Let's Talk About Ecuador

We are scheduled to fly to Ecuador on Thursday for our Galapagos excursion beginning on Saturday.  Ecuador is in a state of emergency and protests are closing the streets.  Our flights to Quito were moved to Guayaquil but now we are all on different flights and no one has a seat assigned.  I'm fairly confident that Silverseas will figure it all out, in the meantime the rest of my family is in a panic.  Anyone with advice/reassurance/insight for us?

Sorry, no reassurance.  Ecuador is a cesspool.  We were there as a port (disembarkation) on a Moon cruise in January (no riots then but Guayaquil was a very depressing place, poverty mixed in with a police state).  For our "safety" (i.e., due to their fears of ultra-vaccinated and tested tourists infecting their unvaccinated and untested natives with Covid) we could not exit the bus (had armed escorts). 

Maybe SS will figure it out, or maybe not.  Our original schedule in January was to disembark in Lima, not Ecuador, and we were stuck short notice with what they offered.

Any interest I had in Galapagos before was killed a few months ago.  I want nothing to do with Ecuador ever again.

I've just read the UK Foreign Office advice for Ecuador and it does seem to be a tense situation, though only the border area with Colombia is a 'red zone' - ie, don't go there!

In normal times, like when I went in 2019, I wouldn't describe Ecuador as a 'cesspool.'  Sure it has poverty and squalor, like most other countries in fact, especially in Latin America.  But Quito's historical centre is magnificent, the scenery everywhere is spectacular, the Amazon is well worth the effort, I even found a truly great hotel in Guayaquil called Del Parque.  Oh it also has the Galapagos - perhaps my least memorable cruise on the old Silver Galapagos - but a bucket list item for many.   

12 hours ago, Fletcher said:

I've just read the UK Foreign Office advice for Ecuador and it does seem to be a tense situation, though only the border area with Colombia is a 'red zone' - ie, don't go there!

 

In normal times, like when I went in 2019, I wouldn't describe Ecuador as a 'cesspool.'  Sure it has poverty and squalor, like most other countries in fact, especially in Latin America.  But Quito's historical centre is magnificent, the scenery everywhere is spectacular, the Amazon is well worth the effort, I even found a truly great hotel in Guayaquil called Del Parque.  Oh it also has the Galapagos - perhaps my least memorable cruise on the old Silver Galapagos - but a bucket list item for many.   

I agree with Fletcher! We embarked on the Moon in Guayaquil in December (replacement for our original embarkation point of Lima). While I wasn't thrilled to miss Lima, I was pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed our short time in Guayaquil. We stayed at the Wyndham right by the water, which was very nice. Most of my family did a wonderful half-day tour of the city (private), with no restrictions whatsoever as to getting in or out of the van and certainly no armored guards. Of course, this was early days of Omicron so I suspect CatLover's experience the next month was tainted by that.

My husband and I visited a lovely modern upscale mall with our 15-year old daughter in an effort to quickly purchase clothing for her - Delta had mishandled her luggage in ATL and it didn't catch up to us until Puntarenas. We were very grateful to the hotel concierge for advising us on where to shop, and to the multitude of shops in the mall that catered to her taste. What could have started our cruise on a sour note turned out kind of fun - we even had a great lunch at the mall food court sampling some Ecuadorian specialties! All in all, a very good experience in Guayaquil. 

15 hours ago, RosyWorld said:

We are scheduled to fly to Ecuador on Thursday for our Galapagos excursion beginning on Saturday.  Ecuador is in a state of emergency and protests are closing the streets.  Our flights to Quito were moved to Guayaquil but now we are all on different flights and no one has a seat assigned.  I'm fairly confident that Silverseas will figure it all out, in the meantime the rest of my family is in a panic.  Anyone with advice/reassurance/insight for us?

WOW!!  Interesting questions and situation in Ecuador.  We had booked an early 2021 Silversea cruise for the Galapagos.  Clearly with Covid, it had to be scrubbed.  Had hoped to do this area on the Silver Origin in the near future.  

BUT, this raises a big "Red Flag" of caution as to when and if events will allow safe travel to this part of the world.  Clearly, we would not want to get "stuck" in Ecuador and not able to either make it to the Galapagos and/or be able to return home without some type of quarantine period. 

Keep us posted as to future developments.  Good luck!!

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

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19 hours ago, RosyWorld said:

We are scheduled to fly to Ecuador on Thursday for our Galapagos excursion beginning on Saturday.  Ecuador is in a state of emergency and protests are closing the streets.  Our flights to Quito were moved to Guayaquil but now we are all on different flights and no one has a seat assigned.  I'm fairly confident that Silverseas will figure it all out, in the meantime the rest of my family is in a panic.  Anyone with advice/reassurance/insight for us?

I can’t give you advice or reassurance but I hope it works out for you.  We are scheduled for the July 23 sailing and are already checking our trip cancellation insurance.  Looks like we may be covered if Silversea does not cancel.  We are covered if there is a travel warning issued by the State Department due to terrorism. As of today, there is a Level 3 warning - “Reconsider Travel” due to civil unrest and crime.  Will have to follow this further.  Please report your experience to us and Good Luck.

Thanks for all of the input.  Our flights were changed last night and we are now flying into Guayaquil instead of Quito.  We don't know what to expect there, but do know we have a hotel reservation.  The biggest issue at the moment is that we are a party of 6 and 4 of us are flying on one set of planes and 2 of us on another. And none of our seats are together.  I imagine this is due to the last minute changes and am choosing to feel fortunate to have seats on a plane to Ecuador and to be able to continue on this once in a lifetime trip.  I'll keep you posted how it turns out. Thanks for the support!

We have been to Ecuador many times, and I would hardly refer to it as a cesspool. We have walked around on our own in both Quito and Guayaquil and felt safe.  Went to church in Mantas.  I would happily go back in normal times.

One benefit of flying to Guayaquil instead of Quito is that you won't suffer altitude sickness as we did!  [You also won't get to stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern – but we didn't either because the photo op spot isn't in quite the right location!!!]

I would not call Ecuador a cesspool.  We were just there in May for our Galapagos cruise.  We did a day trip in Quito to the old town area and it was great.  Unfortunately, fuel and food costs are going to cause uprisings in many developing countries this summer, a bit like back in the Arab Spring.  Some of these will bring down governments and be very violent.  With any luck they can get you in and out avoiding the problem areas.  We did a Greek cruise from Athens during one of the times Athens exploded with violence. We stayed in a part of the city away from the riots (they trashed the hotel we stayed at the time we visited before). We did not tour the city pre cruise, but we did a day trip to Corinth and it was great. Sometimes the violence is too great to do that and sometimes it is not. I have a group of 6 friends on that cruise.  Good luck…

D2

Unless you want to live your life solely inside the 4 walls of your house, violence (and COVID) are everywhere. Be prudent but don't live in fear. Advice I need to heede myself.   

5 hours ago, wineasmusic said:

I would not call Ecuador a cesspool.  We were just there in May for our Galapagos cruise.  We did a day trip in Quito to the old town area and it was great.  Unfortunately, fuel and food costs are going to cause uprisings in many developing countries this summer, a bit like back in the Arab Spring.  Some of these will bring down governments and be very violent.  With any luck they can get you in and out avoiding the problem areas.  We did a Greek cruise from Athens during one of the times Athens exploded with violence. We stayed in a part of the city away from the riots (they trashed the hotel we stayed at the time we visited before). We did not tour the city pre cruise, but we did a day trip to Corinth and it was great. Sometimes the violence is too great to do that and sometimes it is not. I have a group of 6 friends on that cruise.  Good luck…

D2

Thank you

22 hours ago, wineasmusic said:

Unfortunately, fuel and food costs are going to cause uprisings in many developing countries this summer, a bit like back in the Arab Spring.  Some of these will bring down governments and be very violent.  With any luck they can get you in and out avoiding the problem areas.

Sad, but true!!??  Appreciate this great perspective above and these wise comments regarding the situation in Ecuador and in other parts of the world.  

Agree that the "tensions" will be happening and creating headline around the world in the next year or two (or, three?).  In most cases, as you cited in Greece, it hopefully will not be wide-spread, nor creating disruptions to your travel plans.  

The world is challenging and not all is easy and simple.  Agree, good luck to all seeking to explore internationally.  Will share on another thread this important viewpoint and history.  

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

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I’m also keeping an eye on the situation as we are scheduled to arrive into Quito on July 14th before our cruise on the 16th. 
 

I was hoping the covid testing would be dropped but now something else to worry about. We are coming from the UK and spending the night of 13th in Miami.  
 

I wonder if things really hit the fan on the mainland whether SS might charter a flight to the islands from MIA?

Currently Ecuador is on the UK’s all but essential travel list unless transiting the airports or enroute to the Galapagos. 

Good luck.  We are a week behind you. Keep us posted if you can.

Right now, the U.S. State Dept. puts Ecuador at Level 3 - Reconsider Travel.  Certain areas are at Level 4 - Do Not Travel.

Not sure if this postable here.... This is an expat couple I follow.  DH and I are full-time nomads, and are in South America right now.  We are in Argentina right now, working our way thru Peru, Columbia and ending in Quito for our August 18 arrival for the 20th depart to Galapagos.

They seem to think its a 3 week protest.  There was one in 2019 that was 3 weeks in duration.

That was interesting.  Thanks for posting.

On 6/26/2022 at 3:08 PM, kimanjo said:

This is an expat couple I follow.  DH and I are full-time nomads, and are in South America right now.  We are in Argentina right now, working our way thru Peru, Columbia and ending in Quito for our August 18 arrival for the 20th depart to Galapagos.  They seem to think its a 3 week protest.  There was one in 2019 that was 3 weeks in duration.

YES!!  Very good video and important background information.  Appreciate this posting and these follow-ups.  It helps better explain what is going on there now in Ecuador.  And, why.

It is also a vital reminder that over time, Latin and South America have had various "issues" and differences of opinion as to how their governments will operate and be managed.  Unique history in this part of the world!!  It has not always been calm and boring for certain of these countries.  Remember well the tangled history, as an example, with Argentina and Chile, etc.  

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

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Thanks for posting the video.   Neat couple, well produced.  Beats the heck out of any USA network broadcast.

@kimanjoThanks for posting the very interesting video.

On 6/22/2022 at 1:02 AM, RosyWorld said:

We are scheduled to fly to Ecuador on Thursday for our Galapagos excursion beginning on Saturday.  Ecuador is in a state of emergency and protests are closing the streets.  Our flights to Quito were moved to Guayaquil but now we are all on different flights and no one has a seat assigned.  I'm fairly confident that Silverseas will figure it all out, in the meantime the rest of my family is in a panic.  Anyone with advice/reassurance/insight for us?

Did you make it??? Did Silversea move your flights or had you done your own air and you moved them yourselves??

We will be in Colombia before we fly to Quito for our August cruise.  Just trying to figure out Plan B, if Plan A goes pear shaped... 

There's an interesting article in our local newspaper today about Ecuador. Here's a part of it.

"If all had gone as planned, I would have toured a farm and vineyard in the mountains east of Quito, Ecuador, yesterday, and dined last night at a lakeside place called Nuum Gastronomia, whose Instagram page — full of indigenous Andean ingredients, treated in gastronomic ways — is as exciting as anything I’m seeing stateside. Tonight, I’d be leaving my loft in the historic heart of Quito to eat at another place called Quitu Identidad Culinaria, which might be the most cutting-edge restaurant in all of Latin America.

None of that is happening, though.

A nationwide strike — led by Indigenous activists calling for cheaper gas, food, healthcare, and more — continues to grip Ecuador, primarily in the capital of Quito and the nearby mountain communities. Having now watched hours of live footage of the protests and read every report I can find in both English and Spanish, from mainstream sources to social media — all in an attempt to determine whether I should still go to Quito with my 12-year-old son in tow — I’ve become a bit of a minor expert on the politics of Ecuador.

In short, the strike, which seems to largely be about inflation, is causing roadblocks that are restricting the flow of goods and services in unpredictable ways. It’s also led to the deaths of both protestors (who get hit by tear-gas canisters) and government forces, whose convoys and offices have been attacked and burned. Cabbies and buses are being stopped in the street, tires slashed, in an effort to force the shutdown. Underlying it all is a simmering anti colonialist sentiment that continues to rise in South America and across the globe, so many of the battle lines are being carved around perceived race, wealth, and upbringing as well.

While there is large left-wing support for the Indigenous movement, many Quito residents — and much of Ecuador at large — seems ready to go back to work and generate income. Over the weekend, the increasingly unpopular center-right president lowered gas prices, ended a sort of martial law that had been going on for weeks, and briefly agreed to talk.

But those talks ended on Tuesday less than two days after they started. The protests fired up again, with allegations of abuse coming for all sides."