in advance[back to top] |
Documents Required |
According to Ecuadorian Immigration regulations, every foreign passenger entering the Country must have a passport with a time validity of at least 6 months from the day of arrival in Ecuador. Passengers should check with the nearest Ecuadorian Embassy or Consular Office if they should obtain a visa to enter Ecuador. This information is permanently changing so updated information should be obtained about 3 weeks prior to departure to Ecuador. [back to top] |
Duration of Trip |
Jungle lodges have set operation days that will allow passengers to stay 4, 5 or 8 days in standard programs. Arrivals/departures in non operating days will represent an additional fee for the canoe trip. Enquire with us the alternatives.[back to top]
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Electricity |
None of the jungle lodges have regular electricity, they use generators (110W) or solar energy to illuminate common areas and cabins. Outlets will be 2 flat prongs only. Travelers coming from Europe should bring their own converters as it is not likely to find them in Ecuador. [back to top]
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Health |
Travelers should check with their GP / health center / travel clinic about required inoculations. Legally no inoculations are required for entry into the country but special precautions should be taken in the jungle areas for malaria, cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid. Mosquito repellent is a MUST in the rain forest. There hadn’t been yellow fever cases reported in the rain forest recently, but you should consult your doctor the convenience of getting the inoculation.
Modern hospital facilities are NOT available in jungle towns, and drug store supplies are limited. We strongly recommend to bring your own medicine as brands may change from one country to another, or a specific medicine may not be available either in the main cities or in small towns. Emergency evacuation may be arranged through helicopter, but additional cost must be covered by passenger’s insurance.
Only bottled water is used for drinking and cooking in jungle lodges. Food is very carefully prepared to avoid stomach problems. It is safe to eat anything offered by the lodge; avoid eating anything at the towns [back to top] |
Insurance |
All passengers should have full medical insurance. Your Travel Agent or Insurance company should be able to assist you with the best options for your particular trip. Air emergency evacuation should be included if you are traveling to the rain forest.[back to top] |
Language |
An English speaking guide is permanently with the passengers. Indigenous guides speak local dialects as well as Spanish. If a language other than English is requested, the lodge must be informed by time of booking.[back to top]
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Shopping |
All jungle lodges have a small boutique that will supply with basic needs like film, flashlights, feminine napkins, t-shirts, insect repellent and handcrafts made by the indigenous inhabitants of the area.[back to top] |
Special Excursions |
Excursions in the lodges are organized according to passengers physical condition, ages and desired level of activity. [back to top] |
Time Zone |
Continental Ecuador is 5 hours behind GMT (equivalent to USA Eastern Standard Time) |
Tipping / Gratuities |
Tipping is always up to passengers and based on the level of service but generally speaking and using this information as a guideline only, for 4 or 5 days program we suggest:
$25 for the staff, to be shared among all personnel at the lodge, except guides; $30 for the naturalist guide; $20 for the native guide.[back to top]
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What is not Included |
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, tips, laundry service, phone calls, other expenses of a personal nature. Canoe cost on a non-operational day, indigenous community tax (depending on the lodge) [back to top]
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What to Bring to your Trip |
Due to very high humidity it is important to avoid jeans or similar materials that will not dry fast. Recommended packing: Camera equipment, film, strong insect repellent, sun lotion (high factor), sunglasses, hat/baseball cap, long distance binoculars, small waterproof back pack, personal medication, personal toiletteries, rain jacket/poncho, lightweight cotton pants, long sleeved shirts, shorts, t-shirt, swimming suits, non-slippery thick sole shoes, regular underwear, plenty of extra cotton socks, a sweatshirt for the departure morning by the river, plastic bags to protect cameras, binoculars, film, etc. from rain, rubber boots if size is over 42/12. [back to top] |
What to Bring to Excursions |
Small waterproof back pack, camera, extra film and batteries, swimming suits, strong insect repellent, sun lotion, sunglasses, hat, binoculars, rain jacket/poncho. [back to top] |
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Additional Information |
| General Recommendations |
Upon arrival at jungle towns you should watch your personal belongings as you would do in any city. At the jungle lodge you should deliver your valuables (documents, money, jewelry) at the front desk, to be kept in the lodge’s safe box. For your safety follow the guide’s recommendations at all times. Don’t wander on your own through the jungle as it is extremely easy to get lost. Indigenous inhabitants are friendly but very protective of their privacy, follow your guide’s recommendations as to your conduct when relating to the local population, particularly to women. i.e.: some people enjoy being photographed while others are quite offended by it. [back to top]
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Additional Recommendations |
Tap water in the lodges is not potable, use bottled water even to brush your teeth. All the food served in the lodges is very hygienically handled and disinfected, you won’t have any trouble eating salads or peeled fruits at the lodge.
If you have particular allergies (like nuts, onion, etc.) the lodge should be informed well in advance, just in case it is always convenient to ask the waiter if the meal you are served contains the product (s) you are allergic to. [back to top] |
Special Needs
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In general a certain level of self sufficiency is necessary to fully enjoy the rain forest experience, but the facilities will vary from one lodge to another, don’t hesitate to ask even if you feel that it will be impossible to attend your particular needs. We will do everything in our power to find the right place for you. [back to top] |
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