3. HOTEL INFO
5. TECHNOLOGY including CELL PHONES, CAMERAS and COMPUTERS
7. WANDERTOURS TRAVEL DETAILS
1. GETTING TO ECUADOR
Q. Do I need a visa for Ecuador?
A. Residents from many countries do not need a visa in advance of arriving in Ecuador. A tourist entry stamp can be obtained upon arrival. Read more about it here.
Q. Do I need to purchase a special permit to visit the Galapagos?
A. While a permit ($200) is required to visit the Galapagos, this is included in the cost of your tour. We will apply for this permit on your behalf and you’ll receive it once the group is in Ecuador.
Q. Do I need to purchase a Tourist Card to visit the Galapagos?
A. While you must pay a Tourist Card fee, like the permit, we will apply for this on your behalf and you will receive it once the group is in Ecuador.
Q. Do you recommend we arrive early into Quito?
A. It’s not necessary, but we recommend arriving a day or two early in case of flight delays, to shake off jet lag and to tour Quito on your own (if you like).
If you are joining us in the Galapagos or the Amazon (or both!), a day trip to the equator and the town of Otavalo is included. But there are plenty of things to do in Quito itself if you’d like to spend some extra time there.
Q. What’s the best airline to take and best way to fly into Quito?
A. Usually people book their flights based on price and loyalty programs. Cost will be different depending on where you are flying from. Once you register for the tour, we will provide you with the name of our travel agent. She knows our tours very well and can help you find the best deal.
Q. Where should I fly into, whether I’m joining the Galapagos or Amazon tours (or both)?
A. Both tours start and end in Quito, Ecuador and we recommend you flying into and out of Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport.
Q. Are airport transfers covered in the cost of the tour?
A. As long as you are arriving on the first day of the tour and departing on the last day of the tour or you book additional nights directly through us, your airport transfers are included.
If you book your own hotel room for any additional nights, you will be responsible for your own airport pickup and/or dropoff.
Q. Can you book additional hotel nights for me if I want to arrive early or stay after the tour officially ends?
A. Yes, of course we can. As soon as you have your flights booked, let us know which nights you’ll need additional accommodations and we can handle that (based on availability, of course).
2. WHILE VISITING ECUADOR
Q. Will bottled water be readily available on the tour?
A. Bottled water and snacks will be available during our activities. We do, however, ask that you bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up at our hotels so as to cut down on the number of plastic bottles used throughout the trip.
Q. What kind of food should I expect on the tour?
A. Our accommodations serve a combination of locally-inspired dishes (fish and seafood) as well as meals that will appeal to international palates.
If you have special dietary needs or preferences, expect to be flexible. Those who are gluten-free will find some options but they won’t be as wide of a variety as you might be used to. Vegetarians will find lots of vegetables, but likely won’t find tofu, tempeh or other protein beyond meat and fish.
Q. I tend to get motion sickness. How can I prepare for this?
A. We will be spending a lot of time traveling via boat on both the Galapagos and Amazon trips (although there will be less time in boats on the Amazon tour and much of it will be in dugout canoes). If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend that you bring ginger or something like the Relief Band to offset any potential illness. You might want to contact your doctor about a prescription for motion sickness.
You may not need any of these, but you’ll be able to enjoy the tour more if you’re prepared!
Q. Do you recommend any special vaccinations for this trip?
A. There’s nothing you need specifically for Ecuador except for a yellow fever vaccine IF you are coming from a country with the disease. However, you’ll want to consult with a travel doctor for medical advice.
3. HOTEL INFO
Q. What are the accommodations like in the Galapagos?
A. We have secured lovely lodges and boutique hotels for our stay in the Galapagos. You can find links to each property on the daily itinerary for our land-based Galapagos tour.
Q. What are the accommodations like in the Amazon?
A. We will be staying in a very remote upscale lodge located in Yasuni National Park. We’ll have comfortable and private cabins (with our own shower and bathroom) and spectacular food. We are proud to support the local community as this is 100% owned by the Kichwa Anangu people.
Q. Are my items safe in my hotel room?
A. Your items *should* be safe, but we recommend that you carry small luggage locks to secure the zippers together so that no one is tempted to peek in your bag.
When something goes missing, it’s usually later found in the bottom of one’s luggage. In the meantime, hotel staff are the first to be blamed. It’s best to keep your items (especially valuables) locked up either in your luggage or the hotel safe (when there is one) so this is not even a question.
4. PACKING INFORMATION
Q. How should I dress/pack for this trip?
A. We’ll be traveling during the dry season which is technically cooler than the hot season, but it will still be warm. Warm weather clothes appropriate for the tropics are a must in addition to hiking clothes and swimwear. We’ll provide you with a full packing list for the tour once you register.
Q. What sort of wetsuit is available for rent once I arrive in Ecuador?
A. If you’re interested in renting a wetsuit, both long and short wetsuits will be available that are between 3mm – 5mm. We will need to know your height and weight prior to your arrival and the wetsuits will be awaiting the group. Note that there may be limited quantity of certain sizes and your first choice may not be available. For example, if you are interested in a short suit that’s 5mm, there may only be a 3mm available by the time everyone is fitted.
Alternatively, you can bring your own. For those new to wetsuits, here’s a short primer:
We expect the water temps to be around 70F in October and the air temp in the mid to high 70s. This may seem a bit chilly to Ecuadoreans but, depending on where you reside, may seem quite warm to you. If you live in a cool climate, you might want to stick with the thinnest available (3mm) as you’ll likely find the temps on the warm side. Even then, with enough time in the water, you may find yourself getting a bit chilled.
Q. Would you recommend taking a raincoat?
A. A light raincoat is a good idea given that this time of year can see some precipitation.
Q. Is it OK to check a bag for these tours?
A. Yes, a checked bag is fine. However, there may be a restriction on luggage weight on our flights. Usually this is 23 kilos (50 pounds!). Having said that, because we will be traveling via boat on both tours, it’s best to have as little luggage as possible. Consider a soft-sided bag or large duffel.
We will be in the Galapagos for six nights and, for the most part, the weather will be warm so you should not need a lot of heavy/bulky clothes.
We will be in the Amazon for four nights and this area will be very warm as well.
We encourage you to pack light and do hand laundry along the way.
5. TECHNOLOGY including CELL PHONES, CAMERAS and COMPUTERS
Q. What sort of power adaptor do I need?
A. Ecuador uses type A and B power plugs. These are the same that are used in the U.S. They look like these.
Q. Will I need a converter for my electrical devices?
A. Not if you are coming from the U.S. as Ecuador uses the standard voltage of 120V that we use.
Q. Can I use my cell phone in Ecuador?
A. There are a few ways you can use your cell phone in Ecuador. The easiest way is to purchase an international data plan from your provider. Most cell providers offer international day passes for about $10/day. These automatically activate and charge you once you connect to the local provider.
Much more cost effective is to download an e-sim app like Airalo (for $3 off, use code ELIZAB3290). This allows you to connect to the local network to use data. It can be a little tricky getting this set up and using it with your own number, but we can help you once in-country.
Lastly, you can simply turn your data off and only use your phone when there’s WiFi.
Q. Is there WiFi at the hotels/lodges?
A. There will be WiFi at a couple of the accommodations in the Galapagos. And our lodge in the Amazon technically has WiFi but it may not be a strong connection.
In short, have low expectations and remember that you’re there to enjoy the wildlife!
6. MONEY, GIFTS, TIPS
Q. What’s the currency used in Ecuador?
A. The U.S. dollar is the currency in Ecuador. The bills are exactly the same as those in the U.S. but the coins are a bit different.
Q. Are ATMs available?
A. There will definitely be ATMs in Quito. There are ATMs on a couple of the Galapagos islands but we don’t recommend you rely on these. There are no ATMs in the Amazon.
You’ll also want to find out what, if anything, your bank changes for international ATM withdrawals. If it’s based on each transaction, you’ll want to take larger amounts of money out rather than making numerous small withdrawals so as to limit the charges. In addition, there will be a fee by the local bank to use the ATM.
Q. Can I use my debit or credit card for purchases?
A. Absolutely. As long as your bank is aware of your travel plans, you shouldn’t have any problem making purchases while in the Galapagos or Amazon.
Whether using an ATM or making a purchase, you’ll want to let your bank know in advance that you are traveling so they don’t deny usage of your card thinking it’s a fraudulent charge.
Q. How much money should I bring with me?
A. We get this question a lot, and it really does depend on your spending habits. You likely won’t need much spending money other than for beverages with meals and souvenirs. Having said that, bring small bills (singles and fives) for tips (taxi drivers and bellmen come to mind). For purchases, many times vendors cannot break larger bills (anything over $20) so your best bet is to have small bills.
Q. How should I best carry my money?
A. While Ecuador is a safe country, there are opportunistic thieves everywhere looking for a way to separate you from your cash. You might consider carrying your passport, credit/debit cards and cash in something like a neck pouch or a large wallet. You could then put that in a larger bag that you wear over your neck.
Q. Is tipping appropriate?
A. The majority of tips for our guide(s) are covered under your trip cost. Having said that, plan for small tips for your waiter when you’re dining on your own and for the cleaning staff at our accommodations. Our guide(s) would certainly appreciate an additional tip if you feel like they’ve gone above and beyond.
7. WANDERTOURS TRAVEL DETAILS
Q. Do I need insurance for this tour?
A. We do suggest that all tour participants acquire travel insurance, but it is 
not required.
We partner with Travel Insured International so that you have ability to purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any possible issues. Although we are technically not requiring it, you will be asked to sign additional paperwork acknowledging the risk of traveling without insurance.
Q. Is there a schedule for installment payments?
A. We don’t have anything formal set up, but you can definitely send in payments on your own schedule. Some people send in monthly payments while other people send in payments when it’s convenient. You might consider talking to your bank to send regularly scheduled checks until the tour is paid in full by the final payment due date.
Q. Will I receive a refund if I have to cancel my participation in the tour?
A. Once you have paid a deposit, there is a cancellation fee if you cannot join us. The cancellation fee depends on the tour and how far in advance of the tour you cancel. Our refund policy is covered in our Booking Terms and Conditions and is also outlined on the Registration Form that you’ll receive within 24 hours of registering. Refunds will be sent by check within two weeks of us receiving written notification (email is fine) of your cancellation. If Beth is traveling when you cancel, it may take longer than two weeks to get your refund check out to you. She’ll mail it as soon as she can upon returning to the U.S.
Q. Will you be sending an updated itinerary with our overnight accommodations so we can leave it with folks at home?
A. You’ll receive the hotel information as well as emergency contact information one or two weeks before departure but it is subject to last-minute changes.
Q. What’s the emergency contact info that I can give my family?
A. You will be given a cell phone number for someone in-country employed by our local tour operator as well as a list of hotels. All of this will be provide shortly before your departure.