We present this information in hopes of answering all your questions about travel to the Coast of Ecuador. 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 COAST & ITS PEOPLE [Back to top]

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

Climate
The rainy and hottest months are between December and May, when the temperature varies from the low 70°F / 21°C to the low 90°F / 32°C. The cooler months are from June to November, temperatures range from the mid 60°F / 15°C to the high 70°F / 21°C.

Best time to visit the Coast
The Coast of Ecuador can be visited during any time of the year. The period from October to May is usually the best for the beach.

Language
Spanish is the official language in Ecuador, English is spoken in the main tourist centers but not by the general population. All our guides speak English, as well as front desk personnel at large hotels. Other languages knowledge is very limited, if you require a guide in a language other than English you should let us know well in advance, an extra fee may apply.

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. Most banks in the main cities will allow you to make a transaction with your National bank.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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
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.

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.

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.

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.

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
Camera equipment, film, insect repellent, sun lotion (high factor), sunglasses, hat/baseball cap, binoculars, small back pack, personal medication, personal toiletteries, rain jacket/poncho, lightweight cotton pants, shorts, t-shirt, swimming suit, waterproof sandals, thick sole tennis shoes, regular underwear and cotton socks and a sweatshirt for breezy nights.

What to Bring to Excursions
Small back pack, camera, extra film and batteries, swimming suits, waterproof sandals, insect repellent, sun lotion, sunglasses, hat, binoculars, rain jacket (depending on the season)

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.

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
Please be sure to reconfirm your international flight 48 hours before departure. National flights are handled by Quasar Expeditions. If traveling to Machalilla from Guayaquil, this portion of your trip will be done in a private van.

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.

Duration of Trip
In the city of Guayaquil we may offer 2 days of activities. For beach programs the average stay is 4 days.

Special Excursions
Special excursions may be organized according to your interests, like Merlin Sport fishing; banana, coffee or cacao plantations, tropical forest excursions, etc.

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:

• 10% of the bill in restaurants; $0,50 per bag for porters and bell boys at hotels.
• 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

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.