Chill Inn Ecuador » Useful information

Money – Health – Security

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:00:15 +0000

Money - Health - Security

Don’t take big bills with you; there is no possibility for changing big bills like 50 or 100 USD, not even in Esmeraldas. (In Quito “Banco Central” or on the Calle Amazonas).

In Atacames you will find ATMs from Banco de Pichincha, Banco de Guayaquil and Banco Internacional. The ATMs gives you 20 and 10 dollar bills.

Cash transfers to Atacames can be made by the bus company “TransportesEsmeraldas” from Quito or other Ecuadorian cities where TransEsmeraldas has an office.

For Western Union transfers you will have to go to Esmeraldas (45 minutes by bus).

Health

You may need a high sun protector. You can get it here, but prices are quite high.

In the rainy season you will need necessarily a repellent, in other season better to have one. There are good repellents available.

There are also soothing solutions available for existing or new mosquito bites and sunburn.

If you have an emergency in Atacames there are doctors, clinics, medical centers, dentists, a lot of pharmacies and even veterinaries for your pets available. Next airport you reach in 45 minutes. There are every day flights to Quito and Guayaquil.

Security

Where ever you are in Ecuador or even South America you have to be careful with your belongings especially with electronics, cameras and cash. The black market says hello! The same goes for Atacames. Beach walks after sunset and too much trust to any nice looking and nice talking person can result in a bad experience. Sometimes it’s better to be alone than in a bad company. Rule no 1 where ever you are is attentiveness and return to your hostel when the streets still are a bit crowded.

Don’t drink too much – don’t buy or consume drugs – don’t trust too fast – watch your drink - take a cab when you have this “felling” even if it is only for 2 blocks – believe the local people when they tell you to be careful or you should not go to certain districts or streets. Don’t go to the beach with valuable things, in Atacames as well as on a beach in Brazil or Italy things disappear and you will never know when it happened.

By travelling don’t put the daily bag in the luggage space over your head or on the floor even if you think you would feel it if someone tries to take out something (also in Internet coffees, bus stations, etc.). Put it on your legs. Do only travel with bus companies that give you a ticket for your luggage for putting it in the luggage compartment, otherwise take it with you on the bus. We recommend TransEsmeraldas or Panamericana.

Temperature and climate

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:59:24 +0000

In Atacames the seasons have also changed a bit like everywhere. So we only can give you approximate information about the weather conditions.

The hot, rainy season usually lasts from November to May. Rainy season does not mean that during this period it is only raining but there can be really heavy rains. You may have one week of beautiful sunny days without rain, but it can also be the opposite. Normally you will have half a day sunny. During this season you also will have more sunny and hot days and only little or no wind. Temperatures can rise up until 35 °C/ 95 °F or even a bit more.

The warm, sunny season usually lasts from Mai to November. During this period you may have cloudy and windy days with pleasant temperatures until max. 30 °C/ 86 °F. When it rains it is for a short time and little rain.

High season and Holidays

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:58:52 +0000

Around all national holidays (see below) you have to pay high season prices and maybe not find the desired accommodation without reservation. July and August are the months where prices rise up. During national holidays and July/August you will find a lot of Highland Ecuadorians on the seaside, it can really get very crowded and there are parties everywhere. If you prefer a calm stay at a convenient price try to avoid these periods. Atacames is a year-round touristic destination because of the good weather and temperatures and also because the infrastructure and services are always available.

National holidays valid for Atacames:

January, 1 New Year
Carnaval
Eastern
May, 1 Día del trabajo / Labor Day
May, 24 Batalla de Pichincha / Battle of Pichincha
August, 10 Primer Grito de Independencia / First cry of independency
October, 9 Independencia de Guayaquil / Independency of Guayaquil
November, 2 and 3 Día de los difuntos / All Souls’ Day
Christmas