Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Ecuador
Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die
Distribution: wstd
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1992 16:05:45 GMT
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Ecuador
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Ecuador - Consular Information Sheet
 October 27, 1992

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador is located in Quito 
at Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria (across from the Parque el 
Ejido), tel: (593-2) 562-890 or 561-749.  There is also a U.S. 
Consulate General in Guayaquil located at 9 de Octubre y Garcia 
Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde), tel: 323-570 or 327-893, which 
has jurisdiction over the Galapagos Islands.

Country Description:  Ecuador has a developing economy.  Facilities 
for tourism are adequate but vary in quality.  Widespread civil 
disorder is rare, but demonstrations are common and often degenerate 
into rock throwing, car torching, looting and other random violence.

Entry Requirements:  U.S. citizens need a passport and a 
return/onward ticket, and are granted up to a three-month stay.  for 
such purposes no visa is required in advance of arrival.  For 
current information concerning entry and customs requirements for 
Ecuador, travelers can contact the Ecuadoran Embassy at 2535 15th 
Street N.W., Washington, D.C.20009, tel: (202) 234-7200 or the 
nearest consulate general in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, New 
Orleans, Boston, New York, or Houston.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care is available, but varies in 
quality.  Cholera is present in many parts of Ecuador.  However, 
visitors who follow proper precautions in food and drink are not 
usually at risk.  Malaria is also on the increase in the coastal 
area.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for 
health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside 
the United States.  In some cases, medical insurance with specific 
overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  For additional health 
information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control's 
international travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Crime Information:  Pickpockets and muggings are common, with 
thieves often armed with guns or knives.  There have been numerous 
incidents of robberies and sexual assaults on tourists, especially 
in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil, at tourist sites such as the 
famous Quito landmark known as El Panecillo in old Quito, the 
uayaquil waterfront promenade known as El Malecon, and in popular 
hiking and climbing areas surrounding Quito.  Bus travel throughout 
Ecuador can be very dangerous due to the high incidence of crime 
perpetrated against bus travelers.  Useful information on guarding 
valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is 
provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad".  
It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use and trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict, and offenders can expect prolonged 
pretrial detention without bail, lengthy jail sentences and fines.

Other Information:  Maritime safety standards on some tour vessels 
to the Galapagos islands are deficient.  Travelers have found it 
useful to verify credentials in advance.

U.S. citizens regularly bring allegations of legal harassment 
stemming from business disputes to the attention of U.S. officials 
in Ecuador.  Of particular concern have been several instances of 
U.S. business people traveling to Ecuador to resolve business 
disputes who have been jailed on criminal complaints in situations 
which would normally be handled by civil litigation in the U.S.  
These U.S. citizens have secured their release from jail only upon 
the payment of large sums.  

Tips for Travelers:  The Department of State's pamphlet "Tips for 
Travelers to Central and South America" is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Registration:  Americans who register with the consular section of 
the U.S. Embassy in Quito or Consulate General in Guayaquil can 
obtain updated information on travel and security within the country.

 No. 92-070