1. - What do my fees cover?

Your fees along with your $200 transportation fee will cover your return flight (Seattle-Quito-Seattle), accommodation, meals (breakfasts, lunches and your hello and goodbye meals) as well as transportation within and outside Quito.  Additionally, your fee also covers expenses associated with touring around the city such as museums, churches and recreational activities like white water rafting and surfing for example.

2.- Do I require a visa to travel to Ecuador?

Most of you will not need a visa to travel to Ecuador. All passports require a minimum of 6 months validity to travel anywhere. For non-Canadian passport holders please check with your embassy for information on visa requirements for the United States and Ecuador.

3.- What should I bring for money?

Spending money requirements vary depending on your personal spending habits. Consider what you might spend on dinner (about $10 per day), drinks, shopping and tipping (10% at most restaurants). Ecuador uses US currency. Be sure to bring bills that are smaller denomination than $100 US.

4.- In what form should I bring the money?  Are traveler’s cheques the best  way? 

The best way to bring your money is in cash, preferably in smaller bills because most restaurants and shops don’t carry a lot of change. Traveler’s cheques are not the best way to bring your money because only certain banks will cash them, and they will only cash a limited amount at a time. Most of the towns we stay in have ATM machines that will accept Canadian bank cards, if you don’t feel comfortable carrying cash. Visa cards are a good option but facilities are not always available.

5. - Are there any other expenses that we need to know about?

There is a transportation fee of $200 USD.
There is an airport tax of $40.80 to exit the country so make sure you have some money left when you are leaving.
                                                       
6. - What vaccinations are recommended?

Most importantly you must have your Hepatitis A/B vaccinations. It is important to contact your local travel clinic for up-to-date information on the regions you will be visiting. Some information for booking an appointment can be found at www.travelclinic.vancouver.bc.ca

7. - Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. Travel insurance is available in many forms and can be purchased from your extended medical, from BCAA, or even through your credit card company. Please look into the best option for you before you come.

8. -   Is it safe in Ecuador?

You will always be traveling in groups. It is recommended not to wander around by yourself. It is also recommended to bring a money belt to put your important documents and money in. Safes are available at our accommodation in Quito but may not be an option for the tour so be prepared and don’t leave your important documents such as your passport lying around.  

9. - What clothing and luggage should we bring?

For luggage it is best to bring two bags it is suggested that one is a pack for the tour portion. You have a limit of 50lbs per bag. It is also recommended to bring a smaller day pack for hiking and touring about the city.
Recommended clothing:
Shorts
Long pants (jeans and pants for hiking)
Hat
Swim wear / towel
Shoes for hiking (supportive runners are sufficient)
Sport sandals (not just flip-flops)
Clothes to paint in
Nice clothes/shoes for going out (males cannot wear sneakers or sandals) - we have a welcome dinner and good bye dinner at nice restaurants
Professional clothes for the hospitals
Sweater/Fleece/Jacket (it can get cold at night)

10. - Is it safe to bring electronic equipment, camera, laptop?

Cameras and Laptops are usually fine to bring. However, some people can get careless and misplace their equipment. We recommend just a camera, as there are internet cafés where one can access the internet for a really low cost.

 11. - Will the food make me sick?

 All of the restaurants we take you to serve food that is safe to eat. The health of the students is our most important concern. However it is always good to take precautions if you tend to have a weak stomach. Many travel clinics offer vaccines or treatments for common forms of traveler’s diarrhea.  Of course it is in your best interest not to buy food from street vendors.

12.-  What kind of medical experience can I expect from this trip?

You will have the opportunity to visit emergency wards and operating rooms during your time in Quito, Ecuador. You will have the opportunity to engage doctors and ask them questions regarding the procedures that they are performing along with their personal experiences and insights regarding the field of medicine. Further, you spend time in rotations that expose you to the different branches of medicine such as radiology and anesthesiology.

13.- What does the Discover aspect of the trip involve?

During the discover part of the trip you will be going on a eleven day trip all around Ecuador. You will have the opportunity to get to know the different regions of Ecuador while taking part in different adventures such as white water rafting, surfing and mountain biking among a variety of outdoor adventures. (Described in tour option.)

14.- What can we expect for accommodation and how is it arranged?

Students will stay in Quito in a four star hotel with all sorts of amenities. The hotel website is: www.nuhousehotels.com for more information. The students will stay in a double or triple room depending on availability of rooms. During the 11 day tour students will stay in hotels or hostels depending on the city that is being visited. During the volunteer project students will stay in places that will enrich the experience and high accommodation is not to be expected.