Local Time
GMT minus 5 hours on mainland Ecuador.

Transportation
Transport offers one of the best values in Ecuador. A bus ride in a city like Quito costs just 25¢. The minimum taxi ride, good for most short zips around town costs $1. Prices go up at night to $2 for the minimum cab ride, at which time drivers stop using their meter. Other rides have standard tariffs. From downtown Quito, an airport trip is $4 while a journey to the outskirts of town, such as to the Middle of the World monument runs between $8 - $10. Especially at night, when the meter won't be running, it is best to clarify the charge in advance. Also, check during the day to make sure cabbies use their meter, the word for which is metro.

Safety
Ecuador is not a particularly dangerous country. However, like in most places, thieves are waiting to prey on the careless traveler. Therefore always takes the appropriate precautionary measures. A secure and confident attitude will help make sure that maladaptives do not approach you. Treat others cordially but not intimately, especially people you don't know anything about.

Always keep a copy of your documents with you. Take precaution and make copies of your important documents for you to carry with you and leave the originals in a safe place in your hotel room or wherever you are staying. If your stay is short, always take your passport with you.

Always take travelers checks or credit cards so that you don't have to carry large sums of money. Your most important documents and money should always be kept on you. Do not exchange money in the streets. Do so in a bank or in your hotel.

Medical Attention in Ecuador: Doctors, Hospitals & Pharmacies
In Ecuador there are many quality hospitals and clinics where the traveler can be treated if there is some emergency while in the country.

In the case that some type of medication is needed, the traveler can obtain this at any pharmacy. Throughout the city, small and large pharmacies can be found. But remember that if you generally take some specific medication in your home country, this type of medication may not exist in Ecuador so you should make sure to bring a large enough supply of the product to last you during your stay. It is also recommendable to know generic names of certain medications.

For more info please see: MDTravelHealth.com

Directory of Embassies and Consulates in Ecuador

Private Hospitals and Clinics in Quito

Hospital Metropolitano (Norte)
Mariana de Jesus & Ave. Occidental
Tel: (02) 2 461 520/ 2 269 030

Hospital Voz Andes (Hospital Cristiano-Norte)
Villalengua 267 & 10 de Agosto
Tel: (02) 2 262142

Private Hospitals and Clinics in Guayaquil

Clínica Kennedy
Av. San Jorge & 9
Tel. (04) 2 286 963/ 2 289 666
247 885/ Ambulance: (04) 2 289 010/ 2 292 770
Email: dsp@hospikennedy.med.ec

Clínica Guayaquil
Padre Aguirre 401 & General Córdova
Tel: (04) 2 563 555/ Emergencies: (04) 2 302 825/ 2 561 392
Email: clinigye@gye.satnet.net

Travel Guides About Ecuador
Lonely Planet
Author: Rob Rachowiecki and Danny Palmerlee
Price: $17.02
Available In: www.librimundi.com / www.amazon.com
Synopsis: With a decent presentation, the Lonely Planet is a complete guide that will give you a general view of Ecuador regarding climate, tourist attractions, important cities, history and more. In regards to maps, you will never get lost! If you want to see the country through adventure trails, this guide is for you.

Rough Guide
Author: Harry Ades and Melissa Graham
Price: $23.82
Available In: www.librimundi.com / www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A guide that will help you get around the Ecuadorian jungle without any difficulty. A preoccupation about travel guides: make sure you get the most up to date.

Footprint
Author: Daisy Kunstaetter and Robert Kunstaetter
Price: $16.67
Available at: www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A guide for adventure ecotourism, the traveler that is willing to enjoy the country will choose this guide. Practicality and veracity are characteristic of this book.