Safety Tips in Ecuador

Arriving in Quito, Ecuador, we spent a night in a guest house before heading to Galapagos. You can learn so much about a country by staying in a guest house or small hotel. For example the important safety tip posted in the foyer, reminds us that we are in a poor country (sorry that’s not politically correct, but it is accurate). In poor countries people sometimes resort to robbery. The high walls and locked gates tell us that its not only tourists that might be robbed. 

The guest house itself is a grand old building with a story to tell. The beautiful wooden floors speak of expensive woods being available. The ceilings are high and the walls painted in pastels and terracotta. 

It was listed as wheelchair accessible which clearly means they will help you get your wheelchair up the many stone steps under the shrub arch at the front.

Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, and although it is in the tropical zone it gets very cold at night. We knew that from the five woollen blankets on each bed. Altitude sickness can also affect tourists.

And they use 110 electricity like us with the same outlets! No adaptors required. 

We try to find guest houses that include breakfast and in South America breakfast includes Cafe con Leche (coffee with milk) as well as pastries, eggs and cheese. (Unlike SE Asia where cheese was virtually non-existent). 

On our return from Galapagos at sea level we will spend a few more nights in Quito. This will give us some time to acclimatize to  the altitude before heading to Macchu Pichu and Bolivia for more adventures.