Why Ecuador Concierge? How do I use this site? How is my privacy protected?
At Ecuador Concierge, our slogan,
"Professional Services...Personal Results", is something we take to heart. We genuinely
believe you cannot find a group offering the exceptional level of service that we offer. We have the best rates available at the best
hotels in the country. Please
click here for details.
Is it safe in Ecuador?
Ecuador is a wonderful place with warm, hard-working, honest people, however, like any place in the world frequented by tourists, it's best to use common sense caution. Try not to flash expensive jewelry or camaras. Keep purses and backpacks secured to your person, even in cafes. After dark, it is better to err on the side of safety and move about by taxi, even if you're only going 3 blocks. It is always best to leave your valuables in a hotel safety deposit box, carry copies of important documents instead of the originals and go out with small amounts of cash.
For a trip to Quito, Guayaquil and the Galapagos, what clothing should I pack?
Ecuador is very diverse in not only geographical terms, but also in terms of climate. You may very well be covering a temperature range from 45 F (7 C) to 90 F (32 C), so it is always best to bring very comfortable walking shoes and clothing you can put together in layers. For Galapagos adventures and coastal travel, sports sandals and/or sneakers will serve you well.
There is a saying in the Sierra that, translated, says you "freeze in the shade and burn in the sun". When under the equatorial sun, you will almost always feel warmer than the actual temperature and, due to the altitude of the Andes (most towns are over 8,000 ft), you will always feel cooler when the sun is either behind clouds or has set for the night. Nights in The Sierra can be quite chilly, so fleece jackets are a good thing to pack. It won't get cap and glove chilly, but you might end up purchasing an alpaca shawl to compensate for what you didn't bring!
Do you tip in Ecuador?
For service in hotels, restaurants, tour guides, etc., a 10% tip is customary in Ecuador. Some restaurants will include a 10% service charge on the check, but not always. It is not tradition to tip taxi drivers.
I would like to visit Cuenca. Which airport should I fly into?
Though J.J. de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil is closer, the difference in a domestic flight from either Quito or Guayaquil is only about 5 minutes. One of the things most visitors don't know about domestic air travel in Ecuador is that, unlike other countries, you don't need to book far in advance to save on a fare nor will a round-trip ticket reduce your fare. So you could fly into Guayaquil and then fly one way to Cuenca. If you would like to also visit Quito, you can buy a one-way fare to Quito and later a one-way fare from Quito to Guayaquil to catch your international flight back home. This offers travelers lots of flexibility inside Ecuador without spending a lot more
We always do, however, recommend that you book your flights as far in advance as possible in order to maximize the chances of getting the exact itinerary you desire. This is especially true for the Galapagos!
