· When you leave the city, you should always go with a guide or a group so you won’t be surprised. Lately tourists have been attacked when camping in national parks. Dark places in the open air are always dangerous. If you must travel alone, first ask what are the safest roads to take and the recommended trails within national parks or natural reserves.

· While you are traveling, be it during long hikes or climbs, never let your equipment out of your site. There are places where you can leave your bags but do not leave them unless it is a place that is responsible for the loss like museums or cultural centers. It is preferable to not leave them unless you must.

· Be careful on the beach. Sometimes the sea can be unpredictable. Some beaches use flags, the red one indicates dangerous situations and yellow indicates that it is safe to swim. Most beaches don’t have these kinds of signals so you should make sure that you are careful, especially if the ocean is choppy.

· If you experience altitude sickness, don’t do any heavy physical activity for at least two days until you acclimate to the altitude (like Quito or any mountain). Drink a lot of water and try to consume sugar or candy, avoid alcohol and salt.

· While you are in Ecuador, don’t forget to boil the water. The public water system in the country is not as trustworthy as in other parts of the world. Drinking water directly from the tap can cause cholera, vomiting, diarrhea and strong stomach pains caused by bacteria. You should also thoroughly wash and cook your food if you are going to cook them yourself.

· When traveling to the sub-tropical areas of Ecuador (like Nanegalito, Mindo, Puerto Quito, Lago Agrio, El Coca and the entire jungle region of the country), don’t forget insect repellent. At night, make sure you are protected by mosquito netting and stay away from any place that has stagnant water (this last bit is also for the coast) because diseases caused by mosquitoes and insects in the area can cause malaria, dengue and other dangerous diseases. Take precautions.

· In Ecuador, the deadly disease of AIDS (HIV) is not as common as in other Latin American countries but that doesn’t mean you should think about it. In the year 2000, around 20,000 Ecuadorians contracted this diseases and sex is the most common way to be infected. In Ecuador, you can get all brands of condoms in almost any pharmacy in the most important cities. If you are traveling to a lesser known area, you should take a supply with you.

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