All you need to know about Ecuador
| Official name: | Republic of Ecuador |
| Area: | 110,000 square miles (256,370 Km2) |
| Capital city: | Quito 1.841.452 inhabitants |
| Government: | Democratic based on 3 powers: Executive, Legislative and Judicial |
| President: | Rafael Correa EC (2007-2011) |
| Main Cities: | Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca |
| Official languages: | Spanish and Quishua. English is widely spoken. |
| Currency: | U.S. Dollars (Euros can be easily changed) |
| Religion: | Majority Roman Catholic |
| Population: | 13,547,510 (July 2006 est.) |
Climate
Due to geographic differences in altitude, longitude and latitude, and the climatic effects of the Pacific Ocean, the Amazon, and the Andes, the various regions and sub regions of Ecuador have very different climates and microclimates. The Pacific coast has a rainy season between December and May and a dry one from June to November. The temperature oscillates between 23 and 26 degrees centigrade.
The Highlands, on the other hand, has a rainy, cold climate from November to April and a dry one from May to October. The temperature here is between 13 and 18 degrees centigrade. In the Amazon, the climate is rainy and humid between January and September, with temperatures between 23 and 36 degrees centigrade, and it is dry between October and December.
Ecuador Culture and Society
Ecuador is a multiethnic and pluricultural nation. It has a population of more than 12.6 million. Of these, five and a half million live in the highlands. Six and a half million of Ecuador’s inhabitants live on the Pacific coast. The Amazon region is home to more than six hundred thousand inhabitants and nearly seventeen thousand live in the Galapagos Islands. More than 14 indigenous groups live on the Ecuadorian mainland, maintaining their own traditions and ways of life.
Banks and businesses
Bank offices open from 9:00 to 18:00 Monday through Friday. International transactions open until 14:00 Banking facilities are not available in remote areas. U.S. dollars are accepted throughout the country. ATM's are easily found throughout the main cities. Cash advances can be made at most banks or ATM's.
Currency
Ecuador's currency is the Dollar of the United States of Americas. U.S. dollars are used for all transactions. Euros can be changed in local banks or currency exchange facilities.
Luggage
No more than 20 Kilos (44 pounds) of luggage (one suitcase) may be checked on flights to or from the Galapagos Islands and to the amazon Jungle. Additional luggage may be stored at your hotel. These restrictions do not include small carry-on flight bags or camera cases.
Time
Local time on the mainland is Greenwich Meridian Time minus 5 hours (Eastern Standard Time in the United States). Galapagos time is GMT minus 6 hours.
Park fees
Visitors to the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon rain forest, the Cotopaxi National Park and other National Parks and Natural Reserves must pay entrance fees. Such prices vary and are not included in tour rates.
Children
Some tours and programs are not suitable for small children, and thus not recommended for them. Children over eight will have no problem in the mainland or in Galapagos.
Health
No inoculations are required for entry. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their physicians about high-altitude travel to Quito or to the Cotopaxi.. Bottled water is advised and available everywhere.
Electricity
110 volts, 60 cycles AC is used. Most outlets are for two flat prongs. It is useful to carry a small flashlight. For TV and video equipment, Ecuador uses the NTSC system.
Ecuador does not require a visa for a temporary visit (up to 90 days) related to tourism, business or study. Only nationals of the following countries require a visa to enter Ecuador for any reason and should approach the Consulate of Ecuador in their home country before traveling (list may change without notice): Afghanistan, Algeria Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, EL Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, North Korea, South Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Vietnam, Yemen.
Passengers must travel to the Galapagos with their passports.
Passport numbers must be furnished one month prior to arrival.
Packing Check List:
Important Information:
Luggage
No more than 20 Kilos (44 pounds) of luggage (one suitcase) may be checked on flights to or from the Galapagos Islands.
Additional luggage may be stored at your hotel. These restrictions do not include small carry-on flight bags or camera cases.
Cruise attire
For travel in the Galapagos, clothing ranges from informal to very informal. Essentials include sneakers, shorts, long- and short-sleeve lightweight shirts, bathing suit, a wide-brimmed hat, long pants, and a wind breaker or light jacket for evenings. Be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and lots of film.
Shoes
Most walking ashore is over rocky lava terrain. Therefore tennis shoes, sneakers or walking shoes with rubber soles must be worn.
Climate
The Galapagos Islands are located on the equator. The tropical heat, however, is tempered by Pacific breezes.
There are two seasons in the islands: the rainy, hot season from December to June when humidity is high and average temperatures are in the 80s F (26°-30° C). There may be occasional showers, but the days are generally hot and sunny.
From June to November, you can expect cool winds, ocassionally bringing with them a light misty-type drizzle called "garúa." Temperatures average in the 70s F (20°-24° C) during the day and lower at night.
Galapagos National Park admission fee
US$100 per person. It must be paid upon arrival at the airport in Galapagos (rate is subject to change without notice).
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Wine, beer and soft drinks are extra.
Electric current
110/AC. Electric shavers and hair dryers can be accommodated.
Local time
GMT minus 6 hours in the Galapagos Islands. GMT minus 5 hours on mainland Ecuador.
Purchases on board
US dollars may be used on board. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) are also accepted aboard M/V SANTA CRUZ and ISABELA II and GALAPAGOS LEGEND.
Frecuent Asked Questions:
Q: What type of clothing should I wear on board?
A: Comfortable, casual clothing is recommended aboard the ship. We prefer that Jeans, shorts, T-shirts, or tennis shoes are not worn for dinner.
Q: How can I pay my expenses on board?
A:You can pay your expenses by Credit Card: Diners - Visa - master card and American Express can be used
Q: Do I need a passport or visa to go to Galapagos?
A: For shore excursions comfortable clothing is a must, preferably shorts, bathing suits, head covering, sun screen, walking shoes, tennis shoes, windbreaker type jacket, binoculars, camera and plenty of film.
Q: What is the dress code for dinner?
A: Casual attire is required during dinner (Shorts, sandals or swimsuits are not allowed in the dinning room).
The Galapagos Islands are one of the few places in the world that remain relatively untouched by human exploitation. The preservation of the environment is everybody's responsibility. You can help, by following some simple rules which will help to maintain the archipelago's fragile ecosystem intact.
Be careful not to transport any live material to the islands, or from island to island (insects, seeds, soil). You are not allowed to bring pets to the islands.
No plants, rocks, animals or their remains, such as bones, pieces of wood, corals, shells, or other natural objects should be removed or disturbed. You may damage the islands ecological conditions.
Animals should not be touched or handled. A sea lion pup will be abandoned by its mother, for example, if she smells the scent of a human on her young. The same applies to chicks of birds.
Animals may not be fed. It may alter their life cycle, their social structure and affect their reproduction. Do not disturb or pursue any animal from its resting or nesting spot. This is especially true for birds such as boobies, cormorants, gulls and frigates. The nests should be approached carefully, keeping a distance of at least 1 to 2 metres. If disturbed, the bird will flee and abandon its egg or chick, which could be predated or die under the strong sun within 30 minutes.
All groups that visit the National Park must be accompanied by a qualified guide approved by the National Park. The visitor must follow the trails, marked with small black and white posts, and never leave it. If you do so, you may destroy nests without being conscious of it (marine iguanas nest in the sand).
Follow the guide; stay with him/her for information and advice. He or she is responsible for you. If the guide behaves badly or does not follow the rules himself, report him or her to the National Park.
Litter of all types must be kept off the islands. Disposal at sea must be limited to certain types of garbage, only to be thrown overboard in selected areas. Keep all rubbish: film wrappers, cigarette butts, chewing gum, tin cans, bottles, etc. in a bag or pocket, to be disposed of on your boat.
Do not throw anything on the islands or overboard. It could end up at the coast or the beach, or eaten by sea turtles or sea lions. A sea lion may play with a tin can found on the bottom and cut its sensitive muzzle. Sea turtles may die from swallowing a plastic bag.
Do not paint names or graffiti on the rocks. It is against the law, and you will be fined for it. Do not buy souvenirs or objects made from plants or animals of the islands (with the exception of articles made from wood). Among such articles are turtle shells, sea lion teeth, black coral. This is the best way to discourage such a trade.
To camp, you need a permit from the National Park Service (Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela). Do not make fires, but use a gas stove instead.
Do not hesitate to show your conservationist attitude. Explain these rules to others, and help to enforce them.
