Travel Facts GEOGRAPHY Ecuador is a small but geographically diverse country. At 256,370 square meters, it covers an area slightly larger than that of Great Britain. The country is located on the Equatorial Line along the northwestern coast of South America and is bordered by Colombia to the north and Peru to the South. Ecuador offers 4 distinct regions: the Andean highlands (Sierra), the mysterious tropical jungle (Oriente), the broad coastal plains and the unique Galapagos Islands. CLIMATE Ecuador’s climate is so varied that it makes any time of the year the right time for a visit. In the highlands, the weather remains at a perfect, spring like climate year round. Every valley seems to have its own microclimate. In general, however, the average temperature in the Sierra rises to a dry 22° C / 72° F at midday to a cool 8° C/ 46° F in the early morning and evening. Generally, the driest months in the Northern and Central Andes are from June to September. In the southern highlands, the driest months are from August to January. Rain tends to appear along the Pacific Coast, so although it may rain in northern Esmeraldas, it seldom does so near the Peruvian border. In spite of the rainfall, the coast can be enjoyed year-round, with cooler temperatures more common from June to September. In the Oriente or the Amazon basin, heavy rain can fall at any time, but it is usually wettest from April to September. The Galapagos and the coast are both hot (averages of 31° C / 88° F) from January to April, when heavy showers are likely. From May to September is the islands’ cooler misty season. HIGH AND LOW SEASONS The great diversity of attractions and climates means that there are really no high and low seasons in Ecuador. Still, the high international tourist season is from June to early September, which is the best time for trekking, climbing, mountain biking and all adventure sports. There is also a shorter tourist season between December and January, when visitors must take care to book Galapagos tours well in advance. Ecuadorians take long weekends around Carnival, Easter weekend and over Christmas and New Year’s. School vacations in the highlands are from July to September and on the coast from January to March. Ecuador is not overcrowded at any time of the year. CLOTHING In the highlands region, it is best to dress in layers since temperatures vary, beginning and ending the day quite cool but becoming warm in the midday sun. Wear a sweater over a light shirt and T-shirt, and carry a light, preferably water resistant jacket and umbrella, especially during the rainy season. In the tropical climates, light cotton clothing is recommended. Bring along a sweater or light jacket since it can cool off in the evenings. In the jungle regions, long-sleeved shirts and long cotton pants, as well as a good pair of walking shoes, are recommended. PASSPORT AND VISAS All visitors to Ecuador must have a passport valid for at least six months. Only citizens of the following countries require a consular visa to visit Ecuador as tourists: Algeria, Bangladesh, South, Korea, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam and Yemen. Upon entry, all visitors are required to complete a brief international embarkation/ disembarkation card, which is stamped along with your passport. Keep this card in your passport, as it will be required when leaving the country. THE PEOPLE Ecuador has a population of approximately 13 million people. About 40% of the people are indigenous, another 40% are mestizos ( mixed Spanish/Indian) and the remaining 20% are white, black and Asian. The coast and the highlands are home to the majority of the population in roughly even amounts, and a small percentage of the population live in the Oriente and Galapagos. LANGUAGE The official languages of Ecuador are Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken in the major visitor centers and European Languages may be spoken in some establishments catering to tourists in Quito and the more popular tourist destinations. INTERNET SERVICES Internet access is widely available in Ecuador, with cybercafes located sometimes two to a city block in the more populated urban areas. These services are frequently used not only by tourists, but also by locals. Internet service as well as general office services are usually available in the big hotels in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca. HEALTH No inoculations are required for entry although some may be recommended for travel to certain remote areas of the country. However, travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should consult their physician about high-altitude travel. Drinking bottled water is highly recommended. INSURANCE Travel insurance is very important for all visitors to Ecuador. An adequate insurance policy should include coverage for damage, loss of your belongings as well as health care in the event of an accident or illness. CURRENCY Since September 2000, the US dollar is the official currency of Ecuador. US dollar bills circulate in the following denominations: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. US coins are used alongside the equivalent size and value. Ecuadorian coins of $0.01, $0.05, $0.10, $0.25 and $0.50. These Ecuadorian coins have no value outside the country. In spite of official government policy, many people, especially in small towns, still think in terms of the country’s previous monetary unit, the sucre, which was used for over a century. The last exchange rate for the sucre was s/ 25,000 to US$ 1.00. ELECTRICITY 110 volts-60 AC LOCAL TIME Eastern Standard / GMT minus 5 and no daylight savings time throughout the continental area of the country. In Galapagos, GMT minus 6. BANKING HOURS 9:00 AM to 13:30 PM Monday through Friday. SHOPPING HOURS Most Businesses are open from 8:30 AM to 12:30 AM and from 14:30 PM to 18:30 PM Monday through Friday. Some businesses open from 09:00 AM through 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Shopping Centers open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday trough Saturday and from 10:00 AM to 17:00 PM on Sundays. * Shopping hours are for information purposes only and are subject to change without notice. SHOPPING Ecuador has some of the best and most interesting handicrafts in all of South America. And, although part of the fun is buying them in local Indian markets, almost all of the best examples can be found in Quito. Among the country’s best and most popular buys are: hand woven sweaters and tapestries, Panama hats, ponchos, fringed shawls, ethnic jewelry, straw goods, bread-dough figures, ceramics and modern and primitive paintings. NIGHTLIFE One of Ecuador’s favorite attractions is its food. You can taste and enjoy the freshest and most complete variety of common and exotic fruits and vegetables, many of which are available only at these latitudes. The typical dishes of Ecuador are delicious and highly recommended. Quito has a wide variety of excellent restaurants that offer not only typical but also international and ethnic cuisine. Try your luck at one of the several hotel casinos. And enjoy the rhythm of spicy Latin music or international favorites at one of the many peñas or discotheques. HOTELS There are hotels to suit every budget, and in many places there are establishments which offer excellent value while catering to international travelers’ tastes. This is particularly true in the areas popular with foreign tourists. The best value accommodations can be found in the busiest tourist centers, especially in Quito, which is full of excellent value hotels as well as deluxe and first class establishments. The following are just some of the establishments recommended by Ecuadorian Tours: Quito Hilton Colon, Marriott, Swissotel, Radisson, Sheraton, Dann Carlton, Alameda Real, Akros, Hotel Quito, Hotel Tambo Real, Hotel Sierra Madre, Hostal La Cartuja. Guayaquil: Hilton Colon, Sheraton, Oro Verde, Unipark, Hampton Inn, Grand Hotel, Kennedy Apart Hotel Cuenca: Oro Verde, El Dorado, Crespo, Hostería Uzshupud, Parador Turístico Gualaceo Riobamba: Hostería Abraspungu, Hosteria Andaluza, Hosteria El Troje, Ambato: Hotel Ambato, Hotel Miraflores, COUNTRY HACIENDAS: North of Quito: La Mirage (Cotacachi), Pinsaqui (Cotacachi), Huachala (Cayambe), Hacienda La Compania (Cayambe), Cusin (San Pablo Lake), Chorlavi (Ibarra), Puerto Lago (San Pablo Lake), San Augustin (Ibarra), Rancho Carolina (Ibarra). South of Quito: Hualilahua (Machachi), La Cienaga (Lasso), San Mateo (Lasso), San Augustin de Callo (Cotopaxi), Rumipamba de las Rosas (Salcedo), Hacienda Leito (Ambato/Patate), Manteles (Patate), Luna Run Tun (Baños), Hacienda Viña del Rio (Patate). West of Quito: Arasha (Mindo), Mindo Gardens (Mindo) Misahualli (Napo): Casa del Suizo, Cabañas Cotococha, Jardín Alemán, Kapawi (Macas), Sacha Lodge. DEPARTURE TAX On international flights departing from Quito or Guayaquil, there is a US$ 25.00 per person departure tax payable directly by passengers at either Mariscal Sucre Airport or Simon Bolivar Airport. There is an additional airport security fee of US$ 2.00 per person, which is paid if not included on the air ticket rate. These taxes are subject to change without notice. ADDITIONAL TRAVEL FACTS MAY BE FOUND ON OUR WEB SITE: ecuador@ecuadoriantours.com RESPONSIBILITY: The tour operator and its agents act only as agents for passengers in all matters pertaining to transportation, accommodations or other services. As agents, all tickets, exchange orders or vouchers are issued by them subject to any and all terms and conditions under which such means of transportation, accommodations or other services are offered or provided. The booking agent, airlines involved and general agent will not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any deficiency in any vehicle furnished by any such party, firm or corporation in carrying out, or failing to carry out arrangements previously agreed upon, nor for the negligent misconduct of any such other party, firm or corporation in providing or failing to provide are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their conveyance. The passenger contract in use by the airlines concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between booking agent, airline, general agent and the purchaser of these and / or passengers