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Travel Guide
Please Note
This is a generalized travel guide and it is intended to coalesce several resources, which a traveler might find useful, regardless of a particular destination. As such, it does not include travel warnings for specific "hot spot" destinations.
For travel alerts and warnings, please see the United States Department of State's listings available at URL:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
Please note that travel to the following countries, based on these warnings, is ill-advised, or should be undertaken with the utmost precaution:
Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), El Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories of West Bank and Gaza, Philippines areas of Sulu Archipelago, Mindanao, and southern Sulu Sea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela, and Yemen.
International Travel Guide
Checklist for Travelers
1. Make sure you travel with the proper documentation. This may include passports, travel visas, consent for travel with minors, and international driving permits, if necessary. Get the necessary visas for the country (or countries) one intends to visit - but be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry.
2. Protect one's personal information by making copies of one's passport details, insurance policy, travelers checks and credit card numbers. Taking copies of such documents with you, while leaving another collection copies with someone at home, is also good practice for travelers. Taking copies of one's passport photograph is also recommended, as well as leaving a copy of one's passport photograph and details at home is also recommended.
3. Take time to learn about one's destination country and culture. Read and learn about the place one is traveling. Also check political, economic and socio-cultural developments at the destination by reading country-specific travel reports and fact sheets. Always have the contact information for the embassy or consulate of your home country.
4. Keep in regular contact with friends and relatives back at home by phone or email, and be sure to leave a travel itinerary. As well, keep a list of your emergency contacts handy and create a communication plan for reaching family and friends in the event of a crisis.
5. While it may be appealing to travel "off the grid" and without attention to current events, it is inadvisable to travel internationally without paying attention to the news and current events taking place "in country." Monitor local radio, television, and other sources for news and updates. Make contacts with staff at hotels and/or in the community so you are able to stay informed.
6. Phone lines are usually affected during a crisis. Think about other ways to communicate. For example, update your social media status often and send messages as regularly as possible to let friends and family know how you are doing.
7. Know the laws of one's destination country and culture; be sure to understand the repercussions of breaking those laws and regulations. Often the transparency and freedoms of the juridical system at home is not consistent with that of one's destination country. Become aware of these complexities and subtleties before you travel.
8. For longer stays in a country, or where the security situation is volatile, one should register one's self and traveling companions at the local embassy or consulate of one's country of citizenship. Be prepared for crisis situations and have an exit strategy to ensure you can easily evacuate from a volatile situation. Have more than one way to get towards safety as a crisis event may make some roads unpassable or unsafe.
9. Stay healthy by taking all possible precautions against illness. Also, be sure to take extra supplies of prescription drugs along for the trip, while also taking time to pack general pharmaceutical supplies, such as aspirin and other such painkillers, bandages, stomach ailment medication, anti-inflammatory medication and anti-bacterial medication.
10. Do not carry illicit drugs. Understand that the punishment for possession or use of illegal drugs in some countries may be capital punishment. Make sure your prescription drugs are legal in the countries you plan to visit.
11. Women should take care to be prepared both culturally and practically for traveling in a different country and culture. One should be sure to take sufficient supplies of personal feminine products and prescription drugs. One should also learn about local cultural standards for women, including norms of dressing. Be aware that it is simply inappropriate and unsafe for women to travel alone in some countries, and take the necessary precautions to avoid risk-filled situations.
12. If one is traveling with small children, one should pack extra supplies, make arrangements with the travel carrier for proper seating that would adequately accommodate children, infants or toddlers. Note also that whether one is male of female, traveling with children means that one's hands are thus not free to carry luggage and bags. Be especially aware that this makes one vulnerable to pickpockets, thieves and other sorts of crime.
13. Make proper arrangements for accommodations, well in advance of one's arrival at a destination. Some countries have limited accommodation, while others may have culturally distinctive facilities. Learning about these practicalities before one travels will greatly aid the enjoyment of one's trip.
14. Travel with different forms of currency and money (cash, traveler's checks and credit cards) in anticipation that venues may not accept one or another form of money. Also, ensuring that one's financial resources are not contained in one location, or by one person (if one is traveling with others) can be a useful measure, in the event that one loses a wallet or purse. Contact your credit card companies ahead of departure to notify them of your travel plans and be on the lookout for suspicious activity.
15. Find out about transportation in the destination country. In some places, it might be advisable to hire a local driver or taxi guide for safety reasons, while in other countries, enjoying one's travel experience may well be enhanced by renting a vehicle and seeing the local sights and culture independently. Costs may also be prohibitive for either of these choices, so again, prior planning is suggested. If you plan to drive "in country," as indicated above, ensure you have proper international driving permits.
16. Be aware that other countries use different voltage. Travel with a voltage adaptor pack if you will need to power up a laptop, phone, or medical device. It is also advisable to think in terms of power supply, and be sure to find backup power or other ways that will sustain your device or equipment during a power outage.
Tips for Travelers
United States (U.S.) currency became legal tender in Ecuador in 2000. Ecuadorian coins have been minted in values equal to American coins and are concurrently in circulation. The paper sucre has been eliminated.
A valid passport is required to enter and depart Ecuador. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. Those planning a longer visit must obtain a visa in advance. Citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Ecuador must obtain a new passport at their appropriate embassy or consulate and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in the capital city of Quito to obtain permission to depart. An exit tax must be paid at the airport when departing Ecuador.
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments, including Ecuador's, have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.
Ecuador's specific procedures mandate that minors (under 18) who are citizens or residents of Ecuador and who are traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party must present a copy of their birth certificate and written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent or with a third party. When a parent is deceased, a notarized copy of the death certificate is required in lieu of the written authorization. If documents are prepared in your country, the authorization and the birth certificate must be translated into Spanish, notarized, and authenticated by the Ecuadorian Embassy or an Ecuadorian consulate within you country. If documents are prepared in Ecuador, only notarization by an Ecuadorian notary is required. This paragraph does not apply to children who enter Ecuador with passports as tourists, unless they hold dual citizenship.
Aviod travel to the northeastern sector of Ecuador, especially the provinces of Sucumbios, Orellana, and Carchi due to the spread of organized crime, drug trafficking, and armed insurgency along the Colombian border. Since 1998, at least eight U.S. citizens have been kidnapped near Ecuador's border with Colombia. One U.S. citizen was murdered in January 2001 by kidnappers holding him for ransom.
The city of Guayaquil has experienced a dramatic increase in kidnappings for ransom, often in connection with carjackings.
Political demonstrations occur sporadically throughout Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands. City streets and rural highways are sometimes blocked by protesters, and public transportation tends to be disrupted during these incidents. Protestors occasionally burn tires, throw Molotov cocktails, and fire handguns into the air during demonstrations. The police generally respond by using water cannons and tear gas. Travelers should avoid areas where demonstrations are in progress and keep informed by following the local news and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides.
In 2001, several bombs exploded near bank offices in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Portoviejo. Although no foreign tourists have been injured in these explosions, foreign citizens visiting or residing in Ecuador are urged to exercise caution and avoid suspicious looking packages.
The President of Ecuador has declared temporary states of emergency in parts of Ecuador on several occasions, often as a response to high crime rates. Under these states of emergency, the military is allowed to perform joint patrols with the police, and curfews may be imposed. The police and military are often granted expanded search authority under a state of emergency, and roadblocks may be set up to check personal identification and vehicle registration. Foreign citizens should carry identification at all times, including proof of citizenship, and abide by any restrictions imposed during a state of emergency or risk arrest.
Since 1998, the cities of Quito and Guayaquil have experienced an increase in crimes such as armed robberies, assaults, carjackings and kidnappings. Most crimes are of a non-violent nature, such as pickpocketing, burglary of personal effects, or thefts from vehicles or hotel rooms. In a rapidly increasing number of cases, however, thieves are armed with guns or knives. House burglaries and carjackings can result in violence. The Ecuadorian Government has increased police patrols in tourist areas, but travelers in resort areas along the coast and in Quito and Guayaquil should remain alert to their surroundings and maintain constant control of personal belongings. Expensive-looking jewelry and watches should not be worn.
In Quito, extreme caution should be taken in tourist areas and crowded marketplaces, especially on the crowded streets of south Quito, the Panecillo, Old Quito, and all transportation terminals. Backpackers are frequently targeted for criminal activity in Quito. Travelers should not frequent the city parks (La Carolina, El Ejido, La Alameda) before dawn and after dark and should not go into the interior of these parks at any time. Other areas identified as dangerous for tourists are El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastian, Mariscal Sucre, Avenida Cristobal Colon and Gonzalez Suarez.
In Guayaquil, extra caution should be taken in the downtown area, on the waterfront (El Malecon), in the street market area of La Bahia, at the Christ Statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, in the airport area, and in the southern part of the city. Luggage theft occurs frequently at the airport. Travelers have been followed to or from the airport, assaulted and robbed. These assaults have occurred during the day as well as at night and often in public areas that might otherwise be considered safe. There have been numerous armed robberies of restaurants and their patrons, including in the fashionable areas of Guayaquil.
Travelers to Ecuador's beach areas should be aware that strong currents, undertow, and underwater hazards are common and are not posted. In addition, many beach areas are relatively deserted at night, and crimes such as rape and robbery have been reported.
Armed robbery of inter-city buses is on the increase. In early 2001, two passenger buses carrying American citizens were robbed at gunpoint. In both cases, the buses were en route to Peru along the Pan American Highway.
Criminals sometimes use incapacitating drugs on unsuspecting tourists in order to rob them. These so-called "date rape" drugs may be administered in drinks, cigarettes, or chewing gum. The drugs render the victim disoriented and can cause prolonged unconsciousness and serious medical problems. In July 2001, a foreign woman riding on an inter-city bus was robbed of her luggage, money, and personal documents after a stranger gave her a drug-laced soft drink that left her unconscious for 22 hours.
Medical care is available, but it varies in quality and generally is below U.S. standards. Ambulances, with or without trained emergency staff, are in critically short supply.
Travelers to Quito may require some time to adjust to the altitude (close to 10,000 feet), which can adversely affect blood pressure, digestion and energy level. Travelers are encouraged to consult with their personal health care providers before undertaking high-altitude travel. In particular, travelers with heart or lung problems and persons with sickle cell trait may develop serious health complications at high altitudes.
Scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands can be hazardous, and it is not recommended for beginners. A privately owned decompression chamber opened in 2001 on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands. The Ecuadorian Navy operates a second decompression chamber at the San Eduardo Naval Base in Guayaquil.
Malaria and dengue fever are prevalent in Ecuador's coastal zone, from the Colombian border in the north to the Peruvian border in the south, as well as in the provinces of Loja and Los Rios, and in the city of Guayaquil. Travelers should consult with their personal physicians about taking malaria prophylaxis medication before traveling to these areas. Quito and other high-altitude locations are generally not affected by malaria and dengue fever. Yellow fever and cholera are also reaching epidemic levels in some outlying regions and are encroaching on the outskirts of cities such as Guayaquil.
While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in your home country. The information below concerning Ecuador is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
Many roads and bridges that were damaged during the 1997-1998 El Nino weather phenomenon have not been repaired, causing delays and detours. Bus travel throughout Ecuador is dangerous, especially at night, because of poorly maintained and unmarked roads and bridges. Bus passengers are often targets of crime, including robbery and rape. Travelers should guard against theft of personal belongings on all forms of public transportation.
A peace treaty ending the Ecuador/Peru border conflict was signed on Oct. 26, 1998. The border between the two countries is open, but crossing or approaching the Ecuador-Peru border anywhere except at official checkpoints is dangerous.
A significant number of Ecuadorian tour vessels, including many operating in the Galapagos Islands, do not meet internationally recognized maritime safety standards. The Government of Ecuador has very limited search and rescue capability in the event of an accident.
The Government of Ecuador now requires that vessels carrying more than fifteen passengers comply with the International Safety Management (ISM) code established by the International Maritime Organization. A copy of the vessel's ISM certificate should be made available upon request. The ISM requirement has been in effect since July 2000 and it is not yet clear how rigorously the new safety standards are being enforced by Ecuadorian authorities. Large tour boats (those carrying eighty passengers or more) generally have better safety records than smaller tour boats, particularly those carrying fifteen passengers or less.
Ecuadorian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Ecuador of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, electronic equipment, and currency. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Ecuador for specific information regarding customs requirements.
While in a foreign country, you are subject to that country's laws and regulations. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in your country for similar offenses. Persons violating Ecuadorian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Ecuador are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines. Foreign citizens arrested in Ecuador for drug-related offenses may experience prolonged pretrial detention without bail. Prison conditions are sub-standard.
Under Ecuadorian law, a business dispute that normally would be handled by civil litigation in most North American and European countries may be converted into a criminal proceeding. This provision of the law has been used to impose travel prohibitions against resident expatriates, and it also has led to the arrest and incarceration of visiting business people while they were awaiting a hearing on the civil matter.
Beginning in September 1998, the Guagua Pichincha Volcano, located just west of Quito, has exhibited a significant increase in the number of tremors and an accompanying rise in magma level. Since October 1999, there has been an intermittent series of explosions. Volcanic ash has fallen on Quito during some of the explosions, causing temporary closings of area schools and the airport. In the event of a full-scale eruption, geological experts conclude that the city of Quito is protected from possible lava flows, avalanches, and lateral explosions by the bulk of Pichincha Mountain, which stands between the city and the volcano crater. Parts of Quito could be affected by secondary mudflows caused by heavy rains that usually accompany an eruption. The entire city could also be affected by slight to significant ash falls and resulting disruptions of water, power, communications, and transportation.
The town of Banos, a popular tourist destination located approximately 80 miles south of Quito, was evacuated in November 1999 because of the increased activity of the adjacent Tungurahua Volcano. The volcano has been ejecting significant amounts of ash and incandescent rocks. Geological experts advise that an explosive eruption could occur quickly and with little warning. The resulting pyroclastic flows would pose a significant and immediate threat to Banos and several small villages in the vicinity. Travelers are advised not to travel to Banos or the surrounding area.
The Quito City Government and the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute continue to monitor these volcanoes and issue regular reports on their activity. Travelers are advised to pay close attention to the news media in Quito for updates on the situation. Besides Guagua Pichincha and Tungurahua, other volcanoes in Ecuador may, from time to time, also exhibit increased activity. Further information about these and other volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere is available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via the Internet at http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/guag.html.
Note: This information is directly quoted from the United States Department of State Consular Information Sheet.
Sources: United States Department of State Consular Information Sheet
Business Culture: Information for Business Travelers
Business customs in Ecuador are similar to those in other Latin American countries. Ecuadorians are formal when engaged in business relations. Suits and ties are the norm. Business meetings are conducted in offices or restaurants, the latter often used in order to get better acquainted with a potential business partner. Meetings normally start somewhat after the appointed time. Americans should be punctual. Normal office hours are 9:00 to to 6:00 p.m. Small talk usually precedes discussion of business.
With regard to social courtesies, Ecuadorians are very polite and well mannered. Superiors are treated in a friendly but respectful way, and the use of a title (such as doctor, economist or engineer) before the name is common. Business is conducted in Spanish. Efforts by visitors to speak Spanish are appreciated. Interpreters are available for Americans who do not speak Spanish. For invitations to Ecuadorian's homes, a gift such as flowers is appreciated.
Sources: United States Department of State Commercial Guides
Online Resources Regarding Entry Requirements and Visas
Foreign Entry Requirements for Americans from the United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
Visa Services for Non-Americans from the United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
Visa Bulletins from the United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html
Visa Waivers from the United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html - new
Passport and Visa Information from the Government of the United Kingdom
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Visa Information from the Government of Australia
http://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/index.html
Passport Information from the Government of Australia
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/index.aspx
Passport Information from the Government of Canada
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/passport_passeport-eng.asp
Visa Information from the Government of Canada
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/visas-eng.asp
Online Visa Processing by Immigration Experts by VisaPro
http://www.visapro.com
Sources: United States Department of State, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Government of Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Useful Online Resources for Travelers
Country-Specific Travel Information from United States
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
Travel Advice by Country from Government of United Kingdom
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/
General Travel Advice from Government of Australia
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/General
Travel Bulletins from the Government of Australia
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/
Travel Tips from Government of Australia
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/index.html
Travel Checklist by Government of Canada
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/checklist_sommaire-eng.asp
Travel Checklist from Government of United Kingdom
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/staying-safe/checklist
Your trip abroad from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1225.html
A safe trip abroad from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html
Tips for expatriates abroad from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/residing/residing_1235.html
Tips for students from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/studying/studying_1238.html http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1219.html
Medical information for travelers from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html
US Customs Travel information
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/
Sources: United States Department of State; United States Customs Department, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Government of Australia; Government of Canada: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Other Practical Online Resources for Travelers
Foreign Language Phrases for Travelers
http://www.travlang.com/languages/
http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/index.htm
World Weather Forecasts
http://www.intellicast.com/
http://www.wunderground.com/
http://www.worldweather.org/
Worldwide Time Zones, Map, World Clock
http://www.timeanddate.com/
http://www.worldtimezone.com/
International Airport Codes
http://www.world-airport-codes.com/
International Dialing Codes
http://www.kropla.com/dialcode.htm
http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/
International Phone Guide
http://www.kropla.com/phones.htm
International Mobile Phone Guide
http://www.kropla.com/mobilephones.htm
International Internet Café Search Engine
http://cybercaptive.com/
Global Internet Roaming
http://www.kropla.com/roaming.htm
World Electric Power Guide
http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm
World Television Standards and Codes
http://www.kropla.com/tv.htm
International Currency Exchange Rates
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Banking and Financial Institutions Across the World
http://www.123world.com/banks/index.html
International Credit Card or Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Locator
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/
http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html
International Chambers of Commerce
http://www.123world.com/chambers/index.html
World Tourism Websites
http://123world.com/tourism/
Diplomatic and Consular Information
United States Diplomatic Posts Around the World
http://www.usembassy.gov/
United Kingdom Diplomatic Posts Around the World
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/embassies-and-posts/find-an-embassy-overseas/
Australia's Diplomatic Posts Around the World
http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/
http://www.dfat.gov.au/embassies.html
Canada's Embassies and High Commissions
http://www.international.gc.ca/ciw-cdm/embassies-ambassades.aspx
Resources for Finding Embassies and other Diplomatic Posts Across the World
http://www.escapeartist.com/embassy1/embassy1.htm
Safety and Security
Travel Warnings by Country from Government of Australia
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/
Travel Warnings and Alerts from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html
Travel Reports and Warnings by Government of Canada
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/updates_mise-a-jour-eng.asp
Travel Warnings from Government of United Kingdom
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/?action=noTravelAll#noTravelAll
Sources: United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the United States Department of State, the Government of Canada: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Government of Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Other Safety and Security Online Resources for Travelers
United States Department of State Information on Terrorism
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/
Government of the United Kingdom Resource on the Risk of Terrorism
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1044011304926
Government of Canada Terrorism Guide
http://www.international.gc.ca/crime/terrorism-terrorisme.aspx?lang=eng
Information on Terrorism by Government of Australia
http://www.dfat.gov.au/icat/index.html
FAA Resource on Aviation Safety
http://www.faasafety.gov/
In-Flight Safety Information for Air Travel (by British Airways crew trainer, Anna Warman)
http://www.warman.demon.co.uk/anna/inflight.html
Hot Spots: Travel Safety and Risk Information
http://www.airsecurity.com/hotspots/HotSpots.asp
Information on Human Rights
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/
Sources: The United States Department of State, the United States Customs Department, the Government of Canada, the Government of United Kingdom, the Government of Australia, the Federal Aviation Authority, Anna Warman's In-flight Website, Hot Spots Travel and Risk Information
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