ecuador | destinations Ecuador
EMBASSY OF ECUADOR 2535 15th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 T: 202 234 7200 F: 202 333 2893 E:
embassy@ecuador.org ecuador.org
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
POPULATION (2020 EST.): 17,643,054 CAPITAL: Quito MAIN CITIES: Guayaquil, Cuenca, Santo Domingo VISA: U.S. citizens don’t need to apply for a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Passport must be valid for at least six months and immigration offi cials also sometimes request evidence of return or onward travel HEALTH: No requirements for Quito and the Galapagos Islands. For the Amazon jungle and certain coastal lowland areas, yellow fever immunization is advisable, and essential if arriving from an infected area. Precautions against hepatitis A,
malaria, typhoid and tetanus are all recommended CURRENCY: U.S. dollar. Major credit cards are accepted TIPPING: Up to 10 percent for good service TIME: GMT –5 ELECTRICITY: 120 volts. No adaptor required DRIVING: Traffi c drives on the right. All valid foreign driving licences are accepted PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (2021): Jan 1; Feb 12, 13; Mar 30; Apr 1; May 1, 25; Aug 10; Oct 9; Nov 2, 3; Dec 25 LANGUAGE: Spanish is the offi cial language, with Quechua, Shuar and other native languages used offi cially in some native communities. English is spoken in tourist areas RELIGION: 95 percent of the population is Catholic COUNTRY DIAL CODE: +593
CLIMATE There are no distinct seasons in Ecuador. Generally, October and November and February to May are more prone to rain. December and January and June to September are drier. In the Andes (Quito), temperatures range
(throughout the year) from 50F to 75F and on the coast and in the Amazon rainforest from 68F to 91F. Meanwhile, in the Galapagos the range is from 64F to 86F. The climate is slightly warmer in February and March and colder in the months of August and September
GETTING THERE
MAJOR GATEWAYS: Quito (UIO) Guayaquil (GYE) TYPICAL FLYING TIME: From Miami, 4h TRANSFERS: Quito (5 miles/ 8km) bus 30 mins, taxi 20 mins PORT: Guayaquil
PACIFIC OCEAN
COLOMBIA Esmeraidas Quito Manta Portoviejo Rio Coca ECU ADOR
GETTING AROUND There is an effi cient railway system. Transport by bus is available throughout the country, both in the cities and in the countryside. The main routes are served by good-quality vehicles, while secondary routes are fully served by lower-quality vehicles. Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Road conditions are variable as a result of frequent earthquakes and fl ooding during the past decade. Flying is generally the best way to travel between the cities; all the major cities are served by air routes. The Galapagos Islands and certain areas of the Amazon region are accessible only by air, but transportation generally is somewhat restricted. Car rental is available within Ecuador’s major cities
TOP ATTRACTIONS Guayaquil Cuenca Machala
PACIFIC OCEAN
ECUADOR Peru Brazil Cuba CARIBBEAN SEA Venezuela Columbia PER U
Galapagos Islands, a National Park and marine reserve with an abundance of unique fl ora and fauna Wildlife: around 3,800 species of vertebrates, including 1,550 mammals and 800 freshwater fi sh Quito, the colonial city dating from the 15th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Amazon rainforest covering the eastern half of the country Cotopaxi National Park, which contains the world’s highest active volcano Sangay National Park, with the impressive Tungurahua volcano Volcan Chimborazo, the highest summit in Ecuador and Earth’s closest point to the sun Avenue of the Volcanoes near the town of Riobamba Inca ruins near Cuenca in the Southern Sierra Ecuador has 10 national parks and 14 natural reserves, covering around 4.6 million hectares of land and more than 14 million hectares of water Colonial haciendas in the Andean countryside Indian culture in the cities of Quito and Cuenca
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK Ecuador is famous for the many exotic fruits it produces as well as Andean potatoes and seafood. The food in the country is diverse and delicious, depending on the location and agricultural growing abilities. Chicken, beef and pork are most often enjoyed in the mountainous regions. A common Ecuadorean dish is roasted cuy (guinea pig). Served with potatoes, this is a popular street food dish in the sierra region
WHAT TO BUY Despite their name, Panama hats are actually produced in Ecuador. Good-quality hats can be rolled up in your luggage and will later spring back into shape when unpacked. Handicrafts, carvings and jewelry are widely available from markets
SAFETY & SECURITY The popular tourist destination of Banos is located at the base of Tungurahua volcano. If an eruption occurs, stay alert and follow arrows to reach the shelters. Please check online at
travel.state.gov for advice
Worldwide Destination Guide 2021/22 | ASTA | 181
Rio Esmeraidas
Rio Daule
Rio Pastaza
Rio Napo
Rio Cyraray
Rio Chira
Rio Zamora
Rio San Miguel
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