New Year’s in Quito: Ecuador & the Galápagos

Complete Your Checklist Before heading to the airport, complete the tasks below and check them off in your Online Account Checklist. If you have any questions, give us a call at 617-619-1411. We’re available 24/7 to make sure you have the Best. Trip. Ever.

Important Documents

• Passport: We recommend that your passport is valid at least 6 months beyond the date you return home. For specific passport validity rules, you can refer to the US department of State, Government of Canada, or Countries consulate website.     
  Visa: U.S. and Canadian citizens can enter Ecuador without a visa for tourism purposes and stay for up to 90 days. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.       
  Additional: You will need to fill out an entry form for your travels to the Galapagos Islands. This will be completed with your Tour Director upon arrival in Quito. You can ignore the section about the Transit Control Card. This will be handled for you.
• Travel Insurance: While travel insurance is not required, we strongly encourage all travelers to obtain coverage before departure. Check out cost-effective Travel Protection, designed to meet the needs of EF travelers, here.
• Health Insurance: You will need to carry your primary insurance card with you while overseas. This is a critical item in the event of a medical emergency.

Tour Preparation

• Talk with your doctor: It is highly recommended that you talk with your doctor about your travel plans. If you are taking any medications, be certain to bring enough to last throughout your trip.
• Traveling with allergies? Let your Trip Consultant and Tour Director know of any dietary restrictions/allergies and we will do what we can to accommodate for any included meals.
• Request a roommate: Double-check with us and your Tour Director that they have your rooming status on file. We will assign a roommate for you if you do not submit a specific request.
• Get an international data plan: We recommend getting an international data plan for your mobile device so you can stay connected while on the road. Please talk with your phone provider for your best options.
  • Wi-Fi will be in some hotels, restaurants, and bars, though charges may apply and it may be slower than in the U.S.
  • Wi-Fi is not available on the bus.
• Get the EF Ultimate Break app: Your trip's group will be able to connect on the app before you meet IRL. Don't miss out! Meet other travelers, get updates from your Tour Director, see flights and accommodations, and more. If you're having trouble, give us a call at 617-619-1411.

Flight Preparation Check your online account 30 days prior to departure for your flight itinerary and confirmation number. Using your 6-digit reservation code, you can reserve your seat (this is typically available 30 days to 24 hours before departure) and check in to your flight 24 hours prior to departure. If you prefer to check in at the airport, that’s okay, too. Regardless, plan to arrive 2.5 – 3 hours before departure.

All flight information is online (e-ticket) via your account and the airline’s website. You will not receive a physical paper ticket from us.

• If your flight is cancelled or delayed: Don’t worry! We design the first day of tour as an arrival day in case of flight delays or cancellations. Work with the airline to get rebooked on the next available flight, then let your Tour Director know your new arrival time
• If you sleep in and miss your flight: You should still talk to the airline and see if they can get you on the next available option. Tears may help in this case.

Arriving in Quito Welcome to Ecuador! Now that you have #landed, you will want to grab your luggage and pass through customs and immigration. (Yay! Passport stamps!). Your Tour Director will communicate through the EF Ultimate Break app, WhatsApp, or email about where to meet them at the airport. This is an important reason to make sure you have the EF Ultimate Break app!

If you have booked your own flight arrangements or have extended your travels before the tour dates, you will need to make your own way to the first hotel. Accommodation details will be available in your online account 30 days prior to departure.

Getting from A to B On this trip, you’ll take a private bus, internal flights, and speed boats between cities (and islands) which can take anywhere between 2-8 hours depending on distance, local traffic, and bathroom or photo-stop breaks. The beauty of travel is that you get to explore a new place but note that it takes time and energy to see everything worth seeing!

• It’s a good idea to download a few movies or shows to watch sans Wi-Fi/ Cellular Data, bring a great book with you to read, or listen to music to pass the time. Download the Latino Vibes playlists on Spotify to get in the mood!
• For long travel and sightseeing days, we recommend stocking up on some snacks to have on hand to tide you over until you're able to get a full meal.
• Internal flight departures will be early (most of the time at 7am) so it’s always a good idea to have a good night's rest!

General Recommendations Fact: Travel is exhilarating. And FOMO is real. So, we understand why you don’t want to miss a second of the action. But there’s a difference between maximizing your time and spreading yourself too thin. Here are some tips to stay healthy and happy on tour:

• Sleep: Flying across the globe, changing time zones, and being constantly on the move can take a toll on your body. Make sure you get the rest your body needs. If that means missing a night out for some well-earned rest, or having a little afternoon siesta, so be it. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Be Prepared: Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
• Take time for yourself: Group travel is an amazing experience, and there’s nothing quite like exploring a foreign country with a group of like-minded people. That said, it’s okay to take time for yourself to relax and reflect on your experience. Here are a few mindfulness apps you can take with you on the road:
  • MindShift: Focused on anxiety management, this app has an array of cognitive behavior therapy features including journaling, goal-setting, calming audio, and a community forum.
  • Ten Percent Happier: Filled with videos and guided meditations intended to help with everything ranging from sleep to stress reduction.

Destination-Specific Information There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Ecuador However, we recommend you consult your physician or local travel clinic, and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) at lease 60 days prior to departure for the latest updates and vaccine / entry requirements.

• Consult your doctor or healthcare provider at least 60 days prior to departure for the latest updates and entry / vaccine requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
• Altitude sickness: This is a common experience for travelers landing in Quito - you will be traveling at altitudes as high as 10,000 feet above sea level. Be sure to drink plenty of water and communicate with your Tour Director if you feel uneasy.
• Stay hydrated: During this trip you’ll be spending a fair amount of time in the great outdoors. With Ecuador’s tropical climate, it’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Drink bottled water only. Avoid tap water even when brushing your teeth or showering. We do our best to provide water bottles each day, but in preparing for limited opportunities to purchase water throughout the tour, we recommend travelers purchase bottled water when given the chance (in major cities at supermarkets, when the Tour Director suggests, etc.). DO NOT refill your water bottle with tap water.
• Public restrooms in Ecuador can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.

With a global presence of more than 46,000 people in over 115 countries and regions, we’re fully committed to your safety. From your first flight all the way through to your farewell dinner, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Tour Director or your Trip Consultant if you need a helping hand. Keep these extra tips in mind so you can #travelsmart: 

• Keep your bag/purse in front of you and your phone zipped inside when you’re not using it. Leave your laptop at home, store valuables at the hotel in locked luggage or the safe deposit box. Refrain from carrying large sums of money or wearing valuable jewelry. 
• Pick-pocketing is fairly common in bigger cities. Always watch your belongings and keep an eye out for one another
• Use the buddy system. Stay in groups and watch out for each other, especially at night—no one gets left behind! 
• Be smart about alcohol consumption. Watch your drinks and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know. Don’t leave the bar alone with someone you just met.
• Before you go out, grab a business card at your hotel so that you always have the address handy for getting back later. 
• At the end of a night out, use trusted transportation like a licensed taxi or Uber, and always have cash on hand. 
  • Legally, taxis are required to have cameras, panic buttons, and orange number plates. We also recommend you ask the driver to use their taximetro (meter). If they refuse, you should get out and find another taxi.
• Save our 24/7 number in your phone: +1–617–619–1411

For weight and size restrictions please refer to your airline’s website. Flight information will be available 30 days prior to departure in your online account. Below you'll find some critical packing information and suggestions.

• The most important piece of advice we can give you: Pack light! Your international airline ticket does include a checked bag, but years of customer feedback tells us a carry-on is the way to go. You may need to carry your suitcase where buses and elevators cannot, so make sure you are comfortable carrying everything you bring yourself.
  • You've probably heard the hacks about rolling clothes and using packing cubes a million times, but there's a reason for that! It really does help.
  • If you choose to pack all of your toiletries, don't bring your regular-sized bottles from home. Offload some of that into travel-sized containers.
  • Choose your luggage wisely. We recommend a roller carry-on bag and a backpack as your personal item.
  • Choose shoes carefully as well. They're some of the bulkiest items you can pack, so we recommend a good pair of walking shoes and a pair of climate-appropriate shoes (boots or sandals depending on the destination and time of year). We also recommend a pair of closed-toe water shoes if your itinerary has any water activities.
  • Make a packing list of must-haves and stick to it. If you have a little extra space in your bags once all your must-haves are packed, then consider adding in a few nice extras.
• Unfortunately, luggage can get lost. It’s a painful situation no matter what, but here are tips to ease some of the hassle:
  • DO NOT put important medications in a checked bag. If your luggage is lost, this could become a dangerous issue.
  • Even if you put most of your clothes in a checked bag, put a couple outfits in your carry-on along with your toiletries.
  • If you are forced to check you carry-on at the gate, be sure to remove essentials and valuables before handing it over.
• Carefully review TSA restrictions when packing. There are a number of items not allowed in your carry-on and liquids have certain restrictions.
• Check out the local weather; we haven't figured out how to control the weather yet so best to be prepared and plan accordingly.
• Don't forget: Outlets overseas can differ from the US, so be sure to pack the right power adapters/converters!

Remember that you know your spending habits best and not everyone’s spending habits are the same. These recommendations are based on a traveler who says yes to any and all activities while on tour.

Budgeting
We recommend budgeting $40-$50 per day for meals, gratuities, shopping, and free time activities. For this trip, that means roughly $440-$550 but you know your spending habits best. If you’re looking to #treatyourself to the max, you may want to budget a little more.

Managing Money
The official currency of Ecuador is the U.S. Dollar, with the same denominations as the U.S., but you may notice some famous Ecuadorians on their coins!

• Some restaurants and stores accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), but note that cash is preferred. Please be sure to bring only small bills (even a $20 bill can be hard to break).
• Quarters can also be handy for things like paying to use a public restroom.
• We recommend you bring a debit/credit card with you as a backup.
• ATMs are available in most major cities, and they’re the easiest way to get cash while abroad.
• Make sure to talk with your bank and credit card companies to let them know where and when you are traveling and to go over any international transaction fees.
• Do you have a credit card that offers zero international transaction fees? If so, bring that bad boy to save some money for purchases abroad.

Tipping When it comes to tipping, it’s standard to leave 5-10% tip in restaurants, and no tip for taxis.  As it is also customary to tip for services provided, we recommend the following for this tour:

• Tour Director: $10-$12 per day at the end of the trip
• Bus Driver: $22-$33 given at the end of the trip
• Local Guides in Mainland Ecuador: $2-$3 at the end of the experience
• Naturalist Guides in the Galápagos: $5 per day
• Boat Driver Tip: For boat ride between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands $3-$5

It’s fun and helpful to try your hand at the local language, Spanish! Try out some of these popular words and phrases:

• Hello: Hola
• How are you? ¿Cómo estás?
• Goodbye: Adiós
• Thank you: Gracias
• Please: Por favor
• I’m (your name): Soy (your name)
• I’m from (your country of residence): Soy de (your country of residence)
• How much does this cost? Cuánto cuesta?
• Where is the...?: Dónde está...
  • bathroom: el baño
  • bus stop: la parada de autobús
  • pharmacy: la farmacia

Note: Download Duolingo to practice your language skills, and use Google Translate to help you while on the road!

Locals in Ecuador are typically laid-back and easy-going. If you show common courtesy and try your hand at local customs, it can go a long way! As you prepare to spend time in a new country, here are some expert tips to help you live like a true Ecuadorian:

• Common greetings in Ecuador are a handshake and a “buenos dias” or “buenas tardes” (depending on time of day).
• When dining out, practice basic table manners - all food is eaten with a fork and knife. It’s acceptable to call over your waiter or waitress if you need their attention.
• Nightlife in Ecuador (Quito) doesn’t typically begin until 10 or 11pm. The exciting place to be is La Ronda, the historical boulevard!
• Bargaining at outdoor markets is very common practice in Ecuador. If shops or stands have marked prices, bargaining is not the norm. Prices for taxis can also be negotiable, if done politely!

You’ll sample a variety of other local dishes on your trip, but read on for all the tips, tricks, and delicacies you must try.

• Cuy: This is a specialty in Ecuador - roast guinea pig!
• Empanadas: You’ve probably heard of these tasty corn pastries stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables
• Ceviche: Raw seafood ‘cooked’ in lime and chili - it tastes better than it sounds!
• Fruit: The best fruits to try are cirimoya, mamey, and pepinos
• Locro: A soup of potatoes, corn, cheese, and avocado
• Canelazo: This is easily found in the colonial part in Quito and is a local drink made with sugar cane liquor and a fruit called naranjilla
• Llapingachos: Also known as cheesy potato cakes
• Chugchucaras: A platter of pork rinds, fried pork, pig’s feet, ground corn, potatoes, plantains, and more
• Guaguas de pan: Or, “bread children” - sweet pastries served with jelly - often served during Day of the Dead celebrations!
• Quinoa: The same healthy grain you see at Whole Foods… but better
• Plantains: A savory cousin of the banana, typically served on street corners!

If you did not purchase EF Ultimate Break Optional Excursions before the trip began, you can log in to your Online Account and do so on tour. You can also talk to your Tour Director on tour and they can help you get enrolled. If you’d like to plan something else during your free time, connect with your Tour Director before doing so; they sometimes arrange extra activities for the group during free time. 

Prices for these optional excursions will increase on tour, so please check your online account for available add-ons.