Frequently Asked Questions

You can make a booking online or via email with a Destination Expert.  Online bookings are made via the “Book Trip” button available on each tour description page.  If you contact us by email one of Rebecca Adventure Travel’s Destination Experts will send you your travel plan and a description of the available payment methods.

1. Personalized Attention

Whether you would like to do a Galapagos Island hopping program, or a tailor-made tour through Ecuador, Colombia, or Peru, Rebecca Adventure Travel will make sure you receive what you desire. The Rebecca Adventure Travel team cares about you and what you really want.  Therefore, in order to create the best tour program possible, Rebecca’s Destination Experts want to get to know you more! By giving great personal attention and customer care, you can provide the best service and meet your expectations.

2. The Team

The multinational team at Rebecca Adventure Travel is ready and happy to help you prepare for your trip. The entire team is passionate about travel and are experienced travelers.  Not to mention, the Destination Experts at Rebecca Adventure Travel are also Ecuadorian.   As a result, you will be receiving the best advice possible regarding any frequently asked questions or suggestions on your trip to Ecuador, Colombia, or Peru.  The team uses their own travel experiences and knowledge about Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, they will make sure any tour you are offered is of the best quality.

3. Authenticity

An important focus of Rebecca Adventure Travel is to offer unique and authentic experiences.  The Destination Experts are also adventure designers.  All tours are personally selected by Rebecca and her team.  Consequently, this guarantees an unforgettable experience at family-owned and local hotels, high-quality tours, great service, and last but not least, fantastic value.  Apart from this, you are guaranteed genuine experiences with local guides who are passionate about Ecuador and Galapagos.

4. Tailor-made Trips

All the tours on the Rebecca Adventure Travel website are available.  However, you are free to customize any of these amazing examples of travel in Ecuador, Peru, or Colombia.  Additionally, this means hotel categories can be altered to any preference you may have.  Rebecca’s Destination Experts take a lot of care in creating custom-made itineraries.  You will be asked questions specifically about your trip to make sure all the small details are taken care of.  For example, if you are traveling for a birthday or anniversary, let them know!  Tell them your preferences and they will create an unforgettable experience for you!

5. 24/7 Assistance

When you book a trip with Rebecca Adventure Travel, you will receive 24/7 assistance during your daily travels.  Also, in case you have an emergency, you can contact the team by phone at any time of the day during the entire week. Of course, you can also reach the team during office hours by phone, e-mail, Skype, WhatsApp, or the online chat on the website.  Even so, whether it is before, during, or after the tour, please feel free to contact us.  Additionally, you can contact us in English, Spanish and Dutch!

6. Company Insurance

Rebecca Adventure Travel is a Dutch company, located in Quito, Ecuador. The company is affiliated with the GGTO (Guarantee Fund Specialized Tour Operators) and the VVKR (Dutch Association of Small Tour Operators). This means you are insured whenever the company is within financial incapability and has a travel guarantee.

Find out more about our Awards, Certificates, and Memberships and more reasons why you should book with us.

Yes, domestic flights within Ecuador, Peru, or Colombia can be arranged for you.  More specifically, it is helpful when you are traveling to the Galapagos or need domestic flights within the country as they are a part of your travel package.  However, if you are interested in only flights, it is recommended you book your own as it will be more convenient for you.

Regarding Galapagos cruises, these flights are best to include when a travel package is put together for you.  Many times, cruises will require you to purchase the flight from mainland Quito to the Galapagos airport the cruise departs from.  You may still purchase flights separately, or arrive and depart on a different date than the cruise departure.  However, please keep in mind that there may be additional charges. It is important to check with the cruise in advance as each has its own policy.

A booked tour occurs the moment you fill in a passenger reservation form or upon payment of a tour.  When you book a tour with Rebecca Adventure Travel you agree to the following terms and conditions: See Terms and Conditions

In case of a flight delay, the Rebecca Adventure Travel team will do their best to try to accommodate your itinerary as best as possible and offer the available solutions for your trip.  Most importantly, the team will do everything possible to make sure you still have a memorable experience.  However, it is important to mention that changes in your itinerary and penalties may apply.  According to the policies pertaining to your tour, you may or may not lose certain activities depending on how late you arrive.  Any additional costs regarding changes to the itinerary are the responsibility of the traveler. Please contact us before booking your airfare if you have any questions regarding this matter.

Rebecca Adventure Travel, as your travel specialist, the best tour possible will be offered.  Even so, sometimes there are uncontrollable situations that may force a change in plans due to external factors. The company, as an operator, is not responsible for any extra costs resulting from these changes. You will be always advised upfront if there will be additional costs applied.

In each tour description, you will find a “Book Trip” button that takes you to the available payment methods. There are many options available, making it easy to book your tour!  Rebecca Adventure Travel uses a secure payment platform so you can pay with a credit card.  You may also pay via Paypal, keeping in mind a 4% additional fee.  Otherwise, bank transfers are also accepted in the US, Holland, Canada, and Australia. All travelers are responsible for any bank transfer costs and the net amount must be transferred. You can find our bank information in our Payment Section.

See more about Payments.

For any tour booked with Rebecca Adventure Travel, the final payment must be paid 60 days before your date of travel.  In order to confirm a tour more than 60 days in advance, a 30% deposit is required.  Afterward, the final payment is due 60 days before travel.  If your travel date is in less than 60 days, the total amount is due in order to confirm.  The most common method of payment is by bank transfer or credit card.  Special conditions may apply to any Amazon and Galapagos tour.  For more information, please contact us. For any tour booked on the Rebecca Adventure Travel website, 100% of the tour is paid upon confirmation.

See more about Payments.

You can confirm a tour with payment via credit card, bank transfer, or PayPal.  Bank transfers are available to accounts in the US, Holland, Canada, and Australia.  You are responsible for any bank transfer fees and must send the net amount. Please note, any PayPal transactions will have an additional 4%.  Credit cards accepted are Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.  

See more about Payments.

In each tour description you can see everything that is included and not included in the travel plan offered by your Destination Expert. You can find this in the Included and Not Included sections of your travel plan and on your Personalized Booking Page.  Private tours include private transport from and to your hotel within Quito. If you have any shared tours, you will leave from a central meeting point with other travelers.  It is important to know that any confirmations made by a traveler who carries an Ecuadorian cedula or passport will be charged taxes accordingly (IVA) in addition to the regular tour price.  Any Ecuadorian companies that purchase a tour or service with Rebecca Adventure Travel will also be charged taxes accordingly (IVA). The IVA (Ecuadorian VAT) is 12% at the moment.  Therefore, for a tour of 100 USD, the price on the invoice will be 112 USD.

Concerning any tours sold by Rebecca Adventure Travel, it is important to know that some prices may not be able to be confirmed immediately concerning a customized tour.  Your Destination Expert works very hard to provide your travel plan within 24 hours.  However, sometimes availability of various hotels or activities may take up to a full day.

On any Galapagos Island Hopping budget package, there is a 10% discount for groups of 9 guests or more.

Rebecca Adventure Travel is constantly offering discounts and promotions to help you make the best out of your holidays, look at our current Deals.

Please check our Terms and Conditions to learn all about our cancelation policies.

Yes, you do. You are strongly urged to take travel and health insurance, as we and our operators can accept no responsibility for possible accidents or illnesses which may occur during one of our tours. The agency and guide, as companies and individuals, will not be held liable for any accidents or damage incurred during the tour. Guests participate at their own risk.

The Ecuadorian government recommends all passengers a mandatory health insurance certificate upon arriving in the country.

No, it is the responsibility of the guests to arrange their insurance.

Rebecca Adventure Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan for your trip. You can see more information below.

Tips are not included in the tour price. Tipping is optional and at your discretion.

Tipping Etiquette: If you are on a shared tour, tipping averages $5 per person for an excellent job. For private tour guides, it will average $10 per day. Drivers usually get half the amount, if you feel they did an excellent job. In tours that involve several days and services, like cruises or jungle programs, it is recommended to tip $50-$60 per client, per week and leave it in an envelope provided by them. The crew will divide the amount among personnel. Most restaurants in Ecuador add a 10% service charge to your bill, so no need to leave an additional amount unless the service was beyond expectations. In this case, $2 – $5 is good (depending on the level of the establishment). In hotels, you should tip about $0.50 per bag/suitcase.

Please check on the restrictions for your specific airline and country of departure. Passengers are usually allowed to check up to two 32 kg. (70 lbs) pieces of luggage for free. One piece of carry-on luggage is typically allowed for free and limited to 23 kg. (50 lbs).

Domestic flights to the Galapagos Islands allow only one 23 kg (50 lbs) piece of luggage and one standard piece of carry-on luggage.

It is always recommended to pack as light as possible, however, the specific requirements for your tour will vary widely depending on where and when you are traveling. In our description trip pages and in our pre-departure documents you can find a suggested packing list.

For hotels in Ecuador usually (not always), check-in and check-out times are the following:
Check-in: In general, from 3:00 PM
Check out: In general, before 11:00 AM

The necessary equipment depends on the tours you are taking. You will find this information on our tour description pages and/or on our pre-departure documents but it is always good to carry the following with you:

-Sunblock (SPF 30 or higher)
-Waterproof and windbreaker jacket
-Sunglasses & hat
-Mosquito repellent
-Small bottle of water
-Sneakers & sandals
-Swimsuit & umbrella

If you wish to take your camera underwater, waterproof housings and camera bags are recommended. Also, batteries, extra memory cards, and tripods will come in handy.

The start and end time of the tours depends on the one you are taking. You will find this information on each of our tour description pages in the itinerary section.

If you would like to make a hotel upgrade or change hotels, you will need to contact us to check if there is availability and to inform you if there is any change in the tour price.

Yes, we can arrange Quito Airport transfers upon request. You can contact us for more information.

When requested in advance, most special dietary requirements can be arranged and we can accommodate this special requests. Keep in mind that South America is not as developed as most European or Western countries in terms of dietary requirements.

Galapagos Islands
You can make a choice between Island Hopping (where you go on guided excursions during the day and at night you stay at a comfortable hotel), and a Cruise (where you will get to know all the different islands on board a cruise ship). Get more information about the Galapagos Islands and what to see in the archipelago.

Ecuador Mainland
Rebecca Adventure Travel has a wide offer of Ecuador Mainland multiple-day tours where you can experience the best of all three regions, combining the imposing Andes, the exuberant Amazon, and the beautiful Pacific Coast. Find out more about our Ecuador Highlight Tours where you can visit multiple regions all in one tour.

Colombia
If you are looking for a tour through Colombia, let us help you! We offer exciting and interesting tours where you can experience amazing sightings and the charismatic Colombian culture. Find here more information about Colombia tours.

Peru
Explore the beautiful highlights of Peru! We offer tours to the emperor city of Cuzco, situated in the Peruvian Andes and known as the former capital of the Inca empire. Here you can explore Machu Picchu. Find here more information about Peru tours.

We offer a lot of great tours through Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, however, if they do not fulfill all of your wishes, you can get advice from the Rebecca Adventure Travel team members to create a customized trip that can adapt better to your needs. Please, don’t hesitate to contact us with your wishes, and we will create an amazing trip for you.

You need a passport with a validation of at least 6 months upon return in Europe or the USA. You can stay in Ecuador without a visa for 90 days every 12 months.

Check other general information in our Ecuador Welcome Package.

You are obligated to have a yellow fever vaccine only when you go into the Amazon. It is also highly recommended to take malaria pills when you go to this place. Please make sure to always check with your doctor for other current medical needs.

If you go to the Galapagos Islands, although it is not mandatory, it is recommended to have a yellow fever vaccine and have this in a booklet with proof of this vaccine. On Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands, there is a small clinic in case you need it.

Check other general information in our Ecuador Welcome Package.

All international flights coming to Ecuador will stop directly at either Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito) or José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (Guayaquil). If you have a flight from Quito to Galapagos, you will have a mandatory stop in Guayaquil. Depending on your departure date and itinerary, you will be landing in the Galapagos Islands at either Baltra Airport or San Cristobal Airport. Three airlines fly to the Galapagos Islands: LATAM and Avianca.

Find here a step-by-step guide about booking your Galapagos Flights and get more information about the Galapagos Islands and what to see in the archipelago.

The Ecuadorian gastronomy is famous for its wide variety of dishes and ingredients. Soups are an important part of gastronomy. Every lunch (almuerzo) consists of a soup, a main dish with rice and fresh juice. In the highlands, you will find a lot of dishes with chicken, corn, and potatoes. At the coast, you will find more seafood complemented with plantains in a variety of forms. There is a spicy sauce that is served, on the side, with almost every meal. It is called ‘Aji’ and is usually made of tree tomatoes, cilantro, onion, and chili pepper. If you are interested in local dishes, check out some of the best Ecuadorian recipes.

All food during the tours on the Galapagos Islands is local Ecuadorian food. If you have lunch in the village, it will normally consist of soup, a main course with usual rice and chicken, meat, fish, or a vegetarian choice. Diners usually consist of the main plate with rice and chicken, meat, fish or a vegetarian choice, and a dessert. 

During outdoor activities, you will usually have a box lunch. This is a small lunch, and generally, it consists of a sandwich and a piece of fruit.

Check our Ecuadorian Food Guide to learn all about the best dishes of Ecuador.

The local currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar. You can use your credit card in the main touristic areas and in the big hotels. In the ATM, your European or American cards usually work, but there is a maximum of 500 USD that you can take each day. We advise you to bring dollars in cash. In Ecuador, you only get 5, 10, or 20 USD bills out from the ATM. Also, change is a big problem, so please be careful when you carry 50 and 100 USD bills. See more general information in our Ecuador Welcome Package.

There are two seasons in Ecuador, rainy and dry. The temperature will range between regions and depending on their altitude. You can travel to Ecuador year-round. Here, is a brief explanation of the weather in Ecuador:

Amazon
In the Amazon region, there is rain during the whole year. Two relatively drier periods can be distinguished in the months of January and February and August and September. The western part of the Amazon region is rainiest than the eastern part. The temperatures vary mostly between 23 °C and 27 °C.

Andes
The Ecuadorian Andes is a mountain range between 1.500 meters and 6.310 meters high. Most of the cities in the Andes are located at an altitude between 2.000 and 3.000 meters. The temperature in the cities varies mostly between 15 °C and 20 °C. The drier season in the Andes is in the months of June, July, August, and September.

Pacific Coast
The northwest coast of Ecuador has a wet tropical seasonal climate. The wet season is from December through May. Along the Ecuadorian coast, rainfall drops from north to south. To the south, the climate becomes increasingly drier. There is a rainy season in the first months of the year and an almost dry season from May to December. The temperatures vary from 25 °C to 31 °C.

Galapagos Islands
The climate of the Galápagos Islands is subtropical. There is a warm season from December through May and a cool season from June through November. The warm season is characterized by a mixture of warmth, rain, and sun. The cool season is a mixture of cloudy, cool, and dry weather. This variation is caused by ocean currents. The temperatures vary from 21 °C in August and September to 28 °C in March and April.

Check other general information in our Ecuador Welcome Package and a selection of our best tours and Destinations in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Mainland, Colombia, and Peru.

The main language in Ecuador is Spanish, but there are several areas where local people still speak their ancient languages, such as the Quechua. In the main tourist areas, they also speak English.

Check other general information in our Ecuador Welcome Package and a selection of our best tours and Destinations in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Mainland, Colombia, and Peru.

Get ready for your Galapagos adventure with our comprehensive Galapagos Packing List and ensure you have everything you need for your trip.

You need a passport with a validation of at least 6 months upon return in Europe or the USA. You can stay in Colombia without a visa for 90 days every 12 months.

See more general information and tours offered in Colombia.

Since the 1st of April 2017, the yellow fever vaccine is required for every guest entering the Tayrona National Park. The World Health Organization announced that as of 11 July 2016, existing and new Yellow Fever vaccination certificates are valid for life. Countries can no longer require travelers to show proof of re-vaccination or a booster dose as a condition of entry. Travelers should note that this new regulation may not be honored by all border authorities during the transition phase.

See more general information and tours offered in Colombia.

Colombia’s varied cuisine is influenced by its diverse fauna and flora, as well as the cultural traditions of the ethnic groups. Colombian dishes and ingredients vary widely by region. Some of the most common ingredients are cereals such as rice and maize; tubers such as potato and cassava; assorted legumes; meats, including beef, chicken, pork, and goat; fish; and seafood. Colombian cuisine also features a variety of tropical fruits such as cape gooseberry, feijoa, araza, dragon fruit, mangostino, granadilla, papaya, guayaba, mora (blackberry), lulo, soursop, and passionfruit.

See more general information and tours offered in Colombia.

In Colombia, the official currency is the Colombian peso (COP). For conversions,  1.00 USD is equivalent to 3,030 COP, approximately.

See more general information and tours offered in Colombia.

Colombians describe their country in terms of the climatic zones. Below 1,000 meters (3,281 ft) in elevation is the Tierra Caliente or hot land, where temperatures are above 24 °C (75.2 °F). About 82.5% of the country’s total area lies in the Tierra Caliente. In the capital, Bogotá, the weather is a bit colder due to its altitude and location of around 2,640 m. (8661ft). It has an average temperature of 14.5 °C (58 °F). On the Caribbean side, the temperature is warm and comfortable, around 33 °C (92 °F). Another important and touristic city is Medellin, located in the Antioquia department. Its elevation is around 1,495 m (4,905 ft) and its average temperature is 27 °C (81 °F).

See more general information and tours offered in Colombia.

The main language in Colombia is Spanish, but there are areas where people still speak some ancient languages. There are over 850,000 speakers of native languages. In the main tourist areas, they also speak English.

See more general information and tours offered in Colombia.

You need a passport with a validation of at least 6 months upon return in Europe or the USA. You can stay in Peru without a visa for 90 days every 9 months.

See more general information and tours offered in Peru.

You are obligated to have a yellow fever vaccine when you go into the Amazon. It is also highly recommended to take malaria pills if you are traveling to this place.

See more general information and tours offered in Peru.

Peruvian cuisine has influences from the Incas and European immigrants. They had to change some of their dishes because they didn’t have the same ingredients available in Peru. The ingredients used most often are potatoes, corn, and quinoa. Some famous Peruvian dishes are:

Ceviche
Ceviche is a seafood dish served cold, cooked, or raw and its main ingredients are fish, lime, lemon, and some added spices like chili peppers or aji (a pepper used in many Peruvian dishes).

Lomo Saltado
Lomo salteado is a hot dish that combines rice with marinated slices of beef, onions, french fries, and also some spices.

Aji de Gallina
Aji de gallina is a chicken stew served with rice. They add a thick sauce with aji, cream, walnuts, and cheese.

See more general information and tours offered in Peru.

The official currency in Peru is the Sol. You can change euros or dollars without restrictions in hotels, banks, and exchange offices. Paying by credit card is accepted in restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets, and you can also withdraw cash at an ATM. Always be cautious when withdrawing money in busy or tourist areas. For conversion, 1.00 USD is equivalent to 3.77 Soles, approximately.

See more general information and tours offered in Peru.

The weather in Peru is divided into three regions.

Pacific Coast
The Pacific coast has a warmer climate than the other regions. There is no extreme heat or cold, but it will be extremely humid, which makes it very cold in the winter. The temperature can go up to 30 °C. There is a short rain period in November and December.

Andes
The Andes have two seasons: summer (from April to October) and winter (from November to March). In summer, the days are sunny, but the nights are very cold, and there is a little bit of rain. In winter the days are cold and there is a lot of rain. The temperature can go up to 24 °C, and it can go down to -3 °C.

Jungle
The jungle has a dry season (from April to October) and a wet season (from November to March). It is extremely humid all year round.

See more general information about Peru.

The official language in Peru is Spanish, but they also have two aboriginal languages: Quechua and Aymara. In main tourist areas, people also speak English.

See more general information and tours offered in Peru.