Frequently Asked Questions about the Amazon

We present this information in hopes of answering all your questions about travel to the Amazon Rainforest. Should your questions not be answered by our FAQ's section, please do not hesitate to chat live with one of our representatives by clicking on the Live Help button located on the right hand menu.

THE AMAZON & ITS PEOPLE [Back to top]

Time Zone
Continental Ecuador is 5 hours behind GMT (equivalent to USA Eastern Standard Time)

Climate
The rainiest months are from April to September. The average temperature throughout the year is 80°F / 26°C.

Best time to visit the Amazon
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.

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.

The people
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.

MONEY & SHOPPING [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.

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.

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.

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.

HEALTH & SERVICES [Back to top]

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

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

NOTE on Diet
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.

Special Needs
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.

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).

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.

TRIP INFORMATION & EXCURSIONS [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.

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.

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.

Emergency phone number
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.

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.

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.

Baggage
Due to limited plane size, baggage allowance for jungle flights is 20 lb / 10 kg, plus a carry on.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Special Excursions
Excursions in the lodges are organized according to passengers physical condition, ages and desired level of activity.

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.

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).