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OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW Ecuador is located in the northwest of South America. The country’s territory is crossed by the equator, an imaginary line that draws the horizontal center of Earth. Ecuador is bordered by Colombia to the north, by Peru to the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is the eighth largest country in South America and presents great geographical diversity in its four regions: Andes, Amazon, Coast and Galápagos. It is a country of different sensations, a meeting point for all cultures, peoples and enchanting landscapes of Latin America. Ecuador offers magnificent views, such as snow-capped volcanoes, waterfalls, valleys, rice fields, pristine beaches, the amazing Pacific Ocean, the nature of the Amazon rainforest and the Galápagos Islands, with their natural beauty and species that cannot be found in anywhere else in the world. Ecuador’s territory is comprised of 24 provinces, including the Province of Pichincha, where the country’s capital, the city of Quito, is located. In the Province of Guayas is where the country’s financial center, the city of Guayaquil, is located. The Province of Galápagos offers natural wonders and rare species such as sea lions, turtles, albatrosses, and iguanas, among other species. Galápagos is considered a unique natural laboratory in the world and its natural resources were appointed as a Natural Heritage of Humankind by UNESCO in 1979.
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Ecuador’s climate is tropical and varies constantly
and the dry season, on the other hand, takes
due to the influence of the sea and the Andes in
place between October and December.
the region, which creates different climate zones. Its location presents only two seasons, defined
The Galápagos Islands have a temperate
as the wet and the dry seasons.
climate all year round with temperatures
In the Coast region, the rainy season takes
times of hot weather and rain.
place between the months of December and May, and the dry season between the months of June and November. The temperature in this area ranges between 20°C and 33°C. In the Andes region, the rainy and cold season begins in November and lasts until April, and the dry season takes place between the
between 22°C and 26°C, but there are also
The best time of the year to visit Ecuador is in the months of December, January, February, and July. Those months offer great diversity of attractions in all regions. However, plane tickets are usually cheaper in the low season; that is in the months between
months of May and October.
April and May, and August and November.
In the Amazon region, the rainy and cold season
Explore and discover the incredible natural
takes place between January and September,
world of South America.
TRANSPORT
Metrovía is an integrated system for public transport in the city of Guayaquil and operates safely and effectively for all passengers.
There are several means of transportation to
Ecovía is a great option as it crosses the city of
explore the regions of Ecuador. The best options
Quito, from north to south, quickly.
are buses, taxis, trains, the subway or airplanes to go from one region to another. Another good option is the cruise at Galapagos Islands. Chiva Express is a train that looks like the classic tourist bus. It uses the rails initially built to connect the Andes to the ocean, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful mountainous landscapes. With two floors, the best place to enjoy the ride is on the top floor of the train, which offers an open sky view. The country’s rail system, Tren Ecuador, has been renovated and offers new features for the luxury line Tren Crucero, which connects Quito to Guayaquil, on the coast. The cruises on the Galapagos Islands offer the capacity for 48 to 100 passengers. You will be able to visit all places in the islands in a comfortable and fun way, and you will also be able rest and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the region. El Telefériqo is one of the best options to see the city of Quito from above. It offers breathtaking views and several bars for you to enjoy good times in the company of your friends. Its operating hours are between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Friday, closing at 8:00 pm on the weekends. Trolebús is a bus company that operates throughout the city, offering several bus stops. It is an economical way to get around.
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ATTRACTIONS Prepare yourself to visit the several attractions that Ecuador has to offer its visitors. Enjoy the pleasant equatorial climate of each region and enjoy your time at national parks, practicing sports, hiking, exploring forests, shopping or visiting historic cities.
GALÁPAGOS REGION Galápagos National Park: One of the mustsee attractions of the islands is the Galápagos National Park. Located in an area that includes the insular system of the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, at 972 km off the coast of Ecuador, it has over 230 islands, islets and rocks born of volcanoes. The giant tortoise, the iguana and the sea lions at Galápagos are some of the environmental features of the islands, which are considered to be an ecotourism destination.
AMAZON REGION Yasuni National Park: The Yasuni National Park is worth a visit. It includes a forest full of paxiúbas, also known as “walking palm trees”. Its roots are one meter high, allowing it to relocate in the search of light and nutrients. In addition, the park contains several species of bromeliads, ferns and orchids, as well as insects, amphibians, birds and mammals, such as the jaguar. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve: Located below the Andes and near theYasuni National Park, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is the second largest natural reserve of Ecuador. With very unique ecological characteristics, it has a network of
forests, lakes and creeks near the mountains
17th century. Its paintings and sculptures, made
combined with a climate that is somewhat
by indigenous artists in European style, get a
cooler and wetter. It brings together different
lot of attention from visitors.
species from other areas of the Amazon basin, which makes it a very interesting attraction.
ANDES REGION
Half of the World: This is the most popular tour in Quito. “Half of the World” is the line that divides the Northern and Southern
Quito: The greatest pride for the local
hemispheres of the globe. Something that is
population of Quito is the fact that the city
curious is the controversy that the mark would
was appointed as the first World Heritage
be 300 m from the correct point.
Site by UNESCO in 1978. Its Historic Center is the largest in the Americas. With its narrow
Whether it is right or wrong, the tower offers an
streets, rich in architecture, it is a major local
ethnographic museum, which tells the story of
attraction where you are able to see peculiar
the people in Ecuador, as well as a planetarium,
locations, such as the famous Escuela Quiteña,
pavilions and another museum with replicas of
a set of artistic manifestations stimulated by
pre-Columbian pieces. It’s a must-see attraction.
the creation of Escuela de Arte y Oficios in the
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COAST REGION Machalilla National Park: Machalilla National Park is located on the south coast of the Manabi province, in the cantons of Jipijapa, Puerto Lopez and Montecristi. Its main attraction is the island of La Plata and the Frades Beach. Its fauna diversity in marine and terrestrial areas is represented by 81 species of mammals, 270 species of birds, and 143 species of fish. Guayaquil: Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and also where the country’s main port is located. It is situated on the western bank of theGuayas River, approximately 250 km from the capital Quito. Among the most important touristic places in the city, Malecón has many historical monuments, which give tourists an idea about the past of the city and the country. Several gardens, fountains and extensive forests complement the beauty of the place. And an interesting tip is to take the boat ride along the coast, both during the day and at night.
WHERE TO STAY The regions of Ecuador offer a wide variety of places to stay. You can find hotels, B&B, resorts, campsites, hostels or aparthotels that are both well located and with good prices. If you want to play sports, go hiking, and be in direct contact with nature and several rare species of animals, the ideal place go is the Galápagos Islands. The best islands in terms of accommodation are the San Cristóban Island, the Santa Cruz Island and the Isabela Island that offer simple and comfortable accommodation.
The city of Quito is the capital of Ecuador and is one of the most visited places in the country. It is a place of great history, culture and entertainment. It offers various hotel options to suit all tastes, whether simple or modern. Most hotels are located in the center and in the north of the city, as are the areas that concentrate the main tourist attractions. Guayaquil is a magical city and is a great place to stay during your trip to Ecuador. It is considered the economic capital of Ecuador due to the large number of shopping centers and factories in the city. It is one of the most visited places by tourists and offers several accommodation options. In the Amazon region, the best options are to camp somewhere safe, to stay at a cozy hotel made of wood in the middle of the forest or at a modern hotel that offers creative attractions.
DINING OUT Ecuador has a diversified gastronomy due to the different regions in the country. The Andes region presents an innovative menu and dishes that you would never imagine that you would try one day. The most consumed meat is pork, usually accompanied by potatoes, roasted banana and corn, but you can find all kinds of meat at any restaurant. The typical dishes of this region are the fritada, the hornado and the chugchucaras. One of the most traditional dishes is Cuy, better known as guinea pig.
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In the Amazon region, it is possible to find
In the Galápagos region, the best option is to
indigenous dishes like monkey meat. The most
eat at restaurants that serve seafood.
consumed dishes are fish, chicken or pork and the famous cassava. In the country’s Coast, the
Some restaurants that serve the regions’
ideal meal consists of fish and seafood, and the
typical dishes are Garrapata, located in Puerto
price is great. Typical dishes of the Coast region
Ayora, in Galápagos; La Canoa in Guayaquil;
are fish ceviches and encocado de camarón
and El Delírio Restaurant and Magic Bean
(shrimps in coconut sauce), among other dishes.
located in the city of Quito.
SHOPPING
handicrafts, including Otavalo style blouses, Panamá hats, paintings, carved trays and a lot more.
It is possible to find many places to have fun and shop in the different regions of Ecuador. Centro comercial Quicentro (Quito): The Shopping Mall Quicentro Centros looks like an American mall, and offers international brands and many restaurant options. The mall is open every day from 10 am to 8:30 pm. Policentro: Located in the city of Guayaquil, Policentro is a calmer shopping mall. Policentro has many trendy shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and other attractions. Mall del Sol (Guayaquil): Mall Del Sol is one of the largest malls in South America and is located near the airport. Galería Aymaya (Puerto Ayora, Galápagos): Galería Aymara is a nice place to shop. There, it is possible to find artists selling handicrafts with unique design, jewelry and ceramics. It is good to avoid buying objects made from black coral and turtle, as these endangered species are being protected.
STREET MARKETS The street markets of Ecuador are the best option to find souvenirs, paintings and typical handicrafts. El Mercado Artesanal Loja (Guayaquil): It is a market filled many craftsmen who occupy an entire city block. It has a wide variety of
Parque de La Concepción (Riobamba): Here you can find handicrafts; shigras, which are fiber coats typical of the region; tagua products, woven baskets and mats made by the indigenous people. Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal (Quito): It is a market that offers varied handicraft stands, hippie bracelets, ponchos, and a lot more. You can find souvenirs with great prices. Mercado Santa Clara (Quito, Ecuador): Mercado Santa Clara is the main market in the city. It offers a great selection of products and you can find several food stands with good prices. Parque El Ejido Art Fair (Quito): Parque El Ejido Art Fair is a gallery that presents paintings by various anonymous artists who paint, exhibit and sell their works that are based on Ecuatorian artists. The paintings are very colorful and cheap. The gallery is open every weekend at Parque El Ejido Fair.
CURRENCY Currently, the currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar (USD). Sucre was the national currency between 1884 and 2000, but it was replaced by the US Dollar in an attempt to end the inflation in the country. Credit cards are accepted in almost every establishment.
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IMPORTANT NUMBERS
101 103 911 131 102
NATIONAL POLICE TRAFFIC COMMISSION EMERGENCIES/CIVIL DEFENSE RED CROSS FIRE BRIGADE
GIR- INTERVENTION AND RESCUE GROUP
2872-273 AIRPORT
2169-000