Recommendations

Please do not forget some administrative formalities and important recommendations upon arriving to Ecuador.

VISAS:
For stays in Ecuador for less than 3 months, a visa is not necessary. For stays longer than 3 months, it is possible to obtain a visa from the Ecuadorian Embassy or Consulate.

ONCE YOU ARRIVE TO ECUADOR:
Once arriving, it is recommended to spend a few days in Quito to acclimate to the culture, inquire about things, and get a feel for what is available.

WHERE TO STAY:
Quito is divided into 3 sections: the south, the center, and the north. The center is made up of the historical section comprised of colonial buildings and churches, and La Mariscal, also known as Gringolandia, which is the more modern of the two. We recommend staying in La Mariscal because it especially caters to a large amount of foreign tourists that stay here.

WHAT TO DO:
In the Mariscal, there are many language schools, Internet cafes, international and local restaurants, bars, clubs, and travel agencies, and affordable hostels that offer dorms or private rooms. If you would like more information about these places, it’s best to look on their websites. They have up to date information and can recommend exactly what you are looking for.

BE CAREFUL:
Be cautious when going out late at night in areas around or outside of the Mariscal. For your security, it’s better to walk with groups of people instead of walking alone. It’s also important that travelers are aware that theft can happen anywhere, so please take care of your personal belongings when exploring the city and traveling to other destinations. On buses, there are lots of people who will sell things like food and drinks. It’s better to avoid them. Furthermore, always check that your bags are secure before and during your journey.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA:

ECUADOR:
Ecuador is situated on the northwest coast of South America. It is bordered on the East and the South with Peru, on the West with the Pacific Ocean and to the North with Colombia. Ecuador is positioned quite directly over the Equator, but even then it occupies the latitude and longitude positions of 2°S and 77.30°W. In the continental part, three regions exist; the coast, the sierra, and the Amazon. Ecuador also includes the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador possesses 11% of all the terrestrial vertebrates in the world, 16,087 vascular plant species, and about 600 species of marine fish. In terms of species diversity per area, Ecuador is one of the 17 most diverse countries on the planet and is number one in vertebrate biodiversity.

THE AMAZON:
The Amazon region of Ecuador represents almost 50% of the national territory and less than 2% of the Amazon Basin. This region extends 130,802 km. It begins on the side of the Andes from a summit of almost 6,000 m and drops to 300 m in a distance of about 120 km. The Amazon region is divided into 6 provinces: Sucumbíos, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Morona Santiago, and Zamora Chinchipe. There are approximately 539,933 inhabitants in total. The native people of the Ecuadorian Amazon are divided into 9 ancestral ethnic groups; Kichwa, Shuar, Ashuar, Shiwiar, Huauranis, Zaparos, Cofanes, Sionas, and Sequoias.

NAPO:
The Province of Napo stretches 33,930 km, and the population is approximately 101,000 inhabitants. It is 518 m above sea level, and its climate is hot and humid. Tena is the capital, and it was founded November 15th, 1560 by Bartolome Marin. The Napo River is considered to have one of the best river rapids; great for all types of extreme sports. In this river, one can produce a lot of adrenaline through rafting, tubing and kayaking, all undertaken with a panoramic view. Its origin is in the Jatun Yacu River, which means “Big River” and it collects the water in the uplands of the Cotopaxi and the Antisana, and then flows into the Amazon.

TENA:
Tena is considered to be the capital of cinnamon and the magic door towards “El dorado”, the golden one. It is visited by tourists from all over world, for its beautiful abundant natural wealth, its fragile ecosystems, and extraordinary biodiversity. In addition to housing a bustling city, this region is in its greater part covered with forest plains, surrounded by exuberant vegetation, thousands of waterfalls, caves, rivers, lagoons, ancient petroglyphs, and also a great variety of wild animals. All of this testifies to a rich history and a cultural wealth of much value.

The recommended place to stay is Hostal Welcome Break, which is quiet, hospitable, and really economical.

Tena is a much safer and quieter city. You do not need to be afraid being robbed since the people are relaxed and the town is peaceful. However, you still need to be well informed. If you want to know more about Tena, you can visit the following website here.

**We hope that this message is useful, as we have updated some things that have not been verified in the guidebooks.