Ecuador

Understand

La República del Ecuador ("Republic of the Equator") was one of three countries (the others being Colombia and Venezuela) that emerged when the Gran Colombia federation fractured in 1830. Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Ecuador's mainstream culture is defined by its Hispanic Mestizo majority and like their ancestry, it is traditionally Spanish heritage, influenced by different degrees of Amerindian traditions with African elements. Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands. Ecuador has a total area of 283,520 km2 and is bisected by the Equator, for which it is named. Ecuador is a major exporter of oil, bananas, flowers, seafood and artisan crafts.

Visitor information Ecuador Travel website.

See

Loma Alta, a 2428-hectare cloud forest. Tigua, for its bright paintings. The village of Calderon is known for its folk art. Agua Blanca, an indigenous territory of the Manta. Chimborazo, highest peak in Ecuador. La Mitad del Mundo on the Equator Central and South American wildlife

Do

The capital Quito, is a city with a lot of history where you can walk in downtown, enjoying the beautiful colonial buildings. There is also the "Teleférico" (cable-car) which takes passengers from the highest mountain in Quito to see the whole city from the sky. Admission is $9.00 per person (July 2025). There are many welcoming cafes as well as many dancing clubs open every weekend, often until 05:00. In Guayaquil, an excellent place to visit is the Malecón 2000, which is very similar to Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, offering food, shopping, boat rides and a beautiful view of the river. Except for electronics, prices are quite low; however, almost everything sold with any sort of brand name is a knockoff. This area is very well patrolled and quite safe. For a real adventure, it is possible to visit the more authentic, less expensive, and far more dangerous Bahía or "Informal Market". It is not advisable to visit it without a native. It is possible to purchase a knockoff of almost anything here. Pirated video games and movies also abound; it is possible to purchase game systems modified to play such games as well. Make the proprietors prove to you that any movies or games you might purchase actually work before buying t

Getting there

Visas In general, citizens of most nationalities were allowed to enter Ecuador without a visa and stay for a period of 90 days in a chronological year. Visa requirements apply, however, to citizens of Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, India, Iran, Libya, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Philippines, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen. Citizens of the following countries can enter with their National ID card: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Ecuador requires that Cuban citizens receive an invitation letter prior to entering Ecuador through international airports or frontier admission points. This letter must be legalized by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and comply with certain requirements. These requirements are designed to provide an organized migratory flow between both countries. Cuban citizens who are US green card holders should visit an Ecuadorian Consulate to obtain an exemption to this requirement. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. A round/onward trip ticket is needed to prove the length of your stay.

By plane Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is in the Tababela parish, approximately 30 km (20 mi) to the east of Quito. For travellers with very early departures or very late arrivals from the Quito airport, and those who are not staying in Quito but carrying elsewhere should consider looking at accommodations in Tababela or Puembo for the convenience of not needing to make the journe

Getting around

By bus Intercity buses travel to almost everywhere in Ecuador. Many cities have a central bus terminal, known as a terminal terrestre, where it is possible to buy tickets from the various bus lines that serve the city. Long-distance buses typically cost US$1-2 per hour, depending on the distance and the type of service; groups may be able to negotiate discounts. Buses are frequent along major routes, and are also used for transporting cargo/packages. Reservations or advance purchases usually aren't needed except during peak periods such as holidays. The bathroom on the bus, if any, is usually reserved for women. However, it is permissible for men to request that the bus make a stop so that they might relieve themselves. The bus rides themselves are often quite beautiful, through mountain views in the clouds. These altitude changes cause many of the same ear pressure problems which are associated with an airplane ride. The bus driver will stop along the way to board additional passengers, and load/unload cargo. Buses will also board vendors selling affordable drinks and snacks at stops, which is helpful on long hauls. Many buses arrive at their destination with passengers standing in the aisle. There are a few first class buses, called "Ejecutivo", which cost a little more than the regular buses. They are generally more comfortable and safer. Some of the major long-distance bus companies in Ecuador:

Cooperativa de Transportes Loja Cooperativa de Transportes Occidental Cooperativa de Transportes Andina Cooperativa de Transportes Internacional Reina del Camino Flota Imbabura Cooperativa de Transportes Baños Cooperativa de Transportes Turismo Oriental Cooperativa de Transportes Patria

By car

It is possible to rent a car in the major cities such as Quito, Guayaqu