Quito What to Pack

Miscellaneous: In order not to risk losing all your money, budget an amount per day and stow the rest in a place you know to be safe. When shopping at local markets, take denominations of $1, $5 or no more than $10 because they likely wouldn't be able to make change for larger amounts. In one case at the Otavalo market, I even had trouble finding change for a $10.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: In the fall, it can go as low as 10°C (50°), but it can go as high as 25°C (77°) and there is that (nearly) inevitable afternoon rain at that time of year. The best option is to dress in layers. For the most part, I packed short sleeve shirts together with a light windbreaker and a heavier jacket. Look at the weather report before you plan your next day's activities.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Layers are best as Quito's weather is very changeable. When the sun is out and the wind dies down you'll remember you're nearly on the equator. When it goes in and the wind picks up you'll swear you're in Patagonia. We used sandals with socks. If it got too cold we could always take off the socks or put them on when it got cold.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Tampons are hard to find in South America so bring your own supply.

Photo Equipment: Wide angle is essential to get the big buildings in one frame and a zoom is useful for photos of the locals without them knowing.

Miscellaneous: A cheap day bag instead of a fancy Nikon camera bag. It looks less appealing to thieves.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: They say that you can experience all four seasons in one day and that is very true. Usually the weather stays between 55degrees to about 77 degrees.
I was seating at an outdoor cafe on Avenida Amazonas with capri pants and a tank top and a sweatshirt. It started getting really warm so I took off the sweatshirt and got a little bit of a sunburn. Acouple hours later it was pouring rain then it got sunny again. Quito is also high elevation and usually cooler than other parts of Ecuador.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: My aunts always want us to bring them aspiran and advil or tylenol. They say that the aspiran they have there hurts their stomach. So I make sure I bring them enough and that I have enough for myself just in case.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: On the coast of Ecuador is very hot and humid, bring shorts and light tops. Also on the coast there are any mosquitos so definately bring repelant. If you are going to Cotopaxi, make sure you bring snow gear. Depending of how far you want to go up the volcano. It gets very cold there so if you dont want to bring snow gear, bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes.

Miscellaneous: The US dollar is the official currency in Ecuador, but be aware that the $20 bills you will get in the ATM are almost useless...it is simply to large of a bill to expect most places to have change. With $10 bills you will be fine, but then you will probably have to take out $10 at the time int he ATM (expensive) or go to a bank to get change. So, it's a good idea to bring small denomination bills with you.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: The weather we experienced in September/October was one minute rain next torrential rain, don´t forget to take wet weather gear with you even if the sun is shining and there is not a clound in the sky!!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Ecuadorians tend to dress conservatively, and even if they wear jeans, the jeans are ironed and look pristine. You don't need to wear anything too fancy. Just don't wear anything that looks torn and shabby.

I would recommend bringing clothing that is easy to layer. It can become quite warm if the sun is shining and 10 min later be cold if the sun is behind a cloud. I don't recall it raining that much - although it can be overcast during the "rainy season". I think a rain proof jacket and an umbrella should do. There are a couple of nights a year where it gets below 0 F, but for the most part, you won't need a heavy coat. If you find yourself colder than you anticipated, you can always buy big warm sweaters in Otavalo.

Photo Equipment: On this trip I took 42 (yes, forty two) rolls of 36 pictures each. Finally I used 40 rolls on this one month round trip. So the result was about 1500 pictures of Ecuador.

I had chosen for 24 rolls of 200 ASA and 18 rolls of 400 ASA.
In the camera with the big lens I always use 400 ASA.

Especially when you are visiting the Galapagos Islands, you easily need 2 a 3 rolls a day.