Passport Requirements: All
visitors need valid passports to enter Ecuador. Note that
the country does not always allow entrance if the holder's
passport expires in under six months. Under a new law,
no visas are necessary.
Language: Ecuador's official language is Spanish, but
Quichua, an Inca language, is spoken by the Indian population.
Besides Spanish, ten native languages are spoken in Ecuador.
Currency: The U.S. dollar is Ecuador's currency. The
country has coins ranging from one to 50 cents, all equivalent
to the American coins. U.S. coins are accepted as well.
Things to Avoid:
Lack of Personal Safety: At night, stick to busy well-lit
streets and never admit you are traveling alone. Be sure
someone at home knows your itinerary.
For transportation, think twice before driving, as roads
are poor, and travel only during the day. Definitely do
not hitchhike, particularly women.
Theft of Valuables: Bring as little with you as possible.
Keep your cash, cards, and papers in a money belt, especially
in large cities. And don't let your bags out of your sight
while traveling from place to place.
Sickness:
Inoculations: You are required by Ecuadorian law to show
a vaccination certificate for yellow fever. Also, make
sure you're up to date on your other vaccinations and
boosters.
Food and Water: Tap water is unsafe to drink. Bottled
water and sealed soft drinks are safe.
