Volunteer Advisor Get Ready to Volunteer!
Country Guides - Ecuador 
Location - South America
Ecuador is a country in Northwestern South America, with a Pacific Ocean coastline, lying on the Equator between Colombia, to the northeast, and Peru, to the south and east.
Quick Facts
Capital: Quito
Language: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)
Government: Republic
Currency: US dollar (USD) since 2000
Population: 13,547,510 (July 2006 est.)
Religion: Roman Catholic 95%
Electricity: 110-220V/60Hz (USA & European plugs)
International dialling code: +593
Timezone: UTC-5
Contents
- Regions
- Cities
- Other destinations
- Understand
- Climate
- Get in
- Get around
- Talk
- Buy
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Do
- Stay safe
- Stay healthy
- Respect
- Communicate
Regions
The Amazon (Ecuador)The Andean Highlands (Ecuador)
The Coastal Lowlands (Ecuador)
The Galapagos Islands
back to contents »
Cities
Quito - Capital. Colonial City.Baños - In this city you can find an active volcano having small eruptions of ash and lava (volcano Tungurahua). There are also many hot spring mineral baths as its name would imply.
Cuenca - The third largest city in Ecuador. Cuenca was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site.
Guayaquil - Largest city in the country and largest port city.
Otavalo - Small town only two hours north of Quito by bus famous for its indigenous craft market.
Riobamba - Starting point of the famous train ride down the Nariz del Diablo and gateway to Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak, whose summit is the furthest point on Earth from its centre.
Esmeraldas - One of the most popular beaches in Ecuador.
Bahia de Caraquez - Another popular beach.
back to contents »
Other Destinations
Agua Blanca, Babahoyo, Canoa, Cotopaxi, Galapagos Islands, Guaranda, Loja, Mindo, Montanita, Piedra Blanca, Puerto Lopez, Puyo, Quilotoa Loop, San Miguel, Tena, Vilcabamba.back to contents »
Understand
The "Republic of the Ecuador" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbours. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999.
back to contents »Climate
Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
back to contents »Get In
===By plane===
Quito's airport has an executive lounge shared by all the airlines with drinks, snacks, and seating areas. The view is not of the airplanes and runway, but there is a view of the airport entrance and the surrounding mountains. Business class travellers get a free invitation. Economy passengers may enter by paying USD $15 as of August 2006.
Another port of entry is Guayaquil, which has a modern airport that includes the typical amenities such as restaurants and duty-free shopping. The airport is located north from downtown.
The Galapagos Islands are one of the Ecuadorian provinces and of course have their own airport on the only island which is not considered part of the national park. Aerogal is the name of the airline which flies to Galapagos and of course there is no way to get to the Galapagos without first coming to Ecuador.
The Quito airport charges an international departure tax of $31.60. The tax is $25 from Guayaquil. This tax usually is not included in the cost of the flight.
===By train===
There are no international train services into Ecuador.
===By car===
Is is preferable to enter the country by airplane or boat because of the frontier issues with aside countries.
===By bus===
If your enter Ecuador by bus you usually have to switch buses at the border. If come from [[Colombia]] you have to cross the border at Rumichaca near [[Tulcan]] and [[Ipiales|Ipiales (Colombia)]]. There are several places to cross the border with [[Peru]].
Get Around
===By bus===
Intercity buses travel to almost everywhere in Ecuador. Many cities have a central bus terminal, known as the terminal terrestre, where it is possible to buy tickets from the various bus lines that serve the city. Long-distance buses typically cost from $1 to $2 per hour, depending on the distance and the type of service; groups may be able to negotiate discounts. Buses are frequent along major routes. Reservations or advance purchases usually aren't needed except during peak periods such as holidays. The bathroom on the bus, if any, is usually reserved for women. However, it is permissible for men to request that the bus make a stop so that they might relieve themselves. The bus rides themselves are often quite beautiful, through mountain views in the clouds. These altitude changes cause many of the same ear pressure problems which are associated with an airplane ride.
The bus driver will stop along the way to board additional passengers. Many busses arrive at their destination with passengers standing in the aisle. There are a few first class busses, called "Ejecutivo", which cost a little more than the regular busses. They are generally more comfortable and safer.
===By taxi===
Taxis are widely available. Taxis are generally yellow and have the taxi license number prominently displayed. Taxis in Quito have meters (fares under $1.00 are rounded up to the minimum fare of $1.00). Agree upon a price before getting in or ask the driver to use the meter (often cheaper than a negotiated rate); short trips generally don't cost more than $1 or $2, and you generally shouldn't end up paying more than $10 per hour, if that, for longer trips. Evening rates are often double. As with any country in Latin America, (or the world for that matter), don't ride an unlicensed taxi. It's a great way to get kidnapped.
===By hitchhiking===
Hitchhiking is possible in Ecuador. A lot of people drive pick-ups which you can easily throw your backpack into if they give you a lift. We practised it on the Panamericana from Quito to Riobamba and in the Northern Part on the coast.
On roads not frequently serviced by busses, cargo trucks may take on riders or hitchhikers, either to ride in back or in the cabin. In some cases the driver charges the going busfare, in others he may simply be taking on a rider for the company and refuse a fare.
back to contents »
Talk
Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quichua). English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and other businesses that cater to foreigners. Ecuadorians are generally tolerant of foreigners who attempt to speak Spanish but make mistakes.
back to contents »Buy
Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its currency. Other types of currency are not readily accepted. U.S. paper money is used for most transactions. Ecuador has its own coins, which are approximately the same size and color as U.S. coins up through 50-cent pieces; both they and U.S. coins are used. U.S. dollar coins are also widely used, more so than in the U.S. Susan B. Anthony dollars, however, are not generally accepted. Many merchants examine large bills ($10 and above) carefully to make sure they aren't counterfeit. Outside of tourist areas and Quito, many merchants do not keep large amounts of money on hand, so getting change for large bills (or even small ones) may be difficult or impossible. This is especially true on cheaper busses. Take lots of one and five dollar bills with you; you will also want to bring the newest possible bills. Worn bills are often reguarded with suspicion, and it is not uncommon for a merchant to ask you to pay with another bill if the one you handed them appears old or worn.
Travelers' checks can be exchanged at some (but not all) banks for a reasonable fee (usually not more than 3 percent). They are also accepted at some hotels that cater to tourists, although it is difficult to use them elsewhere. There is often a surcharge added to use traveler's checks.
Credit and debit cards are accepted at many places that cater to tourists as well as at some upscale shops. However, many places charge a commission for their use as reimbursement for what the banks charge them. You may be asked to show your passport when using a credit or debit card. Automated teller machines (ATMs) are widely available in major cities and tourist areas. Most claim to be tied in with major international networks, in theory making it possible to withdraw money from foreign accounts. Depending on the transaction fees charged by your bank at home, ATMs offer very good exchange rates. Be aware that you may have to try quite a few different machines before recieving money.
Even though Ecuador is a very beautiful country it does not know how to sell itself very well. In Quito a very famous touristic site is El Mercado Artesenal where many souvenirs can be found but after a thorough look around you will realize that there is a bit of redundancy in the items in the sense that everyone is basically selling the same thing so after buying a few main items it becomes difficult to find much more variety. Almost everything that can be bought has a price that can be bargained and if you are not a native, they will try and get higher prices out of you which is why it is recommendable to go with someone who is either fluent in spanish or native, to bargain more effectively.
back to contents »Eat
Throughout the country there is a lot of variety, and what is typically eaten depending on where you happen to be. In the sierra rice almost always accompanies lunch and dinner, and in the coast it's potatoes. Soup is also a big part of lunch and dinner. Breakfasts often consist of toast, eggs and juice or fruit.
If you're on a budget, your best bet for a good and local meal is to order an almuerzo
(lunch) or a merienda (dinner). These normally consist of a soup, a meat main course and a
dessert for $1-$2.
More expensive restaurants (say, ones that charge $4 per meal or more) often add a 12% sales
tax and a 10% service fee.
Coffee or tea (including many herbal varieties) is typically served after the meal unless
you ask for it sooner.
Except at places that cater to foreigners, it is the custom not to present the diner with
the bill until it is requested. While many servers are used to rude tourists, rubbing your
fingers together isn't as accepted as in Europe although it's not considered downright rude
as in the United States. The best way to get the bill is to tell your server "La Cuenta,
Por Favor".
- Locro de papa is a famous Ecuadorian soup with avocados, potatoes and cheese.
- Ceviche is a common dish typically found on the coast, but also inland too. It is a cold
seafood cocktail that is usually served with "chifles" Thin fried plantains.
- Encebollado is a hearty fish soup with yuca, also found on the coast: A tomato-fish soup
filled with chunks of yucca, marinated vegetables with "chifles" thrown in for added crunch.
- In the Highlands,Ecuadorians eat guinea pig ("cuy") as a speciality. The entire animal is
roasted or fried and often served skewered on a stick.
- Empanadas are also a common local food that are usually consumed as snacks in the afternoon.
The most common varieties of this filled pastry are cheese and/or chicken.
Drink
Fruit juice is plentiful and good. Ask the server what kind of juice they are serving and you are often presented with a long list: piña (pineapple), mora (blackberry), maracuya (passion fruit), naranja (orange), sandia (watermelon), naranjilla (a jungle fruit), melon, taxo, guanabana, guava, etc. You can get them made with milk if you ask for a "batido". Fruit juice and yogurt are available at some street stands. However, not all juices are served cold as many people expect; it's more than likely a lukewarm juice will be served to you.
Aguardiente, often made from fermented sugar cane, is the local firewater. If possible,
have some ground freshly into your cup from the sugarcane.
Bottled mineral water is very common and should be safe to drink; it comes in both
carbonated ("con gas") and non-carbonated ("sin gas") varieties.
Coffee and tea are widely available. Herbal teas are also common. Probably needless to say,
but Coca-Cola, Pepsi and other types of soda can be found everywhere in Ecuador.
Sleep
There are many low-cost hostels and hotesl that can be found throughout Ecuador. Often the hostels in smaller towns are actually privately owned homes that welcome travellers. As with most things, natives can help you find an excellent hotel at a very low price ($6-14). Again, large groups will be able to bargain for lower prices. Air conditioning is an amenity which often comes at an extra cost.
back to contents »Do
Ecuador has so many attractions. The capital Quito, is a city with a lot of history where you can walk in downtown, enjoying of the beautiful colonial buildings. There is also the "Teleférico" (cable-car) which takes passengers from the highest mountain in Quito to see the whole city from the sky. The cost is just $6 per person. There are many welcoming cafes as well as many dancing clubs open every weekend, often until 5 am. The beaches in Ecuador are great, the weather is just perfect and the food is delicious and unique. One can eat a lobster for $15 and stay in a hotel for $10.
In Guayaquil, an excellent place to visit is the Malecón 2000, offering food, shopping, boat rides and a beautiful view of the river. Except for electronics, prices are quite low; however, almost everything sold with any sort of brand name is a knockoff. This area is very well patrolled and quite safe. For a real adventure, it is possible to visit the more authentic, less expensive, and far more dangerous Bahía or "Informal Market". It is not advisable to visit it without a native. It is possible to purchase a knockoff of almost anything here. Pirated video games and movies also abound; it is possible to purchase game systems modified to play such games as well. Make the proprietors prove to you that any movies or games you might purchase actually work before buying though. In the Bahía, it is necessary to haggle for all items.
Baños is the perfect city for the outdoors or extreme sports enthusiast, offering rafting, mountain climbing and backpacking excursions of all sorts. It is possible to get an English speaking guide. Be sure to get all the necessary vaccinations, as it is possible to get some nasty infections from prolonged exposure to the water. Baños also offers a public hot spring mineral bath, which only charges $1 admission. Other, more expensive baths also exist, but are fed from the exact same water. It is best to arrive at these baths as they open, as the water is freshest and cleanest then.
Manabi, many tourist don't take the time to visit the northwestern part of the country. The north of Ecuador offers the best beaches, Bahia de Caraquez, Manta, Crucita, San Jacinto, San Clemente are just a few. They offer very inexpensive hotel accomodation, great food and even warmer people. In the coast it is no surprise that travellers find a more relaxed place, where the people only are welcoming. Manabi is a province that you should consider visiting.
back to contents »Stay Safe
Tourists should use common sense to ensure their safety. Most tourists who avoid flashing
large amounts of money, visiting areas near the Colombia border, civil
disturbances, side streets in big cities at night and that sort of thing report few
problems. Probably the biggest threat in most places is simple thievery: belongings should
not be left unguarded on the beach, for example, and pickpockets can be found in some of the
more crowded areas, especially the Trolébus (Metro) in Quito, in bus terminals and on the
busses themselves. Busses allow peddlers to board briefly and attempt to sell their wares;
however, they are often thieves themselves, so keep a close eye out for them. Hotel
personnel are generally good sources of information about places that should be avoided.
Ecuador offers great opportunities for hiking and climbing, unfortunately, some travelers
have been attacked and robbed in remote sections of well known climbs. Travelers are urged
to avoid solo hikes and to go in a large group for safety reasons.
Stay Healthy
Bottled water is the key in Ecuador if you don't want to get sick. This doesn't only apply
to foreigners who don't have the stomach for Ecuadorian food but also Ecuadorians who know
that if they don't boil their water or drink it from the bottle that they can get ill. As a
result, it can be purchased almost everywhere (even in the most remote places).
Get your vaccinations depending on your specific areas of travel.
Malaria can be a problem in parts of the country too, especially along the coast and in the Amazon region so make the necessary preparations.
Respect
Among many other cultural idiosyncrasies, it is considered impolite to use a downward-facing
palm as a reference for the height of a person. Instead, the hand is held on its side, and
the measurement taken from the lower edge to the floor. Gesturing with the palm down is
appropriate for animals only. When motioning for someone to "come here," it is impolite to motion your hand with the palm facing up. Instead, use a downward swipe of the hand with the palm facing down.
Acceptable clothing varies by region of the country. In the mountainous Sierra region,
including Quito, clothes are usually more warm because of the weather. On the coast,
meanwhile, more casual clothes predominate.
Communicate
===Internet===
Internet cafes can be found nearly everywhere in the major cities and in many of the smaller
ones. Cost is from $1 to $2 per hour in the large cities, and the better places have
high-speed access.
===Telephone===
For most visitors, the easiest place to make phone calls is an Internet cafe, most of which
provide VIP service at reasonable rates. You can call the United States for about $0.10 per
minute and Europe for a bit more. Avoid making a phone call through an operator; the cost
cost for an international call can be $3 or more per minute. For calls within Ecuador, it
is possible to use a telephone cabin. This is an entire storefront filled with telephones.
Generally, you are assigned a booth by the proprietor, you make your call, then you pay as
you leave. Calls within Ecuador are more expensive than domestic calls in most countries,
but not unreasonable, except for calls to cell phones, which generate most of their revenue
by charging the caller. Also, call prices increase depending on the distance of your call
within Ecuador, based on city, province, etc. Visitors making an extended stay should
consider purchaing a cell phone. Most are sold on a prepaid-call basis, and phone refill
cards can be purchased in all but the smallest towns. It is also possible to get a modern
GSM cellular phone "unlocked" so that it will function in Ecuador (you can take your own
phone, if it compatible with GSM 850MHz), however, this should be reserved for emergencies
as the cost of actually making such a call is usually exhorbitant.
Adapted from wikitravel article
Based on work by Ryan Aslett, Hannes Mannerheim, Stephen Atkins, Chuck Watson, SONORAMA, David, Kasper Souren, Colin Jensen, Gobbler, Ricardo, Evan Prodromou, Michele Ann Jenkins, Kyle and Yann Forget, Wikitravel user(s) Episteme, Jake73, Cacahuate, Pjt33, W66LinkBot, Lecachalot, Agentsteve592, Santi10, WindHorse, Ronald, Huttite, Mickjf, InterLangBot, Viajo, Bijee, Bletch, Chris j wood, Dhum Dhum and CIAWorldFactbook2002 and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.
Return to the country guides.