in Quito and Guayaquil you may expect that some people speaks English. But do not expect a large percentage of the population to speak it. So you would like to learn a little bit of Spanish or use hand gestures and signs to communicate.
Uber and Cabify works as well and I recommend them as you will be much more secure than with other transportation means.
If you are visiting the highlands (Quito, Ambato, Riobamba, Cuenca, Loja, Ibarra, etc) you don’t have to worry about mosquitoes. But if you visit the jungle or the lowlands you maybe would like to bring a repellent (or buy it here).
It is rather cold in highlands (+8 to +10C at nights, +18 to +24C in the afternoons). But it could be rather hot in the lowlands, galapagos islands and jungle (+20 to +36C)
If visiting highland cities try to walk slow in the beginning until you get used to the altitude.
Food is good (nice in my opinion) and you are plenty of restaurants all around the country. I suggest to enter where you see many people eating. Why? If there are a lot of people eating it means the food “cycle” very often, I mean: it is not stored. So there are good chances it is fresh.
There are hospitals and pharmacies all around the country, with big full serviced hospitals in the biggest cities.
There is no need to bring your passport everywhere: if you are going to walk around a given city you better leave your personal belongings at your room. Nobody will ask you for your ID and, if they ask, you may ask them to go with you to where you are staying for you to show them your ID. Or better: carry a copy of your ID. Of course: if you are going to fly or to travel to another city it is better to bring your passport with you.
If you are going to pay by credit card the seller will ask you for an ID: a drivers license should be enough.
Credit cards are not accepted everywhere, but in most of the cities they are accepted at hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, etc. If unsure ask before ordering.
Airport is far from the city, like 35kms. Uber works ok as well as cabify. And there are official taxies at the airport. Charges for a trip from the airport to Quito will be around 20 to 30USD depending on the season, time of the day, etc.
There are buses as well from the airport to a station in Quito, it will cost a few dollars but I suggest to take a cab if you arrive at night.
Oh, the sun raises at around 6am and sets a bit after 6pm, each and eeeeeveeeeeeeryyyy day. We are in the Equator so you will barely notice the difference, it will look the same all year long.
What else? if I remember I will edit the question… if you have specific questions just let me know.
