Ecuador

Ecuador Flag 

"Ecuador Ama la Vida" 

Why visit Ecuador?

Known for adventure sports, beaches, birdwatching, cathedrals, colonial architecture, festivals, hiking, historical sites, horseback riding, markets, folk music, mountain biking, mountain climbing, museums, rafting, rain forests, snorkeling, thermal springs, volcanoes, and water sports.

Quito (Capital) Ecuador. Photo Credit: DEZALB/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Amerindian belts, handwoven shawls, Panama hat, ponchos, pottery, silver jewelry, straw goods, wood carvings, and wool sweaters.
  
• Local Cuisine to Try: Fanesca (soup). Hornado (roast pig). llapingachos (potato ball).  Seco de Chivo (goat stew).
  
• Local Drink to Try: Canelazo (hot cocktail). Pinol (hot drink).
  

 

Pichincha, Ecuador. Photo Credit: DEZALB/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• During 17th Century (1601-1700), a few slaves swam to shore from a shipwreck migrated through the jungle where they lived freely and practiced their culture of origin.
• In 1797, the Riobamba earthquake killed 40,000 people.
• In 1820, became independent of Spain.
  
• In 1832, defeated by New Granada since Armed Forces since militants were rebellious angry unpaid veterans from Venezuela and Colombia.
• In 1851, abolished slavery and freed them.
  
• In 2003, Jefferson Leonardo Pérez Quezada (1974), Race Walker Atlete set the World Championships.
• In 2019, during the Giro d'Italia race Richard Antonio Carapaz Montenegro (1993), Professional Cyclist won.
  
• Juan José Flores y Aramburu (1800-1864), a Venezuelan born Military General served as their first, third and fourth President earning the nickname, "The Founder of the Republic".
  
• First South America country to adopt the U.S. Dollar as its official currency.
  
• Chimborazo Volcano is the closest spot on Earth to the Sun.
  
• Citizens between 18-65 are required to vote by law.
  
• Has four main geographic regions: La Costa ("the coast"), La Sierra ("the highlands"), La Amazonía ("the east") and La Región Insular (comprising Galápagos Islands).
  
• Cotopaxi is one of the world's highest active volcanoes.
  
• First country to constitute and recognize the rights of nature.
  
• Largely exports bananas and cocoa.
• Children are required to attend school until achieving a "basic level of education" (roughly nine school years).
  
• Quito Astronomical Observatory (Quito) is South America's oldest observatory.
  

Cotopaxi (Stratovolcano), Andes Mountains, Ecuador. Photo Credit:  Marisa04/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Jondachi Fest, (February) Carnival, (March) Mushak Nina, (April) Fiesta de Kasama, Fiesta Agricola, Fiesta de Chonta, (May) Fiesta de la Chirimoya, Battle of Pichincha, (June) Fiestas de San Juan, Fiestas de San Pedro, Inti Raymi, (July) Founders Day, Paseo de Chagras, (September) Fiesta del Yamor,  Fiesta de Jora, Fiesta del Maiz, Fiesta de Mama Negra, Tarpuy Raymi, (October) Cacería del Zorro and Dia de los Difuntos.
  
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Carnival, Good Friday, International Workers' Day, Battle of Pichincha, Declaration of Independence of Quito, Independence of Guayaquil, All Souls' Day, Independence of Cuenca and Christmas Day.

Puerto López (Ecuadorian Manabí Province), Ecuador. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• By law, you are required to have possession of your passport at all times with you.
  
• Law prohibits articles and media messages which favor or disfavor political messages or candidates.
  
• Public protests are subject to eight years in prison.
  
• Colombian Guerrillas are known to infiltrate themselves.
  
• Credit card “skimming” is known to occur.
  
• Crime is a widespread problem.
  
• “Spiritual Cleanse” containing dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a strong hallucinogen, is illegal in the United States.
  
• Limited decompression facilities for scuba divers.
  
• Prevalent diseases: Chagas Disease, Chikungunya, Dengue, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Yellow Fever and Zika.
• Avoid drinking tap water.
• Armed criminals are known to board public transportation buses and rob passengers.

Cuenca, Ecuador. Photo Credit: Herbert Bieser/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA not required for visits under 90 days.

Peguche Waterfalls, Otavalo, Ecuador. Photo Credit: Felipe Lopez/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: June - September 
• Coldest Month: March
• Hottest Month: September 
• Peak Season: December - January & June - September

Malchingui, Ecuador. Photo Credit: Alejandro Miranda/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: City Museum (Quito), Cuenca, Galápagos Islands, Inca Road System, Quito, San Juan de Dios Hospital (Quito) and Sangay National Park.

Ibarra (Imbabura Province), Ecuador. Photo Credit: Marcelo Trujillo/Pixabay 

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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.