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Ecuador has many faces and is full of beautiful and
interesting contrasts.
It is characterized by
its singular topography and well defined natural areas.
Here you find a diversity
of weather, ethnical groups and
one of the biggest
biodiversity of the world !
Ecuador is the smallest country in South America
located directly on the equator,
It is limited to the
North by Colombia, to the East and South by Peru and
to the West by the
Pacific Ocean.
The continental territory
is located at minus 5 hours and Galapagos at 6 hours with respect to the
Greenwich Meridian (GMT).
Map of South America with Equator Line indicating
Ecuador and Galapagos
The Andes “Cordillera” divides the country in
completely different natural areas and
greater regions with total different climate:
The Andean Highlands reaches
averages between 12 – 20 °C,
the
Amazon 24 – 30 °C, the Coast 22 – 30
°C and Galapagos 22 – 32 °C.
Ecuador has 2 seasons:
rainy between December and May and
dry between June and September.
But to Ecuador you can travel all
year round.
Map of Equador
indicating the 4 different regions: Galápagos, Highlands, Amazon and Coast
Ecuador’s population is
estimated at 12 million people belonging to a multiplicity of ethnic origins. The greatest
population is concentrated in the cities Guayaquil, Quito
and Cuenca.
Official language is Spanish;
nevertheless Quechua is still spoken in small native towns. English,
Italian, German and French are spoken in the main tourist centers.
Ecuador is a democratic
country:
The Constitution of the
Republic envisages 3 powers to the state:
Executive (President and
Vice-president), Legislative (Congress) and
Judicial (Supreme Court).
To enter Ecuador visitors
need a valid passport, in addition to a visa certificate issued by an
Ecuadorian Consulate.
Depending on various
agreements signed between Ecuador and other governments, some visitors
do not require a visa to enter
the country. With presentation for their passport, boarding pass and return
ticket a 90 day permit is issued.
Vaccinations are not required but…
recommended: Yellow fever, Hepatitis and Typhoid
Malaria stand-by medication (only for the Northern coast and the Amazon,
for Galapagos not necessary)
Money: $ (US dollars !) We recommend $ cash or $ Traveler Cheques
Take care with credit cards: they add up to 22% tax and service
In Galapagos only Mastercard and Visa are accepted !!!
To know the Galapagos Islands, cities, snowcapped
mountains,
the amazing jungle and the wonderful beaches you only
need to travel short distances of 2 hours flight or one day bus ride …
Ecuador has 2
International Airports: “Mariscal Sucre” in Quito the country’s capital and
“Simon Bolivar” in Guayaquil.
Airport tax to leave the
country is $ 25.
The main cities have
domestic airport services for national flights connecting the entire
country including the province of Galapagos with airports in Baltra and San
Cristobal.
Ground transportation:
The Pan-American highway
traverses the country from North to South.
Bus services between the
provinces are available at bus stations in all cities of the country. Urban
transportation allows mobilization to all points of interest.
Persons entering the
country driving a private car need an international driving license.
A railway system connects
the highland with the coast on pre-established routes
(service has been
temporarily suspended) and especially available for adventure tourism.
Several shipping
companies operate from the main Ecuadorian ports to destinations all over
the world. Most of them are commercial.
Riverboat transportation
is available in the coastal area and the Amazon Basin. Cruises to the
Galapagos are also offered.
Bank hours are from 9 am
– 4 pm, some banks have special working hours on
Saturdays from 9 am – 2
pm, in addition automated tellers work 24 hours a day.
The main shopping malls
open everyday from 9.30 am – 8 pm. Credit cards accepted !
For communication from
all over the world use the telephone code for Ecuador 593 and the
additional internal city code and phone number. For domestic calls add 0…
Electricity power is
100/120 volts.
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