Ecuador

Currency: The United States Dollar (US$)

Official language: Spanish

Ecuador was originally populated by disparate Native American tribes who came from different places and spoke various languages. The geography led coastal people to developing a hunter-gatherer fishing culture and the people of the Andes to focus on farming. When the Incas arrived from Peru, it took two generations of rulers to incorporate all the existing structures into their own. A shared culture and language saw the highlands of Ecuador became part of the Inca Empire in 1463, while coastal Ecuador and the Amazon jungle remained hostile to invasion.

When the Spanish arrived, the Incan empire was engaged in a civil war that eventually saw the new Inca Atahualpa emerge victorious. After failing to convert the Inca to Catholicism, the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro and his associates subjugated the population to their rule as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru in 1563. During the ensuing 300 years, the indigenous population was decimated by European diseases and incorporated into a forced labor system.

The leaders of Quito city were the first to call for independence by establishing a local government in 1809. It only lasted for two months, but inspired the wider region to develop a thirst for emancipation. The states of Ecuador, Venezuela and Cundinamarca subsequently formed the Republic of Great Colombia, with the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil being the first to gain freedom in October 1820.

Most of Ecuador’s population is Mestizo, people with blended Spanish and indigenous ancestry that share a Hispanic culture influenced by Roman Catholicism and Amerindian traditions. The Ecuadorians are a religious, family-oriented group with traditional gender roles, who enjoy music, dancing, food, and sport (especially soccer and horseback riding). The nation has produced many globally-recognized artists and writers over the centuries.

The remaining native communities are fairly integrated into the mainstream culture, while still retaining some of their original traditions; particularly rituals which have been incorporated into more recently introduced Catholic religious festivals and events.

The capital, Quito, is situated in the mountains and has low temperatures and unpredictable weather typical of the subtropical highlands. The average daily temperature is 65°F, falling to 50°F at night. The “summer” dry season extends from June until September, while the “winter” wet season runs from October to May. The coastal areas enjoy an average temperature of 77°F, with the hottest, rainiest months being between January and April. The Galapagos Islands have a consistent climate and temperatures that tend to hover around 77°F, without a lot of precipitation.

If you are a citizen of India and want to visit Ecuador, then you don't need a visa in advance. Though, in order to get visa on arrival traveller should have financial documents, passport with validity of 6 months and two blank pages, a return ticket, and travel insurance.

Most of Ecuador’s large towns feature at least one reliable taxi company. American Taxi (+593-2-222-2333) and Taxi Express (+593-2-211-1111) are two of the popular firms in Quito. Official cabs are yellow and bear a code, don’t risk using unlicensed cars. In Quito, during the day, make sure the meter is on at the start of the journey. At night, and in other cities, negotiate the price before starting a trip.

The Galapagos Islands can be reached by boat, with charters, cruises and regular ferries departing from the mainland ports of Ecuador to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. From there, speed boats provide regular service between Puerto Ayora, San Cristobal Island, and Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, departing every two hours. These journeys are mid-priced, noisy, and rough, but are the most practical way to get around the Galapagos. There are various operators offering multi-day cruises, some with a focus on diving or sport fishing.

Ecuador’s rail network is in a state of disrepair, with trains running only in a few tourist areas. The most famous is the scenic route from Alausi to Sibambe along the notorious Nariz del Diablo line (named for the numerous workers who died building it) through the Andes Mountains.

Bus travel is the standard way to get around Ecuador and is efficient, affordable and often picturesque. Intercity buses link the entire country and most schedules are available online at www.ecuadorschedules.com. Tickets can be booked at the central station (terminal terrestre) in each town, although visitors should bring a Spanish phrasebook as staff rarely speaks English. The levels of comfort can vary greatly between operators, with ejecutivo (first class) buses being the most expensive, the safest and most comfortable. Advance reservations are recommended for peak times such as Christmas and Easter.

Before you leave on your holiday, there are at least four health-related things you should do. Please check the handbook for specifics, but for now, here’s the short list:

Step 1: Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you’ll be visiting.

Step 2: Have a medical checkup with your doctor.

Step 3: Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Step 4: Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less important than steps 1-3.)

DO

• Do be prepared for the altitude. At an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters), Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and don’t overexert yourself when you first arrive.
• Do have small bills at all times. Ecuador’s currency is U.S. dollars, and Quito is 100% a cash city. Large bills and debit cards won’t get you very far here.
• Do bring warm clothes. Honestly, my packing game was an epic fail. I arrived and was quickly disappointed in my lack of long sleeves, light jackets and pants. Be sure to prepare yourself for some chilly mornings and nights. The average night-time low is around 49 °F (9 °C).
• Do dress casually. I’m a dirty blonde, blue-eyed female so blending in was a bit difficult, but I did my best to keep outfits as comfy and low-key as possible. Fair warning — you won’t find any locals dressed to the nines in Quito.
• Do bring toilet paper. Yep, you heard me! Little packets of Kleenexes come in handy for situations like this. Many places in Quito also make you pay a small fee to use the washroom.
• Do ride with a registered yellow taxi that has orange license plates. When hailing a cab, be sure to provide the specific address or major cross streets. Drivers must also use the meter during the day, but not at night.
• Do have a paper copy of your passport, I.D. and flight itineraries. This is travel rule #1! However, many people learn this lesson the hard way (myself included).
• Do use the public transportation system. Trolleys and buses are an incredibly cheap, efficient way to get around Quito. Trolley rides cost 25¢, and buses typically cost 25¢ as well but could be more depending on your final destination.
• Do download free apps like Duolingo and Google Translate to learn some Spanish.
• Do download MAPS.ME so you can navigate your way through Quito WITHOUT DATA.
• Do be prepared for crazy amounts of air pollution. It’s the unfortunate reality of big cities, and Quito is no exception.
• Do be mindful about what you eat from the street vendors. I’m all for exploring new cuisine, and of course not all street food will get you sick but just be careful!

DON'T

• Don't carry a large backpack/purse.
• Don't have your phone out on the trolley or the bus.
• Don't be out and about by yourself early in the morning or after dark, especially if you’re a female.
• Don't bring a ton of shorts. Weird, I know.
• Don't forget sunscreen. When the sun is out, afternoons can get quite warm with highs around 70°F (21 °C).
• Don't bring bug spray if you’re ONLY visiting Quito.
• Don't forget to call your bank and notify them that you’ll be out of the country.
• Don't drink tap water. This is a surefire recipe for disaster!
• Don't wear expensive jewelry.