A certain internationally well-know company that issues "travelers checks", should be flogged. What? Harsh words? What does this have to do with Ecuador? Unfortunately, plenty...spurred on by the "misinformation train".
So, I get the call. Client Doe is at the other end. Things aren't good. They are running low on cash and the coastal city in which they currently reside will not cash any of their travelers checks. I am talking no one. Not the banks...not the main hotel...not even the guy wearing the rolex-laden trench coat on the street corner. I ask..."Who told you they would?" The answer, "I read it on an online forum." First mistake. Question everything I write here or in any post. Question everything, in fact. Especially if you've "heard it on a public forum".
Sadly, for Doe, nothing could be further from the truth. When coming to Ecuador, leave your travelers checks at home. Unless you are going to use them at a depleted rest stop or to light a Cuban cigar. Traveler's checks, even in Guayaquil and Quito are not all that easy to cash. When you can, they will only be cashed in small and quite arbitrary denominations, plus you will likely pay a heavy fee. This reminded me of other misinformation that is constantly disseminated. Includes:
1) Just catch a "yellow cab" to maximize safety - No, no...and no. Not all yellow cabs are alike. Some are licensed and it is so displayed. Some are not. Even amongst the licensed, some are well-vetted with consistent safety records...others, not so much. If safety is important to you, take the time to learn from locals as to what cab services are the safest...then, please follow their advice.
2) Always go with the cheapest transportation service - Sure, if you don't care when, or if you get to your target destination. Let me be blunt. My driver service is not the cheapest in my locale. Period. However, if we arrange transport through them and you need them at 9 AM, on Saturday, they will show up at 8:55 AM on Saturday. The cheapest service in town will likely sound something like this:
You: "I need service to Guayaquil tomorrow at 9:00 AM.
Service: Can we make that 10:30 AM.
You: Well, no, I have to catch a flight at 12:00 PM and that won't do.
Service: We understand. We will pick you up at 9:00 AM.
You: Great!
Reality: The service arrives at about 11:17 AM...sort of.
If the above experience works for you, by all means...take the cheaper is better approach. However, Caveat Emptor.
3) Can you recommend the ideal hotel, for a great price? - Candidly, some might even say rudely, "No!" Why? Because everyone is different. I probably don't know you well enough to gauge your expectations and preferences. Hotel quality, even at the same price point, can differ dramatically throughout Ecuador. It is impossible for me, or anyone being "real", to determine what is in your best interest or comfort zone for a hotel. The best we can do is offer several well-vetted selections, at different price points, and offer to drive you to each, so you may inspect each option personally and pick your own poison. Anyone doing it differently...well...just make sure to ask about their motivation. Likely, some kind of self-interest exists.
As always, be wary of what anyone tells you...me included. Caveat Emptor.
ps. About the travelers check company...and the whole flogging thingy. I can understand an unsuspecting traveler asking for travelers checks for a location where they are hardly a commodity. It is quite another, for the company issuing them, who should know better, not to bother mentioning that said checks are hardly in vogue at the target destination. When said company was called and asked for places to cash the checks, they offered only two options, both of which when called stated that they did not cash said checks. Unbelievable!
HGQ
As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. ---Josh Billings
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