| Frequently Asked Questions about the Andes |
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We present this information in hopes of answering all your questions about the Andes. 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 |
| Out of the Andean cities in Ecuador, international flights operate ONLY with Quito, other Andean cities have only domestic flights. Please make sure to reconfirm your international flight 48 hours before departure. National flights are handled by Quasar Expeditions. [back to top] |
Airport Greeting |
| Due to security reasons guides are not allowed at Immigration, luggage retrieval or Customs with international flights, or luggage retrieval with domestic flights. All passengers must go through these proceedings on their own; guide will meet them outside the restricted area holding a sign. [back to top] |
ATM's |
Automated Teller Machines can be found at major hotels and throughout the main cities, but not in small towns. Most ATM’s accept international ATM cards. [ back to top] |
Baggage |
Generally speaking baggage allowance per passenger is the following: international flights: 2 bags, total 31 kg/68 lb plus one carry on; domestic flights 1 bag, total 20 kg/44 lb plus one 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. Most banks in the main cities will allow you to make a transaction with your National bank. [back to top] |
Best time to visit the Andes |
| The Andes can be visited during any time of the year. The drier and warmest months are from June to September in the North, and August to January for the South. [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 rainy season is from October to May, during this season rain usually comes by mid afternoon, while the mornings are dry and sunny. [back to top] |
Communication Facilities |
Large hotels in the main cities have estate of the art communication facilities like wide band, satellite connection, business centers as well as private access in the rooms. Small hotels and haciendas in general have standard telephone communication as well as mobile communications. Long distance calls are possible even in the small towns, through telephone booths. [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 |
Large hotels permanently cater special diet requirements, except for Kosher food (which should be requested in advance). Hotels in small cities and haciendas provide special requirements like vegetarian meals when informed in advance; Kosher food is not available. [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 |
The highlands have so much to offer in terms of tourist attractions that the possibilities range from 3 hours all the way to 15 days or more. You just have to select your main interests and we will suggest the itinerary based on the time that you have available. [back to top]
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Electricity |
Electricity throughout Ecuador is 110W, 60 cycles, AC, 2 flat prongs. Travelers coming from Europe should bring their own converters as it is not easy 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 rural areas for cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid. Mosquito repellent is a MUST in the cloud and tropical forest (which is close to the Andes).
Modern hospital facilities are available in Quito as well as plenty of Drug Stores. All small cities have appropriate hospitals as well as drug stores. In rural areas like haciendas or very small towns medical facilities may be ill equipped or inexistent. We 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.
As a general recommendation, use only bottled water (easily found throughout the country), avoid clams (which are served uncooked) and any uncooked or unpeeled products. Don’t eat in any place not recommended directly by us. Food at haciendas or hotels that we use is carefully prepared to avoid any stomach complications. [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. [back to top] |
Language |
An English speaking guide is permanently with the passengers. Front desk personnel at hotels and haciendas will speak English, but not the rest of the personnel. General population speaks Spanish, indigenous inhabitants speak Spanish and Quechua. [back to top]
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Shopping |
Shopping hours in the main cities are from 10:00 (AM) to 19:00 (7PM), Monday to Saturday. All stores are closed on Sundays, except shopping malls. Above schedules might vary at small towns. [back to top] |
Special Excursions |
We organize excursions according to passengers interests: ethnographic, photography, hiking, horse back riding, bird watching, orchid searching, haciendas, indigenous markets, etc. [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, we suggest the following tipping per passenger:
10% of the bill in restaurants; $0,50 per bag for porters and bell boys at hotels and haciendas. Guide: $10 for a full day, $5 for a half day, $3 per transfer. Driver: $5 for a full day, $3 for a half day; $1,50 per transfer. [back to top]
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What is not Included |
Meals not mentioned in the specific itinerary, alcoholic beverages, tips, laundry service, phone calls, spa treatments, international departure taxes and other expenses of a personal nature. [back to top]
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What to Bring to your Trip |
Due to the variety of temperatures throughout the day in the Andes, you should dress in layers. We recommend the following: lightweight fleece jacket or wool jumper, long sleeved pants (jeans or similar), t-shirts, long sleeved shirts, cotton socks, swimming suit, shorts, hiking boots if undertaking hiking and trekking and comfortable sneakers. Camera equipment, sun protection (high factor), sunglasses, hat/baseball cap, binoculars, small back pack, personal medication, personal toiletteries, rain jacket/poncho. [back to top] |
What to Bring to Excursions |
Small waterproof back pack, camera, extra film and batteries, insect repellent (if going to the cloud or tropical forest), sun lotion, sunglasses, hat, binoculars, rain jacket/poncho, fleece jacket or similar. [back to top] |
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Additional Information |
| General Recommendations |
As with most large cities, one is advised to take precautions to insure safety and security. Police patrol tourist areas regularly. Even so, you should remain alert to your surroundings and maintain a good grip on your camera and pack if you bring them along. Leave your jewelry, passport, most of your cash and all but the credit card you plan to use in your hotel safe box or at the hacienda. These are normal precautions for any city you are unfamiliar with. You will find the Andean inhabitants to be extremely friendly, but this should not prevent you from taking normal precautions as if you were in a large city. Your guide will answer any other questions you have regarding security in the specific area.
Avoid any situation that might get you in trouble with the Law or in conflict with local inhabitants, particularly at indigenous villages. [back to top]
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Additional Recommendations |
Avoid consuming tap water, uncooked foods and fruits that you don’t peel yourself. If you have particular allergies (like nuts, onion, etc.) always ask the waiter if the meal you fancy contains the product (s) you are allergic to.
Ecuadorians are friendly but very protective of their privacy, follow your guide’s recommendations as to your conduct when relating to the local population, i.e.: some people enjoy being photographed while others are quite offended by it; prepared food should not be photographed at public markets, and so on.
The most important recommendation is: always carry with you the tour operator local emergency phone number; in case of an emergency this should be your priority contact in order to receive immediate assistance. [back to top] |
Special Needs
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Ecuador is just beginning to apply mandatory facilities for special needs i.e.: wheelchair ramps, wide doors, etc. BEFORE you book a particular tour you should inquire about the possibility of attending your particular disabilities, you will receive accurate information about each one of the facilities, and alternatives if necessary. [back to top] |
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