Altitude sickness

If you live in the Sierra, you should be aware of altitude sickness, as it will be the first thing that affects you when you arrive.

Quito is 2880 m above sea level and Cuenca is about 2530 m above sea level. Do not be surprised if you tire easily or find yourself breathing more heavily. Take it easy for the first 3 or 4 days, drink lots of water, try coca tea, and you will slowly adjust. Altitude sickness pills may be a good idea for senior citizens or people with respiratory problems.

It is not recommended to climb any mountains for the first couple of weeks.

Tap Water

You should exercise care when drinking water from the tap. Water in some places is potable (eg. Cuenca), but may take time to get used to and you may never get used to it. You can drink bottled water first and gradually add amounts of tap water. Brushing your teeth with tap water should not be a problem nor should washing your hands to remove contact lenses.

Food safety

Ecuadorians have a very different concept of food safety and basic hygiene than people in North America or Europe. Even in big cities like Quito, stores, restaurants and host families will often have their doors and windows wide open. Food is sometimes not covered or refrigerated, even when it is a good idea to do so. When allergies or parasite infections develop here, the usual suspects are water, mayonnaise, wieners and other “street meat”. Food here is generally “richer”, so you and your digestive system will take time to adapt to this.

Want to know more about ecuadorian food?
Click here for more info about typical ecuadorian menus

Insect Bites

Some people also develop allergies to insect bites (mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, etc.) Symptoms include red spots varying in size, shape and color all over the body. There are medications and creams available, but it is best to consult a local physician before purchasing anything.

In some areas (i.e.: jungle) it is recommended to use pills against malaria.

Contact Solution

Contact lens solution should be bought in your home country, as it is very expensive and sometimes hard to find in Ecuador. But more importantly, some solutions still use hydrogen peroxide, which causes lesions in the cornea. If you do buy solution here, read the label very carefully and follow instructions to the word.