Traveling through this wondrous land is a thrilling adventure with touches of fantasy and gratifying emotions. Ecuador is the perfect setting for an action-packed and truly unforgettable vacation.
Ecuador is located on the northwest of South America, straddling latitude 0°. Its four natural regions are easily accessible and offer a wide variety of landscapes: From pearly beaches on the Pacific to magic rainforests in the Amazon. From snowcapped mountains and volcanoes to quaint Colonial cities. From business oriented centers to the fabled Galapagos Islands.
Traveling in and around the highlands and lowlands of Ecuador, you will particularly enjoy the amazing biodiversity of the country 1,800 species of birds, 1,000 species of fish, 680 of reptiles and amphibians, 230 of mammals, and more than 20,000 species of plants.
Beyond fauna and flora, the people of this endowed place developed, through centuries of civilization, a culture of rich heritage, as is evident in its traditions, archaeology and all manifestations of art, from architecture, to music and plastic arts.
Ecuadorians are gentle and friendly; you will be warmly welcomed in cities large and small. Local cuisine is highly appealing and varied, including the best Pacific shrimp and assorted tropical fruits. The weather is another plus springtime around the year.
Ecuador has some of the most fanciful handicrafts in South America. You can find them in local Indian markets and at shops and galleries in the main cities. Best buys are: ponchos, hand-knit wool sweaters, hand-woven rugs, embroidered dresses and blouses, wall hangings, shawls, the famous Panama hat (an original Ecuadorian handicraft), jewelry (including designer pieces with pre-Columbian beads worked in silver and gold), ceramics, primitive and modern paintings, leather, woodcarvings, etc.
This is Ecuador: A world of a country, a fascinating land blessed by nature, ready to fulfill your dreams of discovery.
Ecuador's Information
Traveling through this wondrous land is a thrilling adventure with touches of fantasy and gratifying emotions. Ecuador is the perfect setting for an action-packed and truly unforgettable vacation. Ecuador is located on the northwest of South America, straddling latitude 0°. Its four natural regions are easily accessible and offer a wide variety of landscapes: From pearly beaches on the Pacific to magic rainforests in the Amazon. From snowcapped mountains and volcanoes to quaint Colonial cities. From business oriented centers to the fabled Galápagos Islands. Traveling in and around the highlands and lowlands of Ecuador, you will particularly enjoy the amazing biodiversity of the country 1,800 species of birds, 1,000 species of fish, 680 of reptiles and amphibians, 230 of mammals, and more than 20,000 species of plants. Beyond fauna and flora, the people of this endowed place developed, through centuries of civilization, a culture of rich heritage, as is evident in its traditions, archaeology and all manifestations of art, from architecture, to music and plastic arts. Ecuadorians are gentle and friendly; you will be warmly welcomed in cities large and small. Local cuisine is highly appealing and varied, including the best Pacific shrimp and assorted tropical fruits. The weather is another plus springtime around the year. Ecuador has some of the most fanciful handicrafts in South America. You can find them in local Indian markets and at shops and galleries in the main cities. Best buys are: ponchos, hand-knit wool sweaters, hand-woven rugs, embroidered dresses and blouses, wall hangings, shawls, the famous Panama hat (an original Ecuadorian handicraft), jewelry (including designer pieces with pre-Columbian beads worked in silver and gold), ceramics, primitive and modern paintings, leather, woodcarvings, etc.
This is Ecuador: A world of a country, a fascinating land blessed by nature, ready to fulfill your dreams of discovery.
Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve A mere two-and-a-half hour’s drive west of Quito, Metropolitan Touring is building a new lodge within a private reserve that protects a small piece of one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots for future generations and the enjoyment of sophisticated and inquisitive travellers to Ecuador.
The Spirit of the Andes It is a four-day immersion into the Andean World, a journey along the history, the spirituality, the Andean flavours, the customs, traditions and legends of the ancestral peoples of the Ecuadorian highlands.
Otavalo Tours Ecuador indigenous market tour To the north of Quito, the province of Imbabura is one of the most popular destinations in Ecuador: a magical land of lakes, snow-covered mountains and terraced farmlands.
Quito Tours, Hotels in Quito, Day trips, Information Quito city located in equinoccial - ecuador line, with an impressive Historic downtown with more than 300 blocks of colonial houses, churches, squares, was the first World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1978, with architectonic treasures like San Francisoc convent, La Compañía Church, Santo Domingo, La Basilica del Voto nacional
Cuenca Tours, Loja Tours & Hotels Southern Andes of Ecuador Cuenca Ecuador World Heritage Site by UNESCO, offers a wide variety of hotels, tours to discover Cuenca, museums, churches, Cuenca's downtown architecture and more atracctions near Cuenca and Loja in Ecuador
Pure Nature, Ecuador Cloud Forest Tours, Trekking & Hiking Ecuador highlands "Pure Nature" tours offers trekking, hiking, birdwatching tours Mindo Cloud Forest, Papallacta pass and thermal springs and Pasochoa Ecuador volcano for lovers of nature and soft adventure tours in Ecuador
Adventure tours in Ecuador Ecuador Adventure tours are excellent options for travelers who seeks ecuador tour like rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, trekking and more Ecuador adventure tours options
Guayaquil Tours, Ecuador Pacific Coast Guayaquil tours to the Ecuador Pacific coast shows atracctions in a nice green beaches, Starting at Los Frailes pristine beach, enjoy Bahia de Caraquez tours, then Guayaquil a modern city with cultural expressions like music, art and others, finally interesting archaeological remains of the oldest cultures ever found in the Pacific Coast of South America.
Ecuador Lodges and Amazon Rainforest Tours Ecuador amazon rainforest tour is full of options to discover the amazon rain forest animals and plants, our selected group of Amazon rainforest lodges provides the right space for thie rain forest experience
Distribution per sex: Masculine 50.25 % - Feminine 49.75 % (2008 est.)
Population forecast: (2010) 15,495,700
Birth rate : 21.54 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Mortality : 4.21 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Fertility (children): 2.59 children born/woman (2008 est.)
Life Expectancy: male: 73.94 years / female: 79.84 years (2008 est.)
Literacy rate: 91.0 % (population over 15; 2008 est.)
Education: Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary, Superior
Ethnicity: Indian 25.0 % - Mestizo 65.0 % - White 7.0 % - Black 3.0 %
THE COUNTRY Although covering just 256,370 sq. km. (110,000 sq. miles) Ecuador contains one of the most varied geographies in South America. There are four distinct regions: the Andean highlands, the coastal tropical plains, the Amazon Basin and the Galapagos Islands, located 1,000 km. (600 miles) off the coast in the Pacific Ocean. Quito, on the highlands, is the capital city; Guayaquil, on the coast, is the main port and the largest city in the country.
THE PEOPLE Of Ecuador's close to 14 million inhabitants, those in the highlands are mainly mestizo, a mixture of European and Native South American extractions. Indigenous peoples live mainly in the Andean highlands and in the Amazon regions. Coastal dwellers are descendants of Native South Americans, Europeans and Africans.
BANKS AND BUSINESSES Most city offices and shops open from 9:00 to 18:00 Monday through Friday. Currency exchange facilities are open week days and Saturday morning in major hotels. 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 America. U.S. dollars are used for all transactions. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency or travelers cheques brought into Ecuador.
CUSTOMS Each passenger is allowed two bags of up to 70 pounds (31.8 kilos) each, plus carry-on luggage, photo or video camera, and binoculars. Professional filming equipment, diving and climbing gear require special permits.
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.
LANGUAGE Ecuador's official language is Spanish, but Kichwa, the lingua franca of the Inca Empire, is the tongue of the majority of the Indian population. English is spoken in major visitor centers.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS Valid passports are required for entry into Ecuador. No visas are needed for stays of up to 90 days. Before landing, your airline will give you an embarkation/disembarkation card to be filled out and presented to the Immigration officer.
TAXES There is a sales tax added to purchases; hotels and restaurants charge sales tax and service. There is also an international departure tax is to be paid in U.S. Dollars at the airport.
CLIMATE Ecuador has a land area similar in size to England or the State of Colorado (USA) and is divided into four different geographic zones: the Amazon, the highlands, the Pacific lowlands and the Galapagos Islands. Since Ecuador is located right on the equator, the country as a whole experiences no extreme weather changes. Rainy seasons vary in each zone. See our specific brochures for information on each area.
FOOD International cuisine is available throughout the country, but try some of the Ecuadorian specialties: humitas and tamales (made of corn and wrapped in leaves), llapingachos (fried mashed potato patties with cheese), ceviche (a saucy shrimp cocktail), and locro (a soup of stewed potatoes and cheese topped with an avocado). There are many excellent restaurants in the main cities and a restaurant guide is distributed free to all visitors upon arrival in Ecuador.
TIPPING As in many places, gratuities are customary, but entirely at guest's discretion. Guidelines for tipping will be found in the "Welcome Kit" you receive upon arrival.
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.
HEALTH No inoculations are required for entry. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their physicians about high-altitude travel, as well as preventive measures for visiting tropical areas. Bottled water is advised and available everywhere. For guests traveling to Ecuador's Amazon Region, a yellow fever vaccination is required.
DRINKING WATER AND DRINKS Bottled mineral water, with or without carbonation, is available at all hotels, ships and lodges. Ecuadorian beer is excellent, and bottled soft drinks are available everywhere. Coffee and tea are usually served at the end of meals.
CLOTHING Lightweight woolens are ideal for the highlands; and warm jackets are essential after dusk at high altitudes. Cottons for the Amazon, Pacific lowlands and Galapagos. Dress is informal. Dressing in layers is ideal. Do not forget swimming wear and comfortable walking shoes.
CHILDREN Some tours and programs are not suitable for smaller children, and thus not recommended for them. Children over eight will have no problem in the mainland or in Galapagos. Hotels in the major cities cater to children of all ages, providing children's menus, baby sitters and extra beds/cribs.
Fundación Galápagos has been chosen by Coca Cola to participate in the campaign “Every bottle has a story” for its commitment to making a positive difference to the Islands
Metropolitan Touring is one of South America’s most known and respected travel companies, providing unrivalled service to our guests for nearly 60 years. Along with our operations in Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Colombia, we also own and operate the finest ships for Galapagos Island cruises - the M/V Santa Cruz, Yacht Isabella II and Yacht La Pinta - as well as the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Come explore with us!
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Casa Gangotena
Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve
Ecuador Information, Maps, Attractions, General Facts
The Spirit of the Andes
Otavalo Tours Ecuador indigenous market tour
Quito Tours, Hotels in Quito, Day trips, Information
Cuenca Tours, Loja Tours & Hotels Southern Andes of Ecuador
Ecuador Highlands, Cotopaxi, Antisana and Papallacta Tours
Pure Nature, Ecuador Cloud Forest Tours, Trekking & Hiking
Adventure tours in Ecuador
Guayaquil Tours, Ecuador Pacific Coast
Ecuador Lodges and Amazon Rainforest Tours
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