REPUBLICA DE ECUADOR
Full Name: Republic of Ecuador.
Capital: Quito
Area: 256.370 Km2
Population: 12.6 million in habitants.
Official Language: Spanish; Quichua is spoken in some indigenous communities. English is widely spoken. In terms of tourism services, guides who speak Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian are available.
Currency: US$ Dollar.
Religión: Approx. 82% Catholic.
GNP: US$ 39.8 billion
GDP per capita: US$ 2,970 (Central Bank of Ecuador up through January 31, 2006).
Annual Inflation: 3,21%
Time Zone: -5 GMT in mainland Ecuador (Eastern Standard Time) & -6 GMT on the
Galapagos Islands.
Country calling code: +593 + city code.
Electricity: 110/120 V. Plugs have two flat prongs, as in the United States. Adapters can be obtained easily.
Taxes: 12% VAT and 10% service in most hotels and restaurants.
Health Risks: No vaccinations are needed to enter Ecuador. As with any tropical country around the world, there is a risk of malaria in certain areas of the Amazon and the Coast.
Export Products: Oil, bananas, shrimp, fish, flowers, coffee, and wooden products, among others.
ATMs: Cirrus, Maestro, Plus, Banred, Cash advances on international credit cards.
Traveler's Checks: American Express and Visa (these can be cashed in banks and bureaus de change and are accepted in some hotels and tour operators).
Accepted credit cards: Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diners.
Airport Departure Taxes: US$ 39.60 in Quito and US$ 25.00 in Guayaquil.
Tips: In spite of the 10% service charge in hotels and restaurants, a tip is usually left depending on the service received.
Communications: Telephone: Access code: 00, Direct international dialing available in hotels. Local, international, and cell phone calls: Andinatel, Pacifictel, Etapa, Movistar, and Porta phone booths.
Internet: Internet cafes in almost the whole of Ecuador. Average rate of US$ 0.70 per hour. Hotels and hostels provide free internet as a service included in the cost of accommodation.
Post: National and international post available in almost the whole of Ecuador.
Press: Published in Spanish. The most important newspapers are: El Comercio, Hoy, El Universo, El Telégrafo, and El Mercurio. International magazines can be bought in pharmacies, hotels, airports, and some bookshops.
Safety: Ecuador is a safe country. It is recommended to carry a copy of your passport for all trips in Ecuador and to leave another one in your place of lodging. In big cities it is necessary to take precautions as one does in any other city in the world.
Countries that do not need a visa to enter Ecuador: The United States, Great Britain, Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Korea, Croatia, Chile, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, the Philippines, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Rumania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, The Ukraine, Uruguay, the Vatican, Venezuela.
Climate: Ecuador has a wide range of climates depending on altitude, location, and, mainly, due to the Andes mountain range and the impact of sea currents.
- Galapagos:
- Hot season, warm and rainy climate: December through May / Dry season, windy and dry climate: June through November. Temperatures of between 72ºF / 22ºC and 90ºF / 32ºC.
- Costa:
- Rainy season: December through May, mostly in the evening.
- Dry season: June through November.
- Temperatures of between 73ºF / 23ºC and 91ºF / 33ºC.
- Andes:
- Rainy and cool climate: November through April.
- Dry climate: May through October.
- Temperatures of between 55ºF / 13ºC and 64ºF /18ºC.
- Amazon:
- Rainy and humid season: January through September.
- Dry season: October through December.
- Temperatures range between 73ºF / 23ºC and 96ºF / 36ºC.
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