Frequently Asked Questions

Payments

Click on the question link below to find your answer.

Which payment methods are available, and which handling costs apply in each case? I am booking a last minute tour - which payment options are available? When can I pay just a deposit in advance, and when do I have to pay in full? Why is prompt payment so important? Why can't I pay directly with credit card like I can in USA/Europe? Where can I find your bank details in order to make a transfer? How do I wire money by Moneygram / Western Union? Do you accept travellers checks? When will Happy Gringo send me a receipt for payments received?

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1. Which payment methods are available, and which handling fees apply in each case? If you have booked a tour at least 2 weeks in advance then we accept the following payments:

* USA BANK - all of our tours are priced in US$ so this option is a convenient way of avoiding exchange rate charges (especially if you have a USA based account). This is usually the quickest and easiest payment method. We charge a $25 handling fee per transfer in order to cover our costs of transferring the money into Ecuador.

* CREDIT CARD - it is possible to pay via signature on file which entails completing and signing an authorisation form, scanning and emailing a copy to us. Bank and local tax charges are 5% so you should add this cost to your payment. Please bear in mind that under Ecuadorian law we cannot take your credit card details over the phone or on our website.

* ECUADOR BANK - we hold a domestic account in Ecuador which you can deposit cash into via any branch of Banco Internacional - this is the best option in order to avoid both banking charges and exchange rate costs if you are already in the country.

* MONEYGRAM / WESTERN UNION - money-wiring is the quickest way to get money to us and is also extremely secure. Moneygram currently charge 4% to use their services, and Western Union between 3 and 5%.

* CASH - of course we accept US$ cash in our Quito office, but check the rules that apply with last minute bookings first. BACK TO TOP

2. I am booking a last minute tour - which payment options are available? A last minute booking is classified as a booking made less than 2 weeks before your trip departure date.

If you are in Quito then it is best to pay us in US$ cash or credit card in our office. If you are currently travelling in Ecuador (but not in Quito) then our Ecuadorian bank account will be cheapest and easiest. If you are outside of Ecuador then we can only accept the Moneygram / Western Union form of payment because all other payment methods take too long to reach us. BACK TO TOP

3. When can I pay just a deposit in advance, and when do I have to pay in full?Generally speaking we require at least a 30% deposit at time of booking in order to confirm your reservation. Full payment is then due at least 2 months before your date of travel. Of course should you prefer to pay in full at time of booking then that is also no problem.

Only in the case of bookings made less than 2 months before date of travel do we immediately require full payment.

Consult our full terms and conditions for further information.BACK TO TOP

4. Why is prompt payment so important?It is important because the terms and conditions of the operators that we have to pay on your behalf are often very strict, and late payment can mean that your reservation is cancelled by the operator. BACK TO TOP

5. Why can't I pay directly with credit card like I can in USA/Europe?Unfortunately Ecuador's banking system is not as advanced as in USA or Europe. It is therefore not possible for an Ecuadorian business to accept credit card details from a client over the phone / internet. The methods that we can accept are signature on file (see description above) or a direct card payment in our office where you must have passport with you as proof of ID.

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6. Where can I find your bank details in order to make a transfer? Our bank details are available upon request - tell our salesperson which bank you wish to pay into and he/she will provide full details to you. BACK TO TOP


7. How do I wire money by Moneygram (MG) or Western Union (WU)?People are sometimes nervous because the money-wiring process is new to them or seems confusing, but really there is no need for worry because it both quick and very simple.

* ask Happy Gringo for details of who and where to wire the money to.

* locate the agent closest to you on either the MG (www.moneygram.com) or WU (www.westernunion.com) websites. There are agents in most towns and cities in the world including latin america.

* visit the local agent with the cash you would like to deposit (including the % sending fee) and your passport as ID.

* tell the agent who you want to send money to and their current location (city, country). The agent will take your personal details, check your ID, take your money, organise the wire, and finally give you a receipt.

* email us to let us know the reference number that is written on your receipt so that we can collect the money here in Quito. 

It's as simple as that and the money arrives to us just 10 minutes after you have sent it!!!BACK TO TOP

8. Do you accept travellers checks?Unfortunately not. BACK TO TOP

9. When will Happy Gringo send me a receipt for payments received?We send receipts out by email on the same day that we receive your transfer. BACK TO TOP