Ecuador Travel Resource

Geography

Ecuador is one of the smaller countries in South America. Located on the west coast and straddling the equator, Ecuador has a total area of about 280,000 square kilometers, which includes the Galápagos Islands. Roughly the size of the state of Colorado, Ecuador encompasses a wide range of natural formations and climates, from the desertlike southern coast to the snowcapped peaks of the Andes Mountains to the plains of the Amazon River Basin.
Ecuador is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by Colombia, and on the east and south by Peru. Ecuador continues to contest the boundary with Peru, which was established by the Protocol of Peace, Friendship, and Boundaries (Rio Protocol) of 1942 and ceded to Peru a large portion of territory east of the Andes.

Climate and Weather

Ecuador’s climate varies from one region to another, due to differences in altitude, proximity to the equator and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, etc. Each region has a very different climate. The Pacific coast of Ecuador varies between the wet season from December to May and the dry season from June to November. Temperatures range from 23ºC and 26ºC. The climate in the Andes Mountains is cold and rainy from November to April and dry from May to October. The temperature in the Andes ranges from 13ºC and 18ºC. In the Amazon, the climate is rainy and humid between January and September, with temperatures between 23ºC and 26ºC, and it is dry between October and December. The Galapagos has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging 22ºC and 32ºC.

Population

Ecuador's population is about 13.9 million and ethnically diverse. The largest ethnic group (as of 2007) is the Mestizos, who are the mixed descendants of Spanish colonists and indigenous Indians and who constitute 62 percent of the population. Amerindians account for around 25 percent of the current population. Whites, mainly criollos, the unmixed descendants of early Spanish colonists, as well as immigrants from other European countries, account for about 10 percent. The small Afro-Ecuadorian minority, including Mulattos and zambos, largely based in Esmeraldas and Imbabura provinces, make up 5 percent.

Transportation

A number of airlines offer regular international flights to and from Ecuador. The high seasons, from the beginning of July to the beginning of September and December to mid-January, bring a bump in ticket price and extremely limited availability. While there is no road connecting Central to South America because of the zone of untamed rainforest between Colombia and Panama, many travelers make their way by bus once they are in Ecuador.

Top Attractions

1. Plaza de la Independencia.
2. Plaza San Francisco.
3. Museo del Banco Central.
4. El Mitad del Mundo.
5. Otavalo.
6. Cotopaxi National Park.
7. Charles Darwin Research Station.
8. Cuenca.

Best Travel Time

The diversity of Ecuador does not fit neatly into four seasons. As a general note, it has a dry winter from June to September and a wet summer from December to April. For hiking in the highlands, the best time is during the cool winter. For exploring the jungle (the Oriente), there isn’t a temperate period as it’s often thick with humidity, while the sierra can get chilly and coastal areas are warm year round.
The Galápagos Islands experience hot, rainy weather from January to April and its waters are comfortably warm during this time, making it ideal for snorkelling. During the rest of the year the water is on the chilly side at around 20°C (68°F) or lower. The surfing season is typically December to February.
The biggest celebration days are Christmas, Semana Santa (Easter week), Inti Raymi (June 24), and Independence Day (May 24). Expect an influx of visitors during these periods and from June to August when the vacation season is in full swing.

Food and Drink


National specialties:
• Cuy (roasted guinea pig).
• Llapingachos (pancakes stuffed with mashed potato and cheese).
• The best of the jungle fruits include chirimoya, with a delicious custard-like inside; mamey, which has a red, sweet, squash-like meat; and pepinos, a sweet white and purple striped cucumber-like fruit.
• Shrimp or lobster ceviche. This is traditionally accompanied by popcorn and chifles (thinly sliced and fried green bananas).
• Locro (soup of potatoes, corn and cheese).

National drinks:
• Naranjilla (fruit juice with a taste somewhere between citrus and peach).
• Canelazo (made from sugar cane, alcohol, lemon, sugar and cinnamon).
• Pisco – the local brandy.
• Chicha (fermented corn drink).
• Herbal teas made from native plants.

Local Products/Shopping

Bargaining is acceptable in small shops and in markets, but prices are usually fixed in ‘tourist stores’. A few stores around the major hotels have fixed prices. In the Province of Azuay, the cities of Cuenca and Gualaceo offer a wide variety of handicrafts at ferias or special market days. The top attractions are the ferias of Otavalo, Ambato, Latacunga, Saquisili and Riobamba, most held once a week. They offer the visitor excellent bargains for Indian crafts and silver. Principal silver stores are in Quito. Special purchases include native woodcarvings, varnished and painted ornaments made of bread dough, Indian tiles, woolen and orlon rugs, blankets, baskets, leather goods, shigras (shoulder bags) and hand-loomed textiles, indigenous art and native weapons.

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