My college student son bought himself a plane ticket to Quito, Ecuador for 3 weeks over his school winter break. He and a friend plan to backpack around. They plan to stay in hostels and travel by the cheapest form of transportation, bus I think.. What can you tell me that I can pass on to him. Is it a safe country? What if he gets in an accident or gets sick, he has medical insurance here in the US, would that matter there? He seems to think they can take a tent, some camping clothes and supplies and travel around fairly carefree. How realistic is that?

His health insurance probably won't cover him in Ecuador, but that would be a question for his insurance people to answer.

Ecuador is reasonably safe, but with all the standard South America travel precautions. Quito and Guayaquil are okay but have more crime, as do any big cities. Public buses can be notorious for theft, so he and his friend need to keep a watchful eye on their things.

Even cheap travel requires a fair amount of advance research. I hope they're doing that, rather than thinking that when night falls, they pitch a tent wherever they happen to be. Not that they have to have an itinerary set in stone, but they should have an idea of where they'd like to go and what they will encounter when they get there in terms of places to stay.

all good advice. I agree that they better do their homework, he's been out of the country very little in his short life, but does live in a big us city now so he's a little used to having to watch his stuff. And why I write is because I've never myself been to South America so I can't advice either. I just hope I can learn some things to tell him to be aware of but then there are travel sites and books so hopefully he'll do his homework.
He did mention being introduced to someone who lives in Ecuador who makes their living as a "hiking guide". Hopeful she can advise them as well.

Go down a fair amount headed down in a little over a week

www.insuremytrip.com usually pick up Amex Travel Shield

from $35 for 2 weeks for my medical travel insurance

www.saexplorers.org/clubhouses/quito good info

Travelers Inn www.hostelbookers.com good place

around flights free airport pickup...

[email protected]

good local for tours and to keep them safe

www.travel.state.gov Ecuador for a heads up

There has been recent civil unrest there

but seems to be quieting down currently...

Overall safe if careful for me money belt buddy system

top hotels/hostels...petty theft biggest risk avoid crowds

pretty risky to camp solo without a guide in many areas

prebably would just stick with top hostels or take a guide

Have fun,

[email protected] sorry missed an r on his EM

great guide speaks english perfectly good personal experience.

Buy travel insurance for the trip. Check out Viva Travel Guides online for info. They are based in Quito and have excellent coverage of Ecuador. They really should be fine, but hostels are so inexpensive that I would definitely consider staying at them, or at least camping inside a hostel´s grounds. They shouldn´t miss Banos, Canoa, Otavalo, or Cotopaxi. If they go south, tell them to check out Cuenca and Vilcabamba.