Here's my recommendations:
1. What types of foods should I expect to find?
rice, potatoes and meat as the basic staples. But they have an incredible diversity of food at cheap pirces.
2. Any recommendations of traditional meals
* cuy - guinea pig
* Fritada - roast pork, corn, cheese, avocado, potatoes and plantains
* locro - a combined cheese, avocado and potatoes soup
* humitas - cornmeal tamales
3. Cost of typical meals?
Expect to spend 1/2 or 1/3 of what you would in the US.
4. Anything I should watch out for? Safety wise or must try.
you may want to read the post about ecuador safety
http://www.destination360.com/forum/...y-ecuador.html