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Tours There are huge numbers of tour offices all over the country, especially in Quito. If you are planning to go to the Galapagos or the jungle, and if you are an adventurous person, you might want to wait until you arrive here in Ecuador to visit some of the agencies that offer Galapagos and Jungle trips yourself. Prices are very, very competitive and many places will be open to bargaining with you. Especially in light of the fact that there have not been a record low number of tourists here this year. The more middle men that are involved in your Galapagos or Jungle trip, the higher the price will be. It's always a good idea to ask other travellers who they recommended and to read the guide books. A place that was first rate some time ago, may not be that way now, or perhaps has even closed down, and new businesses and services are constantly opening. Again, the South American Explorer's Club has invaluable information--they have a "book of comments" so you can see what other travellers have to say about everything. Also as a member you have access to all their trip reports. Beware of any hotel or agency who may want to control your whole itinerary. Chances are they are making huge commissions on every leg of your vacation and what is "set up" for you may or may not be in your best interest. If you have read about a hotel and would like to make a resesrvation, it's always a good idea to call yourself and speak directly. Most places have an english-speaking representative and some hotels are even owned and run by Americans themselves. Most upscale places now use email for reservations. Making reservations through a third party can become jumbled with misunderstandings. When contracting a tour or trip with an agency, get EVERYTHING in writing--what you are paying, and what you are receiving. Try to cover and understand every detail of your trip before forking over your money, and don't forget to get a receipt. The South American Explorers Club The South American Explorers Club (founded in l977) is an extremely invaluable clearinghouse, especially if you plan to do a lot of independent traveling in Ecuador and other parts of South America, or are just interested in South American news and lore. The annual membership is about $40 and gives you access to the organization's clubhouse in Quito (and in Lima and Cuzco, Peru), where you can relax and find lots of information on destinations and tour operators, get tips and advice from the English-speaking staff, meet other travelers, store your belongings, receive and send faxes and email, receive packages, obtain maps and guidebooks, have access to their incredible library, and stay up to date on the absolute latest. Club members can also get discounts from some hotels, travel agencies and guides and receive 4 informative magazines a year. The Club bulletin boards are invaluable sources of information. The Quito clubhouse is at Jorge Washington 311. The phone # is 225-228 and the internet address is www.samexplo.org . The main office is located in Ithaca, New York. |