With its fascinating indigenous cultures, stunning natural beauty and unrivaled flora and fauna, Ecuador is a photographer's paradise. Whether you are riding on the roof of the train from Riobamba or surrounded by a family of iguanas in the Galapagos, you will have no problem using-up roll after roll of film.

Supplies

You should bring plenty of spare film and batteries with you (especially for the rainforest as the humidity saps batteries quickly). There are a number of reputable outlets for Fuji and Kodak film in Quito and other major tourist destinations, as well as disposable fun cameras (180 degree views and underwater), batteries, filters and camcorder supplies.

DiFoto, on Avenida Amazonas and Presidente Wilson has knowledgeable multi-lingual staff and reliable, quality supplies. Note that it is difficult - if not impossible - to find is Kodak Kodachrome, pre-paid Kodak slide film, and black & white.

Developing

Decent photo developing is widespread in Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. Generally, the quality of 24-hour developing is better than 1-hour. Quick service passport photos are also readily available in major cities, especially in Quito on Avenida Amazonas. Black & white slide film developing is difficult to find anywhere in Ecuador, as are high quality camera parts.

Repair

International Color located at Amazonas 503 and Roca (phone: 2551682; e-mail: aranhac@usa.net) is a good place to repair your manual camera, i.e., one that you have to focus by hand and that doesn't have a million automatic functions. The guy who actually does the repairs at International Color is Luis Mendez. It is very difficult to find anywhere in Quito, much less Ecuador, a store that can repair electronic cameras. This is mostly because they cannot keep up with the ever-evolving hightech parts.