Air TravelQuito Airport (Airport code: UIO).Note: Our special group rate includes an airport transfer to and from the hotel. Please coordinate this directly with Andrea Moreira at the Swissotel: Email: amoreira@swissuio.com Phone: +593 2 2567600 Ext. 6741Shuttle Schedule for the SwissotelFree transfer from the airport:9:45 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:45 PM, 7:45 PM, 8:45 PM, 11:00 PM, 12:00 AMFree transfer to the airport:4:15 AM, 5:15 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:30 AMA private taxi transfer can also be arranged, outside these hours, at a special rate of US$6+tax.Shuttle Schedule for the Radisson QuitoFree transfer from the airport:10:15 AM, 12:58 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:40 PM, 8:10 PM, 8:50 PM, 11:30 PMFree transfer to the airport:4:00 AM (Monday to Saturday), 5:00 AM (Monday to Saturday), 6:00 AM (Monday to Saturday), 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM (Sunday only), 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM (Sunday to Friday), 3:00PM (Sunday to Friday), 4:00 PM (Sunday to Friday)For more information please contact Michelle Sandoval at reservas@radisson.com.ec or Tel: (011) 593 222 333 33Discount for Your Flight to QuitoAmerican Airlines will give a 5% discount on airfares to Ecuador for attendees to IL’s Fast-Track Ecuador: Lifestyle & Opportunity Conference. It covers round-trips with the airline made between July 30 – August 7, 2012. To claim the discount follow http://www.aa.com/ and enter in the group code: 6872DF when you are booking. Alternatively, you can call 1-800-433-1790 and quote the code to receive your 5% discount.For all your travel needs (including flight assistance and insurance), please feel free to contact our friends at Agora Travel. Please ask for Mickey DeFilippis and she can be reached by calling +561-266-6570 or +800-926-6575 X 102. She would be more than happy to work with you.You may also want to consider one of the many companies that specialize in online reservations and travel assistance, like: www.orbitz.com, www.travelocity.com; orwww.expedia.com.To protect your travel investment, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Before You Go…Important Websites and General InformationIf you’ve traveled abroad then you already know that other countries are very different than your home country. The language is different, the culture is different, the people are different and the food is different. It is these differences that make traveling very exciting. Every moment can be a new adventure when you travel to a foreign place, as long as you’re open to exploring the differences. So before you go, be informed by checking the sites below: US Passport Information: You do need a valid passport (valid for 6 months from your date of travel). Make sure your documents have not expired! Remember that heightened security has made the passport issue process considerably slower, so allow plenty of time.Foreign Entry Requirements: Current passport with or without visa depending on your nationality. Consult with your nearest Embassy or Consulate. No visa is required for U.S., Canadian, and EU citizens. You are normally granted 90 days upon entry, but extensions for an additional 90 are routinely approved. Travel Advisory/Travel Tips: http://travel.state.govNo vaccination certificate is required for entry into Ecuador. You may also want to check with your primary care physican and your local health authorities should you have any medical concerns prior to traveling. To be cautious avoid salads or fruits on the streets or in local restaurants that have not been peeled or washed properly and drink bottled water.Medical Facilities: You can readily obtain adequate medical and dental care in the major cities of Ecuador. Pharmacies are readily available in any city. However, you might find that the availability of some medications is sporadic, and formulations and brand names will differ from products available at home. If you take any medications regularly, pack twice the quantity you think you’ll need, and keep them in your carry-on – not your checked baggage!!!Altitude Sickness: Ecuador is home to some of the highest volcanoes and mountain peaks in the world. Quito is nestled in a long narrow valley between the lush hilly base of the Volcano Pichincha to the west and the precipitous canyon of the river Machángara to the east, and sits at 9,500 feet, (3,000 meters). Someone flying to Quito from New York City, for example, experiences an elevation change of nearly two miles in a little more than six hours. Abrupt changes in elevation such as this may have ill effects on travelers which will lead to shortness of breath and lack of energy when you first arrive, but that is generally gone within 24 hours.Altitude sickness usually manifests itself in insomnia, headaches, and/or nausea. In the event that you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness, in most cases, they can be remedied by drinking lots of water, getting lots of rest, and taking aspirin. Avoid alcohol and caffeine and try some coca tea, which helps to alleviate some of the symptoms. Your hotel will usually offer this. To combat the symptoms of altitude sickness such as fatigue, nausea and mild headaches, taking DIAMOX is an option. DIAMOX is a drug that increases oxygen profusion. You can buy DIAMOX, or its equivalent, in most major cities. If you forget to bring your DIAMOX it is readily available in Quito pharmacies, however it is advisable to start taking the drug a day or two before you get to Quito. Please discuss with your doctor. If you experience severe headaches or respiratory problems (including acute shortness of breath) consult a doctor immediately. If have high blood pressure or heart conditions you should check with your doctor as to medical precautions before traveling. One final note with respect to altitude, use sun block. You may feel cool while high in the Andes, but because of the altitude – you are much closer to the sun – the risk of sunburn is greater. Use a sun block level rated at least 15 SPF. Weather: It is always best to be prepared – please check the weather by going to www.weather.yahoo.com and clicking on Ecuador. It will give you the 5-day forecast. Or for worldwide climate patterns of monthly rainfall and temperature averages please go to www.worldclimate.com. It is always advisable to carry a small folding umbrella, no matter how pretty and sunny you think it may be. Time Zone: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/custom.html?sort=1 or www.worldbuddy.com GMT – 5 (same as EST in the U.S.), with no Daylight SavingsHow to Pack: http://www.travelite.org/basics/whatshere.html. Packing is an art and everyone who travels has his or her own style. These points of advice, however, should help you bring the right combination of clothes for this diverse country. Quito is a cosmopolitan city, so you should bring at least one nice outfit to wear when you go out to dinner, although it doesn’t need to be too formal and you won’t need a necktie. Outside the cities, however, dress is fairly casual, so the key word is comfort—good walking shoes for exploring the markets, a sweater or jacket and warm pants.We also urge you to pack lightly due to the luggage requirements that airline carriers (and now the FAA) have stipulated for overseas travel. Check with your airline carrier for their requirements and weight restrictions. It is best to have luggage with wheels and that is durable. Please be sure your luggage has your name and address on it so it can be easily identified. Tag your luggage inside and out and pack your indispensable items in your carry-on.If you are planning to visit the coast after the conference, bring warm-weather clothing (and don’t forget your swimsuit, sun glasses, hat and sun block). The hottest time of the year at the beach is between January and May, when high temperatures often reach the low 90s. In the rainforest stick to natural fibers to stay comfortable when it’s humid.You may want to bring a small, dependable flashlight, as well as a good guidebook and a Spanish/English dictionary. If you’d like an electronic pocket dictionary, the best we’ve seen is made by Franklin Electronics. It’s always advisable to make photocopies of your passport and plane tickets—keep one set with you, and leave a set with someone back home who can e-mail or fax them to you in case of an emergency. Seminar Attire: We suggest business casual. Shorts are not recommended and we strongly recommend that you bring a warm sweater as the meeting rooms tend to be kept cold in many Latin American countries.Food & Water: Most hotels provide bottled drinking water in the rooms. The food in Ecuador is great… an abundance of fruits, exquisite fresh juices (try them all!), fresh vegetables and excellent seafood. Most of the hotels and restaurants here are very careful to serve food that has been specially washed and prepared with health concerns in mind. It is very doubtful that you will get sick, but please don’t take a chance and do not drink the water from the tap. (Also brush your teeth with bottled water.) Money concerns: The Ecuadorian currency is the U.S. dollar. They are, however, extremely particular about the condition of bills, so always check to be sure there are no tears or stains on your currency. And small denominations are always appreciated.Major hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, which you can use to pay for any incidental expenses you may incur. You will need to have cash if you eat at small, homey restaurants. Local street artisans accept only cash so if you plan to shop, come prepared! Note that most small shop owners cannot change large bills so make sure you have plenty of $1 and $5 dollar notes. If you plan to use your ATM card, be sure you know your PIN number.ATM Machines: To make carrying money easy it is best when traveling to use an ATM card. When you arrive at the airport you can make your withdrawal – but remember your pin number! Tipping: A tip is not required in restaurants. A 10% service charge — which should be shared among all employees — is included in most bills. Many restaurants and bars, however—including some owned by expats — fail to pass the money on to the employees, using a variety of excuses. Therefore, if restaurant service is good, you can give something directly to the service person. 10% is adequate. For airport porters and hotel employees, $1 to $1.50 is an adequate tip for handling your bags. Taxi drivers are not tipped but will often claim not to have correct change. Carry plenty of $1 and $5 bills when using taxis. Taxis are inexpensive in Quito, usually no more than $1-$3, although you will pay more from the airport – usually about $5. Nature guides, boat captains, and private tour guides are usually tipped based on performance: $5 to $10 per day.Electricity: http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm. 110 volts/60 cycles (same as the U.S.), with same plug configuration. Don’t forget your chargers for your camera and cell phone!!Language: The national language is Spanish. Many people in foreign countries now speak English, at least some, but don’t expect them to speak to you in English when it is not their native language.Communications: Excellent telephone, fax and Internet services are available. International direct dialing is available from anywhere in the country. The country code is 593 (from the U.S., dial 011 before the country code). http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/. Area codes: Quito 2; Ambato 3; Guayaquil 4; Manta 5; Esmeraldas 6; Cuenca 7; Loja 7; Vilcabamba 7. When using these area codes, prefix them with a “0” when dialing from within Ecuador, but use them alone when dialing Ecuador from overseas. For example, when calling Quito from the U.S., dial 011-593 (2) 222-3456. When calling from within Ecuador, dial (02) 222-3456.Safety: Ecuador is considered one of the safer countries in the Andean Region, though its recent economic woes have caused crime to increase significantly. Ecuador’s urban centers, especially Quito and Guayaquil are large cities and like most any large city in the world, are generally more dangerous than the countryside. You can drastically reduce the likelihood of being a crime victim by following a few basic precautions:Travel with trustworthy companions. The old maxim “safety in numbers” is very valid.Walk confidently with your head up and be aware of what is happening around you. Never stare at the ground, it makes you look nervous and weak, yet avoid making eye contact.Avoid looking lost. Step into a cafe or store to look at your map or guidebook.When you feel unsafe it’s not always paranoia, they’re instincts that developed for a reason. If you get that feeling grab a taxi or go into a place with lots of people.Like anywhere, find out where the unsafe parts of town are and avoid them.Be wary of people who are too friendly too quickly, or that offer to show you around. Use your judgment and don’t worry about appearing rude.Keep all important documents in a secure place, such as an inner pocket or a pouch that is hidden under a layer of clothing.Carry ATM and credit cards instead of large sums of cash. You can always get replacement cards but you can’t recover hard currency.Don’t wear expensive jewelry or wristwatches. They make you a target.Carry shoulder-bags and purses in front of you to avoid having them snatched.Keep all bags and other valuables where you can see them and preferably strapped to yourself or something in restaurants, train stations, and other public places.Make copies of your important documents, card numbers, etc., and give them to a trusted companion. It’s also a good idea to leave copies of important documents and numbers with your embassy and/or a relative at home, or store them on password protected email account, that you can access from anywhereBusiness hours: Hours vary. U.S. business hours are becoming more common, but long lunches are still the rule, usually from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Soccer matches and fiestas can cause late openings and/or early closings.Embassies in Quito:United States Embassy: Patria and 12 de Octubre Avenues, tel. +593 (2) 256-2890; fax +593 (2) 250-2052; emergency tel. +593 (2) 223-4126. Opening hours: Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.Canadian Embassy: Av. Amazonas 4153 and Unión Nacional de Periodistas, Eurocenter Building, 3rd Floor, tel. +593 (2) 245-5499; fax +593 (2) 227-7672. Opening hours: Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Airport Departure Tax: The international departure tax from Quito is currently USD $44.30. This fee must be paid in cash, in either U.S. dollars or Euros. All international travelers must pay the departure fee, so be sure to save cash for the airport.Respect The People – Of all the advice one could give to a traveler, it is to treat its people and the environment with respect. If you realize this and appreciate it, your respect will be evident in all your encounters and I can assure you, make each and every one a pleasurable experience.Duty-Free Exemption coming back to the U.S.: The standard personal exemption, total value of merchandise travelers may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty, is $800.Top 10 Tips for Travelers1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport (and visas, if required). Also, before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport!2. Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit.3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, the U.S. Constitution does not follow you! While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.4. Make 2 copies of your passport identification page. This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives. Carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport.5. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas. Do not accept packages from strangers.7. If you plan to stay abroad for more than two weeks, upon arrival you should notify by phone or register in person with the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting. This will facilitate communication in case someone contacts the embassy looking for you.8. To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money or unnecessary credit cards.9. In order to avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques.10. If you get into trouble, contact the nearest embassy.
