GENERAL INFORMATION

With its relatively small territory (256,370 km2), Ecuador has the highest biodiversity per area in the World. Ecuador has 4 diverse and rich regions. The Amazon Rain forest, the Coast, the highland Andes, and the Galapagos Archipelago. These four regions are subdivided into 22 provinces. Besides the exuberant biodiversity Ecuador embraces an impressive variety of ethnic groups, including some untouched communities which still preserve traditional values and culture manifestations from ancient times.

LOCATION: Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America. It lies on both the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres, and is divided by the equator which gave Ecuador its name.

POPULATION: 12 millions.

LANGUAGE: Spanish. Most of the indigenous population speaks Ouichua, but there are 18 different languages among Ecuadorian native communities.

CURRENCY: US Dollars. Banks are open from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays only half day while Money exchange function every day in main hotels.

CLIMATE: Ecuador is located in the Tropical zone, while, the climate throughout the country ranges from tropical equatorial rainy weather to perpetual snow on the top of the mountains due to the influence of the Andean Mountain range in the highlands. Cities in the highlands have that vary from 10 to 22 Cº while coastal cities temperatures vary from 15 to 28 Cº during the day. The Jungle has constant weather conditions: rainy, humid and warm. The Galapagos Islands are always sunny and warm. Temperature drops a bit during the months of January through March.
• Quito and highlands: warm spring during June, July and August. During the rest of the months, bring warmer clothing like those you would wear during the fall. A raincoat or jacket would be useful at night since it gets pretty chilly.
• Guayaquil and other coastal cities: wear summer clothing all year round. During the rainy months, December to May, the weather is still very warm.
• Galapagos: wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing.. Shirts, shorts and summer clothing will be fine. Don't forget a sun block along with a bathing suit.
• Amazon jungle: wear clothing adequate for a rainy season. If you can get yourself a raincoat with you, as well as several pairs of light pants and long sleeve shirts. Shorts are less useful because of the insects and abundant vegetation you will walk through on your excursions. Rubber boots, insect repellents and hat are necessary to take along with you. If you plan to take pictures, you will need high speed film.

AIRPORT TAX: For anyone leaving the country, there is $25 exit tax and $3 cultural heritage certification tax leaving from any airport.

TOURIST VISA: Visitors can stay up to 90 days with a tourist visa, then this visa can be extended up to 6 months in total.

TAXI RATES: Approx US$ 5 to $8 per ride from the airport to the city. These rates can change.

TRANSPORTATION: Main cities (Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca have local airports serviced by the local airlines Tame, and Icaro, besides international airlines. Land transportation is offered by bus lines where you can just jump on the next bus going to your destination. Each city has its bus terminal with frequent departures to each one of the different provinces of the country.

Yuca's chicha Cosanga Artisana
Napo Basckets Hot springs
Achuars Shuars Huaorani Shamans Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca culture Ayahuasca shamans Ayahuasca visions