I'm going to Ecuador in January. I've never been out of the country before. Any pointers?

Answer 1

hehe...dont worry im not gonna kill ya on the hair do thing, good joke though.
anyways, to what part of equador are you going? i figure to the capital, Quito, right? im going as well to equador for new years, i have a cousin who is getting married so i have a wedding to attend. im from equador myself, but my folks moved out when i was about 4 to live in the states, so i dont remember anything. a couple of years ago i went there to visit my relatives and we went to the town of Otavalo and its market, all the towns people kept asking, 'oh and were are you from?' and i kept saying, 'from here' i speak fluent spanish, i thought that was wierd, and its not like im white, im like every other equadorean.

so anyways, recommendations: bring pills incase you get height sickness, remember your going 3000 meter above sea level. be CAREFUL with what you eat when you get there, its extremly easy especially for people who arent adapted to living there, in getting food sick, watch out in getting robbed, they dont pick pocket, they stick out a knife and threaten you in broad daylight, never happened to me or anyone i know, but i hear about stories like these, dont bring elegant shirts and designer pants, you dont want to show off your american wealth, (even if in the states you make no more than 20,000 a year at the most, your considered 'wealthy' enough to get robbed and mugged), whenever a little kid comes up and tries to sell you something, once in a while, dont buy anything, just give them a quarter and itll mean the world to them :) and take a pic of them, they like it, bring sunglasses!! especially when you go visit the center of the equator, the sun is incredibly strong!!, dont drive a car, have someone who is from there drive for you, not safe!! trust me; just for your common knowledge so you wont get cheated, taxi cab rides are extremly cheap from 1 to 3 dollars a ride meaning in like regular distant areas.

visit papajacta, (thats were im definetly going this jan.) its these thermal volcanic swimming pools, extremly warm located up in the mountains where its cold, its hotel/resort, kinda expensive but worth it.

visit aswell the tiny town of mindo, only go there with a group, not alone or in two, go on the what they call, 'rafting' ride, lets just say, its they're type of what they call 'rafting'. its a wild wild ride and its worth it!! costs only $4 a ride, but check that in january the tide isnt too strong, if it is too dangerous.

vist the center of the equador, close to quito, visit the crater of this active volcano, its on the way to the center of the world. the crater is really cool, because it hasnt erupted in ages and so there is a town and a village right on teh base of hte crater. i never visited the town but i saw it from above, wierd thing.

visit otavalo market, cool stuff to buy.

have a good trip! and when i get there, ill keep my eyes open for that rainbow afro guy walking around.

Answer 2

try to learn spanish if you can. that way you can understand if the guys behind you are saying " look at that dumb ***, lets steal his wallet and passport" then you can turn around and say please dont, in spanish of course. learn the exchange rates so you dont get taken advantage of when shopping. have the right amount of cash in the countrys currency to pay your exit taxes, they dont take credit cards. immodium ad cause you will get the squirts guaranteed. liquid works faster, but will not be allowed in your carry on bag so get the pills. drink alcohol and beer, not water.

Answer 3

Dont drink the water, plan for bringing our buying bottled water. Bring pepto bismol, at some point on your trip you will need it. Note: Don't over dose on the pepto...your tongue will turn black

Answer 4

Loose the "do". With hair like that, you are just yelling out "foreigner with lots of money! Come and get it!"

;)

Answer 5

borscht beat me to it. I was going to say, what ever you do, don't leave the house wearing that wig.

Answer 6

THE HAIR HAS TO GO, I THINK THATS IT!!!