FAQs:

TRIP DATE:

June 24 – June 29 (Many people are arriving June 23^rd  and staying after the 29^th to vacation)

FLIGHTS:

The service takes place in Guayaquil, Ecuador so the Guayaquil International Airport (GYE) is the ideal airport to fly into.  If you plan to travel to Quito after the service days, it may be a good idea to fly home from Quito.  It is a 7.5-hour drive or a domestic flight to get back to Guayaquil.

*Note: In the past an exit tax has been required for each traveller that is paid separately from your flight ticket. According to EcuadorTravel.info, that fee is $25. 

IMMUNIZATIONS:

The easiest way to get all the vaccines you need is to go to your health department and tell them you are traveling to Ecuador.  Unless you plan to go to the jungle, you do not need Yellow Fever or Malaria vaccines.  Hepititis A and Typhoid are recommended because those diseases are spread through contaminated food/water.  The water in Ecuador is still not purified countrywide.  In restaurants and hotels, you will most likely be fine…but beware of holes in the wall, street vendors, and well-meaning home-cooked meals.  Click on this link to the CDC website for more info.

SERVICE PROJECTS:

1. Upgrades/repairs to a local school (Adding ceiling and fans to classrooms, painting school, adding cover over courtyard)

2.     Repairs to FAHUM’s Community/Tutoring Center

3.     Dental Treatment for children & future missionaries

4.     Dental Hygiene Education/Waiting Room Craft

5.     Home upgrades for 2 elderly widows

HOTEL DETAILS:

FRI 6/23        Guayaquil Temple (If we serve there on Saturday, we can stay on the grounds for a few dollars.  Men & women separated into dorms)

· Temple is 2.3 miles away from the airport, a short taxi ride 10 minutes tops. 

•       Temple Address - Calle 6ta y Avenida Rodrigo Chávez González Principado de las Lomas Urdesa Norte, Guayaquil

•        

SAT 6/24 – THUR     6/29  Courtyard Marriott, Guayaquil

·      Avenida Francisco de Orellana 236, Guayquil

Located in Francisco de Orellana Av, a new commercial area, just five minutes from the airport and within walking distance to fine restaurants, shopping malls and business buildings.

Ø  Go to this link to reserve your rooms at a discounted rate ASAP!

TRIP SCHEDULE: (to be finalized)

FRI 6/23 (PM) or SAT 6/24 (AM)  – Arrive at Temple or Marriott Hotel

(You are responsible for securing transportation from airport to temple/hotel *see above)

SAT 6/24 -  Baptisms for the dead (early afternoon)

                        Fireside (evening)

SUN 6/25 – Attend ward of your choice

Fireside and Adopt-a-Missionary (evening)

Mandatory meeting for all (after fireside)

MON 6/26 - THURS 6/29 – Service Days

FRI 6/30 -     Vacation!  Everyone goes their separate ways to tour the country or travel home (most stay the weekend to tour Cuenca or Quito areas)

MONEY:

Personally, we bring a credit card, a debit (there are ATMs to get cash), and some cash, just to be safe.  Ecuador currency is the dollar so no need to exchange.  Tip: split your cards and $ up among husband/wife in case of loss or theft. Keep a record of card numbers and photo copies of passports tucked away just in case.

STAYING HEALTHY:

Water is still not purified countrywide so you’ll need to be careful so you don’t get sick.  In the nicer restaurants and hotels you are fine to just order off the menu.  Be more cautious in holes in the wall and off the streets.  Rule of thumb: boil it, peel it, bake it, or forget it! If it comes in a sealed wrapper, it’s fine. If it’s scooped from a 5 gallon bucket, hmmm….

STAYING IN CONTACT ON THE TRIP:

In Ecuador communicating:

Option #1: Bring an unlocked phone with a SIM card slot and buy a pre-paid SIM card in Ecuador.

Option #2: Buy a cheap phone and DIM card with minutes in Ecuador

Option #3: Contact your cell phone carrier about a 1-month international plan

Contacting the U.S.

Int'l plan or turn off data & use your phone in wifi like an iPod

DRIVING DISTANCES:

Guayaquil to Cuenca 3.5 hrs

Guayaquil to Quito 7.5 hrs

POTENTIAL TOURING LOCATIONS:

Ø  Cuenca, European city in the Andes.  Highly recommend if you’ve never been.  The drive from Guayaquil to Cuenca takes you through Cajas National Park, a journey through several landscapes.

Ø  Quito, foothills of the Andes and capital of Ecuador.  Near Otavalo’s traditional Saturday market (must see).

Ø  Baños, waterfall and lush greenery

Ø  Puyo and the Orient, up close and personal with the jungle and sleeping in a cabana at Flor de Canela Lodge

VACATION HOTEL SUGGESTIONS:

Please everyone add to this list

Otavalo (near Quito) - La Posada del Quinde, walking distance form Saturday market

Cuenca - Alejandrina Hotel

Puyo – Flor de Canela lodge

DON’T FORGET:

•          Passport (must not expire within 6 months of return flight)

•          Temple Recommend

•          Youth Temple Recommend

STAYING IN THE KNOW:

Ø  Facebook page – MBMS Humanitarian Ecuador Trip 2017

Ø  Return of the Gringos blog

Ø  Reply to informational emails

It’s going to be great!  Please share questions, comments, concerns!

Saludos!