Ecuador

Ecuador packs a colourful punch even though it’s the second smallest country in South America. With a breathtaking diversity of landscapes you can be exploring Quito’s wonderfully preserved colonial old town one day and the next taking a spectacular road trip along the Quilotoa Loop in the Andes the next with the tropical cloud forests and Amazon basin thrown in for good measure. Adrenaline junkies will be in heaven in Ecuador with mountaineering, trekking, horseback riding and surfing all in spectacular settings. Volcán Chimborazo is the highest summit in Ecuador and the earth’s closest point to the sun. Ecuador is also the perfect jumping off point for the Galapagos Islands.

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Ecuador has a variable climate depending on altitude. The coastal and Amazon lowlands have a wet equatorial climate. The higher you go, the colder it becomes. Most large cities are in a subtropical zone. Quito can get very cold at night. Highland areas are best visited during the dry season from June to September.

Transport

Getting around

Ecuador has an efficient transportation system, and because of its small size you can usually get anywhere and everywhere fairly quickly and easily.

Flights to most destinations originate in Quito or Guayaquil only. With the exception of flying to the Galápagos Islands, internal flights are generally fairly cheap. All mainland flights are under an hour and often provide you with incredible views over the Andes.

Boat transportation (canoe, private yacht, sailboats or cruise ships) is common in Ecuador.

In terms of scope and affordability, Ecuador's bus system is impressive to say the least. Buses are the primary means of transport for most Ecuadorians, guaranteed to just about anywhere.

Ecuador's rail system is now extremely limited and consists primarily of two tourist trains.

Getting there and away

Traveling by air is the most common way to get to Ecuador. Quito's international airport, Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre is about 10km (6mi) north of the city center, and Guayaquil's airport, Aeropuerto Simón Bolívar is about 5km (3mi) north. Both have direct connections to Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. About 20km east of Quito, a new international airport is scheduled to open in late 2010. Check www.quiport.com for the latest details.

Nearly all flights from Europe and Australasia go via these cities or through the Caribbean. Some airlines also fly direct from Central and South American countries. The region's main international hub is Lima - it can be cheaper to fly to Peru and continue overland to Ecuador (a 24-hour bus trip).

If you live in the Americas, it is possible to travel overland by bus. However, if you want to start from North or Central America, the Panamericana (Pan-American Highway) stops in Panama and begins again in Colombia, leaving a 200km roadless section of jungle known as the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap remains extremely dangerous owing to banditry and drug-related problems, especially on the Colombian side, so you are advised not to try to cross it. Most overland travelers fly over the Darien Gap or hire on as a crew member on a private yacht that will sail from Panama to Colombia. Once in South America, it is relatively straightforward to travel by public bus from the neighboring Andean countries.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

Much of Ecuador's coast suffers from riptides. Some beaches use flags - red indicates dangerous, yellow indicates safe. Most boats in the Galápagos are ship-shape, but consider planning your Galápagos trip outside the foul-weather season (between July and October).

Imbibing illegal drugs can land you in jail, or worse. There have also been instances where travelers have been drugged and robbed after accepting food from a stranger.

If you're driving, never park the car unattended or leave valuables on display.

Don't leave your gear unattended in a mountain hut while hiking. Some huts have guardians and a place to lock up your things.

On buses, travelers are often required to place backpacks in a luggage compartment or overhead rack. Bag theft occurs, but not very often. You can't prevent it being stolen, but rest assured that the bag-checker generally knows whose bag is whose. On occasion, night-time bus hold-ups occur. Don't be paranoid, but day buses are best.

Sneaky theft is more common than armed robbery. Watch your back as bag-slashers and pickpockets are always lurking.

Don't advertise valuables or wads of money. Leaving cash in a hotel safe deposit box is usually reliable - just make sure it's in a sealed envelope.

If you are robbed, file a police report as soon as possible. This is a requirement for any insurance claim, although you probably won't see your belongings again.

Be wary of false or crooked police. Plain-clothed 'policemen' may produce offical-looking documents - treat them with suspicion. On the other hand, a uniformed official who asks to see your passport in broad daylight is probably doing his or her job.