Quito`s hotel areas are often attacked by thieves and attackers who believe tourists are wealthy. The spiritual cleansing and ayahuasca ceremonies offered by shamans and other individuals have resulted in serious illnesses and even the death of several tourists. During ceremonies, substances are ingested that cause medical complications and can severely impair cognitive and physical abilities. Tourists have also been attacked or injured while attending such ceremonies. Unaccompanied Canadian minors travelling as tourists on a Canadian passport do not need this letter of authorization. Anyone over the age of 12 (including foreign tourists) may be required to present their COVID-19 vaccination record (with 2 full doses) to enter facilities that provide non-essential services (e.g. Banks, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, transport, etc.). This rule has also been applied at airports. This does not apply to public sector institutions and basic services such as health and education. COVID-19 vaccination certificates are also mandatory for all passengers over 5 years old on all interdistrict, interstate, urban and tourist buses. Hallucinogens: Traditional hallucinogens, often referred to as ayahuasca or San Pedro, are often marketed to tourists as “spiritual cleansing” and usually contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a powerful hallucinogen illegal in the United States, Ecuador and many other countries.
The health risks are not well understood, and sometimes people suffer serious illness or death after taking these drugs. Drunk travelers have also been attacked and robbed. These incidents often occur at a great distance from medical facilities, making the risks even greater. More information on Ecuadorian tourism laws can be found on the “Ley de Turismo” website (in Spanish only). However, it`s best to ship anything of value through an established international courier. Most hotels, especially in major cities and tourist destinations, can arrange express pickup. You can also contact DHL (tel. 02/3975-000; www.dhl.com), Fed Ex (tel. 02/6017-818; www.fedex.com), EMS (tel. 02/2561-962; www.correosdelecuador.com.ec) or UPS (tel.
02/3960-000; www.ups.com). Note: Regardless of what you are told, packages sent overnight to US addresses usually take 3-4 days to reach their destination. Some robberies took place at gunpoint during the day. Masked thieves stole valuables and belongings from their victims on hiking trails. Thieves even targeted large groups of tourists on the beaches. Indiscriminate attacks and sexual assaults have occurred against Canadians. From May 1, 2018, it will be mandatory for tourists to have valid health insurance. The ministry strongly recommends that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers all medical expenses abroad, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains, and legal fees. You should check all exclusions and in particular if your policy covers you for the activities you wish to do. You can apply for the Galapagos Transit Control Card online or get it at Quito or Guayaquil airport. Your tour operator can also request it for you.
The maximum stay for tourists is 60 days in any 1-year period. Canadian and foreign tourists and oil workers have been kidnapped in these areas. In order to protect tourists as end consumers, the Tourist Tax Bureau, under the Attorney General`s Office, has been established. This body will deal with civil and criminal cases and cooperate with the Ministry of Tourism. Another objective of this project is to remove bureaucratic and legal obstacles that prevent citizens, whether legal or natural, from engaging in the tourism industry. This is the recommendation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. The Act also provides for two representative bodies of the private sector: an advisory committee, which will be an advisory body to the Minister, and the Association of Chambers of Tourism, which will represent the private sector and public relations. Short-, medium- and long-term planning is needed to sell Ecuador to the world as a green country. There is still a risk of violent crimes against foreigners, with reports of assaults, robberies and sexual assaults against EU nationals. The area of La Mariscal, popular with tourists, can be particularly dangerous.
Road conditions and safety: Some roads are poorly maintained and may lack guardrails, guardrails, signage and street lighting. Thick fog and rain make conditions more dangerous. All passengers arriving in Ecuador must complete a health declaration form. Some of these vaccines include: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, chickenpox (chickenpox), flu and others. Most major travel agencies offer their own insurance and will probably try to sell you their package when you book a vacation. Think before you sign.