Ecuador Mini Guide – Amazon & Galapagos

Here’s a few notes on things I think will be helpful for you to know ahead of time to help planning and packing for Ecuador! If you would like to see a more detailed Itinerary it’s at the bottom of this page.

Vaccines

You likely don’t need any vaccines for the trip as none are required for Ecuador with the exception of Yellow Fever if you are arriving after spending 12+ hours in Brazil, Congo, or Uganda. There are low level cases of Malaria in Ecuador but malaria meds are not typically necessary. Feel free to talk to your doctor about their recommendations. The CDC guidelines on vaccines are linked here: Ecuador CDC Guidelines.

Visas

Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after arrival for Ecuador so PLEASE check that ASAP, and if you need help renewing your passport reach out to me ASAP.

Ecuador Requirements:

  • no visa required
  • 2 blank passport page

General Ecuador Quick Info

  • main language is Spanish but most people speak English as well
  • currency is the USD (yes really!), most places won’t accept anything above a $20 bill, ATMs are easily available
  • Credit cards are generally accepted but it’s always best to have some cash on hand as well
  • outlets are the same as North America
  • Uber is available in Quito (I took it a ton last time!)
  • Cell service – I usually use Airalo, and will probably get it for Ecuador but mostly to use in Quito
  • WiFi – will be available at hotels in Quito, expect to have limited access to cell service and WiFi in the Amazon and Galapagos Islands (there is generally some for a few hours a day but it is unreliable at times)
  • Tipping etiquette:
    • most restaurants include a 10% service tip, additional tips are always appreciated
    • bags at hotels: $0.50-$1.00 per bag
    • Amazon staff: $10-$20/day per person ($40-$80 total)
    • Galapagos crew: $10-$20/day per person ($40-$80 total)
    • Ecuatravel Guide: $10-$20/day per person ($40-$80 total)

Weather

Outside of Quito the weather will generally be warm and humid! Rain is possible and likely off and on no matter the time of year. Even if the temps don’t seem super high, remember you’re on the equator and the sun is strongggg. Don’t underestimate it – to do so will be your downfall haha

  • Quito: Quito is at high elevation (9,350 ft/ 2,850 m) so it’s actually quite cold! Expect highs in the low 60s, and lows in the mid-40s
  • Amazon: temperatures will generally be in the upper 80s during the day and low 70s at night
  • Galapagos: temperatures will generally stay between 70-75

    Amazon & Galapagos Quick Info

    • wear something light, generally loose clothing for breathability, I’ll likely wear tanks/short sleeves and have a breezy button up to hide from the sun
    • you will want a jacket, at times it can feel pretty cool
    • shoes: generally closed toed shoes, either boots or tennis shoes (although if you prefer chacos that’s fine too!) – our lodge will provide rubber boots as well
    • wear sunscreen & a hat – the sun is intense
    • drink lots of water
    • bring binos!!! I love mine that have a phone attachment to get up close shots
    • when we are out on the canoe in the Amazon and nature walks in both Amazon and Galapagos you may want a small bag for water, extra sunscreen, camera, etc
    • I always pack a few snacks, or protein bars or something in case I get hungry between meal times
    • if you’re prone to motion sickness in cars or boats, plan to take dramamine/bonine basically the entire time (I know I will be!)

    Packing List

    I’d recommend packing in a small rolling suitcase or duffle, and a bookbag. Lugging around a large checked bag will be a HASSLE, trust me. Worst case a little sink laundry never hurt anyone!

    This is of course not an exhaustive packing list but just some helpful notes/things that may be less obvious! Here’s the quick version as a single list on Amazon – but I added commentary & links to specific items below as well:

    Clothes/Shoes/Accessories

    • Loose fitting clothing, ideally quick drying
    • Bathing suits (we will be swimming a lot!) – for my girlies, I prefer one pieces most of the time for snorkeling especially for when I want to wear a wetsuit in cooler waters
    • Sandals/shoes that can get wet, I’ll likely bring my Mephistos and Chacos
    • Boots or good walking shoes
    • A light cover/shawl/button-up/etc to hide from the sun/bugs
    • Light jacket for the evenings/mornings
    • Warmer jacket or light coat for Quito and earling morning/evenings
    • Rain jacket – our lodge in the Amazon will have ponchos for use if needed too
    • Hat
    • Water bottle – I like this self cleaning one to refill
    • Sunglasses – I’d recommend polarized glasses, I prefer brown lenses!
    • Cross body bag/purse/fanny pack for walking around (I love TravelOn the most, I’ve used this one for 3 years everyday and love it)
    • Dry bag – for canoe in the Amazon and boat rides in the Galapagos
    • Sample clothing packing list:
      • 4-5 shirts
      • 1-2 pair shorts
      • 2-3 pair long pants
      • 1 long sleeved light shirt
      • 1 light jacket/sweatshirt
      • 1 warmer jacket/light coat
      • 1 rain jacket
      • 2-4 bathing suits
      • pjs & undergarments, socks, etc

    Tech

    • Camera (just your phone is fine, but I linked the camera body & lens I use! I may also rent a mega lens again like I did for safari haha)
    • Underwater phone case – this is something I SO wish I’d had in the Galapagos last time!! You could get a GoPro or something similar if you prefer but I will likely just use my phone!
    • Floating Wrist Strap – this is KEY for an underwater case or GoPro so you don’t drop it and lose it forever
    • All your chargers
    • External charger – all the videos & photos you’ll take will drain your battery quickly!
    • External hard drive – wifi/service isn’t usually fast enough to backup all my stuff on iCloud at night, so I back it up on a hard drive daily – would hate to lose it all!!
    • Cord Organizer
    • Binoculars – you NEED some good binos it’s worth it! they don’t have to be expensive though – these are mine on Amazon for ~ $60
    • Hand held fan
    • Small flashlight

    Toiletries/Personal Items

    Travel Days/Packing

    I’ve linked some of my favorite items and they are commissionable links that I receive a small portion (like a few cents haha) at no cost to you anytime you buy through them, but by no means is it required!

    Long Haul Flight Tips

    • Wear comfy loose fitting clothes
    • Drink lotsss of water, a lot of jet-lag symptoms are actually dehydration and effects from being in pressurized air for extended periods of time
    • Avoid the free alcohol – it’s fine! it can just contribute to dehydration/jet-lag, but you do you!
    • Get up to walk around as often as possible if you aren’t sleeping
    • Chew up a no-jet-lag pill when you board, then another every 2 hours if you aren’t sleeping (it’s okay to skip when sleeping!) (talk to your doc before taking any meds/homeopathic items)
    • I like to board the flight, chew up a no-jet-lag pill, start a movie, eat dinner that’s usually served around 1-1.5 hrs after take off, finish my movie, chew up another no-jet-lag pill and sleep as long as I can
    • PS: if you’re vegetarian or prefer veggie plane meals (I always have even before being veg) make sure to pre-request them 24+ hrs before your flight!
    • Bring an AirFly so you can use your own earbuds with the plane TVs

    Itinerary

    April 22 – Quito

    • If you are already in Quito, we’re working on some optional activities for anyone who is interested!
    • Group Welcome Dinner (not included since we didn’t know when everyone would arrive, and it’s not mandatory if you’d prefer to do you own thing!)
    • Spend the night at Dann Carlton, Quito

    April 23 – Quito to Amazon

    • Breakfast included
    • Quito City Tour
    • Middle of the World Tour to straddle Equator at Mitad del Mundo monument
    • In the late afternoon we will have 2 rooms in the hotel to share to change and clean up before the overnight bus to the Amazon
    • ~11:00pm bus to Amazon will depart

    April 24 – AMAZONNN

    • All meals included
    • ~6:00-7:00am: we will arrive to meeting point where Waita Lodge bus will pick us up
    • ~ 8:00am: the Waita Lodge bus will pick us up for 2 hour journey
    • ~10:00am: arrive entrance of Cuyabeno Reserve where we will board motorized canoes for the 3 hour boat ride into the Amazon (these canoes have seat backs!)
    • On the canoe ride through the Amazon we will be able to start looking for animals! And maybe be lulled to sleep by the boat after a long overnight journey 😂
    • Packed lunch
    • ~1:00pm: arrive at Waita Lodge – relax, unpack, nap
    • Dinner
    • Night Walk with guide

    April 25 – Amazon

    • All meals included
    • Birdwatching
    • Rowing canoe for sunrise
    • Breakfast
    • Jungle Walk (3 hours)
    • Lunch
    • Evening rowing canoe trip
    • Return to lodge for dinner

    April 26 – Amazon

    • All meals included
    • 5:30am – motorized canoe for 1.5 hours trip down Cuyabeno river to watch the birds wake up for the day!
    • Arrive back at lodge for breakfast around 10am
    • Relax
    • Take motorized canoe to the best place to spot Amazon dolphins
    • Return to lodge for lunch
    • 4:00pm – canoe to Bird Observation Tower and short night walk
    • Return to lodge for dinner

    April 27 – Amazon to Quito

    • Breakfast and lunch included
    • Morning activity at the lodge before packing up
    • Take motorized canoe back to town, then lodge bus, then bus back to Quito
    • ~8:00pm arrive at hotel in Quito
    • Stay at Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel

    April 28 – Galapagos!

    • All meals included
    • GALAPAGOS DAYYYY!
    • 6:00am – leave hotel for airport
    • 8:00am – flight departs from Quito (UIO) to Guayaquil (GYE)
    • 8:53am – flight lands in GYE
    • 9:39am – flight departs GYE for GPS (Galapagos, Baltra Island)
    • 10:35am – flight lands in Galapagos
    • Flights include 1-23kg checked bag and 1-12kg carry on
    • Drive & ferry to Santa Cruz
    • Lunch
    • Reserve to see giant tortoises
    • Board Isabella II !!
    • Dinner

    April 29 – Galapagos

    • All meals included
    • Galagos Islands on Isabella II
    • Santiago Island
    • Chinese Hat Islet
    • Days on Isabella II will all function similarly, all meals on the boat, daily walks and snorkels (weather permitting) but typically:
      • Breakfast, island walk, snorkel, lunch, snorkel, island walk, dinner

    April 30 – Galapagos

    • All meals included
    • Galagos Islands on Isabella II
    • Genovesa Island

    May 1 – Galapagos

    • All meals included
    • Galagos Islands on Isabella II
    • Santa Fe Island
    • South Plaza Island

    May 2 – Galapagos to Quito

    • breakfast included
    • Breakfast on Isabella II
    • Disembark Isabella II on Baltra Island and head straight to airport
    • 10:11am – flight departs from GPS to GYE
    • 1:02pm – flight lands in GYE
    • 1:39pm – flight departs GYE for UIO
    • 1:30pm – flight lands in Quito
    • Flights include 1-23kg checked bag and 1-12kg carry on
    • Trip ends 😩
    • If you’re flying straight home you can stay in the airport, if you’re staying in Quito – both Amanda’s are staying until May 3rd and will be available to help with anything you need!

    SO SO SO excited to travel with you all, please let us know if you need anything at all or have any questions!

    Amanda Monique