Not to sound cliché, but we can’t say this enough: pack light! Check with your airline to see what size bags they allow to avoid paying any fees.

Most travelers find it easiest to go without checking bag. Here are some tips for getting as much as possible into that carry-on suitcase:

• Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones. Same thing goes for jackets and heavier clothing.
• Packing cubes or vacuum seal bags can save space and help you stay organized.
• Make the most of your personal item by using a tote bag or backpack that you can reuse throughout the trip.
• Roll your clothes instead of folding them. Pack the bigger items first and use smaller items like socks and underwear to fill in the gaps.

Traveler tip: No more than 40 lbs. of baggage is allowed on the internal flights. If you are bringing more than that, plan to bring smaller bag for traveling to the Galapagos Islands. You will have the option to safely store larger luggage at the hotel in Quito.

To see a full packing list, check out our Pocket Guide to Expert Travel. Just make sure you don’t forget these: 

• Passport—bring a photo copy and leave one at home too
• Visa (if applicable)
• ATM card and credit card
• Entertainment—for the plane and travel days
• Small day bag with a zipper 
• Adapter for larger electronics (most chargers for small electronics will be compatible)
• Toiletries
• Washcloth—optional, but they aren’t always available
• Medications and a copy of any prescriptions*
• Comfortable, casual clothing in breathable, lightweight fabrics
• Bathing suit
• Quick-dry towel
• Water shoes and comfortable walking shoes
• Warm layers, hat, and gloves
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Reusable water bottle
• The Pocket Guide to Expert Travel
• EF's emergency numbers:
  • ​Calling from within the US: 1-800-873-2250
  • Calling from abroad: 001-617-619-2913

*All medications should be in their original containers. Put medications in your carry-on bag only, in case a checked bag gets lost or delayed.

Love to read as much as we do? Here are some of our favorites to inspire you before you leave, keep you company in transit, and feed your wanderlust after you return: 

• The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin
• Fire from the Andes: Short Fiction by Women from Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru by Susan E. Benner, Kathy L. Leonard, and Marjorie Agosín
• Galápagos by Kurt Vonnegut

• Mo' money, less problems: Budget $20 to $30 for pocket money per day. This will cover snacks, souvenirs and additional activities. If you’re an especially avid souvenir hunter, you’ll want to give yourself more wiggle room—financially and in your suitcase.
• Currency: US Dollar. Bring some cash with you and/or withdraw it from an ATM when you arrive. You will need it on the Galápagos Islands as many places do not accept credit cards.
• Tips for tipping: We suggest $6-8 per day for your Field Director, inclusive of the day you arrive at your first program destination and meet your Field Director, and ending the day you depart for home. Your Group Leader will likely collect this money before you depart so that you can budget accordingly. 

P.S. Be sure to let your bank know you’ll be traveling so they can put an alert on your account.

Imagine it: you’ve finally arrived. It’s been a few hours since you left home, but your feet are firmly planted on the ground again.

You will likely arrive in the afternoon or evening in Ecuador. If there are other groups on your program, you may wait at the airport for them to arrive. You will have dinner at either the hotel or a nearby restaurant depending on your arrival time. To make things a bit easier:

• Have toiletries and a change of clothes on hand for when you land.
• Drink lots of water—long flights can be dehydrating.
• Travel in comfort, not necessarily in style, and get some rest on the flight.

Your dedicated Field Director—a physical, and for some, spiritual guide—will be with you throughout your program. Our Field Directors work tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate logistics like managing reservations and making sure everything flows seamlessly, so that you can enjoy your time without sweating the details. They are there to acquaint you with each new city and make sure everyone is safe, confident, and making the most of every moment.

You’ll spend very little time at your hotel (consciously, anyway), but you should still be aware of where you’re staying and who you’re staying there with.

• Hotel du jour: City-hopping means hotel-hopping, but don’t worry; each hotel is safe, clean, comfortable, and conveniently-located to the sites you'll be visiting. 
• What to expect: Hotels abroad may feature smaller rooms than you’re used to and may not have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, television, or elevators. All the more reason to get out and explore. 
• Roomies: Unless you have opted to upgrade your room, standard accommodations mean you’ll be rooming with two or three other people of the same gender, each with your own bed. You may even take part in an exchange program—that is, rooming with a traveler(s) from another school in your group.

Kick off each day with an included continental breakfast. All dinners and five lunches will be included, too.  We work with local restaurants to provide plated meals inspired by the region, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic dishes.

Other dinners and lunches are your opportunity to explore the cuisine as you see fit. Will you go in search of familiar comfort food or try something outside your comfort zone?

One of the best ways to experience Ecuador’s distinct landscapes and cultures is through its cuisine. Try fresh seafood in the highlands and warm dishes in the capital – each meal reflects what is available and in season locally.

• Soups and stews are commonly served with lunch or dinner
• Other typical dishes: Chicken, plantains, quinoa, rice, and roasted vegetables
• Familiar dishes like pasta and hamburgers are also popular

Since teleportation hasn’t been invented yet, you’ll need these to get from point A to point B (and C and D and E):

• International flights: Into and out of Quito. Your departure flight after the final day will be late at night or early the next morning.
• Internal flights: Quito to Baltra Island & San Cristóbal Island to Quito.
• Boat: Baltra Island to Isabela Island, Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island, & Santa Cruise Island to San Cristóbal Island.
• Bus: Primary mode of transportation in Quito and during transfers.
• Walking & hiking: Hands down the best way to explore a new place.

Traveler tip: You will be spending a lot of time traveling by boat between the islands and the waters can be choppy. Consider bringing medication for motion sickness if you are prone to getting seasick.