Some More Tips For Your Time in Quito and the Galapagos

Quito Travel Tips

• Be aware of your surroundings and keep up with what’s going on in the places you are travelling.
• Maintain a secure, confident attitude to avoid becoming a target to thieves and pickpockets.
• Be wary of false police, especially if approached on side streets.
• Avoid carrying valuables with you on the street if you do not need them, things like iPods, cell phones, and excess camera gear.
• If you must take out valuables on the street, it is best to do so near a police officer.
• Always keep copies of documents with you.
• Use traveler’s checks or credit cards and avoid carrying large sums of cash.
• Exchange money inside banks or your hotel, never in the streets.
• Do not take shortcuts or alleyways, always stay on main roads.
• At night, always take a taxi.

Galapagos Travel Tips

• The sun is strong here and the weather is hot during the first half of the year. Always use sun protection; this includes hats, glasses, and enough sunscreen to reapply throughout the day.
• Drink lots of water - preferably in a reusable bottle.
• Explore all of your options; there are different types of tours that suit different needs. 
• Try to spend the night on all of the inhabited islands; this will give you a chance to see more than you would on a day tour.
• Make reservations ahead of time. Hotels and tours book out fast, especially during peak seasons.
• Bring a first aid kit and be careful. There is limited access to medical care in the Galapagos.
• Do not explore off trails - it is very easy to get lost.
• Sea lions are cute but keep your distance, especially from alpha males or females with pups.  The official distance is 2 meters from all wildlife.
• Obey all National Park rules. They are there for the safety of the animals, the ecosystem as well as yourself.