Traveling to Ecuador? What do I need? What do you see? What is there to do?

Question

I was wondering if anyone has been to Ecuador in the past because I am looking to going there and I would like to know what there is to do and see. What did you like best about your trip and what things interested you that might interest me? Is there a lot of greenery and hiking and snorkling/scuba diving -active things to do? Also what vaccines do I need to take and I would like to know if you need to take them, is it a health hazard and if there are any natural remedies in contrast to taking chloriquine or vaccines of that nature? Something that doesn't have side effects and make you sicker than if you just had the darn disease.

Please if you can answer any of my many questions, it would be greatly apprciated.

Thanx
Bernie

Answer 1

It is the best country in S.America and I have visited them all. I even went twice to Equador.
Has amazing scenery, I stayed in a cloudforest, a rainforest, fished for paranas, climbed a volcano (Cotopaxi), saw another one blow (Tunguroa in 1999) caught fish in the Pacific, took a train ride whilst sat on the roof (in Riobamba), did whitewater rafting (Banos), enjoyed thermal pools, went to great markets (go to Otovalo), met great people, studied Spanish...................
I left thinking I would contact Malaria and all kinds of horrid diseases, I stopped taking the pills I had no problems, and I was in total about 7 weeks in the country before going onto Colombia. Don't worry too much just be sensible, buy bottled water, wash the fruit, veggies etc,

You will love it. Have fun

Answer 2

Ecuador is great! I was there in February and am going back in December. What is great is the variety of land types there are. You have beaches, mountains and the Amazon. We go there because we are bird watchers. There are over 1,500 species of birds there, in a country about the size of Nevada. There are some great eco-tourism lodges that offer fantastic packages. There is one place we love called Mindo Loma in the Andes that is only $55 a day all inclusive, except for liquor.

If you dont have any interest in birds, you can go mountain climbing, scuba diving or snorkeling, white-water rafting and hiking. Quito is a neat city with some great restaurants and hotels. There are several towns with amazing hand crafts. I would recommend getting the Lonely Planet book on Ecuador. Its very informative.

As far as shots and preventative medicine, if you just go to the Andes you should be fine. If you are going to the Amazon basin, call your doctor. It probably wouldnt hurt to do a round of anti-malarial drugs.

Answer 3

I hope you have a great time in Ecuador! I lived there for nine months about a decade ago and I loved it. I loved all the different climactic zones in Ecuador. You can go from the rainforest, to the mountains (sierra) to the coast. Cuenca is a beautiful city with colonial Spanish architecture and wonderful mild temperatures. Not to be missed! If you like art, Cuenca has some great galleries. There are wonderful markets in the Northern Highlands in and around the city of Otavalo. You can great sweaters and weavings there. Many people go to ecotourist retreats in the Amazon. I'm not much of an outdoors girl, but I learned so much! The coast is great and relaxing, but watch for the undertow at Atacames. It's a great beach but has a dangerous current. Ecuador is naturally beautiful and has a lot of interesting culture. I was never bothered at all in terms of violence, but many tourists are pickpocketed, so be careful with your money and passport. Have fun! It's a great place.

Answer 4

There are tons of things to see, but here's a nice summary:
- Quito
- Guayaquil
- Salinas, Montanita, Manta, Esmeraldas (beautiful beaches)
- Cuenca
- Banos
- Otavalo/Imbabura
- Galapagos Islands
- Cotopaxi/Tungurahua (beautiful volcanoes - they are active though)
- If you are brave, you may also want to venture into the Amazonas jungle, but do this with a professional tour guide.

Answer 5

scuba, fishing and many oother amenities, you probably need to take a vaccine against malaria ,buy bottle water and wash your vegetables well just like you do in any other country.if you are going to spend some time in ther jump to Peru to see even more stuff and make your experience even better

Answer 6

Here's the US State Department's travel info for Ecuador.

Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country about the size of Colorado. It has a developing economy and a democratically elected government. Ecuador is geographically and ethnically diverse. In general, tourist facilities are adequate but vary in quality. Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar in 2000. Both U.S. coins and Ecuadorian coins, which are equivalent to the value of the U.S. coins, are used.

Read the Department of State Background Notes on Ecuador for additional information.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Ecuador. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens traveling on regular passports do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less. Those planning a longer visit must obtain a visa in advance of arrival. Travelers who stay in Ecuador beyond the allowed entry time are charged a substantial fee. An airport exit tax is required when departing Ecuador.

U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Ecuador must obtain a new passport at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration offices in those cities prior to arriving at the airport in order to obtain permission to depart.

Ecuador ‘s exit procedures mandate that minors (under the age of 18) who are citizens or residents of Ecuador and who are traveling alone, with one parent, or with a third party must present a copy of their birth certificate and written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. When a parent is deceased, a notarized copy of the death certificate is required in lieu of the written authorization. If documents are prepared in the United States, the authorization and the birth certificate must be translated into Spanish, notarized and authenticated by the Ecuadorian Embassy or an Ecuadorian consulate within the United States. If documents are prepared in Ecuador, only notarization by an Ecuadorian notary is required. This paragraph does not apply to children who enter Ecuador with U.S. passports as tourists, unless they hold dual U.S./Ecuadorian citizenship.

For further information regarding entry, exit, and customs requirements, travelers should contact the Ecuadorian Embassy at 2535 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone [phone]; Internet http://www.ecuador.org/; or the Ecuadorian consulate in Chicago [phone], Houston [phone], Jersey City [phone], Los Angeles [phone], Miami [phone], New Orleans [phone], New York [phone], or San Francisco [phone].

See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Ecuador and other countries. Visit the Embassy of Ecuador web site at http://www.embassy.org/ for the most current visa information.

Find more information about Entry and Exit Requirements pertaining to dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction. Please refer to our Customs Information to learn more about customs regulations.

SAFETY AND SECURITY The U.S. Embassy in Quito advises against travel to the northern border of Ecuador, to include the provinces of Sucumbios, Orellana and Carchi and northern Esmeraldas Province. U.S. Government personnel are restricted from travel to these areas due to the spread of organized crime, drug trafficking, small arms trafficking, and incursions by various Colombian terrorist organizations. Since 1998, at least ten U.S. citizens have been kidnapped near Ecuador's border with Colombia. One U.S. citizen was murdered in January 2001 by kidnappers holding him for ransom.

Political demonstrations occur frequently throughout Ecuador for various reasons. Protesters often block city streets and rural highways, including major arteries such as the Pan American Highway. Public transportation is often disrupted during these events. Protesters may burn tires, throw rocks and Molotov cocktails, engage in destruction of property and detonate small improvised explosive devices during demonstrations. Police response may include water cannons and tear gas. United States citizens and U.S.- affiliated interests are not usually targeted, but U.S. citizens are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are in progress and to be prepared with backup transportation plans. Please see the following links for the local information in Quito and Guayaquil's Consular Districts, respectively: http://www.usembassy.org.ec/Espanol/CONSULAR/ConsuSP.htm and http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov/wwwhengacswarden.html U.S. citizens may also keep informed of daily happenings by following the local news and police reports. As there are no English language news outlets in Ecuador, English-speaking hotel personnel and tour guides can also provide information if you do not speak Spanish.

Ecuadorian authorities may declare states of emergency in provinces and regions affected by civil unrest, natural disaster or other disruptions. During states of emergency, authorities have expanded powers to restore order, including suspension of some constitutional rights, expanded detention powers, and imposition of curfews.

Radicals in various locations in Ecuador, including Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, have occasionally placed small explosive devices that release political literature, known locally as pamphlet bombs. Targets have included local and international businesses and various Government of Ecuador buildings. Although no foreign tourists have been injured in these explosions, American citizens visiting or residing in Ecuador are urged to exercise caution and avoid suspicious looking packages.

U.S. citizens should carry identification at all times, including proof of U.S. citizenship. Travelers to Ecuador’s beach areas should be aware that strong currents, undertow and underwater hazards may exist and are not always posted. While some beaches have lifeguard stations, they are usually unmanned.

For information on the Galapagos Islands, please see the “Special circumstances” section of this Consular Information Sheet.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIME: Violent and non-violent crime is common in urban Ecuador. In an increasing number of cases, thieves are armed with guns or knives, including in smaller cities such as Manta and Cuenca. The Ecuadorian Government has increased police patrols in tourist areas, but travelers in resort areas along the coast and in Quito and Guayaquil should remain alert to their surroundings and maintain constant control of personal belongings. Travelers should avoid wearing expensive-looking jewelry and watches. Avoid the interior regions of large city parks, particularly at night, and exercise caution around their perimeters. Public markets, airports, bus terminals, restaurants, and crowded streets provide opportunities for non-violent crimes such as pick pocketing, burglary of personal effects, and thefts from vehicles. Backpackers are frequently targeted for robbery and snatch and grabs. Always be aware of your surroundings, and try to not travel alone.

In Quito, travelers should be particularly alert on the crowded streets of south Quito, at the Panecillo, in Old Quito and in the areas of El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastian, Avenida Cristobal Colon and Gonzalez Suarez. The Mariscal Sucre District is a popular tourist area in Quito with numerous restaurants, bars, hotels and shopping sites. Since 1999, several U.S. Government employees and private U.S. citizens have been victimized there, prompting the U.S. Embassy to put certain bars off-limits and to declare a nighttime curfew in the area for its employees. The presence of additional police has had little effect on the rising crime rate.

In Guayaquil, take extra caution in the downtown area at night, in the street market area of La Bahia, at the Christ Statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, in the airport area, and in the southern part of the city. The riverfront park area in Guayaquil called the Malecon, and the passage up to the lighthouse in the Las Penas area are generally safe and well patrolled although at night caution should be observed. There have been repeated instances of travelers followed from the airport and intercepted by robbers using two vehicles to cut off the traveler. There is some evidence that those most at risk are people who appear to be returning for family visits laden with gifts and large amounts of cash. There have been armed robberies of restaurants and their patrons, including in the fashionable areas of Guayaquil. Guayaquil has also experienced an increase in kidnappings for ransom, often in connection with hijackings, although tourists have not been targeted.

Many beach areas are relatively deserted at night, and crimes such as rape and robbery have been reported in the past few years. Tourists have also been robbed at gunpoint along hiking trails. Robberies on public buses are a continuing problem. The Embassy recommends that travelers use legitimate taxicabs as a way to get around the larger cities. Public transportation can be dangerous – both from a traffic safety and personal security point of view.

Criminals sometimes use incapacitating drugs such as scopolamine on unsuspecting tourists in order to rob them. These so-called "date rape" drugs are put into drinks in order to drug the unsuspecting victim. This drug can render the victim disoriented and can cause prolonged unconsciousness and serious medical problems. Never allow a stranger to “buy” you a drink and never leave your drink unattended. During 2004 several American citizens reported thefts of property following ingestion of such substances.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. Female victims of crime may receive assistance from the Comisaria de la Mujer at Ave. 24 de Mayo y Calle Loja, telephone [phone] or the Oficina de Derechos de la Mujer, Guayanas E-331 y Inglaterra, Quito 593 2 252 9909.

See our information on Victims of Crime .

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Adequate medical and dental care can be readily obtained in the major cities of Ecuador. In smaller communities and in the Galapagos Islands services are limited, and the quality is variable and generally below U.S. standards. Ambulances, with or without trained emergency staff, are in critically short supply. Acute surgical and cardiac services are not available on the Galapagos Islands. Serious cases must be evacuated to the Ecuadorian mainland or the United States for treatment.

Pharmacies are readily available in any city. However, the availability of some medications is sporadic, and formulations and brand names will differ from products available in the U.S. Narcotics and tranquilizers are extremely limited in availability. “Pharmacists” sometimes prescribe and dispense medications. These individuals often have little training and prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics and other inappropriate medications. Travelers should not seek their advice. Folk healers and traditional markets offer herbal and folk remedies which should be avoided as formulations are questionable and some components may interact with other prescription medications.

Travelers to Quito (close to 10,000 feet) and other highland areas may require some time to adjust to the altitude, which can adversely affect blood pressure, digestion and energy level. Travelers are encouraged to consult with their personal health care providers before undertaking high-altitude travel. In particular, travelers with heart or lung problems and persons with sickle cell trait may develop serious health complications at high altitudes.

Scuba divers in the Galapagos Islands should be aware of limited facilities for decompression. A privately owned decompression chamber is available on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands. The Ecuadorian Navy operates a second decompression chamber at the San Eduardo Naval Base in Guayaquil. Due to the high costs for these services and associated emergency transportation, divers are advised to obtain adequate medical evacuation and divers insurance.

The cost of medical care is lower than in the U.S. Travelers should be aware of the presence of malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever in areas of Ecuador below 4500’ elevation. Historically there has not been dengue or malaria in the Galapagos archipelago, and yellow fever has only occurred in the Amazon Basin. Travelers who are on an appropriate anti-malarial drug have a greatly reduced chance of contracting malaria, while vaccine can provide protection against yellow fever. Avoiding mosquito bites is the only effective prevention for dengue and personal protective measures, such as the use of insect repellents, help to reduce the risk of contracting all of these illnesses. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a high-risk area, and for up to one year thereafter, should seek prompt medical attention. For additional information on malaria or dengue, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarials, consult the CDC and WHO websites listed below.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas .

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Ecuador is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road travel throughout Ecuador can be dangerous, especially at night. Many roads are poorly maintained or unmarked. Heavy rains and mudslides often close or wash out roads. Heavy fog is common in mountainous areas. Driving practices differ from U.S. standards. Inter-urban and inter-provincial bus passengers are often targets of crime, including robbery and sexual assault.

Highways are often unmarked and do not have signs indicating destinations. Road safety features such as crash barriers and guardrails along steep mountainsides are rare. In the countryside livestock are often herded along roads or graze on roadsides. Many roads are used for pedestrian and animal traffic as well as vehicular traffic. Driving habits vary from region to region. In general, drivers in Quito and the mountain areas and the Oriente (eastern jungle) drive more slowly, observe traffic signals and slow for speed bumps. Vehicles are reasonably well maintained. On the coast, drivers have a more liberal approach to vehicle maintenance and traffic regulations. In all areas buses, both intracity and intercity, will stop at any point on their route to pick up or drop passengers. Speed bumps abound, even on major highways such as the Pan American Highway, to slow traffic. Drivers turn right and left from any lane and do not yield for pedestrians and cyclists.

Intoxicated drivers can be encountered at any time, but they are especially prevalent on weekends and holidays.

Ecuador’s frontier regions are largely rural, poor and lack police presence. Because drug traffickers, criminal organizations and smugglers of all types use clandestine border crossings to move their goods, the U.S. Embassy advises against driving on all but the most traveled highways.

If you are involved in an automobile accident, you may be taken into police custody, especially if injuries are involved. You are almost certain to spend some time in jail until all parties are satisfied that responsibility has been assigned and adequate financial satisfaction received. Drivers may face criminal charges if injuries or damages are serious. When driving your own vehicle or a rented vehicle, be sure to have proper vehicle registration papers with you.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Ecuador’s Ministry of Public Works for information on road conditions at http://www.mop.gov.ec/.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Ecuador's Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Ecuador's air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA's website at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: A significant number of Ecuadorian tour vessels operating in the Galapagos Islands are neither inspected nor operated in accordance with U.S. regulations, and do not meet U.S. safety standards. The Government of Ecuador requires that vessels carrying more than sixteen passengers comply with the International Safety Management (ISM) code established by the International Maritime Organization. However, the quality of inspections, oversight, crewmember proficiency evaluation, and other requisites for safe vessel operation may vary substantially. Tour boat accidents are more frequent among small vessels (those carrying fewer than sixteen passengers), but travelers should inquire about safety features of any vessel, regardless of size.

There have been at least three cases in 2004-2006 in which small quantities of drugs have been placed by unknown persons in unsecured pockets of tourists' checked bags, including backpacks, en route to the Galapagos. Upon arrival, these drugs have been detected by police canine units, and the owners of the bags have been arrested and detained for months while the cases are resolved. Travelers are advised to secure all parts of their bags thoroughly before checking them on flights to the Galapagos.

Conflict between the conservation and fishing sectors in the Galapagos has escalated in recent years. Strikes and disturbances by local fisherman in the Galapagos Islands have become violent on occasion. While tourists have not been targeted, the incidents affected their movement and access to some sites. Such disturbances have been minimal since April 2004, but the issue remains unsettled and could resurface at any time.

The islands are over 600 miles from the mainland, and help may be slow in arriving in case of emergency. The Government of Ecuador has very limited search and rescue capabilities. Travelers to the Galapagos are encouraged to contact tour operators and visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs' web site for the most recent information when planning their trips to the Galapagos.

OTHER LEGAL ISSUES: Under Ecuadorian law, business disputes that normally would be handled by civil litigation in the United States may be converted into criminal proceedings. This provision of the law has been used to impose travel prohibitions against resident U.S. citizens, and it also has led to the arrest and incarceration of U.S. business people while they were awaiting a hearing on the civil matter.

When considering purchasing property in Ecuador, Americans should be aware that competing claims to property might only surface after an apparently legal sale has been made. Deficiencies in the Ecuadorian system for surveying and registering property and weaknesses in the judicial system mean that these disputes can last years. The Mission is aware of several cases of American citizen land owners in Ecuador being threatened with physical harm and/or confiscation of their property by individuals claiming rights to the land, and, in at least one case, buildings have been razed. American citizens considering buying property in Ecuador should engage a competent attorney and carefully research land title issues before making a purchase.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Ecuador has over 30 potentially active volcanoes, including seven that have shown recent activity. Earthquakes of varying magnitude occur frequently. Since 1998, the Guagua Pichincha Volcano west of Quito has exhibited a significant increase in tremors and an accompanying rise in magma level, along with intermittent explosions. Volcanic ash fell on Quito during some of these events, causing temporary closings of area schools and the airport. In the event of a full-scale eruption, geological experts conclude that the city of Quito is protected from possible lava flows, avalanches, and lateral explosions by the bulk of Pichincha Mountain, which stands between the city and the volcano crater. Parts of Quito could be affected by secondary mudflows caused by heavy rains that usually accompany an eruption. The entire city could also be affected by slight to significant ash falls and resulting disruptions of water, power, communications, and transportation.

The town of Banos, a popular tourist destination located approximately 80 miles south of Quito, is situated near the Tungurahua Volcano. In recent years, the volcano has ejected significant amounts of ash and incandescent rocks. Geological experts advise that an explosive eruption could occur quickly and with little warning. The resulting pyroclastic flows would pose a significant and immediate threat to Banos and other population centers in the vicinity. Travelers should to be aware of these conditions when staying overnight in Banos or the surrounding area, and should be ready to evacuate on short notice.

Other volcanoes remain active in Ecuador, including Reventador Volcano, 60 miles east of Quito, and Cotopaxi Volcano, located 40 kilometers southeast of Quito. In 2002, lava and mudflows caused by Reventador volcano closed a major Quito/northern-border highway and blanketed Quito in ash, shutting down the Quito airport for several days.

Cotopaxi Volcano poses a hazard of mudflows towards the towns of San Rafael in the north and Latacunga in the south, and could cause ash fall and disruptions of water, power, communications and transportation in and around Quito.

The Quito City Government and the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute monitor these volcanoes and issue regular reports on their activity. In the event of eruptions, travelers should to pay close attention to the news media for updates on the situation. Other volcanoes in Ecuador may also exhibit increased activity from time to time. Further information is available via the Internet from the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute at http://www.igepn.edu.ec/ and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/guag.html.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Ecuadorian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Ecuador of items such as forearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, electronic equipment and currency. Contact the Embassy of Ecuador in Washington, D.C. or one of Ecuador’s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our information on Customs Information Please see our information on customs regulations.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Ecuadorian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Ecuador are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties .

The Ecuadorian government is required by international law to notify the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. Consulate promptly when an American citizen is arrested and requests such notification. Delays in notification can limit the assistance the U.S. Government can provide an arrested American citizen. Therefore, Americans should promptly identify themselves as such to arresting officers and should request that the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil be notified immediately.

Prison conditions in Ecuador can be extremely poor. In many facilities food is insufficient in both quantity and quality, and prisoners must pay for adequate nutrition from their own funds. Most Ecuadorian prisons provide poor medical care, and urgent medical conditions may receive only minimal attention. Those accused of crimes in Ecuador can expect lengthy delays before trial and sentencing. The accused are usually incarcerated while awaiting trial and sentencing, and in the case of serious crimes, bail is generally not an option.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues website.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at the corner of Avenida 12 de Octubre and Avenida Patria (across from the Casa de la Cultura). The telephone during business hours (8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is (011) 593 2 256 2890 X4510. For after-hours emergencies use (011) 593 2 256 1749. The fax is (011) 593 2 256 1254. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls. The Embassy's Internet address is: http://www.usembassy.org.ec/ .

The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone [phone] during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies; fax [phone]. The Consulate General's Internet address is: http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov/wwwhengmain.html .

Consular services for U.S. citizens in the Galapagos Islands are provided by the Consulate General in Guayaquil with assistance from a U.S. Consular Agent in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, at 05) 526-330 or [phone].

The Consular Section in Quito is open for American citizen services, including registration, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, excluding U.S. and Ecuadorian holidays. The Consular Section in Guayaquil is open for those services from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Tuesday through Friday, excluding U.S. and Ecuadorian holidays.