Ecuador, one of the world's
most diverse countries in relation to its size, holds
one of the greatest amounts of plant and animal species
in the world. It is a coastal country, bordered by Columbia
to the north, Peru to the east and south, and the Pacific
Ocean to the West.
Ecuador has four diverse and completely different regions,
each with its own offerings for tourists:
The Pacific Coast, with great beaches
Amazon Rain Forest -- exotic jungle, rivers and wide
range of plants and animals
Highlands of the Andes -- Snowcapped mountains, volcanoes,
Indian villages, and colonial cities
Galapagos Islands -- inhabited by animals not found
elsewhere in the world
Many travelers refer to Ecuador as one of the most attractive,
peaceful, and friendly countries in South America, and
costs are relatively low in most areas. It is a premier
destination for bird watching, with 17
percent of all the species of the world living here. In
fact, the flora and the fauna attract not only nature
lovers but leading botanists and scientists.
Since it's located right on the equator, Ecuador as a
whole has no extreme weather changes, with climate changes
determined by altitude rather than latitude.. As a general
rule it is far cooler in the highlands and more tropical
with humid, wetter climates in the Amazon and Coastal
areas.
Ecuador's inexpensive and generally reliable buses are
the country's preferred form of travel. In contrast, the
train network covers only a small portion
of the country. The road network is limited and less than
15 percent of the highways are paved, and floods and landslides
can cause havoc. Finally, some primary domestic air carriers
are relatively inexpensive, with the exception of trips
to the Galapagos Islands.
Ecuador has a wide range of cuisine, with Western cooking,
as well as a wide variety of international cooking, available
throughout the country. Fruits and juices appear in great
varieties.
Accommodations are plentiful, ranging from international
luxury hotels to meager shelters. If you're on a mid-range
budget, you'll be pleased with the numbers of clean low-cost
hotels in most cities and towns. Again, the Galapagos
Islands are an exception.
Come prepared to wear lightweight woolens, with warm
jackets for the evenings, in the highlands, and light
tropical attire in the Amazon area . Cobblestone streets
make high heels a bad choice.
The predominant religion is Roman Catholic, with many
celebrations and holidays revolving around the church
calendar. When visiting churches, monasteries, and shrines,
those in shorts, miniskirts, or similar attire will offend
others.
When to Go:
The Highlands -- the dry winter from June to September,
but also enjoyable other months
The Amazon Basin -- the dry season from May to November,
avoiding the rainy season when the jungle may be impenetrable
The Galapagos Islands -- May to December is fine. Ideal
is March through May and November and December. (July,
August and December are costlier). Surfing season is December
through February.
Events/Holidays:
There are 23
Passport Requirements: All visitors need valid passports
to enter Ecuador. Note that the country does not always
allow entrance if the holder's passport expires in under
six months. Under a new law, no visas are necessary.
Language: Ecuador's official language is Spanish, but
Quichua, an Inca language, is spoken by the Indian population.
Besides Spanish, ten native languages are spoken in Ecuador.
Currency: The U.S. dollar is Ecuador's currency. The
country has coins ranging from one to 50 cents, all equivalent
to the American coins. U.S. coins are accepted as well.
Things to Avoid:
Lack of Personal Safety: At night, stick to busy well-lit
streets and never admit you are traveling alone. Be sure
someone at home knows your itinerary.
For transportation, think twice before driving, as roads
are poor, and travel only during the day. Definitely do
not hitchhike, particularly women.
Theft of Valuables: Bring as little with you as possible.
Keep your cash, cards, and papers in a money belt, especially
in large cities. And don't let your bags out of your sight
while traveling from place to place.
Sickness:
Inoculations: You are required by Ecuadorian law to show
a vaccination certificate for yellow fever. Also, make
sure you're up to date on your other vaccinations and
boosters.
Food and Water: Tap water is unsafe to drink. Bottled
water and sealed soft drinks are safe.
