Ecuador: What to Know Before You Visit Ecuador
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- čas přidán 26. 07. 2024
- Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to Ecuador! Whether you are visiting the Galapagos Islands, the historic city of Cuenca, the Amazon Rainforest, the capital of Quito or adventure tourism in Banos or Mindo here are the most important things to know about visiting Ecuador before you visit. From food to safety to sights and culture. Tourism information on Ecuador.
Filmed in Ecuador
Copyright Mark Wolters 2020
#travelecuador #ecuador #visitecuador
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The tap water is just fine in Cuena, Loja and Surrounding areas. Clean
You are right and I wish you could take me round this places
Listening to this while I wait to eat in a restaurant right now. Leaving to Ecuador in 12 hours !
Thank you for this !! Going to Ecuador solo. On the 1st of October !
the. way. you. express yourself. a bought. ECUADOR. tells. alot. about. you... I. visit. Ecuador. and. people. are. very. friendly. and. is. a. very. safe. place. to. visit
I'm from uenca and we are delighted to serve our visitors with warms arms.
Lovely. Can't wait to visit 🙂
im from guayaquil
I just came back from Ecuador & all of your videos had me very well prepared- thank you so much! Another thing to know is how much they take COVID seriously. I was sprayed with santizer (yes- fully body sprayed) before entering several places (anything from churches to kayaking!). If they didn't full body spray me, every place sanitized my hands before I get in and after I left. Temperature checks everywhere as well. Everyone wearing masks everywhere- a stark contrast from the US (at least where I am in the US). I had a wonderful time & couldn't recommend Ecuador more!
Could you recommend some good hostels as I am finding it abut hard to find better ones...
@@pgfromfiji absolutely! I really enjoyed my time in Masaya Hostel in Quito. If you're looking for something more homey in Quito, I also stayed in Huasi Lodge and it was wonderful. In Cuenca, I stayed in Mallki Hostel. The hosts were the kindest people I had ever met! In Banos, I stayed in Papachos, which was geared towards a younger crowd. The staff were super helpful and had great recommendations.
@@pgfromfiji everything depends on what you find as good... Luxury? Natural, cheap, expensive, in Wich city, out of city?
i am so happy you enjoyed yourself in my home country
Good to hear! I am heading there in 5 weeks.
There are a few places you can drink the water. Cuenca and Vilcabamba both have excellent water better than the U.S. Was in Cuenca for 3 weeks and had no problems.
Ecuador looks amazing!
It's amazing GO
The tap water in Quito and Sangolqui is fine. My fiance is Ecuadorian and I've been to Ecuador for a total of a month. Mindo to Esmeraldas? Tia is your friend. It was mine and where I got my food and water. Found out about that in both places the hard way. Altitude didn't affect me, except Pichincha, but then you can see Quito from above from there. I stay at a really nice, family owned/operated hostel for $15 a night. The advantage of having a friend, relative, fiance (Haha) is they know where everything is. I get to see more than with a tourist guide, which is expensive. My fiance and her family hate Cuy.
Try the ice cream/Helado shops. Not mentioned in this video. Also Chochos, Mora y Morocho are very good as well. And the bread shops. Best bread I've ever had!
Thanks for sharing your experiences! Which Quito Hostel where you at? Did the Hostel offer day trips to close-by sites? I will be arriving Quito in early October, very excited. what are Chochos?
@@manuvital9071 I stay in a hostel in Sangolqui near my fiance's home, for convenience and it's not bad at all. It's really a hotel, so no communal living. The family home was sold last year and they moved to another area in Sangolqui, but I'll probably stay there again on return visits. It was literally next door to where they lived but on the next block. Sangolqui is a suburb of Quito. Places in Quito are more expensive but affordable, much cheaper than in the States but it really depends on what you're looking for in accomodations. Current pricing I have no clue about as I haven't been there in two years due to family responsibilities and the virus. I was taken around to look at some options in Quito a few years ago, but decided it just made more sense to stay in Sangolqui so my fiance didn't have to travel to, and through, Quito every morning since we didn't always just stay in the area. Ambato, Mindo, Esmeraldas for example. The buses stop in Sangolqui and head to different places locally. For further trips we either traveled by car or took a tour bus.
Since my last post I've found out that they now sell Cuy flavored ice cream. Meat flavored ice cream? My fiance, her family and I are not interested but it is pretty popular in Ecuador right now. Haha
Chochos are a legume (bean) that typically grows high up on the volcanoes. A friend of mine from Peru says they have the same thing there they just call it something else.
I went on a Galapagos cruise in 1992- loved every second of it . At the time tourist totals were 90,000 tourists per year to protect the envoronment! So glad I went!
Thats so cool!
Ecuador is the heart of the planet! It is blessed land!
I love your videos. They make me want to get out and see the world. Thank you so much.
Thanks for showing my 🇪🇨 to the world. ✌️
Same bro! Fellow Ecuadorian here as well! ^^
This is the best tour prep video ever. Doesn’t spoil surprises but keeps you prepared.
Thank you for promoting and being so Honest with your visit to my beautiful country. I really liked your videos
You are adorable, I love how fast you speak and get your information across quick and succinct. I so enjoy watching your videos.
What about my videos
It really depends on how are you going to Galapagos, because you can actually spend thousand of dollars on a cruise, or you could just take a plane. Indeed most of the schools here in Ecuador take their students at 7th grade to the Galapagos for a couple of weeks or even a month. One of my best childhood experiences :,)
Most of the schools??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Most of Ecuadorians will never visit Galapagos! 😢
I am pretty much sure that there are different price tug for locals.
I did a week of land based tours in the Galapagos and it is much cheaper and likely more fun than getting stuck on a boat for a week.
Well you can drink the tap water in Cuenca. I’ve been living here for two months with no problems. It comes directly from the Cajas. I’m sure it’s treated somehow but it’s fine to drink. Also be VERY careful as a pedestrian. If not there’s a good chance you’ll be injured.
I don't know about most of Ecuador, but the water in Cuenca and Vilcabamba is drinkable from the tap.
Yes,exactly right.
Great info presented in short order, thanks!
Packed full of information. Thanks.
Very well done video. Your information and professionalism is greatly appreciated.
That was a great video my friend Ive Heard about ecuador too and I think is a beautiful country keep it up like this 👍👍👍👍👍
Great video sir, thank you.
Nice! Cannot wait for the Colombia video later this year!
I hope so! fingers crossed we will get there in October/November
Great information. Thanks!
Another excellent...relevant video. Thank you🎉
Your videos are so great at summarizing lots of valuable information about lovely Ecuador!
Great, informative and concise video. Well done and thank you. Subscribed!
New subscriber, excellent information. Thanks for posting.
Great video, it was very informative and relevant! Keep it up!
Hi, an Ecuadorian here. I loved this anglophone videos talking about my country. Nice video. Some information I didn’t know.
Thank you for sharing these tips, we appreciate you!
Great video, to the point and actionable recommendations.
This was spot on thank you for all of the advice! Your videos are so helpful (:
You are welcome
Enjoyed this video. Right to the point. Thanks
amazing video you really gave a great overview of everything
I am going in 10 days….SO EXCITED!!!😊Thank you for the wonderful videos ❤
Amazing video! Ecuador is an amazing place and after this video so many people will go!
Make sure to learn Spanish first, so let me guide you and in 3 months you'll be good to go!
Thank you for showing my beautiful country to the world. God bless you!
Thank you for the video, really helpful!
Yea
Thanks for the tips.
I lived in San Pablo de Lago and loved it. Loved the people made life long family really.....
When you said locro de papa and canelazo, I trust all your advice!! From an Ecuadorian this is all very accurate advice!
best vid I’ve seen abt this, deserves more views!
Great and accurate information my friend. I'm from and live in Ecuador. Thanks for the information.
I’m glad you mentioned altitude sickness. It’s real and for some it’s so painful we have to leave. So there.
great video! Excellent job!
Great video 👍
Very good and accurate information on how things are in my beloved country, thank you very much!
Where are you
One of the good country
Very nice video thank you for sharing
I also love it too😊
Watching a lot your videos about Europe and decided to check your channel to see what else was there. Never expected to see my country here 🇪🇨♥️
Hello World Wolters Ok Ecuador.👍👍👍🇪🇨👍🇺🇸
Cool! 😎👍
Very interesting! Thanks
Your really great at what you do! Best of luck with all!
you mak grate videos good info always
thank you :)
i love all your videos
Great video! I really appreciate the content. My wife and I are considering doing a mini-retirement in Ecuador for 6 months. We're currently looking into staying in the Loja or Vilcabamba area, but will probably visit some of the larger cities while we're there. For now we're just gathering information and trying to prepare.
Glad I can help. I have a video on Cuenca Ecuador which is another popular retiree destination in Ecuador
My girlfriend is near Guayaquil and one of her family members is in Loja. Did you end up choosing a place ?
@@gabrielmatherly6019 We went all over Ecuador... Quito, Mindo, Montañita, Latacunga, Machachi, Quilotoa, Baños, Cuenca, Loja, and Vilcabamba. Of everywhere we stayed, I think our favorite was Cuenca. We stayed about 15 minutes outside of the city, which is nice because it's much quieter with less traffic, but not as convenient if you want to go somewhere for lunch or groceries. We're actually still here until we fly home at the end of the week. It's been a blast!
@@andrewb9595 I’m going to Guayaquil and a city near there in 19 days? Any advice ?
@@gabrielmatherly6019 Sadly that is one area of Ecuador we did not visit. So I can't really give you any tips for the area. All I can say is if you don't know any Spanish at all, invest the time to learn at least some rudimentary Spanish. Believe it or not just some simple Spanish like ordering food or telling a taxi driver where you want to go, goes a very long way.
Also we've been told that in Guayaquil if your travelling with a backpack, wear it in front of you. Apparently (this is from people that live there) it's one of the higher crime areas in the country due to its large population and high poverty level. Violent crime is rare, but robbery and pickpocketing isn't uncommon. Honestly though, a little common sense goes a long way. Stay out of dark alleys, don't buy drugs, don't pay for sex and don't go for a walk around town after drinking at the club. In essence, don't be stupid and you'll be fine.
Enjoy your videos..... 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
What about our times
Love Quito!
You guys are awesome 👌 Lots of helpful info. Thank you.. new subscriber
Great job
More South/Central American videos please
More are coming don't worry :) we have a few hundred out already if you need some more to binge watch. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Peru, Ecuador. Thanks for the support!
He has a ton out already
I love your videos. Very informative and well presented. You seem to be very well traveled and have done your research. My wife and I are considering moving to Latin America within the next decade or so. I was hoping you could share 3 recommendations to start looking at and 3 places to avoid. Our preference is a coastal location with but we're open to inland locals. Thus far, Cartegena , Colombia, Merida, MX and Costa Rica are places we're very interested in checking out. But your insight would be helpful. I look forward to your feed back. Thank you and Happy New Year.
Wuao, wuao🇪🇨🇪🇨🥰
Great video Mark. I am Ecuadorian by birth but have lived in the USA since I was 8 years old. Did you try the guinea pig?
Cuenca has great tap water. I have lived here for ten years and the water in Cuenca is great.
I also take a couple rolls of quarters when going to Ecuador for buses and taxis. Twenty dollar bills are accepted but typically frowned upon. I use fives and singles mostly. Take only what you need for the day. A little goes a long way in Ecuador.
I don’t take singles anymore because they use the coin dollars. Just take $50,$20,$10,$5. I use the large bills for things like paying bills at any resort or hotel, the rest is dinners, and most often the taxis or coffee. And yes, definitely walk with just what you expect to spend. I split it between two pockets, a habit from my youth when I was delivering pizzas in college. My companion might take half the cash too.
Love your videos so much. I like how you speak really quickly and don't waste time. Only the facts. You also seem like a super nice and personable dude. Great work. Question for you: Would you say there may be better places for Canadians to go? I'm thinking more about exchange rates. My husband and I have begun researching places to expat, and it feels like most of the more popular places are better for Americans due to US dollar.
"it's not just cause I'm fat" Lol i can't
is this a reupoload? I feel like Ive seen this before ? Love the videos keep it up, your opening me up to travelling more and disapating my past stereotypes about countries.
He has a few other Ecuador videos. Naturally there is a little overlap in content and footage
I would love to visit Ecudor in the near future to VLOG
Que vive el gran ecuador
The toilets' inability to "swallow" your paper, etc., is not a "pressure" problem: it's because their exit pipes are undersized, and sometimes, poorly seamed (i.e., they can snag fibrous stuff like paper and hair). Re the sun: pay attention: actinic keratosis can cause pre-cancers as much as thirty to forty years after exposure. "Chivo" is goat; in the big cities, sometimes they'll call it goat, but use sheep, which is inferior in every way. At restaurants with no service charges, tip the same percent as a good person would tip at home, because the prices are lower, but it's the same human doing the same service.
Let me clarify one thing about the Toilet Paper stuff. This is mostly an Urban legend. Think people. The sewage is capable to handle solid human waste...But will clog by a few sheets of toilet paper...?
This misconception generated back in the day (I'm talking 50-40 years ago when using Toilet paper was considered a luxury, and people still used Newspaper sheets to wipe. For obvious reasons newspaper is perhaps 10 times thicker and more coarse than TP... Common knowledge back in the day was throwing the newspaper sheets in a basket and throw it away as garbage, but at some point someone thought that wet enough, the sheets of newspaper could eventually be flushed...They won't.
After a few incidents, it was considered an extremely rude and dumb thing to do...to throw ANYTHING you use to wipe your rear in the toilet... However we know that toilet paper is safe to flush, in the US or in Ecuador... However as it happens from time to time here in the States, we can get some random, occasional toilet clogging...If you are in a hotel in Ecuador and that happens to you and the plumber comes and see toilet paper floating there..They will immediately point fingers at the TP as culprit...It is not. So...If you do not want to get yourself in an awkward situation...Flush before you wipe.... Then, after everything flushes...you can bet your butt the toilet paper itself will flush with zero issues.
Furthermore, the sign at minute 13:17 clearly says Throw the TP in the toilet... meaning DO NOT throw your doodoo-paper in the basket...which is only for tampons and other used toiletries...These kind of signs are there (I'm assuming) because so many Ecuadorians believe the nonsense of this Urban Legend. And if they find dirty TP in the basket Hotel employees will believe you are disgusting... I know, this is clearly a cultural misunderstanding...But please... flush first...then wipe and flush the TP in the toilet...The TP itself will not clog the toilet...Trust me on this one.
En Ecuador lo que botas en el baño termina en los ríos, así que yo no tiraría papel higiénico en el baño si fuera tu.
@@MsMRkv No acobo de comprender si tu comentario es ingenuo o sarcástico...Y no, la caca no termina en los rios, hay algo en ecuador que te cobran en la planilla de agua que se llama Alcantarillado (sewage management)
I am from Ecuador and now live in the US. I wish I can find a reason to go back there. But I find my self bored when I go there. When I want to see mountains I go to VT and I can snowboard there. Beaches here in the US are great as well. Food here in the US it's so diverse. And visiting churches and mountains there doesn't call my attention anymore. I did visit the Galapagos islands in the year 2000 while I was in college there. It was great.
And how do you like the US still? Prices and crime ?
@@gadgetgrader I am Ecuadorian, live there until I was a teenager, went back to Ecuador to for college, my house got robbed 4 times. Had alarms and dogs. Oh, I lived in the second best neighborhood in the city. My car got broken in so many times. In the US I leave my front door unlocked. Many times I have gone to work and leave my garage door wide open and nothing happens. I am sure there is crime in Chicago and Miami, but I live in a small town in NJ (Hunterdon county)
@@cookiecracker6266 ok thank you for your comment! Where in Ecuador was your house ? I want to visit Ecuador to safe area
There is no safe place in Ecuador. I live in Ambato mostly (Ficoa) And lived in Quito (La Gonzalez Suarez). I keep in touch with relatives and they tell me time after time how dangerous the country is, and how often they are victims of crime.
Great video, thank you. Where were your children hand feeding the humming birds? Great info!
“Pay attention” when crossing the street? That is an understatement. When you go to the crosswalk at the signal light, wait for it to signal for you to walk, look both ways, step out, cars will still drive into you, though they will likely honk at you first, because they don’t respect pedestrians, or bicyclists, or motorcyclists or other cars on the streets here. It’s pretty much a free for all. Especially watch out for the buses, they don’t give AF!
Tap water is usually a no go in latin america in general BUT it is safe to drink in the City of Cuenca, EC
I agree with most of what Wolters is saying about Ecuador, but maybe I just changed the coast visit of Montañita for other beaches... It could be Puerto López, Manta, Olón... Esmeraldas has beautiful beaches as well, but due to security issues maybe you could visit Casa Blanca, there are tons of houses and departments with pools. and the food there is just amazing..
We spent 2 mos in Quito while adopting our oldest child, and the soleche mountain sickness hit me hard at one point. I had been very careful, but then took a trip with friends even higher up to Latacunga and that night ate after 7pm and was SICK , like a shook pop bottle all night. The build up of pressure is no joke. The small bills is a great tip! it is spot on--and the atms are not stocked with $ the way they are in the US, so don't think you will be able to get $100 when you need it. Often the most we could get out was $20. And, yes, you are correct--don't think you can break a $20 easily. We had a few awkward moments where we bought drinks and snacks and realized we would be taking all the money they had in the register to break our $20 bill. People are so nice and helpful! Smile! Try to speak a little Spanish, haggle with the market sellers in the Quito market, but offer a reasonable amount for the amazing, handmade goods.
Latacunga is at a lower elevation than Quito though.
@@MsMRkv well my sense of direction is bad, perhaps because i went lower and then back up and then ate a late dinner. regardless the reason--super vomit.
@@travelmom3031 You are right. Latacunga's altitud is 9,577 ft (2,919 m) above sea level. While Quito's elevation is 9,350 ft (2,850 m). It's almost at same elevation.
Nice video about Ecuador facts, ever visited Uruguay ?
We have a couple Uruguay videos already out and a few more coming this year
Cuenca has excellent water. Even a nice hotel will serve you tap water.
Thanks
In 1949 I was born in Shell Mera in the Amazon basin. I lived with parents there for one year and have never been back. I have no cultural or ethnic connections as I am Irish decent, but I have an emotional connection with Ecuador and would love got go back and meet my country.
Comeback and see now Shell Mera is beautiful.
Sim👏🏾
How do you secure your protectection when you do visit other countries, do you carry knifes, pepper spray, etc.. How do you research laws in other countries for that aspect so I can check when I do go internationally?
The water in Cuenca is much better and pure than in any city in the USA
My dads from eqador i wish i could go there
NICEEEEEEEEE
yea internet hot spots are trash, same with hotel wifi. but if you get wifi service for you house its just as fast as in the usa.
Have been there twice..'93/2004
love white cheese and plantains cooked over bricks..corn on cob..over a fire..and huge bowl of ceviche..tangy and hot..
hey Mark my wife lives in Ecuador I have been 3 times I love it there
Hi Mark! I know my question is kinda unrelated to the video, but since i’m going to Austria for student exchange this autumn, what are some tips you can give about for example adapting to the culture or learning the language? I know you have done videos on Austria before, but those were more kind of tourism related and since you also have lived in Austria, you could give some tips!
Love your vids! Greetings from Finland!😆
P.S: interesting factoid about the US dollar being used in Ecuador. Kind of surprising😅
I have a bunch of videos on study abroad too. Go to our main page on youtube and click on playlists. There should be a study abroad playlist that goes through a lot. Or search "Wolters world study abroad" or how ti make friends abroad. We have all kinds of videos to help out
@@woltersworld Ok thanks a lot! I’ll go check those out.
Seco is also with chicken not necesarily goat. Guinie pig is a Mountaines people meal not coastal people as u metioned. one thing to note, the taste of the food is different in each region.
Thanks Wolter! Quick one for ya. How much was a local beer at the brewery?
Thanks! Great video. How's the Covid-19 restrictions down there?
You need a negative PCR test done within 10 days of arrival.
its really good, you get sprayed head to toe in a chemical that kills covid, they always take your temperature, the take it seriously, its really great
Now I'll see my normal life in Quito like a risky but affordable and tasty tour, every day. Thank you for that. :D