Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, has a diverse geography and a population of approximately 14.5 million, with significant indigenous communities. The country features various climates due to the Andes and other factors, with a tropical climate in the Galapagos. Economically, it relies on industries like petroleum and agriculture, using the US dollar as its currency, and requires travelers to meet specific visa and health regulations.

1. ECUADOR
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

2. Official Name: Republic of Ecuador
Capital: Quito
Extension: 283.561 square kilometers
Population:14’483.499 people
Languages: Spanish (Official), Kichwa and other dialects
Type of government: Presidential Republic
President: Ec. Rafael Correa
Religion: Catholic (more than 85%), Protestant, Gospel, other minorities.
Population Density:56,5 people/square km
National Holiday: August the 10th
Weather Features: The presence of the Andes, the confluence of two ocean
currents and their location in the tropics, creates several micro-climates and
ecosystems across the country, and only two seasons: wet and dry. Both the
Amazon and the Coast temperature range between 20°C and 33°C; while in the
mountains, it is usually between 8°C and 26°C. Galapagos has a temperate climate
and good temperature ranges between 22°C and 32°C, approximately.
Visas: Citizens of most of the countries can stay a maximum of 90 days per year
without the need of a visa.
Local time: GMT+5; Galapagos Islands, GMT+6
Health conditions: Must be immunized against the yellow fever if your plan is to
visit the Amazon Jungle.
Electricity: 127 V, 60 Hz
Weights and measures : Metric system
GENERAL INFORMATION

3. BEST TIME TO VISIT
The wet season runs between December and May on the coast, from November
to April in the mountains and from January to September in the Amazon.
COAST: January to March: mainly summer and best time to visit. July to September:
winter, cold weather.
AMAZON JUNGLE: January to March: mainly summer, is the best time to visit.
ANDES: January to March, winter, many cloudy days, is not a good time to visit. July
to September: summer, hot and sunny.
GALAPAGOS: Any time is good for visiting the islands, however, there are 6 months
when weather conditions are special.
REGION/MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
COAST X X X
ANDES X X X X
JUNGLE X X X
GALAPAGOS X X X X X X

4. ECONOMICS
GDP: $57.249,00 millions (2009)
GDP Growth: 3,58% (2010)
GDP per cápita: $1.758,8 (2010)
Inflation: 4,84% (2011)
Major industries: petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, flowers, metallurgy,
fish and textiles.
Service and goods consumption tax: 12% (plus 10% in food services)
Currency: US Dollar (since 2000)
BUDGET FOR TRAVELING:
Feeding
· Low: between 1,50 and 3 dollars
· Medium: between 3 and 15 dollars
· High: from 15 dollars
Lodging
· Low: between 2 and 15 dollars
· Medium: between 15 and 40 dollars
· High: from 40 dollars

5. VISA INFORMATION
All travelers must have a valid passport of a
minimum of six months, before coming to
Ecuador, as well as a ticket back to the place
of origin or to another destination.
For admission to the country, visitors must
fill out an international index card for
shipping-landing. It is very important to keep
this document with the personal passport.
Travelers should always carry this document
during their stay in Ecuador, to avoid
problems with authorities when required.
A copy is not acceptable. Persons wishing to
stay for more time in the country, should
make the corresponding procedure at
consulates in Ecuador. Colombian and
Peruvian citizens require only the national
document of identity to enter the country. If
the traveler enters as a tourist, they can not
change their status while in the country.

6. A SHORT LOOK AT HISTORY
Ecuador's history starts centuries ago, when it
was part of the great Incan Empire of the
Tahuantinsuyu, which included what is now
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and
Argentina.
In these extensive territories held one of the
most developed civilizations in terms of social
and political organization, science,
agriculture, etc.
With the arrival of Spanish colonists, the last
Inca emperor was dropped, and began the
colonial era with all its changes.
After several attempts and battles for
independence led by national heroes, on
August 10, 1809 was the first call of
independence, and Ecuador became a
Republic in 1830.

7. SOMETHING ABOUT THE CULTURE
Ecuador is a multiethnic and multicultural country. Its population exceeds 14
million people. Out of those, more than 5,5 million live in the Andes; in the
Pacific Coast the population is more than 6,3 million; in the Amazon there
are over 600 thousand people, and in the Galapagos about 17 000. In all the
three continental regions continue to live more than 20 indigenous
nationalities and, with them, diverse traditions and their own worldview.
Huaorani, Achuar, Shuar, Cofan, Siona-Sequoia, and Zaparo Shiwiar are
indigenous communities that live in the Amazon. The Tagaeri, relatives of
the Huaorani, live in the same area but declared "intangible" by the State,
in deference to their will to live away from civilization.
In the Andes, Kichwa people live in the mountains, like the Canaris and
Saraguros.
In the north, lies the Awa community and in the Pacific Coast, the
Chachi, Cayapas, Tsáchilas and Huancavilcas.

8. SOMETHING ABOUT BIODIVERSITY
 In Ecuador, there are 45 protected areas, important for conservation
of its flora, fauna and native communities
 In Ecuador, there are 46 ecosystems, only in the mainland
AS WELL AS:
 369 species of mammals (30 endemic)
 1616 species of birds (52 endemic)
 379 species of resptiles (114 endemic)
 418 species of amphibians (138 endemic)
 15306 species of vascular plants (4173 endemic)

9. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO IN ECUADOR?
 SPORTS & ADVENTURE
Diving
Delta Wing Flight
Cycling
Trekking
Climbing
Rappel
Camping
Water Sports
More…
 CULTURE
Visit native communities
Indian markets
Pre Incan, Pre Colonial and Colonial
Architecture
Conferences and conventions
 WILDLIFE OBSERVATION
Birdwatching
Amazon wildlife observation
Aquatic Species
Visit Natural Areas
Amphibians, Insects observation
Flora species observation
 CONSERVATION
Local development projects
Local environmental projects
MUCH MORE....

10. WORDS FROM TRAVEL DEALS ECUADOR
MANAGER
Ecuador is much more than dates, historical events, originary cultures, beautiful
handcrafts, amazing landscapes…
I invite you to visit and see it by yourself…
Soledad Hernández
MANAGER

11. MORE INFORMATION
The information and pictures submitted, were taken from various sources, where
more specific data can be found:
Banco Central del Ecuador (www.bce.fin.ec)
Index Mundi (www.indexmundi.com)
Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (www.turismo.gob.ec)
Ministerio de Cultura del Ecuador (www.ministeriodecultura.gob.ec)
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com)
INEC (www.inec.gov.ec)
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (www.mmrree.gob.ec)
Trading Economics (www.tradingeconomics.com)
Ministerio de Ambiente del Ecuador, Fundación ECOCIENCIA, UICN (2000)
Banco Mundial, Indicadores de Desarrollo Mundial, 2011
Ministerio de Finanzas (http://finanzas.gob.ec)
IMPORTANT: Some information provided may vary over time, so it is important that before you travel,
make sure it is updated

12. CONTACT
www.traveldealsecuador.com
info@traveldealsecuador.com / s.hernandez@traveldealsecuador.com