Travel Information - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 44

Your Money
Travelers checks are recommended if you are traveling with a good
amount of money. American Express checks are the most common
and can be exchanged at most major banks and high-end hotels.
Change travelers checks in major cities and provincial capitals, in-
cludingQuito, Guayaquil andCuenca, as smaller townsmay not have
facilities to do so. Tourist-oriented towns, such as Baños, can also ex-
change travelers checks, but may charge more for it. Note that there
are a few exchange houses, known as casas de cambio , left over
from the days of the sucre, which can also exchange travelers checks
quickly.
Credit cards - particularly Visa, MasterCard and, in some places,
American Express and Diners - are readily accepted in most major
tourist areas and at mid- and higher-level hotels. ATMs are readily
available in the major cities, generally at the same banks that accept
credit cards. Don't depend on ATMs, though, as they can be unreli-
able.Worse, when they are really hungry, they sometimes eat cards.
Bring travelers checks, rather than cash, and transfer checks to dol-
lars in major cities as your trip progresses. A credit card is a great
backup. It is always a good idea to split up your money in at least two
different places. Always keep the majority of your funds, travelers
checks and credit cards, along with a copy of your passport, back at
the hotel in a secure room or safe deposit box. In addition, I always
keep a few emergency bills in a zipper belt. Small bills are the best for
spending money, but, whatever you do, don't carry anything loose in
your pockets unless you are prepared to part with it.
Travel Expenses
Overall, travel in Ecuador is extremely inexpensive byWestern stan-
dards. With persistent budgeting, it is possible to get by on $10 per
day, although thismeans economizing at the very low-end hotels. The
budget traveler does well on $15 per day and lives large at $25 per
day. The latter will usually include comfortable and relatively nice
accommodations, often with breakfast and possibly dinner. The mid-
level traveler will do just fine at $25-$50 per day in the major towns,
but expect to pay more at the nicer ecolodges and on package tours.
Prices for tour operators and outfitters vary, depending on the quality
of the organization. At the bottom end, you'll pay $25 per day for a
jungle excursion, including vehicle transportation, accommodations,