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Home >
Adventures by
Disney > Destinations >
Ecuador
> Travel Tips |
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 Travel Tips - What To
Know Before You Go
Start planning your Adventures
by Disney Ecuador family vacation with this list of travel
tips that covers what to know before you go. |
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Preparing for Your Adventure
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Required Travel Documentation |
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If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need
a valid passport to enter Ecuador and return to the United States.
U.S. passport holders traveling to Ecuador for 90 days or less for
tourism or business purposes do not need visas.
Your passport must be valid six months beyond your intended stay and
have 1-2 blank pages remaining. Allow yourself sufficient time to
have your application processed if you are applying for a new
passport or renewing an expired passport. Refer to
www.state.gov
for further details.
In addition, Guests 17 years of age or younger may be required to
show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent.
If you are not a U. S. citizen, please check with the Ecuadorian
Embassy or Consulate at
http://www.ecuador.org for information on documentation
requirements.
Passport Services
You can apply for a passport through CIBT, Inc., a third party
travel document company servicing the travel industry (not
affiliated with the Walt Disney Company).
Click here for more information or call CIBT at
(800) 406-1523. Be sure to mention Adventures by Disney,
account #55134, for special pricing options.
PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY FOR TELEPHONE
CALLS made to access CIBT specialists. |
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What to Pack |
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Please limit your baggage to one piece
of luggage per person plus one carry-on. Due to frequent security
changes, we recommend that you check with your air carrier as well
as the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) web site
http://www.tsa.gov
for current restrictions.
Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands restrict each passenger to
no more than 44 lbs (20 kg) of luggage. If you are taking a carry-on
piece of luggage with you, it must weigh no more than 10 lbs (4.5
kg) and the dimensions cannot exceed 24 x 15.5 x 8 in (61 x 39 x 20
cm). Guests will be charged additional fees at the airport for
overweight baggage.
Any bags they do not need on the islands can be left with our
partners in Ecuador and they will be brought to the JW Marriott in
Quito and delivered to your room prior to arrival at the hotel on
your return from the islands. (This may include any gifts you may
have purchased during the mainland portion of the trip, as well as
any clothes you feel you might not need during the Galapagos
cruise.)
Since you will be visiting both the countryside and the rocky shores
of the Galapagos Islands, attire for your adventure should be casual
and comfortable, and you should bring at least one additional change
of clothes per day. However, you may wish to don business casual
attire for dinner on the ship. The following is a list of clothing
and other items you may want to bring:
| Clothing |
Miscellaneous |
| • T-shirts (short and
long-sleeved) |
• Valid photo ID |
| • Collared shirts |
• Medication |
| • Light sweater |
• Camera/video camera |
| • Sweatshirt |
• Extra batteries or
charger for camera |
| • Jeans or long pants |
• Extra film |
| • Casual dress/skirt
(optional) |
• Sunglasses |
| • Shorts |
• High-factor,
waterproof sunscreen |
| • Lightweight rain
jacket |
• Toiletries |
| • Wind-resistant jacket |
• Umbrella |
| • Hat |
• Binoculars |
| • Two swimsuits |
• Motion sickness pills |
| • Sneakers |
• Insect repellant |
| • Sturdy-soled walking
shoes |
| • Sport-style sandals |
Hairdryers are available at all hotels and on the ship. However,
irons and ironing boards are not available except in Quito. |
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Weather |
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The Ecuadorian highlands, including
Quito, have a much cooler climate than the rest of the country.
Although temperatures vary with altitude, the average summer
temperature in Quito is about 61°F (16°C) and tends to be on the
chilly side at night. The central valley is generally spring-like
all year, with temperatures reaching no higher than 66°F (19°C). In
the coastal regions and Galápagos islands, temperatures average
between 70 and 83°F (21 - 28°C) year round with low rainfall that
usually occurs during the months of January through April. The sea
temperature averages 65 to 75°F (18 - 24°C), making swimming ideal
in the afternoon. Wetsuits are available aboard the ship when
needed. |
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En Route
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Arrival/Departure |
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ARRIVAL: You will fly into the Quito
International Airport (UIO) on your arrival day. Your flight is
expected to arrive at 11:00p.m. However, most flights tend to be
late and you may arrive at any time on your arrival day.
DEPARTURE: On the final day of the adventure, you will fly to the
Quito International Airport (UIO). You may depart at any time on the
departure day, although no earlier than 6:00 a.m. |
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During Your Adventure
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Currency |
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The unit of monetary currency is the
U.S. dollar. In Quito, ATM machines are available and credit or
debit cards are usually accepted. Since ATMs are scarce in Otavalo,
the Galapagos and other regions, Guests should be sure to carry cash
or credit cards. For cash, carry mostly $1, $5, and $10 bills, and
make sure they are in good condition. Your Adventure Guides can help
you with any currency issues or language barriers you may have. |
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Tipping |
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Adventures by Disney has pre-paid
certain tips and gratuities for all included meals and activities
such as tips for porters, housekeepers, drivers, activity providers,
local experts and dining room staff for included meals.
On Your Own Dining Gratuities: When eating at a restaurant, a
gratuity or "service charge" of 10% is usually included in the bill.
If you feel you have received exceptional service, you may leave an
additional gratuity of up to 5% which is always appreciated.
Adventure Guide Gratuities: Gratuities for your Adventures
Guides are not included. If you feel that your Adventure Guides have
provided excellent service, we suggest the following discretionary
gratuity: Per Guest/Per Adventure Guide/Per Day - $5-$8 USD.
For example:
• For a 10-day adventure, the Adventure Guide gratuity per Guest,
per Adventure Guide: $50-$80 USD.
• For a family of 4 for a 10-day adventure: $200-$320 USD per
Adventure Guide. For 2 Guides, this is a total of: $400-$640 USD.
Adventure Guides accept local currency and U.S. dollars. |
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Transportation |
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Adventures by Disney has arranged
for all of your accommodation and transportation needs during your
stay in Ecuador as specified in your trip itinerary. If you choose
to visit other sites on your own, hire a driver and car through the
hotel. Please ask your Adventure Guide for any assistance regarding
any transportation arrangements you may need. |
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Language |
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The primary language spoken in Ecuador
is Spanish. You will also hear the indigenous language of Quechua in
some areas. Your Adventure Guides can help you with any language
issues that arise.
The following is a list of words and phrases you may want to use
during your trip to Ecuador:
| English |
Spanish |
Pronunciation |
| Hello |
Hola |
O-la |
| Goodbye |
Adios |
ah-dee-os |
| Good morning |
Buenos días |
bwen-os dee-as |
| Good afternoon |
Buenas tardes |
bwen-os tar-des |
| Goodnight |
Buena noches |
bwen-os no-ches |
| Yes |
Sí |
See |
| No |
No |
no |
| Adventure |
Aventura |
ab-wen-too-ra |
| Cheers! |
Salud |
sah-lood |
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