Essential Health Information for Travelers to Quito: How to Stay Safe

Traveling to Quito should be a fun and enjoyable experience. However, it can be ruined by sickness if you don’t prepare for the trip the right way. To stay healthy in the highest capital of the world, you need to get some vaccinations, exercise caution when buying food, and be aware of the altitude sickness risks.

Traveling to Quito: Vaccinations You Need

First of all, all people traveling to Quito (or anywhere else) need to be up to date on all their routine vaccinations. These are mandatory, and if you are one of the anti-vaccine movement that’s getting momentum today, study this data. You should also take a look at the WHO statistics which prove beyond any doubt that vaccinations save lives. Note that you might be denied entry to some countries if you aren’t up to date on your vaccinations.

Routine vaccinations include:

• Polio
• MMR (measles-mumps-rubella)
• Chickenpox
• Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis
• Flu

Additional vaccinations you should get when traveling to Quito, Ecuador:

• Typhoid (risk from contaminated water in the country)
• Hepatitis A (risk from contaminated water and food)

If you travel for work, like volunteering or charity work that will take you to the more remote parts of the country, consider getting vaccinated against:

• Yellow fever
• Malaria
• Rabies
• Hepatitis B

These precautions might also be necessary if you plan to stay in the country for a long time or go on a big trip across Latin America. Consult your doctor about necessary vaccinations in this case. You’ll need to show the health care professional your itinerary so they can realistically assess the risks considering your current health level.

Please be aware that Ecuador is currently considered to be a risk destination for Zika virus.

Traveling to Quito, Ecuador: Food Safety Guide

Delicious food is one of the main tourist attractions in Quito. However, if you aren’t careful, eating those local treats can turn your entire vacation into a nightmare. You might get anything from mild diarrhea to life-threatening food poisoning and typhoid.

The best way to make sure your food is safe is to eat only at reputed cafes and restaurants. While street stalls can be appealing because of the heavenly smells, you should avoid them. You can learn about the best places in the city from a guide during your tour of the local landmarks. Strawberry Tours is one of the services that offer such tours and it does this for free. Therefore, everyone can afford to learn more about the beautiful city of Quito and the best places to eat within it. There is even a specialized food tour that will help you discover all the most delicious local dishes.

When buying produce, be sure to wash it thoroughly and cook all meat and fish through very well. Only drink bottled, filtered, or boiled water when traveling to Ecuador.

Visiting Quito: General Health Safety Tips

If you need to take prescription medications regularly, be sure to take enough for your trip. You might not be able to find them in the local pharmacies. You should also have some anti-viral, pain, and stomach medication in your traveler’s first aid kit.

While in Quito, you should be aware of the altitude sickness. If you feel any of the symptoms, seek help immediately. Researching the closest hospitals to your accommodation is a must. You should also consult your doctor before this trip if you have any health conditions or risks that will be affected by high altitude.

Ecuador has integrated 911 emergency response service, so you only need to dial 911 to call for help immediately. Never forget that it’s best to be prepared than sorry, so stock up on all health essentials and be careful.

This is a contribution from one of our contributing writers.