BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS
Booking your own flights has advantages like flying from your home airport, choosing your own seats, upgrading your seats, and using and collecting airline miles. Tour-only travelers are responsible for arranging their entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. Unused land services including those caused by air schedule changes and delays are non-refundable and smarTours cannot be held responsible.
When booking your flights, please note that our tour starts in Quito and ends in Quito. We recommend that you:
- Fly into Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO)
- Fly out of Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO)
BOOKING YOUR OWN TRANSFERS
Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals terminal at Quito Airport. Official airport taxis are orange and operated by the airport taxi cooperative. You can also find authorized taxi companies at designated taxi stands. It’s advisable to confirm the fare with the driver before starting your journey.
TOUR MEETING POINT
We recommend you arrive around 4 PM to settle in before joining the welcome orientation and dinner on Day 1. Hotel check-in is generally not before 4 PM.
TOUR ENDING POINT
The tour ends after breakfast on the last day. Generally, hotel check-out is prior to 12 PM (noon).
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
Travelers must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. U.S. passport holders do not require a visa for travel to Ecuador for stays less than 90 days in a 12-month period. Ecuador requires that travelers have at least 2 blank visa pages in their passport. Before your trip, review travel requirements and restrictions by country including passport and visa requirements. You can also learn more about passport and visa services. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Final instructions, documents, and travel tips will be emailed to you 10–14 days before the scheduled start of your tour. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are not currently required, however, some cities like Quito (altitude of 9,350 feet) may be at a higher altitude than you are used to. Travelers may wish to consult your personal physician or local health authorities about altitude sickness prevention and any other suggestions. The CDC recommends you stay up to date on routine vaccinations, and consult your physician at least one month prior to travel. Learn more about the CDC’s destination-specific recommendations.
CLIMATE
Since Ecuador is located near the equator, the weather is temperate with average daytime high temperatures ranging from 60’s to the 80’s. However, in areas of higher elevations (Quito) as well as in the Galápagos Islands, morning, late afternoon and evening temperatures will be considerably cooler (30’s to 50’s).
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
The official currency in Ecuador is the U.S. dollar ($). Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need U.S. Dollars. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
Electricity
Ecuador operates on 120 volts/60 Hz and uses plug types A & B. Learn more about plug types, adapters, and converters.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage and one carry-on piece. Please check with the airline for the maximum weight and size for luggage. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.
