Ecuador Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Ecuador

Former Name

None

Capital City

Quito

Government Type

republic

Area Size

283,560 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT -5 hours

Climate

Warm and subtropical. Weather varies within the country due to the Andes mountain range and coastal changes. Andean regions are cooler and it is especially cold at nights in the mountains. Rainfall is high in coastal and jungle areas. In the Galápagos the weather is dry and mild.

Geography

Bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator (for which the country is named), between Colombia and Peru. Ecuador is one of the smaller countries in South America. Located on the west coast and straddling the equator, which includes the Galápagos Islands. Roughly the size of the state of Colorado, Ecuador encompasses a wide range of natural formations and climates, from the desertlike southern coast to the snowcapped peaks of the Andes Mountains to the plains of the Amazon River Basin. Also in the small masses of Ecuador is the ever tall Volcano Cotopaxi, still holding its reputation as the world's highest active volcano. It also has a large series of cliffs that follow the southern border and spill into the northwest area of Peru.

Languages

Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Culture

Ecuador's mainstream culture is defined by Ecuador's mestizo majority and, like their ancestry, is a mixture of European and Amerindian influences infused with African elements inherited from slave ancestors. Ecuador's indigenous communities are integrated into that mainstream culture to varying degrees, but some may also practice their own autochthonous cultures, particularly the more remote indigenous communities of the Amazon basin. The Panama hat is of Ecuadorian origin, and is known there as a Jipijapa, after the town which is claimed to be its origin. Its manufacture, and particularly that of the Montecristi superfino, is considered a great craft.

History

The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Seven presidents have governed Ecuador since 1996.

Travel Information

The main airlines are TAME (EQ) and LANEcuador (XL). Quito (UIO) (Mariscal Sucre) is 8km from the city centre. Buses and shuttles operate frequently (journey time – 20-30 minutes). Return is from Avenida 10 de Agosto. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Tourist information, VIP lounge, public telephones, medical service, bars, car hire, duty-free shops, banks/currency exchanges and restaurants. Guayaquil (GYE) (Simón Bolívar) is 5km from the city. There are bus and taxi services into the city. Facilities: Banks/currency exchanges, postal service, VIP lounge, duty-free shops and restaurants. Departure Tax US$25. Main port: Guayaquil is the main port in Ecuador for both passengers and freight. There are passenger/cargo services from Europe, which take around 20 to 22 days, and from the USA. The Pan-American Highway bisects the country. It begins at the Colombian border in the Carchi province and runs south on to Quito, Riobamba, Cuenca, Loja and ending at Macará near the border with Peru. Part of the highway is toll-administered and the condition of the road is mostly quite good. However, it mainly goes through mountains, making it fairly dangerous to drive. Panamericana Internacional operates direct bus services to Venezuela, and connections to Colombia, Perú, Chile and Argentina. Rutas de América operates direct services once or twice a week to Colombia, Peru and Venezuela, with connections to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile. Visitors should remember to carry their passports at all times as there may be frequent checks, both within Ecuador and at border crossings.

Accommodation

Hotel rooms should be booked at least one week in advance. Outside the main towns, a more or less standard price is charged per person for one night in a pensión, residencial or hotel. There is, however, a minimum charge per person. A 10% service charge and 5% tax are added to upper- and middle-range hotel bills. Cheaper hotels usually charge 5% at the most. There is also a range of accommodation on the Galápagos Islands. Booking hotels during fiestas and festivals can be difficult. Visitors should book well in advance.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for stays of up to 90 days. A measles vaccination certificate is required by all nationals travelling from Germany and Italy and must be shown on arrival. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to above. Passports must be carried at all times.

Getting Around

TAME (EQ) flies frequently between Guayaquil, Quito and other destinations throughout the country. Flying is the usual mode of transport for intercity travel. There are daily flights to the Galápagos Islands on national airlines from both Quito and Guayaquil; note that there is a national park admission charge, payable in cash only. Departure Tax 12% of the ticket price, paid with the ticket. Ecuador’s rocky coastline makes coast-hopping an inefficient and even dangerous means of transport for visitors. Several navigable rivers flow eastwards into the Amazon basin. Dugout canoes are widely used in the Oriente jungles and in the northwest coastal regions. Tourist boats, luxury cruisers, converted fishing boats and hired yachts can all be used to travel between the Galápagos Islands. Traffic drives on the right. An extensive network of roads spreads out from the main north–south axis of the Panamericana Highway. Roads can have variable conditions. There is a lack of road markings and signage, so driving at night is particularly best avoided. Long-distance buses leave from the terminal terrestre. Tickets are inexpensive and should be bought in advance. Other modes include busetas and converted pick-up trucks. Travellers are advised to keep their passports with them at all times as police checks are common. Keep luggage within sight. It is not recommended to travel at night. Taxis are widely available, particularly in larger cities and towns. International and local car hire companies operate in Ecuador. 4-wheel drive is necessary for some areas. Guayaquil and Quito have bus and minibus services operating at flat fares. Buses usually have a board in the window displaying their route.

Health & Safety

A yellow fever certificate is required from those arriving from infected areas, and is recommended for everyone entering Ecuador. There is risk of malaria and dengue fever in areas below 1,500m. The best prevention is to cover up and use mosquito repellent. Tap water should not be consumed; bottled water is available. Milk is unpasteurised so it is best to avoid dairy products. High altitude can affect some people's health so visitors to Quito (2,800m), for example, are advised to take it easy for the first few days. It is advisable to take seasickness tablets on a Galapagos boat cruise. Medical facilities are inadequate and medical insurance is highly recommended. Ecuador is generally a safe country to travel to but visitors should be vigilant with their belongings as most crime is opportunistic. Travellers are warned not to store belongings in the overhead lockers or under seats on public buses and trains. Due to a risk of kidnapping and armed crime, travel to the north-eastern areas bordering Colombia is not advisable, and travel to the northern provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana should be avoided. Ecuador has many active volcanoes, which are poorly monitored. There is an ongoing risk of disruption to travel due to social and political unrest; all public gatherings and demonstrations are to be avoided.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 12 Feb - Amazon and Galapagos Day. 27 Feb - Civicism and National Unity Day. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 1 May - Labour Day. 24 May - Battle of Pichincha. 10 Aug - Independence Day. 9 Oct - Guayaquil Independence Day. 2 Nov - All Souls’ Day. 3 Nov - Cuenca Independence Day. 25 Dec - Christmas Day. 31 Dec - New Year’s Eve.

Currency

Ecuador Sucre (ECS)

Electricity

120v AC, 60Hz

Working Hours

Business hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, some businesses close for lunch.

Emergency Numbers

131(Ambulance) 101(Police)