Ecuador
LOCAL TIME
- -5 GMT Continent
- -6 GMT Galapagos
POPULATION
The population of Ecuador is 15,6 million citizens (2014 Census)
LANGUAGE
Spanish is the country’s official language, while Quechua is widely spoken amongst many indigenous groups.
RELIGION:
Ecuador is 95% Roman Catholic.
CURRENCY
US Dollar
CAPITAL
Quito.
GOVERNMENT
Democracy
TAXES
Government taxes such as the Galapagos National Park tax, the Galapagos National Institute Migration Control Card and International Airport taxes are not included in the tours and need to be paid in cash by every passenger. Credit cards and traveler’s checks are NOT accepted. Government taxes are subject to change without prior notice:
- Galapagos National Park fee US$100.00
- Galapagos National Institute Migration Control Card US$10.00
- International Airport Departure Taxes: Quito - US$ 40.80, Guayaquil US$ 28.27
GRATUITIES
Tipping is optional and personal. If you feel you have been given excellent service, you may acknowledge it by tipping as suggested below:
Restaurants and coffee shops 10% of the bill
Hotel/airport portage /suitcase US$ 1 /suitcase
Guides on mainland Ecuador US$10 /day /person
Driver on mainland Ecuador US$ 8/day/person
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS & LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE
There is a 20-kg luggage allowance and your carry-on bag mustn’t exceed 7-kg per passenger for all DOMESTIC flights, including the Galapagos Islands. Check-in time at the counter is usually AT LEAST one hour before departure for all domestic flights, EXCEPT for flights to GALAPAGOS which require all passengers to be at the counter TWO HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE.
PHONE
Area Codes:
Quito 02
Guayaquil 04
Cuenca 07
Cell phones: 09 and then the seven-digit number.
To call another country, dial 00 + country code + area code + phone number.
WATER
We suggest you drink bottled water throughout your trip instead of tap water.
ELECTRICITY
Hotels in mainland Ecuador: 110 volts.
Galápagos Vessels: 110 & 220 volts.
ATM NETWORKS
Ecuador has a well-developed network of ATMs. Almost every bank in the country features ATMs, especially in major cities, towns, and tourist destinations.
SAFETY
Pickpockets are a problem in all large cities. But if you keep an eye on your belongings at all times, you should be fine. Never put anything valuable in your backpack.
WEATHER MAINLAND
WEATHER GALAPAGOS
December to June is the rainy season and temperatures range from 25ºC to 32 16ºC (77ºF to 90ºF). During this season, warm waters from the Panama Basin flow through the Galapagos, producing a sea temperature of 20ºC to 27ºC (68ºF to 75ºF).
From July to November is the dry season and temperatures range from 20ºC to 27ºC (68ºF to 75ºF). During this season, cooler waters from the Humboldt Current are driven to the islands, causing water temperature drop to 18ºC to 24ºC (64ºF to 75ºF).
Information courtesy of Ecuador Tourism.
For more information - www.ecuador.travel