General Info

[Nixonbd]

I just returned from Quito yesterday and wanted to share my experience with AMS. I had read up on the changes the higher alltitide can have on the body; headaches, shortness of breath, etc. I had opted to follow the recommendations of drinking a lot of water and taking aspirin. Upon my arrival in Quito I could definitely feel the effects of being winded just after getting off the plane. The next day I decided to descend a steep incline behind the Hotel Quito and upon going back up the stairs had to take rest breaks.

Now I'm no wuss, though I am 50 y.o., but walk the treadmill a couple times a week. I consider myself to be in fair shape. I had gotten accustomed to the change and walked several miles a day from the hotel to various parts of the city. I did have one trip to a much higher elevation, to 13K feet from the tram ride up to the mountian for a good view of the city below. Besides the temperature change, I was was obviously winded as well, but not to an unbearable point.

Now to my point. Upon my arrival back to Tampa, I experienced tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. So much so that I thought I was going to pass out. I actually debated calling 911 (it was 2:30 a.m.). I did drive myself to the hospital where they ran an assortment of tests (chest x-ray, CT scan, EKG), only to provide me with an inhaler upon my release several hours later. The doctor had no clue as all the tests were negative. He figured it was just my body reacting to the climate/altitude change. I'm better now, but still have some chest tightness and wheezing breathing. That's gonna be one expensive inhaler!!

I was just wondering if anyone else had encountered anything similar upon their return?

[El Greco]

I'll be coming from the US on this trip, and not from South America. I went to Brazil in 2005, and don't recall having any checks on immunizations when I came at that time.

The whole vaccination issue was coming to Brazil from those Latin America countries not the USA.
Don't know about the necessary time interval but there must be one for sure.

El Greco

[Jaimito Cartero]

"Coming to Brasil from Venezuela last year and from Colombia a few days ago I was asked to show my yellow fever vaccination.
I show other passengers detained for not having it and I am pretty sure Avianca got a fine too."

I'll be coming from the US on this trip, and not from South America. I went to Brazil in 2005, and don't recall having any checks on immunizations when I came at that time.

[El Greco]

I'm head to Quito in a couple of weeks, and am checking up on this thread to make sure I've got everything I need.

One thing that's caught my attention is the Brazil vaccination for yellow fever. I have a trip to Sao Paolo 2 1/2 months after this trip. Are they really going to deny me entry if I don't have it?

"Coming to Brasil from Venezuela last year and from Colombia a few days ago I was asked to show my yellow fever vaccination.
I show other passengers detained for not having it and I am pretty sure Avianca got a fine too."

That was my post of 02/04/06 on the Rio forum.

According to the Varig personell a vaccination requirement commenced on 01/01/05.
I was going to fly from Rio to Caracas and back. So they told me that I should have a vaccination otherwise I could not return to Brasil without one and they suggested to have it right there at the airport of Rio which I did and got my vaccination card issued and stamped right away.
Just one shot.

El Greco

[Davidb3069]

I'm head to Quito in a couple of weeks, and am checking up on this thread to make sure I've got everything I need.

One thing that's caught my attention is the Brazil vaccination for yellow fever. I have a trip to Sao Paolo 2 1/2 months after this trip. Are they really going to deny me entry if I don't have it?

If they will, you wouldn't have time anyways. First two shots are 30 days apart if I recall correctly. The third is taken at the end of 6 months (from the first shot).

David B.

[Jaimito Cartero]

I'm head to Quito in a couple of weeks, and am checking up on this thread to make sure I've got everything I need.

One thing that's caught my attention is the Brazil vaccination for yellow fever. I have a trip to Sao Paolo 2 1/2 months after this trip. Are they really going to deny me entry if I don't have it?

[Latina Passion]

Like Body Tech in Colombia?

[Subaculture]

Jun. 22 - An Ecuadorean airline has come up with a risqué way of attracting customers - they have put models in lingerie in the aisles.

Ícaro airlines is putting underwear fashion parades on several national flights for a two-week special.

All passengers on Ecuador's most well-travelled route from the capital Quito to the port city of Guayaquil will be treated to a 10-minute sky-high show.


http://www.reuters.com/news/video/vi...?videoId=57842

[Latina Passion]

Latina passion-

Hotels in guayaquil are not cheaper than quito. If you have experience on the coast it would be nice to have some information in the "other areas" section.
What cost you $120 airfare ? I think the closest beach to quito would be esmeraldas which I think is 3 hrs away.

Please correct me if Im wrong.


I agree the trolley is very busy and you will stand up for most of your ride but its a short ride to wherever. At least you only pay 25 cents for the suffering. I pay $2 a pop in NYC to sit next to hygiene catastrophes on the subway. I think the fare will rise again pretty soon.

* Never have anything accessible. Im sorry you lost your camera its very difficult to travel in the third world but it can be very rewarding as well.

I flew to Manta and Esmeraldas for $120 or a little less both times! As far as monger reports go not much to post, I am semi retired but I guess I owe at least a travel report! From Manta I drove to a small beach town called Crucita. Cabins where $12 bucks per person add a T.V. and it was $30 per night! The max I paid for food was $2.50 and a large beer was a buck, and a coke or bottle of water was 25 cents! Give me a few days and I will post a full report!

[Mraughh]

Latina passion-

Hotels in guayaquil are not cheaper than quito. If you have experience on the coast it would be nice to have some information in the "other areas" section.
What cost you $120 airfare ? I think the closest beach to quito would be esmeraldas which I think is 3 hrs away.

Please correct me if Im wrong.


I agree the trolley is very busy and you will stand up for most of your ride but its a short ride to wherever. At least you only pay 25 cents for the suffering. I pay $2 a pop in NYC to sit next to hygiene catastrophes on the subway. I think the fare will rise again pretty soon.

* Never have anything accessible. Im sorry you lost your camera its very difficult to travel in the thirld world but it can be very rewarding as well.

30-40 minutes by plane from Quito to Guayaquil, Salinas, etc would be my guess is what he meant. Price sounds about right. VIP flies to both of those locations and they're now flying to Colombia also. Their office is located at the Quito airport. I enjoy flyiing with them, its a comfortable flight. Last I heard they have flights that go on Monday Wednesday and Friday to and from the coast.

[Artisttyp]

Latina passion-

Hotels in guayaquil are not cheaper than quito. If you have experience on the coast it would be nice to have some information in the "other areas" section.
What cost you $120 airfare ? I think the closest beach to quito would be esmeraldas which I think is 3 hrs away.

Please correct me if Im wrong.


I agree the trolley is very busy and you will stand up for most of your ride but its a short ride to wherever. At least you only pay 25 cents for the suffering. I pay $2 a pop in NYC to sit next to hygiene catastrophes on the subway. I think the fare will rise again pretty soon.

* Never have anything accessible. Im sorry you lost your camera its very difficult to travel in the third world but it can be very rewarding as well.

[Yujin]

Also remember that the trolley(25 cents) runs until 12 midnight. When I was staying in the centro historico I used to take the trolley to la mariscal then cab it back.

The trolley is great, but be forewarned, it's a pickpocketers paradise when it's packed with passengers. I had my small digital camera ($350) pickpocketed out of my camera bag on my belt under my jacket. I've also caught guys unzipping my jacket pockets thinking that my notebook was my wallet.

It's best to ride the trolley during the off-peak hours.

[Latina Passion]

I'm making my first trip to Ecuador on the 12 of may for a week. I'm flying in from Colombia. I'm assuming from what I've read that cross-country travel between major cities isn't the big concern that it is in Colombia. It looks like the border towns around Colombia in the north are the major place to watch out for. Am I correct?

I have taken buses in CR, DR, Nicaragua and other places and had no problem. I am just being extra cautious

Recommendations for altitude sickness in terms of medicines, etc.?

Looking forward to Ecuador.

David B.

David,

Hope this helps! If you have been to Bogota, or Denver or any city that high up and did not suffer Altitude sickness no need to worry about Quito! I'm 44 and a heavy smoker and have not suffered from altitude sickness! My problem has been getting a good night sleep, and walking up a flight of stairs.

Taxi, I have never paid more then $5 buck night or late night. The guys at the Airport might try to charge you more but if you really want to save a buck or two walk out of the airport towards the Domestic Terminal then walk across the street and hail a taxi there! From the Airport to the Sheraton I paid like $2.50 I think!

Money: Yes carry small bills, must places will not have change for a $20, even most large companies will not change or accept a $50 or a $100!

Price of Chica's 60% less then Cartgena, but you get what you pay for!!!! You can find some hot ons that is for sure at a price of $15 to $20!

Hope your Espanol is past the tourist level, because you'll need it trying to find these damn Casas! I usually stay at the Hotel Eugenia, and not untill my third trip did I run across a casa two doors down, my Nephew was staying at the Hotel Cuba and again two doors down was another one! Chica's in Quito are a bit heaver then their Costal Eucadorian counterparts! And compared to Colombia Chica's sorry but no way can they compare to Colombianas!

The best looking women in Ecuador hands down are from Portoviejo, that is where my girl is from, and I'm sure most of the senior Ecuador members will tell you the same thing!

You can find Hotels in Quito from $10 and up, things are so cheap there 30% cheaper then Colombia I pamper myself and spend between $12 to $25 on the Coast and in Quito I spend $60 a night!

The whether in Quito is Cold does not go much past 70, and it is like a woman, you never know what she is going to do! It can be nice and sunny, then rain and cold, after the rain comes the FOG, then sun again, then rain, and more rain!

Travel to the coast takes 30 minutes anywhere in Ecuador, and cost around $120 round trip, the coast is much cheaper then Quito much cheaper!

Hope this helps!!

LP!

[Artisttyp]

Also remember that the trolley(25 cents) runs until 12 midnight. When I was staying in the centro historico I used to take the trolley to la mariscal then cab it back. The only set back you might have is walking from 10 de augusto down to amazonas. After 8pm those little streets can be very empty. However some have a few people...try to stick to the more populated areas. Amazonas and the surrounding area can be very sketchy even one block away from all the action of gringolandia.

[Mraughh]

Speaking of which, it appears to be that $2 to $5 is a typical fare around Quito. Is this accurate?

David B.

yeah pretty much. at night it costs more since they dont use meters then. for instance, from the central historic district to mid town can run from 3.50 to 6+ depending on traffic and how fast the cabbies drive during the day.

the meters start at $.35 and increase both from time and driving.

for examples though at night, i've been quoted $15-$20 from the airport to cumbaya. that would be no more than $10. I keep track of what the daytime costs are for where I go and use those rates when I bargain with the cabbies at night. If they refuse to bargain, just get out of the cab, you'll find another easy or the cabbie will agree to your price.