AIRPORT TAX People leaving Ecuador by air are required to pay a $25 airport tax in dollars cash.

BRING A torch; a universal sink-plug; travel wash; string; needle and thread; foam earplugs; an inflatable neck pillow; a penknife; a cheap digital watch with an alarm; a compass for hiking; a first-aid kit ; plastic bags, including small re-sealable plastic bags; a sun hat and sunglasses; sandals you don't mind getting wet; a rain jacket; a mosquito net for the lowlands; a fleece for the highlands; safety pins; duct tape - useful for quick repairs and holding up mosquito nets; a compact mirror - especially handy for contact-lens wearers; tampons; contraceptives; padlocks and a light chain; binoculars for spotting wildlife.

DISABLED TRAVELLERS There's very little _provision for disabled people in Ecuador. Public transport and public places such as museums are seldom equipped with ramps, widened doorways or disabled toilets. Pavements are often narrow and full of obstructions. Some of the smarter hotels do cater for disabled guests though, and Quito's trole system affords full access too.

ELECTRICITY 110V/60Hz is the standard supply, and sockets are for two flat prongs. Fluctuations in the supply are common so you need to use a surge protector if you're plugging in expensive equipment .

GAY AND LESBIAN TRAVELLERS Ecuador has recently taken a leap forward in gay and lesbian rights by legalizing homosexuality. It's still a very macho society, however, and public attitude has a fair bit of catching up to do. A tentative gay scene is establishing itself in Quito, but in public places overt displays of affection are likely to be met with stern disapproval, even abuse. Gala Ecuador, Apartado 17-07-9548, Quito (tel 09/807887, fax 02/230922, www.galasouthamerica.com ) organize gay and lesbian tours for adventure enthusiasts, from the sierra to the jungle.

LAUNDRY Most large towns and tourist centres will have an inexpensive laundry ( lavanderia ) that charges by the kilo, where the washing and drying is done for you and your clothes are neatly folded ready for collection - a wonderful service for travellers. In other areas, dry cleaners or laundries that charge by the item, which work out to be extremely expensive, are more common. Many hotels offer a laundry service, or failing that are happy to let you use their laundry basin and clothes lines.

METRIC SYSTEM Ecuador uses a metric system for weights and measures.

SPECTACLES Spectacle-wearers should bring a spare pair in case of loss and their prescription. If you want to look inconspicuous in rural areas where spectacles are less common, contact lenses aren't a bad idea. Daily disposables are generally much more convenient for travelling than long-term lenses. You can take them out anywhere if they're uncomfortable, you won't need to carry solutions, it's not such a problem if you lose one, and because each fresh pair is sterile, you're less likely to get an eye infection.

STUDENT CARDS These can occasionally get you discounts, so it's worth bringing along an ISIC if you have one. Sometimes only Ecuadorian students can get concessions.

TELEPHONE JACKS Ecuador uses international standard telephone jacks (US-style), compatible with standard email and fax connections.

TIME Ecuador is 5 hours behind GMT, and the Galapagos Islands are 6 hours behind. There are no adjustments to this during the year, and as you'd expect from an equatorial country, sunrise comes around 6.15am and sunset around 6.15pm.

TIPPING In smarter places, ten percent service charge will automatically be added to your bill, and tipping above this is only warranted for exceptional service. Cheaper eateries will not usually expect you to leave a tip, though of course it's very welcome if you do. Airport and hotel porters should be tipped, as should the people who watch your car for you if you've parked in a street. Taxi drivers don't normally get a tip, but will often round up the fare if there's only a few small coins in it. Guides are tipped depending on the length of your stay or trip, from a couple of dollars to over ten. Tour crews in the Galapagos also receive tips .

TOILETS The bin next to the toilet is for your toilet paper - the plumbing can't cope with paper being flushed. Public toilets are most common at bus terminals, where you'll see them signposted as banos or SS HH (the abbreviation for servicios higienicos ); women are damas or mujeres and men caballeros or hombres . Often there's an attendant who sells toilet paper at the door. Most restaurants will let you use theirs if you're not a customer so long as you ask politely, though at cheap places they're usually in pretty bad shape. It's a good idea to carry some paper ( papel higienico ), wherever you are.