Tailor-made
Ecuador
Holidays

Ecuadorian food is fresh, tasty and highly underrated. Once you scratch beneath the surface of the occasional bland ‘international’ tourist restaurant, you’ll find an incredible array of delicacies from the distinct geographical regions. It’s easy to eat simply and well without breaking the bank. If you’re looking to treat yourselves, you’ll find some world-class restaurants in the more popular destinations. It is difficult to predict how much you’ll spend on food as it depends on your preferences; a simple local meal can cost $3-6pp, while a three-course menu in a top restaurant with wine can cost $50-70pp.

Meats and stews are more popular in the Andean regions, seafood is abundant on the Pacific coast, while soups and a dizzying array of unrecognisable fruit and vegetables are commonplace throughout Ecuador. One of the most delicious soups you are likely to encounter is called Locro and includes potato, cheese and corn with half an avocado. You may want to try cuy, or guinea pig, which is a delicacy. After trucha, or trout, one of the most common seafood dishes you’ll find in Ecuador is ceviche. It is worth noting that it is a little different from what you may expect from the dish. Although it can include raw fish, more commonly Ecuadorian ceviche comprises of shrimp that has been pre-cooked. It is then doused in lime juice, chilli and onion, but is accompanied by popped corn and fried plantain – delicious!

You should take advantage of mouth-watering juices made from a myriad of local fruits such as maracuya or tree tomato. While a high standard of coffee is produced here, sadly, most of the best stuff seems to have left the country. Beers such a Pilsner and Club are common, as is the local tipple of Chicha made from fermented corn or yuca. Traditional fermentation methods of chewing and spitting out the ingredients are now becoming less common!

UK and European passport holders don’t require a visa to enter Ecuador for stays up to three months. A six-month validity is required for all passports, as well as a return flight ticket.

Tourists are required to take out adequate health insurance when visiting Ecuador. It is worth having a copy of your details to hand in case these details are requested.

If you are flying to Ecuador via the USA, you need to apply online for an ‘ESTA’ electronic travel authorisation, even if you are only in transit. This currently costs $14 per person, is valid for two years and should be applied for on the official Department of Homeland Security website.

The Galapagos

If you're thinking of combining your Ecuador holiday with some time in the Galapagos Islands, please note there are two compulsory entry charges for trips to the Galapagos. The first is a transit control tax of $20pp, payable at the airport when departing the mainland. The second is the hefty $100pp National Park entry fee, payable on arrival in the Galapagos. Please note this must be paid in cash, and $100 bills are not always accepted. The Galapagos Islands are constantly revising their entry requirements. The latest detail requested by the authorities is blood type for visitors. Please note that not one of our clients has actually been asked for this information to date, but be prepared that technically, you may still be asked locally!

South America has a reputation as a dangerous part of the world to visit. Whilst crime rates in Ecuador are above the world average, it is one of the safest places to visit in South America (along with Uruguay, Argentina and Chile). The majority of incidents are concentrated in certain areas, and our local guides know where to avoid and will give you plenty of advice locally.

If you take sensible precautions, such as not being flashy with expensive jewellery and cameras, we honestly believe that you are no more likely to be a victim of crime than in many European cities. In over a decade of travelling to Ecuador and sending clients to South America, there have been but a handful of incidents of minor crime, and once you get there, you will be pleasantly surprised by how safe you feel.

Self-driving is not something we usually recommend in Ecuador. Although the roads are of a high standard, we find that there are many unwritten rules on the Ecuadorian roads which can make driving in the country a little unpredictable! Adding to this, our reliable and friendly local drivers and guides offer great value for money. Quite often, they make impromptu stops and can really add to the enjoyment of getting from A to B.

As we’re not medical experts, we feel it's essential you contact your doctor regarding vaccinations for travel to Ecuador. What follows are suggestions, but please note they must be verified by a medical professional.

General: Vaccinations required are the same as you’d routinely have in the UK, so make sure these are up to date. The Travel Doctor, is an interactive website providing specialist health information for travellers plus customised lists of travel medicines, vaccines and malaria tablets for holiday makers, global adventure travellers and expeditions.

Yellow fever: If you are arriving from a country with yellow fever (such as Peru) then you may be asked to produce a certificate of vaccination against the disease.

Please note that a GP will usually write you an exemption note if you are over 60 years old.

Malaria: The risk of contracting malaria in Ecuador is low, although it does exist in areas below 1500 metres. Usually, this means precautions are required for visits to the Amazon or coast (Guayaquil is non-malarial).

Zika: Fortunately, confirmed instances of the Zika Virus have been limited compared with other countries in the region. At the time of writing, the latest advice from the World Health Organisation does not place any restrictions on travel within the country. Mosquitoes that spread Zika usually do not live at elevations above 2,000 meters because of environmental conditions so this is worth bearing in mind.

Sun: The equatorial sun is extremely strong, so always apply high sun cream liberally.

Altitude: It is worth noting that much of Ecuador is above 2400 metres. Altitude affects people differently, but generally, it is rare that people experience significant problems in Ecuador. Drink lots of non-carbonated water, avoid too much alcohol, eat light meals and take things slowly while you acclimatise. Breathlessness and a slight headache are common, but if you experience extreme dizziness or severe headaches do let our local agents know. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is extremely rare but can be a very serious condition.

Travel insurance: it is vital you check your travel insurance, as some policies exclude altitudes of more than 2000 metres. You may have to pay a small additional charge to cover you so it is worth checking.

We believe travel should be a force for good. That means exploring with open eyes, treading lightly, and respecting the people and places that make the world so special. Our code of conduct isn’t about rules, it’s simply a guide to help you travel thoughtfully, ethically, and with care. Because every small choice makes a big difference.

• If you choose to trust us with your holiday, we’ll send you a “Travel Facts” document when confirming your booking. This includes useful facts and travel advice, such as restaurant recommendations, reading tips, basic language information, cultural traditions, climate information, brief historical overviews, and more. We feel that this offers a useful insight and can help you interact with local residents in a more sensitive, well-informed manner. Please do try to take the time to read this information before your visit, it’s worth the time!

• A number of the countries in which we operate holidays are religious societies with a widely observed set of customs. Always respect these norms, particularly when visiting religious buildings.

• To the best of our knowledge, all hotels, lodges, and camps within our portfolio operate stringent measures to minimise water usage. All of our destinations have issues with water supplies to a certain extent, so feel free to raise any possible wastage should you encounter it during your stay, either with the accommodation or with us upon your return.

• Please ask permission before taking photographs of people, and respect their wishes if they are not happy to be photographed. We find that friendly requests and a smile are usually met with a ‘yes!’

• Strive, where possible, to make your own contribution to environmental practices as you travel. This might include minimising your electricity usage, not smoking in protected areas, avoiding coral while snorkelling, and safely disposing of all litter (recycling where possible).

• Where possible, try to purchase from local suppliers. This includes shopping for souvenirs, dining out at restaurants, and booking additional excursions during your free time. In areas where haggling is an accepted part of daily life, don’t be offended if you’re unable to obtain what you perceive as a fair price for an item.

• We emphasise to local suppliers that our clients should never be taken on unsolicited shopping trips, but if this does happen, try to retain your sense of humour, provide a firm refusal to participate and do let us know about it on your return. We pass on all feedback from every trip undertaken with us to our relevant local suppliers, who all share our commitment to travelling with sensitivity.

• Please don’t remove any indigenous items from their natural habitat and attempt to bring them home as a souvenir. This particularly applies to everything from coral, shells, plants and food in the natural world, to cultural artefacts and antiques.

If you’re unsure about anything relating to the above, please feel free to chat to us. We’ve travelled extensively in the country and will be more than happy to offer our considered advice.