Is Ecuador Safe?
Bugs?

As for the exotic fish and cayman, they are found in warmer, flatter water further down in the Amazon basin. There are some snakes around, but we very rarely see them. There’s no poison ivy or stinging nettles either. Boating in Ecuador is amazingly free of nasty critters.
What's included in the price?
- All accommodations while paddling (Sunday night through Friday night)
- Transportation from Quito to the lodge and back
- All shuttles while kayaking
- All meals from lunch Sunday morning through lunch the following Saturday
- Kayak rental
- The best guides in Ecuador!
Items that are not included:
- Airfare to and from Ecuador.
- Personal Kayak Equipment (unless beginner or novice)
- Beer , Wine, Soda and mixed drinks (no-host bar available at Lodge)
- Tips (at your discretion)
- Souveniers
- First Saturday and last Saturday night hotel room
How much money should I bring?
What is the currency/are there ATM’s?
As of September, 2000 Ecuador’s official currency is the US dollar so you don’t need to exchange money at the airport. It is a good idea, though, to bring small bills. You’ll have trouble breaking a $20 bill almost anywhere in Ecuador, so be sure to travel with lots of $10s, $5s, and $1s. US coins will work here too, though Ecuador also mints it’s own version of coins, same size, different presidents on the front. Bank machines that accept US credit and debit cards are common in Quito and Tena. Credit cards are accepted in some hotels and restaurants, but TRAVELERS CHECKS ARE A PAIN and should be avoided!
Do I have to bring my own kayak?
What kind of kayaks do you have in Ecuador?
What about airlines?
Is the Food and water safe?
As in many countries, the tap water in Ecuador is NOT safe to drink. We provide purified water on all our trips. At our lodge we have very high standards for kitchen and food cleanliness. All of our vegetables, salads etc., are meticulously washed and are good to go. When we travel to Quito and Tena, we go to good, trusted restaurants that we have used for years. If you are traveling on your own, it’s probably safest to avoid street vendors and low end restaurants.
What If I have extra time in Ecuador?
You can arrange to paddle extra days with us, or head out on your own to check out some of the sites that Ecuador has to offer click here to read more about your options). Contact us if there are specific activities you would like more information about.
Is there anything I can bring to Ecuador to Help out the locals?
How many guests are on each trip?
Our minimum is 3, our average is 4-5, and our maximum is normally 7. We like to keep our trips small so that each individual kayaker gets a great experience and the trips can be run in safe organized manner.
Are individuals welcome or do you just have groups?
Most trips are a combination of individuals and groups of two or three. We screen each participant in advance to be sure that all paddlers are of similar skill level. So, heck yes, individuals are welcome. Our guests usually go home with some new friends at the end of each week. It’s a great way to meet paddlers from other states and countries, so you’ll have a place to crash when you go visit their home rivers!
Do we camp or stay in hotels?
There is no camping on our trips; we always stay in the best lodging available. Our guests stay at Small World’s private riverside lodge—Cabanas Tres Rios. Here you’ll enjoy immaculate gardens, private riverside cabins, outstanding home cooked meals, and a real feeling of “home.”. While in Tena, we’ll stay at the nicest hotel in town. It’s right on banks of the Rio Pano, has beautiful rooms in a peaceful garden setting, and is within walking distance of all of Tena’s amenities. Our guests always rave about our lodging!
How do we get around/who drives our shuttle?
What is the weather like?
Do I need a Visa to visit Ecuador? When should I get my tickets?
If you are a US citizen you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months after your trip. A tourist card is issued at the airport upon arrival so no advance visa is required. If you are from another country please check if a visa is required (usually not). Reserve your flight as early as possible especially around Christmas. The internet has the best deals these days, so be sure to start checking fares early.
What about Vaccinations?
We can share our opinion with you but you must be very clear in your understanding that we are not medical professionals and have no medical training beyond holding current Wilderness First Responder certificates.
When consulting your doctor, here are some pertinent facts to share.
We spend the entire time kayaking on the eastern slope of the Andes. We will be in the Napo Province the entire time between 1800 and 6000 feet in elevation. If you plan on going to the beach or to lower elevations in the Amazon before or after your Small World then make sure to share that with your health care provider as that poses a new set of risks.
Here are some general thoughts to share with your doctor.
You probably already have Hep. A and B. These are good to have in the US as well.
Typhoid is a generally a good vaccine to get for world travellers.
Yellow Fever vaccination is also a good idea. Yellow Fever is not prevalent here and we rarely see mosquitoes, but there is no cure for and it can be dangerous.
Malaria meds are really a personal call. Small World does not travel in high risk malaria zones which does not mean it is impossible to contract.
Dengue Fever is a risk in some of the elevations we travel at, there is no vaccine for Dengue that we are aware of and prevention regarding mosquito bites is the key. There are few mosquitos in areas frequented by Small World.
If you are traveling to the beach or into the jungle at lower elevations then we suggest you follow your doctors advice carefully.
What if I want to put together a group?
Contact us now info@smallworldaventures.com or (970) 309-8913
Why paddle with SWA?
Any books I can read about Ecuador?
Here are a few books you might enjoy. If you end up at the lodge without a book then we keep a pretty well stocked bookshelf.
Tropical Nature: Life and Death in the Rainforests of Central and South America
Adrian Forsyth and Ken Miyata
Savages
Joe Kane
Crude Chronicles: Indigenous Politics, Multinational Oil, and Neoliberalism in Ecuador
Suzana Sawyer
Indians, Oil, and Politics: A Recent History of Ecuador
Allen Gerlach
The Panama Hat Trail
Tom Miller
The Kayaker’s Guide to Ecuador
Don Beveridge, Larry Vermeeren, Darcy Gaechter, Nancy Hiemstra