Documentation

A passport with validity of at least 6 months is required for travel to Ecuador and the Amazon Jungle. Most tourists are allowed to stay up 90 days. Please check with the Ecuadorian consulate or embassy in your country to see if you need a visa to enter Ecuador.

Arriving in Ecuador

On your flight to Ecuador you will fill out a T3 Tourist Information Card that will be turned in, together with your passport, to the immigration officer upon arrival at the Passport Control area. Have your flight tickets ready if they ask for them. If asked about the purpose of the trip, simply tell the officials that you are on vacation. A copy of the T3 form will be returned to you along with your passport. Please keep it in a safe place since you will be required to turn it in when you leave the country. You will then proceed to the baggage claim area to claim your checked luggage and clear customs. Your bags will usually be inspected. After leaving customs, you will be met by a tour representative for an airport transfer to your hotel.

Safety and Security

It is recommended that you make two photocopies of your passport ID page, airline ticket, tour documents, and airline itinerary. Leave one at home with friends or relatives and take the other copy with you, keeping the copies separate from the originals. While you travel in Ecuador always carry your passport with you since it is a legal requirement and you could be asked for it at any time. You will also need it when changing money or sometimes when paying with credit cards. Always keep a watchful eye over your belongings and never leave your belongings unattended.

Money

The local currency is US dollars. It’s best to bring bills of small denominations (max $20). MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in Ecuador. Bank hours in Quito are Monday to Friday 9h00am – 16h00pm. There are several money exchange businesses in Quito. Traveller’s checks are NOT accepted in most and you might find it difficult to exchange them.

Telephones and Wi-Fi

Wifi is common in most hotels, restaurants, cafés and airports in Ecuador (and particularly in the cities). You can also consider buying a local SIM card on arrival at the airport or in Quito/Guayaquil. La Selva has internet and cellular signals, but they are comparatively slow — suitable for uploading some shots to Instagram and checking on some emails, but not much more.

Electricity

110 Volts – US-style plugs

Language

In Ecuador the main language is Spanish. In the main tourist attractions people often speak some English. There are also many indigenous languages, including Kichwa, the most widely-spoken.

Food and water

Please be careful about eating uncooked food, including vegetables and peeled fruit. It is better to drink bottled water or desalinated water. Almost all the restaurants are careful about using clean or bottled water and recognizing good sanitation but it is better to avoid any health problems by being prepared. All the services we offer are perfectly selected and follow all sanitary details.

Reconfirmation of international flights

It is extremely important to re-confirm your international flights. If you will be staying in Quito after your Amazon tour, make sure to reconfirm. Let us know if you will catch your international flight immediately after returning from the Amazon Jungle so we can reconfirm your flight for you.

Luggage

There is a luggage allowance of 20 kilos (one piece of luggage) and 1 small carry-on on flights to and from the Amazon Jungle. Any additional piece can be left at your hotel in Quito. TAME charges approximately US$2 for each extra kilo but will be sent only if the airline permits it. Please note that TAME flights do not always have overhead compartments and the carry-ons should fit under the seat.