Frequently asked questions

The trip from Quito airport to the City is approximately 45-50 minutes. 

We highly recommend making the transfer with a known driver, who waits for you in the arrival room and accompanies you to our property. This way you ensure a comfortable and safe trip. The cost based on 2-3 people is USD 35.  

There is also the possibility of using a taxi or the Uber service and there is also public transportation, but this option is not recommended because it takes a long time.

Since 2000, the official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar. Bills of 5, 10 and 20 are the most common; $50 and $100 are more difficult to exchange, especially in the countryside. In large cities, hotels and restaurants will accept credit cards (Visa, Master, Amex)

Ecuador operates with a supply voltage of 110v and 60Hz. Two types of plugs and associated sockets are used (two flat parallel pins, and plugs that have two flat parallel pins plus a grounding pin at the bottom center). It is advisable to bring your own adapters, but at Wantara we also have these that you can use during your stay

Quito is located at an altitude of 2800 m (9000 ft). Our recommendation is to adapt well to this height, avoiding a lot of physical effort the first two or 3 days and drinking enough liquids such as water and juices.

Quito and its surroundings (mountains) are not risk areas for malaria, dengue, yellow fever or hepatitis. But suddenly you want to travel to other areas of the country and that is why we recommend that you consult your doctor or a tropical institute near you. You can also help by visiting the website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ecuador

It is said that Quito experiences all the seasons in a single day – That is why it is advisable to bring light clothing but also warm clothing for the nights. You will also need comfortable shoes for walking, a raincoat just in case, a cap or hat and, very important, sun protection; you are already on the equator line

The climate in general is very pleasant in Quito and that is why most places do not have any type of heating. But sometimes the nights can be a little cold and that’s why here in Wantara all of our Suites have a wood stove for comfortable and cozy nights.

We offer a laundry service from tuesday to saturday (not self-service) for our clients at an additional cost of 10 USD per wash. If you leave your clothes in the morning, we will deliver them in the afternoon already washed, dried and folded.

At Wantara Suites we have good fiber optic internet (70-200 Mbps) that we provide to our guests and nomadic travelers. In general, internet coverage in the country is quite good and in many public places you find free internet. You can also buy a local mobile phone number with a data package at a reasonable price

To enjoy your vacation and the country to the fullest, we recommend hiring a guide/driver for your trips and excursions who will take you to the most interesting and beautiful places. But if you prefer to use public transportation, it is also an option. The bus network, although not always the most convenient, is excellent and functional. We do not recommend traveling at night.

Ecuador is a fairly safe country to travel to. However, you should not leave your valuables unattended and as in any large city in the world (or almost all of them) you must be careful about pick pocketing, especially in squares and tourist sites.

Wantara Suites is made up of a cultural heritage manor house and three historic 19th century country houses. They are carefully restored with traditional and recycled materials. We try to avoid and/or reduce waste by using reusable packaging and biodegradable products. We also replace plastics and synthetics with natural materials and products, where possible. We ask our guests to help us consciously use resources such as water and electricity for the good of the planet. Our garden is a home for insects, birds and toads. We are supporting reforestation projects by replacing eucalyptus with native trees.

Complete rules

Welcome to Wantara Garden Suites. We want our guests to feel safe and comfortable while staying at our property. The condo is a place to relax, a hideaway from the buzzing center of the city. You are welcome to meet other guests or stay private. To help create such a pleasant environment, we need your cooperation and kindly ask you to respect our house rules.  

Please do not smoke inside the suites. You will find an ashtray on your private terrace. Towels and any other suite items are NOT to be removed from the condo. 

Our usual check out time is until 11 AM. There is a box to leave your keys. Please ask our staff how to manage it. 

Please don’t put your keys into the mailbox! 

Heating

At night it can get chilly in Quito; all our apartments have wood–burning stoves for your comfort. Do not hesitate to ask us for instructions on its use.

Outdoor areas

Each suite has a private outdoor area, and we have plenty of space in our blooming garden. There is the possibility of using a barbecue grill. You will find the equipment in the gazebo. We do not offer any vehicle parking space within the property to guests, but there is a secure public parking lot just meters from the establishment.

Internet connection

There is a fast wireless broadband internet connection (70-250 Mbps) in your suite and in the garden area(we can also provide ethernet service). The Internet should be operational 24/7, so do not hesitate  to contact us if you have any difficulties with the service.

Laundry service

The rental includes weekly room service (dishwashing not included) for guests renting two weeks or more. Laundry service (no self-service) is available upon request and costs USD 10 per load. Your clothes will be washed, dried and folded (not ironed; we have an iron and board you can use, if you wish). If you have clothes that are not suitable for drying, please inform our staff. Sheets and towels are changed once a week. If you prefer to have them changed sooner, please ask our staff (USD 10 surcharge). 

Tips

If you want to leave a tip for our service staff, please feel free to do so. You’ll find a tip box in your suite. 

Ventilation

The Adobe buildings at Wantara Suites require a lot of ventilation. Be sure to open the windows, especially after showering. 

Water and septic system

The property is connected to the public septic system. This system will unfortunately become clogged if inappropriate material and toilet paper is thrown into the toilet bowl. It is therefore very important to put toilet paper in the containers provided, to avoid plumbing problems. This is a national problem, and you will be asked to do this in most other places in Ecuador. Each suite has a water heating system that runs on gas tanks (as does the kitchen). We check the tanks frequently, but don’t hesitate to contact us if you run out of gas unexpectedly. 

Doors and gates

The entrance door must remain closed at all times of the day and night. Please do not give your apartment keys and/or the remote control for the main entrance gate to other people. The electric entrance door opens and closes by pressing the button on the remote control. The control works within a radius of 50 meters. Please store the remote control where it cannot be accidentally pressed. Very occasionally we may experience a power shortage; if this occurs, the electric door will not operate. Only in this case will you have to open the pedestrian door manually. When leaving the property, please ensure that all doors and windows to your suite are properly closed. 

Don’t hesitate to ask for our recommendations. We have lived in this country for many years and really don’t mind you asking. 

Thank you for your collaboration :)