Whether Snorkeling in the Caribbean, or Trucking through the Amazon jungle, We've found 100% cotton is best for staying cool and protected from UV rays and insects. if You spray your shirt with an environmentally friendly bug gagger like  Citronella, it will be more effective against mosquitos, and last longer than if You'd sprayed it on your skin. Here's what happened to me when I didn't wear a long sleeve shirt in the jungle...

​This original work of art was donated by Z Artist Terrie, If You'd like to support this website and own this functional and utilitarian work of art (for a song) leave your contact information below. 

1. Go to Google flights and check flights around two months ahead to Quito or Guayaquil. In my case it was $1100.00 round trip because I procrastinated, but I saw flights as cheap as $640 round trip from Seattle to Quito. 

2. Go to Trip Advisor and look at apartments and vacation rentals available for your time frame. It was $350.00 for one month including everything even internet at Sandra's apt. in Quito. I used Quito as my base because I had no set plans. You may want to consider having your teeth cleaned and dental work done while You're in Quito too. had mine done by Sandra's brother, cleaning+filling less than $100 dollars and he's a full on oral surgeon that teaches at the university there in quito... 

3. Rent a Taxi for around $50.00 to Termas de Papallacta hot springs (and splurge) for $130 per night we stayed in room 53 and You can soak in its glorious hot springs any time You want (even at two in the morning) by walking out your front door. 

4. Rent another Taxi head east for $25 to Baeza in order to have amazing Pizza. And either stay at Kopal pizza place or go across the road and stay at Gina's place for $10 a night per person. Our favorite menu item at Gina's was the amazing steak and eggs breakfast with coffee, fresh squeezed juice and rice and beans for $7.
5. Stay there in Baeza for a few days until You're tired of eating amazing pizza and go stand at the corner bus stop on the main road North of Gina's and flag down the bus to Tena Ecuador that goes by every hour. It cost us $4 per person for the three hour ride. I recommend calling ahead of time and booking yourself a room at the bed and breakfast in Tena called La Casa Blanca because it's only $38 per night and because the internet is decent and the water there is purified so You can drink it right out of the tap without worry. 

6. Talk to Gary at La Casa Blanca about hiring him to take You out to the Napo River for a two day tour of the Amazon Basin. Gary speaks great English but don't let this fool You. He grew up on the Napo River and is an expert guide. It cost us $200 per person for an overnight includes food, lodging,  Amazon adventure and was worth every penny.