Packing for Ecuador

You will get more detailed and specific information a few weeks before your program. However, here is some general advice to get you thinking.

General Tips

• Backpacks are more useful than suitcases
• Never ever leave your passport or money in your check-in luggage.
• Ask program alumni. If you wish to speak to one, please get in touch with us and we can provide you with the contact information of a past participant.

Canadian Gifts
(No Cheesy Crap!!!!, No Dollar Shop Stuff)

• Dictionaries.
• ESL INFO (learning English sets).
• Maps / atlas.
• Stuffed animals (in a can).
• Multicolored leaves.
• Coin sets.
• Stamp sets.
• Maple syrup / maple sugar / candies.
• Canadian music / Susin Aglullark, Ashley Macisaak).
• Notebooks.
• Tuques.
• Roots Canadian articles (scarf).
• Native articles (totem poles, dolls).
• Books of Canadian Photography.
• Books by Canadian Authors (children).
• Stickers.
• Mugs.
• TY Canadian Bears.
• Aprons.
• Handbags.
• Hotmats.

Clothing

• Clothing for 7 days is a good guide (7 pairs of underwear, socks, shirts, 3 pairs of pants). But a note, it might be difficult to find large size clothing in Ecuador.
• Bring 1 dressy outfit, be it for an invitation to a wedding or your country's consulate. Sleeveless is not appropriate everywhere.
  

Documentation

• Beside your passport, it is handy to bring your citizenship card or birth certificate. These will be extremely useful should you lose your passport.
  
• Have some US cash on hand with you. It is very useful to have some in small denominations such as $1 or $5. In Ecuador, it is very hard to find change for denominations larger than a $5 in small restaurants, buses and corner stores.
  
• Make sure you have emergency contact numbers and addresses on a handy sheet or small phone book that you carry with you at all times. It should include the Ecuadorian support staff, host family, your local consulate, health insurance, credit card companies, parents, and your country's contact staff.
  
  

Hygiene Products

• Sun block is expensive in Ecuador and can be hard to find, especially in rural areas.
• Easy dry towel
  

First Aid Kit

• It is often better to make up your own kit and put in exactly what you need. You can carry everything is a small waterproof case such as Rubbermaid products.
• Band-aids
• Disinfectant/antibiotic cream
  
  

Miscellaneous

• Bug repellant (in Quito or other large urban centers in the Andes, this is not needed. However, if you are on the coast, in the orient or in rural areas, you will need it)
• A swiss army knife is always useful (preferably with a small flashlight)
• A dictionary!
• We do not recommend that you bring your own cell phone. It is relatively cheap to purchase a cell phone in Ecuador

Packing for Machilla National Park

When coming to Ecuador, you will probably spend some time in the beautiful Machalilla National Park. Here is a list of suggestions of what to bring.
 

• Bathing Suit
• Hat
• Good Walking Shoes
• Mosquito Repellent
• Sun Screen
• A sweater... yes, a sweater, the night can get cold
• Sandals
• Water Bottle(s) (1 litre minimum content)
• Sunglasses
• Rain Jacket or Umbrella
• Long Sleeve Shirt (protection from the sun)
• Compact Luggage
• Flashlight
• Camera
• Extra Film and Batteries
• Binoculars (optional)
• Snorkelling equipment (if you have it)
• Your passport
• Money in small denominations bills plus coins (it is a bit difficult to get change)

Cell Phone

Please, DO NOT bring a cellular phone from your country, it is too expensive to use it in Ecuador, you will be charged for an international phone call each time you use it even though it could be a local phone call; it is better to buy a cellular phone in Ecuador; you can easily find a cellular phone for US $ 50.oo or less.