Ecuador

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Overview

The Ecuadorian government has set itself the goal to turn Ecuador into one of the five best destinations of the American continent.

The country's varied and beautiful landscape should make this goal feasible. Straddling the equator in western South America, Ecuador has territories in both the Northern and the Southern hemispheres. The country is geographically divided into the Amazon, the Highlands, the Coast, and the Galápagos Islands.

Ecuador's coastal region (the western lowlands) is made up of fertile plains, rolling hills, and sedimentary basins traversed by a plethora of rivers that rush from the heights of the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. All five coastal provinces, encompassing 640km (398 miles) of coastline between them, have attractive beaches and plenty of hotels and resorts for tourists.

The Andes mountain range crosses the country from north to south. The Amazon Region can be geographically divided into two sub regions: the High Amazon and the Amazon Lowlands. The Highlands is comprised of the Andean foothills which slowly descend towards the Amazon River Basin. The Napo, Galeras, Cutucú, and Cóndor ranges are located here. The most impressive elevated regions of this area are in the north and include Volcano Sumaco. The Lowlands, found further to east, are home to some of the nation's most beautiful and important rivers: the Putumayo, the Napo, and the Pastaza.

The Archipelago of Colón (commonly known as the Galápagos Islands) is made up of 13 main islands, 17 islets, and dozens of ancient rock formation. Apart from its beautiful beaches and unique and varied ecosystems, the Galápagos Islands are home to towering active volcanoes.

Ecuador today remains a multi-ethnic and multicultural nation, where more than 14 indigenous groups maintain their own traditions and ways of life.
Area
272,045 sq km (105,037 sq miles).
Population
13.5 million (CIA estimate 2006).
Population Density
49.8 per sq km.
Capital
Quito. Population: 1.8 million (2005 estimate).
Government
Democratic republic since 1978.
Language
Spanish is the official language, but Quechua and other indigenous languages are common.
Religion
Christianity, with 95% Roman Catholic.
Time
Mainland: GMT - 5.
Galapagos Islands: GMT - 6.

Social Conventions
Casual wear is widely acceptable, other than for business. It is important to be punctual when arriving for meetings. Smart clothes are often required when visiting hotel dining rooms and better restaurants. Revealing clothes should not be worn in towns.
Photography: A tip may be requested if you wish to take someone's photograph and it is better to seek permission first.

Electricity
120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs used are American-style (two perpendicular flat blades above a circular grounding pin) and Japanese-style (two perpendicular flat blades).

Head of State
President Rafael Correa since 2007.

Culture

Food and Drink
Ecuador has some of the best beer in South America; the most popular brand is Pilsener, along with Club and Biela. Good, inexpensive Chilean and Argentinian wine is available, alongside pricier international drinks. Restaurants have waiter service and there are cafe-style bars.

Things to know: Alcohol cannot be sold after 0200.

National specialities:
o Cuy (roasted guinea pig).
o Llapingachos (pancakes stuffed with mashed potato and cheese).
o The best of the jungle fruits include chirimoya, with a delicious custard-like inside; mamey, which has a red, sweet, squash-like meat; and pepinos, a sweet white and purple striped cucumber-like fruit.
o Shrimp or lobster ceviche. This is traditionally accompanied by popcorn and chifles (thinly sliced and fried green bananas).
o Locro (soup of potatoes, corn and cheese).

National drinks:
o Naranjilla (fruit juice with a taste somewhere between citrus and peach).
o Canelazo (made from sugar cane, alcohol, lemon, sugar and cinnamon).
o Pisco - the local brandy.
o Chicha (fermented corn drink).
o Herbal teas made from native plants.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: 10% service charge is usually added to the bill in hotels and restaurants.

Nightlife
There is little nightlife, except in Quito and Guayaquil where there are excellent restaurants and other attractions. In smaller towns, social life takes place in the home and in private clubs. The cinema is the most popular form of entertainment. Things liven up from Thursday to Saturday evenings. Bars are generally open between 2000-0200, with clubs staying on until about 0400.

Shopping
Bargaining is acceptable in small shops and in markets, but prices are usually fixed in 'tourist stores'. A few stores around the major hotels have fixed prices. In the Province of Azuay, the cities of Cuenca and Gualaceo offer a wide variety of handicrafts at ferias or special market days. The top attractions are the ferias of Otavalo, Ambato, Latacunga, Saquisili and Riobamba, most held once a week. They offer the visitor excellent bargains for Indian crafts and silver. Principal silver stores are in Quito. Special purchases include native woodcarvings, varnished and painted ornaments made of bread dough, Indian tiles, woollen and orlon rugs, blankets, baskets, leather goods, shigras (shoulder bags) and hand-loomed textiles, indigenous art and native weapons.

Shopping hours: Generally, most shops are open Mon-Sat 0900-1800. Family shops, set up outside the main towns, often stay open as long as someone is awake. Some shops open Sunday.

Environment

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.

Required Clothing
Lightweight natural fabrics; rainwear in subtropical areas. Warmer clothes are needed in upland areas.

Ecuador is bordered to the north by Colombia, to the east and south by Peru, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. There are three distinct zones: the Sierra or uplands of the Andes, running from the Colombian border in the north to Peru in the south (of this there are two main ranges - the Eastern and Western Cordilleras, which are divided by a long valley); the Costa, a coastal plain between the Andes and the Pacific with plantations of bananas, cacao, coffee and sugar; and the Oriente, the upper Amazon basin to the east, consisting of tropical jungles threaded by rivers. The latter, although comprising 36% of Ecuador's land area, contains only 3% of the population. Colonisation is, however, increasing in the wake of the oil boom.

Money

Currency
US Dollar (USD; symbol US$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and at casas de cambio (exchange houses), the latter being generally the best option. It may be difficult to exchange money in the Oriente. The rate of commission varies between 1 to 4%, so it is worth shopping around.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Major credit/debit cards are accepted in most businesses. ATMs are available at most banks in urban areas. On the Galápagos Islands, currently only Mastercard is accepted.

Traveller's Cheques
Traveller's cheques are generally accepted in the larger cities and can be exchanged into currency at most banks and casas de cambio.

Banking Hours
Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1600/1700; Sat mornings.

Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Ecuador without incurring customs duty:

o 300 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 200g of tobacco.
o 1l of alcohol.
o A reasonable amount of perfume.
o Gifts and personal effects up to US$200 (for stays of up to seven days) or US$300 (for stays of eight days up to six months).
Prohibited Imports
Prior permission is required for the import of fresh or dry meat, uncanned meat products and all plants and vegetables.
Prohibited Exports
The export of gold bars or antiques is prohibited.

Traveller's Guide
Passport Note
Passports must be carried at all times.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required.
Visas
Not required.
Note: A measles vaccination certificate is required by all nationals travelling from Germany and Italy and must be shown on arrival.

Contact Addresses

Ministerio de Turismo (Ministry of Tourism)
Avenida Eloy Alfaro N32-300 y Carlos Tobar, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: (2) 222 8304.
Website: www.vivecuador.com

Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador in the UK
Flat 3B, 3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LS, UK
Tel: (020) 7584 2648 or 7808 8800 (consular information, 1500-1700).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1330, 1430-1730.

Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador in the USA
2535 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 234 7200 or 7166 (consulate).

Health Care
There are plenty of pharmacies in urban areas. Good medical care is available in Quito, Guayaquil, and most of the big cities. Medical facilities outside the major towns are limited. Acute surgical and cardiac services are not available on the Galápagos Islands; therefore, for more serious illnesses, patients may be evacuated to the USA. Health insurance (to include emergency repatriation) is strongly recommended.
Note * Malaria risk exists throughout the year below 1,500m (4,920ft), with moderate to high transmission risk in El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha and Sucumbios. There is no risk in Guayaquil or Quito.

** A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended if travelling to the east of the Andes. There is no risk in Quito, Guayaquil or the Galapagos Islands.

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