I just got back from Ecuador and what a trip!
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! We visited Rio Verde, Esmeraldas city, Quito, Atacames, Muisne, then Otavalo, and finally Nangulvi..back to Quito and home to cold cold Canada.
For those of you visiting, here are a few tips that I have learned along the way:
I was told that safe eating is better done in restaurants that are closed in, rather then buying off the street.
Keep coloidal Silver (natural antibiotic) on hand to take if you have had anything questionnable. (You can get C. Silver at any health food store before you go.)
Eating food from the vendors that come on the bus to sell has been, for us, a safe experience and it is very cheap hot delicious food! It is also a great way to get bottles of water at 25 cents instead of 40 cents.
If you run out of money and need an ATM, Bank of Guyaquil will accept even basic interac from most countires through their bank machines.
When you leave Quito airport for home, be prepared to pay a fee of $40.15 per person, and they accept only cash!
Every price is negotiable on purchases, use that to your advantage in stores and at the market, cab drivers, etc...
if you go to the Otavalo market, it is a great experience but every vendor will be on to you like glue if you look or touch their product-lol. They are aggresive sellers!
If you want to bring back alcohol, or just buy a bottle, the cheapest prices for beer, rum vodka, whisky etc...is at the local supermarkets for around $4.19 per 26 oz. bottle.
Get a base tan before you go so that you don't burn to a crisp on the first day!
Bring some packets of shampoo and conditioner as some hotels will not automatically provide that.
Prepare yourself for the fact that the service at hotels will not always be what you expect compared to the U.S or Canada. You may not be served hand and foot at even the best locations so fetching your own drinks, having abundant hot water (or any at all) and asking for an extra towel are some things you may face.
You may also have certain dinner times to abide by and little menu options to contend with depending on where you are. We experienced that in the mountains. Count on alot of rice and fried green bananas with a little meat (chicken or fish), sometimes they run out of fish.
My husband and I really like the simplicity of the life there, so we loved the experience and didn't care about the little things. It may not be for everyone though...
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! We visited Rio Verde, Esmeraldas city, Quito, Atacames, Muisne, then Otavalo, and finally Nangulvi..back to Quito and home to cold cold Canada.
For those of you visiting, here are a few tips that I have learned along the way:
I was told that safe eating is better done in restaurants that are closed in, rather then buying off the street.
Keep coloidal Silver (natural antibiotic) on hand to take if you have had anything questionnable. (You can get C. Silver at any health food store before you go.)
Eating food from the vendors that come on the bus to sell has been, for us, a safe experience and it is very cheap hot delicious food! It is also a great way to get bottles of water at 25 cents instead of 40 cents.
If you run out of money and need an ATM, Bank of Guyaquil will accept even basic interac from most countires through their bank machines.
When you leave Quito airport for home, be prepared to pay a fee of $40.15 per person, and they accept only cash!
Every price is negotiable on purchases, use that to your advantage in stores and at the market, cab drivers, etc...
if you go to the Otavalo market, it is a great experience but every vendor will be on to you like glue if you look or touch their product-lol. They are aggresive sellers!
If you want to bring back alcohol, or just buy a bottle, the cheapest prices for beer, rum vodka, whisky etc...is at the local supermarkets for around $4.19 per 26 oz. bottle.
Get a base tan before you go so that you don't burn to a crisp on the first day!
Bring some packets of shampoo and conditioner as some hotels will not automatically provide that.
Prepare yourself for the fact that the service at hotels will not always be what you expect compared to the U.S or Canada. You may not be served hand and foot at even the best locations so fetching your own drinks, having abundant hot water (or any at all) and asking for an extra towel are some things you may face.
You may also have certain dinner times to abide by and little menu options to contend with depending on where you are. We experienced that in the mountains. Count on alot of rice and fried green bananas with a little meat (chicken or fish), sometimes they run out of fish.
My husband and I really like the simplicity of the life there, so we loved the experience and didn't care about the little things. It may not be for everyone though...
