• Galapagos Islands: national park, natural heritage of mankind, biological reserve.
• Otavalo Indian Handicraft Market.
• Mindo Rainforest: a huge variety of butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Thermal springs Papallacta.
• National Park Cotopaxi with the active volcano of the same name.
• Ecological reserves of El Angel and Antisana.
• Chimborazo fauna reserve.
• Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
• The city of Cuenca, cultural heritage of humanity.
• Adventure and outdoor activities: hiking, surfing, diving, and wildlife safaris.

Population:        16’298,217

Area:                    283,561 Km²

Government:     Democratic Republic

Currency:            US Dollar

Language:           Ecuador’s official language is Spanish, but Kichwa (also Quichua, part of the Northern Quechua group of languages; the lingua franca of the Inca Empire) and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations.

Religion:              The predominant religion is Roman Catholic. There is a complete religious freedom in Ecuador.

Local Time:        GMT/UCT -5 hours on Mainland Ecuador; and -6 hours in the Galapagos Islands.

Electricity:         110 volts, 60 cycles AC is used.

What to bring with you:
– Passport valid for at least 6 months, return airfare and hotel reservation or voucher.

Amazonia:
• Comfortable hiking shoes;
• 3 or 4 light trousers (not jeans);
• Cotton shirts or blouses with long and short sleeves, 3 or 4;
• Windbreaker or sweater;
• Cotton socks, a couple per day;
• Shorts, 2 or 3;
• T-shirts, 3 or 4;
• Cotton underwear;
• Hat or cap;
• Water bottle;
• Sunscreen;
• Sunglasses;
• Flashlight with spare batteries;
• Binoculars;
• Waterproof small backpack;
• Insect repellent;
• Camera;
• Personal first aid kit;
• Bags for wet clothes.

Galapagos Islands:
We recommend bringing with you: shorts, T-shirts, swimwear, 2 pairs of hiking shoes (for wet and dry landings), sports sandals, personal medical kit, good camera with enough memory, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars , wide-brimmed hat, insect repellent, bags to protect the camera from moisture.

IMPORTANT:
Galapagos National Park Rules
Groups (maximum 16 people) are accompanied on excursions by naturalist guides certified by the National Park. This measure is aimed at reducing the harmful human impact on fragile ecosystems.

– Do not touch anything with your hands and do not throw garbage on the islands.
– Do not destroy or touch local plants, stones, animals.
– Do not go beyond the trails marked by the National Park.
– Do not take food with you during your one day island tour.
– No smoking on the islands.
– Do not touch or feed the animals.
– Do not use the camera’s flash when photographing animals up close.
– Do not buy souvenirs made from local materials (other than wood).
– Clean the soles of shoes after visiting a certain island, so as not to transfer anything to another island.

*Violation of these rules has consequences: the guide has the right to end the tour and hand over the violator to the National Park administration, the flight may be lost, etc.

Andes:
In addition to all of the above, it would be a good idea to take a couple of sweaters or jackets. In the Andean region of the country, it is cool in the evenings (up to 5 degrees Celsius).

Recommended personal equipment for trekking tours:

• Backpack (50-60 liters);
• Sleeping bag (-10ºC min);
• Mattress;
• Warm underwear;
• Warm outerwear;
• Warm pants;
• Windbreaker or raincoat (Gore-Tex or similar);
• Trousers for protection from wind and rain (Gore-Tex or similar);
• Hiking shoes;
• Sunglasses and sunscreen;
• Warm hat;
• 1-2 pairs of gloves;
• Socks (2 pairs light/3 pairs warm). The amount depends on the duration of the tour;
• Head flashlight with spare batteries and bulb;
• Change of clothes;
• Bag (for moisture protection);
• Camera with spare batteries;
• Thermos;
• Ski poles (to help with walking).

People react differently to changes in altitude, so we offer these recommendations that you may find helpful:

• Rest for a couple of hours right after you arrive.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Hotels provide you free of charge an herbal tea called mate de coca, a traditional beverage that helps the body acclimate faster.
• Don’t overeat and try to eat more carbohydrates.
• Walk at a measured pace.
• Plan your itinerary so you will gradually ascend to the highest altitudes.

Entry of foreigners:

Foreigners can enter Ecuador upon presentation of a travel document that proves their identity. Likewise, the immigration control agent must verify the immigration status invoked by the foreign person at the time of their presentation at the official immigration control point.

Requirements:
Valid and current passport (6 months of validity)
Identity card or DNI citizens of South America

Countries that require a visa to enter Ecuador:
· Afghanistan
· Angola
· Bangladesh
· Cameroon
· Cuba
· Eritrea
· Ethiopia
· Gambia
· Ghana
· Guinea
· India
· Iraq
· Kenya
· Libya
· Nepal
· Nigeria
· Pakistan
· Democratic Republic of the Congo
· Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
· Senegal
· Syria
· Somalia
· Sri Lanka
· Venezuela (as of August 26, 2019)

Since October 2022 Ecuador has withdrawn all entry requirements related to COVID-19. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO PRESENT A VACCINATION CARD OR NEGATIVE PCR TEST.

Currency: American dollar. ATM network in all cities. Cards accepted: Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diners Club.

IMPORTANT: Yellow fever vaccine:
If you are traveling to Costa Rica or Jamaica from Ecuador, you will need a yellow fever vaccine, which must be carried out at least 10 days before your trip.
Those arriving in Ecuador from Brazil require a yellow fever certificate to enter the country.

Recommendations: Due to significant elevation changes, people suffering from cardiovascular diseases are advised to consult their doctor before traveling to Ecuador. Tourist destinations in the Ecuadorian Amazon (lodge programs and cruises) do not have yellow fever or malaria cases, but these diseases do occur in the Amazon. There have been no cases of infection with these diseases among tourists choosing programs with a lodge or a cruise on the Napo River, but there is a theoretical chance of contracting it, so this question (whether or not to be vaccinated against these diseases) is at the discretion of tourists.

When traveling to the selva, you should take with you light cotton shirts with long sleeves, shorts, trousers to protect yourself against mosquito bites (not jeans), a light jacket or sweater (the nights are cool here).

The Galapagos Islands have a high level of solar radiation, so you should take a hat and sunscreen.

Weather:                           

Quito and the Highlands: June to September is a dry season with daytime temperatures of around 21°C (70°F). Rainy season is from October to May with March/April being the wettest months. This usually means clear mornings and an afternoon heavy downpour, followed by the sun coming out again.

The Galapagos: In the Galapagos January to April are the warmer, wetter months. The islands are humid, and days can be hot, especially around noon. Temperatures range from 24°C-30°C (75°F-86°F) with daytime temperatures up to around 29°C (85°F) and the occasional shower. May to December are the drier, cooler months. This is the time of the year where wildlife is at its best, since most will be reproducing. The air temperature ranges from 23°C-28°C (73°F-82°F) with July to September normally experiencing more choppy and windy sea conditions.

Guayaquil and the Coast: The coastal lowlands are tropical, warm all year. From May to December is a dry season, with often overcast days and pleasantly cool nights. The warmer, rainy season goes from January to April; expect high humidity.

Amazon Basin: The rainforest is, of course, the wettest region of the country with high rainfall throughout the year. It tends to be sunny in the mornings with afternoon downpours and temperatures around 24°C (75°F). Nights are cool in the rainforest, a windbreaker comes in handy.

Climate: Equatorial and mountain-equatorial in general; in the south: subequatorial. Seasonal temperature differences in Ecuador are minimal. In the selva area, in the Amazon basin, it is always hot, humid and rainy. The variety of ecological conditions, climate and altitudes that characterize Ecuador have allowed the cultivation of various crops and the collection of many wild vegetables and fruits since ancient times. Ecuador’s location in the center of the planet allows plants to retain solar energy, which enriches them, and also increases the energy supply in everything that blooms and bears fruit. Almost the entire territory continues “eternal spring”. Academician Charles de la Condamine, contemplating the green panorama of the central valley, wrote: “For the first time I saw flowers, buds, fruits on all trees. I saw plowing, sowing and harvesting on the same day and in the same place “.

List of holidays in Ecuador for 2023
New Year: Sunday January 1 moves to Monday January 2.
Carnival: Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February.
Good Friday: Friday, April 7.
Labor Day: Monday May 1.
Battle of Pichincha: Wednesday May 24 is moved to Friday May 26.
First Cry for Independence: Thursday August 10 is moved to Friday August 11.
Independence of Guayaquil: Monday, October 9.
All Saints Day: Thursday, November 2.
Independence of Cuenca: Friday, November 3.
Christmas: Monday December 25.

List of holidays in Ecuador for 2024
New Year: Monday, January 1.
Carnival: Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February.
Good Friday: Friday March 29.
Labor Day: Wednesday May 1 is moved to Friday May 3.
Battle of Pichincha: Friday May 24.
First Cry for Independence: Saturday August 10 is moved to Friday August 9.
Independence of Guayaquil: Wednesday October 9 moves to Friday October 11.
All Saints Day: Saturday November 2 is moved to Friday November 1.
Independence of Cuenca: Sunday November 3 moves to Monday November 4.
Christmas: Wednesday December 25.

List of holidays in Ecuador for 2025
New Year: Wednesday, January 1.
Carnival: Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 March.
Good Friday: Friday April 18.
Labor Day: Thursday May 1 is moved to Friday May 2.
Battle of Pichincha: Saturday May 24 is moved to Friday May 23.
First Cry for Independence: Sunday August 10 is moved to Monday August 11.
Independence of Guayaquil: Thursday, October 9, moves to Friday, October 10.
All Saints Day: Sunday 2 moves to Tuesday 4 November.
Independence of Cuenca: Monday, November 3.
Christmas: Thursday, December 25.

REQUIREMENTS TO RENT A CAR
Minimum age
The minimum age to rent a vehicle is 25 years old.
National Driver’s License
The lessee must present his original driving license, issued in his country of origin, valid and within the expiration period. In the case of the international driving license, it must be presented together with the driving license from the country of origin. Some rental companies and government agencies require the submission of a PIC. It is the responsibility of the rental holder to present both his PIC and his driver’s license at the time of picking up a vehicle. For more information, contact the rental company.
Passport document
The renter must present his original and valid passport.