2010 Trip Dates

Ecuador Health

Sanitary conditions in some local restaurants may pose problems for some travelers. Most hot, freshly cooked food should be safe, but peel fresh fruit and raw vegetables, make sure meat and shellfish are cooked thoroughly, avoid local dairy products, and assume the tap water is unsafe (stick with bottled or boiled drinks).

If you're flying into high-altitude areas, allow a day or two to acclimate yourself (avoid heavy foods and physical activities, and drink plenty of fluids). If you have heart problems, you may find the higher altitudes particularly distressing—check with your doctor before going—but remember that no one is immune to altitude sickness. Some say that the fitter you are, the higher the risk, because you're more apt to ignore the warning signs of this dangerous illness, such as fatigue and nausea.

Take along all prescription medicines needed for the trip. Though not always required for entry, inoculations against cholera, yellow fever, polio, typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis might be recommended—consult your physician. If you're heading to the jungle areas, it's wise to take malaria suppressants, although much depends on the local environment you'll be in - consult your physician. Always remember to take plenty of insect repellent on jungle excursions, and drink lots of water. The sun can be very strong, especially at midday, so slather yourself in sunscreen and wear a hat (you can get high-altitude sunburn from a day's walk around deceptively chilly Quito). Don't forget to take along a pair of comfortable walking shoes, and a pair of polarizing sunglasses is a good investment.