Best time to go:
Quito is only 15 miles South of the equator, but it is in the mountains, so it is a little more chilly than one would suspect. Ecuador has two seasons; a wet season and a dry season. The rainy season between December and May that makes traveling there a little less enjoyable. Stick to traveling between May and November. And bring a sweater, just in case.

Getting around:
Airlines in and out of Ecuador can be somewhat unreliable. If you are catching a connecting flight from Ecuador, make sure you leave plenty of time between flights in case of a delay.

One thing to be ready for is that though there are clearly marked lanes, most drivers ignore them. Ecuadorian drivers use the horn as a necessary communication device, which can mean many things: "Get out of my way, I'm running a red light," "I need to pass you, so move over," or "Stop, you're going to hit me." Needless to say, you can't be in a car without a horn in Ecuador; it would be like getting in a car without breaks. It takes a little while to get used to the absolute lack of rules on the road. The best way to get around is to have a local drive you, wear your seat belt, and close your eyes.


Tips on tipping: The standard of living is much poorer than that of the U.S., so tipping 15% is more than enough. However, if you are staying in nicer accommodations, it is expected that you tip 15%.

One thing that is different about Ecuador are the 'parking men.' There is usually a parking man on every block in the city. When you go to park your car, they will guide you with hand signals so you get your parking job done perfectly. However, these men also expect a tip for a service that you really didn't need in the first place. They will mumble something like "I'll watch your car while you're gone." Maybe yes, maybe no. However, it's worth the $.50-$.75 in tip not to argue with them. The reason there are parking men is because Ecuador is a poor country, and because there aren't enough jobs, the locals invent jobs for themselves.

Advice to remember:
You know how people say "don't drink the water?" Well, the same is true of a beverage with ice. You never hear "don't use ice," but after it melts...

At approximately 9,300 feet above sea level, Quito may take a day or two for one to become accustomed to the altitude. You may have noticed the teams appearing to be out of breath once they arrived at the pit stop near Mount Cotopaxi. The same may happen to you visiting the capital as well, so definitely take it easy initially.

It is also a very good idea to pack a sweater. During the day the sun's rays will definitely heat you up (UV-protection is highly recommended) and you will not need it then, but at night the cold temperatures almost require a jacket.

Do's and Don'ts: