Ecuador Travel Guide

By: Matthew O’Rourke

Photo:

Early Civilizations of Ecuador

• Indigenous people from 10,000 BC – 15 Century

• Small tribes consisting of

• Inca Civilization – 1463 – 1526

• Kingdom led by Pachacuti and his son Topa Yupanqui

• The Inca people spread across south America into Chili, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru

• Ended in 1526 when Spanish military invaded Southern America

The Spanish Conquest

• Francisco Pizarro arrived in Ecuador in 1532 and with modern technology at the time were able to conquer Ecuador for Spain.

• By 1544 Ecuador was fully conquered and most of the indigenous people including the Inca civilization were forced into slavery.

Independence for Ecuador

• In the early 1900s the previously established Spanish government was collapsed, and a new democracy was formed.

• Huge banana exports for a booming economy making Ecuador a

“Banana Republic”

Traveling To Ecuador

• Drive to Chicago O’Hare International Airport

• Board first flight at 2:29 PM to Houston Texas

• First layover is for 1 hour in Houston Texas from 5:15pm to 6:15pm

• Board second flight in Houston at 6:20pm

• Arrive in Quito Ecuador at 11:35 pm

• Take a taxi to the AirBnB in Quito 11:40pm – 12:30am

Lodging

• AirBnB in Quito

• Included Free Wifi

• Central Air-conditioning

• Washer/Dryer

• Capital of Equador

• Restaurants

• Shopping Centers

• Tourist Destinations

Photo from AirBnB: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/815888167374181263?

adults=2&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&check_in=2023-03-02&check_out=2023-03-

07&federated_search_id=9b3155b9-2051-4b78-a390-

7b48a8ff7d86&source_impression_id=p3_1677469915_suAy9PcnMd%2F9DanI

• Latin American Food

• Fresh Nuts & Fruits

• Lots of fish inspired dishes

Photo: https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/ecuadorianfood

What should and should not be brought

Should

• Rain Ponchos

• Technology (Computer, Phone)

• Chargers

• Sun-glasses

• Clothes for moderate temperature weather and lots of rain

Should not

• If too many personal belongings or items are brough you will be subject to penalty and fines.

Vaccines

Required

• Covid-19

• Hep A & B

• Malaria

Recommended

• Chickenpox (Varicella)

• Measles

• Rabies

• Typhoid

• Yellow Fever

• DiphtheriaTetanus-Pertussis

• Influenza

• MMR

• Polio

• Shingles

Photos: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus and https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ecuador

Religions of Ecuador

• The majority (80.6%) of Ecuador people are Catholic due to the Spanish people who took over the country in the late 1500’s

• The other part is primarily Protestants

Photo: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/34043/they-diedfor-the-faith-115-spanish-catholics-recognized-as-martyrs

Native Language

•

Like most LATAM countries the native speaking language of Ecuador is Spanish

Photo: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Spanish-language

Political History

• Inca People 1500s

• Spanish Conquest 1600s-1700’s

• Spanish Control 1700s – 1900’s

• Democracy 1941 - 2023

Current Issues

• As of now there are currently no wars happening in Ecuador with the previous wars taking place pre 20th century.

• Some local issues include:

• overcrowding in prisons

• poor human rights for minorities and women

• Limited rights to privacy online

Photo: https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/13/ecuad ors-recurrent-cycle-violence-overindigenous-rights

Social Gigs

• Soccer is Ecuadors National Sport.

• Art oriented society – Stone Carvings, monuments from previous tribes, bamboo societies

• Family Oriented

• Colored Ponchos and traditional hats

Photos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81mbar_Torres

https://llamadollies.com/products/copy-of-alpaca-wool-blend-poncho-hood ed-uniquely-and-individually-designed-handmade-in-ecuador?variant=42

289894654102

Sources

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ecuador

• https://storyteller.travel/what-can-i-bring-to-ecuador/

• https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/ecuadorian-food

• https://www.airbnb.com/

• https://www.united.com/en/us/fsr/choose-flights?taxng=1&st=bestmatches&px=1%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0 %2C0%2C0&r=2023-04-12&t=UIO&d=2023-04-05&f=ORD&sc=7&tqp=R

• https://www.adventure-life.com/ecuador/articles/ecuador-history#:~:text=The%20History%20of%20Ecuador&t ext=It%20evolved%20from%20a%20land,by%20Simon%20Bolivar%20in%201822

• https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/ecuador/

• https://www.britannica.com/place/Ecuador/Daily-life-and-social-customs