ecuacols.gif - 23037 Bytes Ministry of Tourism
Consular Information
ECUADOR TOURIST INFORMATION
Chimborazo Galapagos Islands Quito Climate
Health Passports and Visas Customs, Taxes Currency



Quito, capital of Ecuador and of Pichincha, the country's most populous Andean province, is situated 116 limes from the Pacific coast at an altitude of 9,350 feet, just south of the equator. It has a pleasant climate that can be described as "permanent spring". The city is one of the oldest in South America and is built in a small basin on the lower slopes of Cerro Pichincha , a volcano that last erupeted in 1666. It was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Quitu and for several decades, prior to its occupation by spaniards in 1534, was a second (northern) capital of the Inca empire.
The city official name as given by the Spaniards, is Villa de San Francisco de Quito, with a population of 1.3 in 1989, is Ecuador's second largets city. It is the political, administrative, and cultural capital but has lost its primary economic position to Guayaquil, with which it has had a railway link since 1908.
Quito, more than any other South American capital, has preserved its colonial atmosphere, with squares, fountains, public buildings, and houses built in the typical Sapanish or Moorish style. Mosta attractive is the main square, Plaza Mayor, with its seventeenth-century cathedral, government palaces, municipal hall, and other buildings. Quito is well known for its many small workshops producing native arts and for its outdoor Indian markets.

Chimborazo and Cotopaxi

Ecuador's "Avenue of the Volcanoes" is a 325 km. long valley between the major Cordillera ranges. Massive and standing alone, the volcanoes provide brooding, snow-covered contrast to the green equatorial lushness. They also provide mountaineers a rare opportunity to achieve very high altitudes withouth technical difficulty. Volcano climbing offers an exciting, unforgattable challenge. In the Indian language, Chimborazo means "mountain of snow". It is an enourmous massif of overwhelming scale. Alexander Von Humboldt mad an unsuccessful attempt to climb the Chimborazo in 1802, and believed it to be the highest mountain in the world (6,526 feet). This distinction lasted until the discovery og Mt. Everest fifty years later. Chimborazo was finally climbed by Edward Whymper in 1880. Today it is climbed fairly frequently, but less than Cotopaxi, which is the highest active volcanoe of the world (6,005 feet).

Currency

: The official currency is the "Sucre". You can exchange money at your hotel or at banks. Major credit cards are accepted at leading city, hotels and at the cities's finer shop.

Climate

The ecuadorian territory has a varied climate thanks to its peculiar geographic characteristics.
The Coast's climate is warm with temperatures from 25 and 31oC during the year, there are two seasons: a rainy and a dry one. The first one is warm and humid extended for a period of 6 months aproximately (from december to may) The dry season lasts for the rest of the year.
The climate of the mountains range area varies according to the altitude; during the year, a subtropical climate prevails on the andean valleys, at higher altitudes it is tempered spring like, at nights it is cold. On urban centers the average temperature is from 13 to 18oC.
The Amazon Region normally has a warm, humid and rainy climate. The average temperature varies from 23 to 26oC. This region shows a dry season for a period of 3 months.
The climate of Galapagos is exceptional: dry and tempered.
Clothing: Light ar warn in the Costa, Galapagos and Amazonia. Warmer clothing is necessary for the Sierra.

Health

Health : No innoculations are required for entry. However, because of the high altitudes in parts of Ecuador, travellers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctors. In Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, running water is safe to drink, but bottled water is advised.
Health risks : Malaria exists only in the rainy season in the tropical province.

Passposts & Visas

When checking passport, please indicate the time you will be staying in the country. Visitor's passport must be valid for the duration of theirs permanence.
Passports : Required but NOT by the following:
Holders of Identity Cards issued to nationals of Colombia provided holding International Embarkation/Disembarkation Card and travelling between Colombia & Ecuador only. Holders of Laissez-Passer issued by United Nations or Organisation of American States. Holders of a valid Seaman Book travelling on duty. Visas : Required, but NOT by the following:
For a tourist visit up to 180 days to nationals from the United Kingdom. For a tourist visit up to 90 days (except by nationals of China, Cuba, Korea, Rep. Korea Democratic People's Rep.,Taiwan & Vietnam. NB: All visitors holding Immigrant or non Immigrant visas must register at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director General of Migration within 30 days of arrival. Transit: Required by all except those as noted above and:
Persons continuing their journey within 12 hours by the same of first connecting aircraft provided holding confirmed reservations and documents for their onward or return journey. Merchant seamen (except nationals of Korea Democratic People's Rep.) holding passport or valid Seaman Book and letter from shipping company stating name of vessel which must sail within 36 hours. Special Notes: Tourists are not permitted to take up work.

Customs

Customs
300 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and 1 bottle of liquor are admitted duty free along with a reasonable quantity of perfume, gifts and personal effects. It is forbidden to bring in or take out firearms, ammunition, narcotics, fresh or dry fruits, and all types of plants and wild animals unless previous permission has been granted by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Taxes/Surcharges
No domestic departure taxes.
International departure tax US$ 25.
Most packages tour have already.included hotel taxes (10%) and service charges (10%). Galapagos Park tax US$ 80 Other National Parks tax US$ 20 except for the following: El Angel, Pululahua, Cotopaxi, Boliche, Chimborazo and Cajas which charge US$ 10
TIPS
Tipping in Ecuador is flexible.
Taxis : People do not tip taxi drivers in Ecuador. However, a little extra money is recommended if satisfied with the service.

Coastal Region

Located west of the great Andean range, is an area traversed by a coastal cordillera, and a relatively flat plain with extensive alluvial stretches. The coats supports three main tupes of ecosystems: northern tropical rain forest, central and southwestern tropical savannas, and a dry forest on the western and southern peninsular strip.
Along the coast are two additional ecosystems, especially noted for their plant and animal communities: the inlets of mangrove forest and the tidial areas. The beaches and the steep cliffs found here are renowned for their dramatic landscapes.
The average coastal temperature is 72°F.; the rainy season lasts from Decmber to May, and the dry season from june to December. The warm El niño current brings an increase in rain between January and May.
Many of the westhern forests of Ecuador have been substantially decimated by man´s agiculture activities, but important remnants of original vegetation may still to be found: a 142 sq.mile dry forest, a 579 sq. Mile cloud forest, a 4,633 sq. Mile fluvial forest, to name a few.
Mangrove and marine environmennts provide a habitat ideal for fish and shell fish, which are harvested by thousands of small-scale fishermen. The construction of more than 311.000 acres of shrimp farms has provided employment for many people. Shrimp is one of Ecuador´s major export products, but the mismanagement of the industry has caused the destruction of massive mangrove areas in some of the inlets.
Guayaquil, Puerto Bolivar, Manta and Esmeraldas are ports of call along more than, 1,860 miles of coast and beaches. It is an excellent area for fishing and water sports. There are five provices in this regon: Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, Los Rios and El Oro; each has different attraction and types of vegetation, ranging from rain forests tosemi-deserts and cloud forests.
In Esmeraldas, fishing villages basic attraction for visitors. Off shore, the waters are in shrimp, iysters, crabs, clams, lobsters and other crustaceans.
In the northern part of Esmeraldas province, we find the Awa Community´s Bio-Anthropological Reserve and Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve, typical of rain forest. These extremely humid areas support a complex, multi-specied plant community. The Chasis or Cayapas Indians, Blacks and Awa Indians live in the area, wich extends into Colombia and Ecuador.
The diversity of natural resources in Manabí makes the province especially appealing. Here you will find picturesque fishing villages, mangrove forests and salpepper beds, beaches, protected areas, island and lake environment and archeological sites.
Machalilla National Park, covering an area of 136,000 acres including Salnago and La Plata Islands, is certainly the centerpiece of this region. The park supports three life of this zones: moist forest, dry forest and very dry forest, all of wich provide a diversity of habitat for plant and animal species.
Guayas province has one of the country´s most important ecosystems, the Guayaquil Gulf, where the discharge of fresh water reaches 53,889 cubic feet per second to compromise 40% of the country´s continental shelf. There are six protected areas in the province, managed in distinct categories. The most important of these is the Churute Mangrove Ecological Reserve not far from Guayaquil-where a variety of mangrove species, dry forest, aquatic birds and associated fauna may be observed and atudied.

Galapagos Islands

SANTIAGO.- This name is equivalent to Saint James in English, it is also known as San Salvador,the name of the first island discovered by Columbus in the Caribbean Sea. Area: 585 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 9OO meters above sea level. Here we find animals such as marine iguanas, sea lions, two-fur sea lions, sparrow hawks, land and sea turtles, flamingos, dolphins and sharks, you will also find a great quantity of goats and pigs, animals which were brought to the islands and which have caused great harm to same.
BALTRA.- ( S. Seymour). The origin of the name is unknown. Area: 27 Km2 Maximum Altitude approximately 1OO meters above sea level. We will find animals such as land iguanas, marine iguanas and marine turtles.
PINTA.- (Abingdon). It got its name from one of the caravels of Columbus AREA: 59 Km2 Maximum Altitude: Approximately 635 m. a.s.l. We will find animals such as split tail seagulls, marine iguanas, sparrow hawks, and two-fur sea lions.
FLOREANA.- (Charles. Santa Maria). It was named after Jose Flores, the first President of Ecuador, during whose administration the government of Ecuador took possession of the island. It is also called Santa Maria after one of the caravels of Columbus. Area: 173 Km2 Maximum Altitude 55O m. a.s.l. Here we find flamingos, tropical birds, sea lions and, high up in the mountains, a bird in danger of extinction the "joint footed" petrel, a nocturnal sea bird which spends most of its life away from land.
WOLF.- (Wenman). It got its name from the German geologist Theodor Wolf. Area: 1.3 Km2 Maximum elevation: 253 m a.s.l. You will be seeing two-fur sea lions, frigates, masqued and red footed boobies , marine iguanas, sharks, whales, dolphins and split tailed sea gulls.
ISABELA-. (Albemarie). Name given in honor of Queen Isabela who sponsored the voyage of Columbus. Total Area: 4.588 Km2 Area of South Isabela: 2.472 Km2 Area of North Isabela: 2.112 Km2 Maximum elevation: Approximately 1.689 m a.s.l.(Cerro Azul) Maximum elevation: 1.7O7 Wolf Volcano). Here we find animals such as sea lions and two-fur sea lions, marine turtles and the giant Galapagos, land and marine iguanas, non flying cormoranes, penguins, flamingos, sparrow hawks, split tail seagulls, dolphins, whales, sharks, blue and masqued boobies.
ROCA REDONDA.- Bears this name because it resembles the sail of an old vessel called "Redonda". Area: Unknown Maximum Altitude: 7O m above sea level. The animals found here are whales, dolphins, sharks, sea lions, masqued boobies and tropical birds.
FERNANDINA. (Narborough). The name was given in honor of King Fernando of Spain, who supported (sponsored) the voyage of Columbus. Area: 642 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 1.494 m. a.s.l. Here we find the following animals: sea lions, split tail sea gulls, tow-fur sea lions, sparrow hawks, marine iguanas, whales, penguins, cormorans that don't fly, sharks and land iguanas.
MARCHENA.- (Bindloe). It is named after Fra. Antonio Marchena Area: 130 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 34O m. a.s.l. We can see the following animals : sparraw hawks, sea lions.
BARTOLOME.- It is named after Lt.David Bartholomew of the British Navy which in Spanish is Bartolomé. Area: 1.2 Km2 Maximum altitude: 114 m. a.s.l. We have here a volcanic landscape, penguins, marine iguanas, marine turtles, sharks and sea lions.
PLAZA SUR.- It is named in honor of a former president of Ecuador, General Leonidas Plaza. Area: O.13 Km2 Maximum altitude: 25 m. a.s.l. Here there are: land iguanas, sea lions, tropical birds, split tail seagulls, and marine iguanas.
SEYMOUR NORTE.- Its name was given after an English nobleman called Lord Hugh Seymour. Area: 1.9 Km2 Maximum altitude: approx. 30 m. a.s.l. Inhabited by: Marine iguanas, sea lions, tropical birds, split tail seagulls.
GENOVESA.- (Tower). The name is derived from Genova, Italy where it is said Columbus was born. Area: 14 Km2 Maximum Altitude: approx. 3O m. a.s.l. These islands are inhabited by red footed and masqued boobies, tropical birds, two-fur sea lions, marine iguanas, split tail seagulls, sharks and frigate birds.
SAN CRISTOBAL.- (Chatham). It proudly bears the name of the Patron Saint of seafarers, "St. Christopher" the other name of this island is: CHATHAM after the English nobleman Count Chatham. Area: 528 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 730 m a.s.l We tour the island following the marked paths and find: frigate birds, sea lions, giant turtles, blue and red footed boobies, tropical birds, marine iguanas, dolphins, split tail seagulls and a vegetation such as Calandrina Galapagos and Lecocarpus Darwinii, trees such as Lignum Vitae, "Matazarno", etc. Also the "Laguna del Junco".
RABIDA.- (Jervis). It bears the name of the convent of Rabida where Columbus left his son during his voyage to the Americas. Area: 5 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 34O m. a.s.l. This is the habitat of flamingos, sea lions, marine iguanas and sparrow hawks.
PINZON.- (Duncan). It is named after the Pinzon brothers, captains of the Pinta and Niña Caravels. Area: 18 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 435 m a.s.l. Here you will find sea lions, sparrow hawks, giant turtles, marine iguanas and dolphins.
ESPAÑOLA . (Hood). This name was given in honor of Spain. It is also known as Hood after an English nobleman. Area: 60 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 22O m. a.s.l. Here we find albatrossrs, sparrow hawks, marine turtles, masqued boobies, marine iguanas, sharks, sea lions, split tail seagulls, giant turtles, tropical birds and blue footed boobies and also the "Hueco Soplador"
DARWIN.- (Culpepper). This island is named after Charles Darwin. Area: Approx. 1 km2 Maximum altitude: 168 m a.s.l. We will see animals such as two-fur sea lions, frigates, marine iguanas, split tail sea gulls, sea lions, Whales, marine turtles, dolphins, red footed and masqued boobies.
DAPHNE.- The same name as the English vessel, the H.M.S. Daphne Area: O.32 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 120 m a.s.l. Tropical birds, blue footed and masqued boobies, sharks and frigates.
SANTA FE.- (Barrington). Named after a city in Spain. Area- 986 Km2 Maximum Altitude: 255 m. a.s.l. The animals here are: Sparrow hawks, land iguanas, sea lions, sharks and marine iguanas.
SANTA CRUZ.- Named after the Holy Cross, it is also known as Indefatigable, after the British vessel bearing this name (H.M.S. Indefatigable). Area: 986 m2 Maximum Altitude: 87O m. a.s.l. The National Galapagos Park and the Charles Darwin Scientific Station are on this island. Here we can see sea lions, marine iguanas, giant turtles, frigates, land iguanas, flamingos, dolphines, two-fur sea lions, marine turtles and sharks. The following endemic vegetation is to be found here, papaya trees, tunas, cacao plants, cactus, in native plants we can observer mangroves, "muyuyo", myrtle, "matazornos".