My Airfare Secrets                                                                                  Bookmark  Ecuador has become quite popular among tourists as more visit each year. To ensure that your visit is an enjoyable one, follow the tips below:     1) The US dollar and credit cards are widely accepted in most places.  Carry on you small denomination bills, for the locals appreciate dealing with smaller bills; $20 bills or higher are sometimes hard to break for local shops. 2) You can easily obtain a decent meal at most restaurants at a reasonable cost. So prepared to pay under $10 for good food; for luxury restaurants, be ready to pay around $15 or more for each person per meal. 3) Finding reasonably priced places to stay can be found in this country, from hosteri'as, inns, to varying kinds of hotels. Always ask for quotes and particularly for how many people for each room. Always ask if your hotel room has a private bath, hot water, and other amenities. 4) Moving around Ecuador is a breeze and very affordable. For example, a bus ride in Quito only costs you $.25! Short taxi drives will cost you $1.  If you decide to take a taxi in the night, always clarify the charge before you get inside the car. 5) Be prepared to pay a 12% surcharge whenever you buy anything; this is known as IVA. This is a national sales tax. 6) Giving out tips are left to your discretion; usually you pay 10% service fee which is already included in the bill. 7) Always take enough precautionary measures when walking the streets of any city; never walk alone at night; never take too much cash on you. Leave your expensive valuables at home. 8) Always keep a copy of your documents with you and keep the originals in a safe place in your hotel room. 9) If you are staying for a short time, take your passport with you. 10) As soon as possible report the lost of your passport to your embassy. 11) It's recommended to take travelers checks or credit cards so that you don't have to carry too much money in your pockets. 12) Never exchange money in the streets; only do so either at a hotel or banks.