Travelers without a visa cannot extend this stay beyond 90 days. It is important, therefore, that a visa be obtained if a traveler intends to stay longer than 90 days. For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Ecuador, travelers can contact the Ecuadorian Embassy at 2535 15th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, Tel. Medical care is available but varies in quality. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Many hospitals do take credit cards.
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful in many emergencies. Crimes may be of a non-violent nature, such as pickpocketing, burglary of personal effects, or thefts from vehicles. Be cautious and use care, as you would in any major U.S. city. The Ecuadorian government has increased police patrols in tourist areas, but travelers in resort areas along the coast and in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil should remain alert to their surroundings and maintain constant control of purses, backpacks, and briefcases.