Destination Guides
Ecuador
Pailón del Diablo, Baños
Ecuador packs remarkable range into a small country, the Galapagos Islands' unmatched wildlife, Quito's colonial old town high in the Andes, and the Amazon rainforest all sit within easy reach of one another. The Galapagos has two distinct seasons rather than one ideal window, a warmer wet season (December-May) and a cooler dry season (June-November) with better wildlife visibility for some species. A 7-10 day trip most commonly centers on a Galapagos cruise or island stay, often paired with a few days in Quito beforehand. Because Galapagos cruises and island permits require advance booking and the right vessel matters enormously to the experience, an advisor's help choosing and booking early is one of the most valuable parts of planning a trip here.
Local Etiquette & Cultural Tips
Ecuadorian culture is warm, family-centered, and proud of the country's Andean and Indigenous heritage.
Friendly greetings: A handshake is standard, a cheek kiss between women and mixed pairs who are acquainted.
Dress respectfully: Quito's altitude calls for layers, light and practical clothing for the Galapagos and Amazon.
Dining times: Lunch is often the largest meal, dinner from 7:30-8:30pm.
Local customs: Ecuadorians tend to run on a more relaxed sense of time than US visitors expect, building flexibility into a schedule helps.
Transportation and timing: Flights connect Quito to the Galapagos, boats and small planes move between islands, advance booking is essential for both.
Practical tip: Quito sits at over 9,000 feet, plan a lighter first day to acclimate before heading to the Galapagos or Amazon.
Souvenirs
For the Foodies: Ecuadorian chocolate, the country produces some of the world's most prized cacao, or a bag of coffee from the highlands.
For the Fashionistas: A genuine Panama hat, despite the name, it originated in Ecuador and remains a signature craft.
For the Home: A handwoven textile or tagua nut carving from an Andean artisan market.
Suggested Gratuities
Private Tour Guides: $20-25 per person for a half-day tour
Galapagos Naturalist Guides: $10-15 per person per day, often collected as a group tip at the end of a cruise
Shared Group Tour Guides: $10 per person
Taxis: Round up the fare
Restaurants: 10% for good service
Private Drivers: $15-20 per trip
Housekeeping: $2-3 per night
Porters: $1-2 per bag
Practical Travel Notes
Currency: US Dollar
Language: Spanish
Transportation: Domestic flights to the Galapagos, boats between islands, taxis in Quito
Weather: Andean highlands are cool year-round, Galapagos has a warmer wet season and cooler dry season
Walking: Quito's old town involves hills and altitude, Galapagos excursions involve uneven volcanic terrain
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