Gap-year travel to Ecuador

You all want to have a lot of fun in your trip to Ecuador, sometimes even taking risks but there are some considerations you just cannot forget if you want to keep a healthy journey:

If you want to go from one city or province to another, you must use an authorized tourist transportation. Never try to save a few dollars hiring just any bus because regular transportation in Ecuador hardly keeps up to international safety regulations. Domestic transportation usually does not have reliable drivers, it is more probable that they have something like tires or brakes in bad condition, even a drunk driver, among other things.

Don't travel at night. Not only because thiefs prefer to steal at night but because the highways always have parts in bad condition and this can lead to traffic accidents. Heavy transportation like large trucks travel specially at night and you don't want to risk your life getting involved in an accident with them. If you do, you don't have much of a chance of getting out of it alive. Highways are small, with only one lane for each direction, so each lane is used by small, medium, large cars, buses and trucks.

Always carry medicine for diarrhea, some typical foods can be rather harsh on your stomach if your are not used to it. It is better to be prepared for that.

Always travel and take tours in groups. Never try to be in your own. In Ecuador as most of other latin american countries, it can be very dangerous to take a taxi alone, specially if you are a woman. You can get robbed or even raped for that.

If for any reason you are alone and encounter thiefs, don't try to run or even fight them, this would must probably lead to a very bad ending. Just say "Soy turista extranjero" (I'm a foreign tourist) and try to give him whatever things you have of value. Thiefs in Ecuador are dangerous, they will not settle for anything less than taking your belongings and they can easily attempt on your life if you resist them.

If you consider these tips among others we will be placing soon, it is most probable you will have a great and safe trip in Ecuador.

If you would like to share you experiences and other safety instrucions with other British tourists heading to Ecuador. You are welcome to...