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General Travel Planning

Passports

All travelers must have a valid passport to enter Ecuador.

  • U.S. citizens do not need a visa.

  • Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.

    • Important: Airlines will not allow you to board your flight if your passport expires within six months — we call this the “Eric Miller Rule.”
      Please check your passport now and renew it early if needed

 

Flights to Ecuador

In previous years, we flew into Quito and stayed nearby, but since the airport moved outside the city (about 45 minutes away), it’s now about a two-hour drive to Ambato, our mission site.

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For the 2026 mission, we plan for everyone to travel directly to Ambato upon arrival, unless you’ve made other arrangements.

Most volunteers will:

  • Arrive Friday evening, January 30th

  • Fly Delta’s 8:00 PM flight (preferred)

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After arrival, we’ll gather and travel by bus together to Ambato. The ride takes about two hours, depending on traffic and coordination. Please be patient, as we often wait for all volunteers to arrive before departing.

 

Transportation from the Airport

If your flight arrives at a different time from a main group (for example, the 8pm Delta Friday night flight):

  • Please plan to arrange your own transportation (such as a taxi or private transfer).

  • The local Rotarians cannot provide individual pickups for separate arrivals but can help arrange transport for you at your cost. 

If you plan to arrive several days early, you’re welcome to meet us at the airport on Friday night to join the group transport to Ambato. 

 

Departure

Our closing celebration party will take place on Thursday night at the end of the mission week. Most volunteers depart the following day. There are two main options:

  1. Return to Quito for the day

    • Spend Friday or Saturday sightseeing, shopping, or relaxing before your flight.

    • Many volunteers stay at the Hilton Colón in Quito for a day room — it’s a great place to rest, eat, and prepare for your overnight flight.

    • The hotel concierge can arrange paid transportation to the airport that evening.

  2. Travel directly from Ambato to the airport

    • Depending on flight times and the number of travelers, we will coordinate group transport as needed.

Most volunteers take overnight flights (“red-eyes”) back to the U.S., departing around midnight Friday or Saturday.

 

Hotel in Ambato

During the mission, all volunteers will stay at the Hotel Florida in Ambato except for a handful of those who elect to stay at Hotel Mira Flores down the street for overflow purposes. 

  • The Hotel Florida is now run by new owners with all new staff, from what we have been told. The menu is changed but similar to the previous according to the Rotarians. Please have patience this year as we transition to this new change. 

  • We will handle all reservations directly with the hotel: Please do not contact the hotel yourself! This just confuses the staff.

  • You’ll have the opportunity to submit roommate requests in advance, which we’ll provide to the hotel on your behalf.

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