Very Important Ecuador information
Please take a few minutes of your time to read carefully the enclosed information.
Ecuador is the land of diversity; we call it “Diversiland” like our best selling itinerary. We are carefully divided by nature, yet solidly held together by a strong Indian heritage. Ecuador is a living encounter with magical realism between earth and heaven, its beauty of nature and Culture at is best: Follow the steps of Humboldt and Whymper in the Andes and its world heritage cities, swim along the Ocean Pacific a second Galapagos, explore the mysteries of the AMAZON jungle and the Galapagos Islands and Marine reserve. All in one trip!
The country also offers attractive value and shopping opportunities at low prices. Once the capital of the powerful Inca Empire, it is now a Democratic Republic ready to welcome you.
Entry Requirements:
A valid passport is required to enter and depart Ecuador. Visas are not required if you're a citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany, or Switzerland as our foreign relations policy is based on reciprocity. Upon entry, you will automatically be granted permission to enter for 90 days. Technically, to enter the country you need a passport that is valid for more than 6 months, a return ticket, and proof of how you plan to support yourself while you're in the country.
Health:
No vaccinations are required for entry but we recommend to double check your particular health case with your physician before departure. However due to the high altitude ranges in some parts of Ecuador, travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctors. Bottled water is advised everywhere. The country is almost FREE of the common tropical diseases. International Certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is required if arriving from infected area within 5 days.
Departure tax:
There is a US$ 25 departure tax that must be paid in cash for those leaving on international flights from Quito and US$ 20 if leaving from Guayaquil.
Local time:
Eastern standard or GMT - 5. There is no daylight savings time. In the Galapagos Islands it is GMT-6.
Money:
The national monetary denomination WAS the Sucre, named after Field Marshal Antonio José de Sucre, heroe of our independence war. There were 1000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000 and 50.000 bills, 100, 500 and 1000 Sucre coins were also found. Since September 13, 2000 the US dollar is the official currency of Ecuador. In the denominations we all know. Ecuador also coined smaller denominations to make trade easier. Please arrange always to pay exact amount, as change is difficult to be found.
Banking hours:
Monday through Friday 09h00 a.m. to 04h00 p.m. Some Banks have their own schedule and accept money exchange until 02h00 p.m. A commission is changed to cash Traveler Checks and Credit Cards cash advances are limited. There are few ATM machines that can give you up to 400 per day.
Shopping hours:
Monday through Friday, generally from 10h00 a.m. to 01h00 p.m. and 03h00 p.m. to 08h00 p.m. certain stores, shopping centers and markets may be open on Saturday and Sunday. Most establishments and offices honor “Siesta Time”.
Electricity:
110 volts, 60 Hertz AC / 220 adapters and round plugs are difficult to find, bring your adapter from home in case you might need it, specially if coming from Europe.
Tipping:
In Ecuador, restaurants, bars and hotels by law add 10% service charge to the bill. An additional modest gratuity (maximum 5%) is expected only if service has been particularly good. Minimum big group tipping for Certified Guides is $2.00 to $3.00 per person per day and drivers should be tipped about half that amount. For individuals and couples, tipping should be made taking into consideration the personalized service and your good judgment. Certified Naturalist should be tipped US$ 5 per person per day at National Parks. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers.
Language:
Spanish is the official language; Quechua is spoken by a large percentage of the native people although there are other primitive Indian languages at the Lowlands. English is spoken in hotels and First Class establishments: French or German only at specialized places.
Population:
Approximately 13 million inhabitants’ mostly white “Mestizos” descendants of the Europeans that mixed with the local populations. There are more than 10 different Indian nationalities that hold 40% of the total population of the country.
Climate:
Although its small size, changes in altitude and the effect of the cold ocean currents combine to give Ecuador virtually any possible type of climate. The Costa, the Sierra and the Amazon vary mainly in height, temperature and precipitation “seasonal changes in Ecuador are caused by amount of rainfall”.
The country also offers attractive value and shopping opportunities at low prices. Once the capital of the powerful Inca Empire, it is now a Democratic Republic ready to welcome you.
Entry Requirements:
A valid passport is required to enter and depart Ecuador. Visas are not required if you're a citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany, or Switzerland as our foreign relations policy is based on reciprocity. Upon entry, you will automatically be granted permission to enter for 90 days. Technically, to enter the country you need a passport that is valid for more than 6 months, a return ticket, and proof of how you plan to support yourself while you're in the country.
Health:
No vaccinations are required for entry but we recommend to double check your particular health case with your physician before departure. However due to the high altitude ranges in some parts of Ecuador, travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctors. Bottled water is advised everywhere. The country is almost FREE of the common tropical diseases. International Certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is required if arriving from infected area within 5 days.
Departure tax:
There is a US$ 25 departure tax that must be paid in cash for those leaving on international flights from Quito and US$ 20 if leaving from Guayaquil.
Local time:
Eastern standard or GMT - 5. There is no daylight savings time. In the Galapagos Islands it is GMT-6.
Money:
The national monetary denomination WAS the Sucre, named after Field Marshal Antonio José de Sucre, heroe of our independence war. There were 1000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000 and 50.000 bills, 100, 500 and 1000 Sucre coins were also found. Since September 13, 2000 the US dollar is the official currency of Ecuador. In the denominations we all know. Ecuador also coined smaller denominations to make trade easier. Please arrange always to pay exact amount, as change is difficult to be found.
Banking hours:
Monday through Friday 09h00 a.m. to 04h00 p.m. Some Banks have their own schedule and accept money exchange until 02h00 p.m. A commission is changed to cash Traveler Checks and Credit Cards cash advances are limited. There are few ATM machines that can give you up to 400 per day.
Shopping hours:
Monday through Friday, generally from 10h00 a.m. to 01h00 p.m. and 03h00 p.m. to 08h00 p.m. certain stores, shopping centers and markets may be open on Saturday and Sunday. Most establishments and offices honor “Siesta Time”.
Electricity:
110 volts, 60 Hertz AC / 220 adapters and round plugs are difficult to find, bring your adapter from home in case you might need it, specially if coming from Europe.
Tipping:
In Ecuador, restaurants, bars and hotels by law add 10% service charge to the bill. An additional modest gratuity (maximum 5%) is expected only if service has been particularly good. Minimum big group tipping for Certified Guides is $2.00 to $3.00 per person per day and drivers should be tipped about half that amount. For individuals and couples, tipping should be made taking into consideration the personalized service and your good judgment. Certified Naturalist should be tipped US$ 5 per person per day at National Parks. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers.
Language:
Spanish is the official language; Quechua is spoken by a large percentage of the native people although there are other primitive Indian languages at the Lowlands. English is spoken in hotels and First Class establishments: French or German only at specialized places.
Population:
Approximately 13 million inhabitants’ mostly white “Mestizos” descendants of the Europeans that mixed with the local populations. There are more than 10 different Indian nationalities that hold 40% of the total population of the country.
Climate:
Although its small size, changes in altitude and the effect of the cold ocean currents combine to give Ecuador virtually any possible type of climate. The Costa, the Sierra and the Amazon vary mainly in height, temperature and precipitation “seasonal changes in Ecuador are caused by amount of rainfall”.
- The coast has an average temperature of 32°C (90°F) in the hot rainy season from November to May. The rest of the year is dry with temperatures in the “teens” during the day and dropping at night.
- In the highlands the temperature varies with the altitude (about 2°C or 4°F by 200 meters or 656 feet of elevation). This explains why Quito is also called “the City of Eternal Spring”, because even though it is located just minutes south of the Equator at an altitude of 2850 meters (9.348 feet) above sea level and has an average temperature of 14°C (65°F) year round.
- At the Amazon: Tropical rain forest, the temperature ranges from 18°C to 36°C (70 to 105 ° F) with rainfall almost all year round, the coolest months are from December to May.
- The Galapagos Islands: The winds and ocean currents dictate the weather on the Galapagos, but this simple relationship is complicated by the archipelago's location at the confluence of two currents and two wind streams, so that the controlling forces change from season to season. Oceanic influences vary between the cool Humboldt Current from the coast of Peru, and the warmer Panama flow that arrives from the northeast. The dry season or the “garúa” season lasts from June or July through November. It is usually warmer from December to May, reaching up to 38°C (108 °F) at noon and Cooler in July and August down to 18 °C (68°F); it is cold enough to host sperm whales.
Clothing:
Based on the climate information listed above and your good judgment, plan your visit to Ecuador. Dressing in the country is casual but locals like to dress up for dinner. Cotton clothing is useful don’t forget a raincoat. In general, dress as do it at home.
Based on the climate information listed above and your good judgment, plan your visit to Ecuador. Dressing in the country is casual but locals like to dress up for dinner. Cotton clothing is useful don’t forget a raincoat. In general, dress as do it at home.
