Ecuador

The history of the Republic of Ecuador is the story of frontiers: the frontier of the great pre-columbian empire of the Incas; the frontier of the Amazon basin; the frontier of the hemispheres, from the country's position astride the equator. (The frontier with Peru is still being disputed today almost 500 years after the empire was split by civil war between the Inca brothers Atahualpa and Huascar). Most significant is Ecuador's role on the frontier of modern science, for it was in the Ecuadorian islands of the Galapagos that Charles Darwin first formulated his theory of evolution."

GENERAL INFORMATION
Capital : Quito
Area: 270.670 Km2.
Language : Spanish, Quichua, Indian dialects, some english.
Electricity : 10/120V AC 60 Hz
Int. Dialing Code :
Country 593
Quito 02
Guayaquil 04
Cuenca 07
Driving license: International driving license is required.
Currency: The official currency is the "Sucre".
Notes : 100, 500, 1.000, 5.000, 10.000
Coins : 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000
Weight and Measurement : metric system
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Climate

The Ecuadorian territory has a varied climate thanks to its peculiar geographic characteristics. The Coast's climate is warm with temperatures from 25 and 31oC during the year, there are two seasons: a rainy and a dry one. The first one is warm and humid extended for a period of 6 months aproximately (from december to may) The dry season lasts for the rest of the year. The climate of the mountains range area varies according to the altitude; during the year, a subtropical climate prevails on the andean valleys, at higher altitudes it is tempered spring like, at nights it is cold. On urban centers the average temperature is from 13 to 18oC. The Amazonic Regional normally has a warm, humid and rainy climate. The average temperature varies from 23 to 26oC. This region shows a dry season for a period of 3 months. The climate of Galapagos is exceptional: dry and tempered.
Clothing: Light ar warn in the Costa, Galapagos and Amazonia. Warmer clothing is necessary for the Sierra.
Health : No innoculations are required for entry. However, because of the high altitudes in parts of Ecuador, travellers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctors. In Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, running water is safe to drink, but bottled water is advised.
Health risks : Malaria exists only in the rainy season in the tropical province
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AIRPORTS
CITY AIRPORT
Quito International
Guayaquil International
Cuenca Domestic
Baltra Domestic
San Cristobal Domestic
Tulcan Domestic
Bahia de Caraquez Domestic
Manta Domestic
Loja Domestic
Machala Domestic
Lago Agrio Domestic
Coca Domestic
Macas Domestic
Tarapoa Domestic
Esmeraldas Domestic
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TAXES/SURCHARGES
No domestic departure taxes.
International departure tax US$ 25.
Most packages tour have already.included hotel taxes (10%) and service charges (10%).
Galapagos Park tax US$ 80 Other National Parks tax US$ 20 except for the following: El Angel, Pululahua, Cotopaxi, Boliche, Chimborazo and Cajas which charge US$ 10
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