Planning a trip to Ecuador can be fun and exciting. Researching what hotel you will stay at, what monuments to visit, which tours to take and even what to pack to wear to the beach is a huge part of the thrill of planning a trip to this beautiful country.
While all of the above are necessary parts of planning your stay here, there are a few essentials that often get left off the travellers to do" list. While researching visas, medical coverage, travel warnings and recommended vaccinations may be less fun than planning what spas to visit, failure to look into these essentials may cause unexpected interruptions in your trip. Below, weve assembled our own to do list to help you prepare for your journey.
Whether you are visiting us, or choosing a different country for your vacation, Moving Ecuador wants to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch! First things first. Check with your countrys embassy. You can contact them by phone or on the net. While embassy sites are sometimes hard to navigate, they contain almost everything you need to know about the country you are visiting.
Each embassy posts travel warnings. These reports tell travelers if there are any areas of the country they should avoid. Check often. These reports are updated all the time and can help notify you of protests, kidnappings, dangerous weather, and just about anything else you need to know to stay safe.
If you are staying for longer than three months, it is also a good idea to register with your countrys embassy abroad. This form can be found online. It is easy to fill out, and it lets your embassy know where you are, what day you arrive and how long you will be in the country for. If anything should happen to you during your trip, it will be easier for the embassy to locate and assist you.
On most embassy sites, there is a checklist that you can refer to while planning your trip. Unlike the checklist of clothing, underwear and toiletries you may make for yourself at home, the embassys checklist reminds you of often overlooked travel essentials such as passports, vaccinations, visas and medical insurance.
Regardless of where you are traveling to, medical insurance is a must. While none of us like to think that something bad may occur on vacation, being prepared for illness and injuries can save you time and money. Medical insurance can be purchased from your travel agent. You can also purchase medical insurance on your own through companies such as RBC Financial. Medical insurance starts as low as $26.00 Canadian, and can save you thousands should an accident occur. When purchasing medical insurance, you can check out other types of insurance such as baggage protection and trip interruption.
Another travel must is vaccinations. Depending on where you are traveling to, you may need to be vaccinated for flus and illnesses not found in your home country. The International Travelers Advisory recommends that those traveling to Ecuador get vaccinated for Yellow Fever, Malaria and typhoid, as well as making sure all your routine vaccinations are up to date. The information provided by the ITA is only a guideline. It is always a good idea to double check with your doctor, who can tell you exactly which vaccinations you will need. That said, dont wait until the last minute to check it out. Most vaccinations need at least six weeks to kick in, so check early!! While there, make sure you stock up on any prescription medications you are taking. The Canadian Embassy suggests packing extra medication in case your trip gets extended. They also advise travelers to label any medication with both its generic and trade name.
Finally, it is a good idea to check on passports and visas well in advance of your departure. The Canadian Embassy recommends that your passport is valid for at least six months after your expected departure date. For many countries, including Ecuador, this is a requirement, not a recommendation.
The other thing you may need to look into is obtaining a visa. When traveling to Ecuador for less than 90 days, a visa is not required. However, those staying over 90 days must obtain a student, business or tourist visa. For information on obtaining a visa, contact your local embassy.
Once youve packed all the essentials, get back to the important stuff, like which bikini makes your butt look fantastic from every angle or which dress will look cutest while exploring the rainforest.
