packing guide & lists

tips

• Pack only what is essential.

• You will have to carry whatever you bring along!

• If the security of a belonging concerns you, rule is if you can’t afford to replace it, do not bring it.

money

Ecuador operates on United States Currency. ATMs are available. Please plan on traveling with a combination of cash in small bills and 1 credit card. It is unlikely you will use your credit card, but we recommend you advise your credit card company you will be traveling to Ecuador.

general items

A passport is required to enter Ecuador and re-enter the U.S. Please ensure that your passport is valid for the period of our trip and 6 months afterwards. You will not be able to re-enter the U.S. if your passport is now current as stated.

You are generally allowed one personal item, one carry on and one checked bag. If you have the option of checking two pieces of luggage, we may ask that you use this bag to carry equipment for our project. It is a good idea to pack your most essential items in your carry-on bag (ex. change of clothes, medication, electronics) in the event your luggage gets lost. You cannot carry any liquid bottles more than 3 oz. on the plane with you. All liquid, food items and electronics in your carry on will need to be removed when going through security, so we recommend having them bagged separately and easily accessible.

Money belts or money pouches are helpful for safe keeping of your passport, travel documents, money and airline tickets. We recommend if you choose to use one, that you purchase one made of 100% cotton fabric for comfort.

• Passport (have photo copy of your photo page)

• Day pack or fanny pack

• Notebook & pens

• Reading material

• Energy bars

• Reusable water bottle

health related items

• Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses

• Pepto-Bismol tablets and/or Imodium AD

• Allergy medications

• Calamine lotion for insect bites

• Sunscreen

• Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) and/or Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• Travel size Wet-Ones

• Travel size hand sanitizer

• Bug spray with DEET

• Prescription medications (please pack in carry-on in case checked baggage is late)

clothing

Local women generally wear slacks and blouses, men wear shirts and trousers. Most men and women do not wear shorts, so if you plan to please be mindful of the length of them (no short shorts please). At the clinic the attire is business casual (ex. dress or khaki slacks, blouses for women, trousers and polo or collared shirt for men). We recommend 1-3 good outfits for special evening meals, a celebration or a religious service. A sweater, sweatshirt or jacket is needed in the evening as temperatures can drop into the 60’s.

• 1-3 skirts or dresses

• Shirts or blouses

• Slacks

• Sweatshirt or jacket

• Active wear

• Swimsuit

• Sunglasses

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Sandals for casual wear

• Nurses: bring 1-2 scrub outfits, there may be some scrubs available to wear.

itinerary

This is a general description, anything is subject to change

Day 1: Arrive in Guayaquil (GYE is airport code). You will be met at the airport by a HFH volunteer. The hotel shuttle will take you to the Ordo Verde hotel in this large, metropolitan city.

Day 2: In the morning the group will meet for breakfast to review the upcoming week. We then leave the hotel via van and travel to the Damien House. After our visit, we travel to Portoviejo, about a 4 hour drive via a van or bus. The drive is very interesting as we pass through many small towns that each have their own character and charm. We will arrive at the Principato hotel, where a traditional Ecuadorian dinner will be served.

Day 3-6: Volunteers may not have the same schedules as some will be going to the orphanage, some teaching CPR, some going to local experiences such as the county hospital tour, home visits, or other community projects.

Day 6: After we finish up the day, there will be a celebration of friends, a great show of appreciation for allowing us the opportunity to share in their lives and community.

Day 7: Travel back to Guayaquil to prepare for the return home. We will check back into Oro Verde for the night.

During the week there will be options of large and small group activities which may include opportunities to go to the beach, to a small town with local artisan shops, church services and activities with local volunteers. Many times we are invited to the home of a local for a fiesta of friends.

Local tips

Safety for volunteers has not been an issue, but just as in the U.S. it is important to use simple precautions. Do not go out or ride in cabs alone, always have a buddy . Be aware of your surroundings. Do not expose cash in public and be discreet about your personal belongings.

We have been advised not to give money to people begging on the street.

The U.S. dollar is local currency. Traveler’s checks are difficult to cash in Ecuador. Credit cards are not accepted in small local shops.

The hotel in Portoviejo has a safe deposit box behind the front desk free for our use. You may want to store cash and your passport in these. Do NOT bring anything that would be upsetting to lose. If you carry an iPad or iPhone keep it on your person or in the safe deposit box. Don’t leave valuables in your room or unattended at the clinic setting.

There is WiFi access at the hotel.

Most American cell phones do work in Ecuador if you have a plan set up with your local provider.

Some rooms do not have hair dryers in the room, so if you absolutely need one you should bring it.

Electrical outlets are the same as home.

Soap in the room is tiny. Shampoos are small single use packets.

Put toilet paper in the waste basket. Their septic systems do not handle it well.

Laundry service is available at the hotel for a minimal fee. It is usually less than 24 hours if you bring it down in the AM.

Do not EVER drink the water. There will be bottled water in your room and most places we go. There is Coke and Coca-Cola Light (Diet Coke) available in the hotel. All rooms have small refrigerators. Keep any open food contained in sealed bags and preferable in the refrigerator to avoid bugs (we will be in a hot, tropical climate).

We will eat most of our meals in the hotel. The food is very good with many American items.

Bring pictures of your family, home, job, pets, etc. They love to see where we live and those we love.

Many volunteers bring little things to leave behind such as typical souvenirs. We also bring tooth brushes, tooth paste, crayons, books, markers, stickers, etc. Think practical gifts, they will be very welcomed! Please avoid bringing candy for kids.

People in Ecuador commonly greet others with a cheek to cheek hug and kiss when they arrive and leave. This is done with the local volunteers but generally not done with people working at the hotel unless you have known them for a while.

Most local people do not speak English. There will be plenty of interpreters in our work environments. They appreciate any efforts we make to speak Spanish. Remember that a smile means the same thing in any language.

Spending time in a country where most people speak a different language is exhausting. Even with interpreters it is fatiguing to listen and translate. The best part is the children are great with charades concept - they are not inhibited like adults. Make sure you are self aware of how to re-energize. There will be plenty of opportunities to reflect with others or alone.

Health tips

Living in any foreign community can be difficult for most North Americans. However, with proper precautions, most illnesses can be prevented. The greatest danger to health is often directly related to what a person puts in their mouth: food, water, fingers, pens, tools, etc. Because it is not always possible to know what you’re eating or drinking it is likely that volunteers will experience traveler’s diarrhea at some point on a service program. However, it is our goal to have an illness-free trip.

Drink only purified or bottled water. If there is any possibility that the water is not clean, please refrain from drinking it. Even if the water has been boiled but has particles floating in it, it is recommended that the water not be drunk. We encourage you to purchase and drink bottled water or sodas, checking for intact seal prior to drinking. Drinking drinks served with ice is also discouraged, due to the questionable source of the water used for ice making.

We take every precaution to protect the health of our volunteers and ensure the food you are served is properly prepared. Ecuadorian food is delicious and we want you to experience the culture through food! Please be cautious when you are not with the rest of the team and ordering a meal.

Washing hands frequently with soap and water will assist in minimizing contamination. Carrying hand wipes is a great way to provide an opportunity to clean even when water is not available.

Several diseases can be carried through the insect population in Ecuador. We suggest you bring bug repellant with DEET. Again, we encourage you to check the CDC website for appropriate vaccinations for the country.

For any item requiring prescription, bring a copy of the prescription so it can be replaced if lost. Ask your health care provider for the generic name of your medications.