ECUADOR
GALAPAGOS FAQs
[MONEY]
What
currency does Ecuador use?
Ecuador
is
on the US dollar system.
We strongly recommend
travelling with
a combination of Traveller's
Cheques, US cash & credit
cards.
With the exception of airline
ticket purchases, all credit
card
purchases in Ecuador are
subject to a 10%
surcharge. You can use
your credit card for cash
advances at ATMs. Most
banks limited
daily withdrawls to US $100 to
$200 daily, except the Banco
Pichincha
and Banco de Guayaquil (which
on average
can dispense US $500 daily).
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[SAFETY]
Is
it safe to travel in Peru
& Ecuador?
Ecuador
and
Peru are safe to travel.
More than anything, some
unfortunate
tourist are the victims of
petty theft (camera, wallet
etc).
However, some recommendations
to avoid potential problems
are the
following:
- Take a copy of
your passport. You
can travel with a
photocopy of your
passport (except when
taking flights - when your
original passport is
required);
- Take out
travel/medical insurance
prior to arriving in
Ecuador and Peru -
for lost or stolen items
this comes in handy;
- Potentially
problematic areas
(usually petty theft)
include the old/Colonial
sector of Quito,
Guayaquil, the border
region with Colombia and
the border region with
Peru, crowded areas (like
bus stations etc);
- more
details to follow ......
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[ELECTRICITY]
What type of currency &
electrical outlets are there?
Ecuador
uses
110 volts, 60 cycles AC
currency. In older
establishments,
electrical outlets may only be
two flat pins (with no
ground), while
modern establishments use
three pin (with ground).
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[AIRPORTS]
Where are the airports in
Ecuador?
Ecuador
has
two International airports:
QUITO and GUAYAQUIL. The
International departure tax
at both (Quito &
Guayaquil) airports are NOW
included in the International
airline ticket rate (unlike
previously where passengers
were required to pay this fee
not included in airline
tickets at the departure
counter).
Domestic/national airports
include: Baltra (Galapagos),
Coca, Cuenca, Esmeraldes, Lago
Agrio,
Loja, Macas, Manta,
Portoviejo, San Cristobal
(Galapagos) and
Tulcan.
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[BUSES]
What
is the public bus system like
in Ecuador?
Ecuador
has
two main bus stations: QUITO
and GUAYAQUIL. From
these two
terminals there are numerous
provincial, interprovincial
and
International (Colombia &
Peru) buses. All major
towns and
cities are connected via an
ample selection of buses
serving
destinations such as:
NORTH
|
Tulcan,
Ibarra, Otavalo,
Cayambe, Mitad del
Mundo
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CENTRAL
|
Machachi,
Latacunga,
Ambato,
Banos, Riobamba
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EAST
|
Baeza,
Tena, Puyo, Coca, Lago
Agrio
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SOUTH
|
Cuenca,
Loja, Machala,
Huaquillas, Macas
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COAST
|
Salinas,
Manta,
Bahia
de Caraquez, Atacames,
Esmeraldes
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Moving around the country in
public buses is economic and
handy. Detailed bus
companies and schedules to air
shortly.
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updating
information to stay accurate
.....
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