Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT CURRENCY IS USED IN ECUADOR?

In 2000 we adopted the dollar, in the biggest cities we have places of currency exchange, in tourist centers, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, big restaurants, you can pay with bills $50 or $100, in other points it is very difficult that you can pay with big bills of recommendation to use $1, $5, $10 or $20.

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE IN ECUADOR?

Ecuador has no defined seasons, its climate depends on the region, The Galapagos and Amazon coast region has tropical characteristics, subtropical temperate wet and dry ranges from 16 ° C to 34 ° C

The Andes have similar temperatures to spring almost all year round, but there are temperatures that drop to 3°C at night and reach 26°C during the day.

The cold Humboldt current also has an influence, causing a decrease in the temperature between the months of May and October, while the warm current or equatorial current between December and April is called Niño because it is in the Christmas season. Due to these currents the air masses make the rainy season in the highlands have two pluviometric peaks, the first one in September and the second one in March, separated by the Niño phenomenon and in the area of the peninsula it has a semi-arid climate due to the cold Humboldt current.

RELIGION.

The main religion is Catholics and all religions are also practiced.

IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE A VACCINE TO VISIT ECUADOR?

No vaccination is required but it is recommended, vaccines for INFLUENZA, HEPATITIS A and B, YELLOW FEVER, RABIES, TYPHOID.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER ECUADOR?

Passport valid and in force 6 months

ID card

Some countries require a visa. Check here www.cancilleria.gob.ec

WHAT IS THE CULTURE OF THE EQUATOR?

Ecuador is fixed by the regionalism, for having different regions, we are multiethnic and plurinational, the majority of people are mestizos, the most spoken language is Spanish, but we have other languages as Quechua and Shuar, elders of the Amazon speak Paicoca. Depending on the region is our clothing, language, physical appearance, most of our festivals are a mixture of religion and indigenous tradition. This mixture is by The Spanish conquest; where religion was imposed and combined with the Inca tradition. The Inca gods were the sun and moon, how gratitude for harvest we have many festivities that today it is still celebrated and some of them are named intangible cultural heritage.

Some important festivities.

• Inty Raymi (Andes region.)

• Mama Negra

• Chonta of the Amazon (Amazon basin.)

• Rodeo Montubio (Coast region.)

• Carnivals of Guaranda (Indigene parade, Guaranda)

• The Festivals of the Flowers and Fruits, (Colorful parade, Ambato.)

• Diablada Pillareña (People dance with devil mask).

HOW SAFE IS IT TO TRAVEL IN ECUADOR?

You can hear many things about traveling in Ecuador, we know that there are dangerous places like anywhere in the world. Ecuador does not have armed guerrilla groups, we do not have war in process. We have not had any attacks, the percentage of robberies to tourists is minimal, but we suggest some points to avoid bad times:

• When you walk at night, do it in places with street lights and a lot of people, better take a taxi.
• When you take a taxi that is not from a platform such as uber, cabify etc, take into account that it has the tomato plate and the authorization numbers on the doors.
• Do not accept food and drinks from strangers.
• Leave your credit cards at the hotel and only take out an approximate of what you are going to spend that day, if you are not going to make big purchases.
• Leave your passport or visa at the hotel and only take a color copy with you.
• When you are traveling on a public bus, carry your belongings on the front of your chest or in a visible place.
• Cameras and kangaroos in the front.
• If you see anything strange, approach a group of people or police if necessary.