Tour Guide, Quito, Ecuador
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Ecuador is the smallest Andean country, blessed with the greatest diversity of species on an area half the size of France. His four regions contain the most important ecosystems in South America. Ecuador has two world-cultural cities: Quito and Cuenca. Three UNESCO natural heirs: Sangay and the Galapagos Islands, with its marine reserve. Guayaquil is the awakening "Pearl of the Pacific" and the Amazon rain forest is here to achieve faster than in all other countries in South America.
VERY IMPORTANT
Please take time to read the following exactly a few minutes.
Ecuador is the country's biodiversity; we call it "Diversiland" as our best-selling tour. We do not have a connection to nature, which is held together by the Indian heritage. Ecuador is a lively meeting with magical reality between heaven and earth, that the beauty of nature and culture offers: Follow the footsteps of Humboldt and Whymper to the Andes and its world-cultural cities; swim in the Pacific, a second Galápagos, you will discover the secrets of the AMAZON jungle, the Galapagos Islands and Marine Reserve. All in one trip!
The country also offers good and cheap shopping. The main land of the Inca Empire is now a democratic republic that welcomes you.
Entry requirements:
A valid passport is required for entry or exit. Visas are not required, if you have the nationality of the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany or Switzerland. When entering you will receive a residence permit of 90 days. You need to enter a still min. 6 months valid passport, a return flight, and evidence of financial security for your stay.
Health: There are no vaccinations required, but we recommend a doctor check before you travel. In addition, people with heart problems should and high blood pressure can be again examined by your doctor because of the heights. Clean drinking water can be bought anywhere. The country is almost totally FREE of tropical diseases. The International Certificate for Yellow Fever is required if arriving within 5 days from an infected region.
Departure Tax: There must be a fee of US $ 43 in cash and paid before departure place for International Departures from Quito and Guayaquil from US $ 28.
Lolale time: standard or GMT - 5. There is no summer-winter time. On the Galápagos Islands are GMT sixth Note in Europe the summer-winter time!
Currency: The old currency was the Sucre, named after Field Marshal Antonio Jose Sucre, hero of the Revolutionary War. There were 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 coupons. S /. 100, 500 and 1000 coins Sucre was also available. Since 13 September 2000, the US dollar is the official currency. Ecuador has smaller units launched to make trade easier. Always try just to pay the amount, because the change is sometimes very difficult.
Banks opening times: Monday to friday 09:00 to 16:00 clock. Some banks have different times and the money to 14:00 clock. A fee is charged for cashing traveler's checks and credit card payments are limited. There are several ATMs
(payments up to US $ 400 per day).
Shopping opening times: Monday to friday between 10:00 bis 13:00 clock and 15:00 to 20:00 clock. Important shops, shopping centers and markets are open on weekends. Some shops and facilities have "Siesta Time".
Electricity: 110 volts, 60 Hertz AC / 220 adapter and round plugs are hard to find. Bring your own adapters from home, especially if you are from the EU. tip: In Ecuador, 10% service already be lt included on the bill in restaurants, bars and hotels law.. In very good service can additionally max. 5% more be given. It is customary to give Guides $ 5.00 to $ 6.00 gratuity per person per day and half of drivers. Individuals and couples should give gratuities at their discretion. Certified nature guide should get tip US $ 5 per day per person. Taxi drivers do not receive gratuities in the rule.
Language: The official language is Spanish; Quechua is widely spoken by native Indians in addition to some Indian dialects. English is spoken in hotels and first class facilities: French or German at special places.
Population: Ca. 13 million inhabitants, mostly white mestizos, descendants of European immigrants, who mixed with the local population. There are more than 5 million Indians make up 40% of the population
Climate: Although it is a small country, it has great elevation changes and by the effect of the cold Pacific Ecuador has every imaginable weather. The coast, the mountains and the Amazon rain forest vary greatly in height and temperature and the climate is heavily dependent on rainfall.
The coast has an average temperature of 32 ° C in the hot rainy season from November to May The rest of the year it is dry with temperatures in the "teens" on the day and temperatures drop at night.
In the Highlands, the temperature varies in the heights (about -1 ° C per 100m). This explains why Quito is called "the city of eternal spring". Because it is only a few kilometers away from the equator at an altitude of 2.850m above sea level and has an average temperature of 14 ° C.
Amazon Rainforest: Tropical rainforest, temperatures vary from 18 ° C to 36 ° C with rainfall throughout the year, the cold months are December to May.
Galapagos Islands: Wind and water dictate the weather on the islands, but the simple connection is complicated by the location where two rivers and two winds meet. And the forces vary from season to season. Oceanic forces vary between the cold Humboldt Current from the coast of Peru and the warm Panama current from the northeast. The dry season or "garúa" is June, July to November. Usually it is warmer from December to May, temperatures can reach 38 ° C at noon and cooler in July and August with 18 ° C; it is cold enough for the Walpaarung.
Clothing. Depends on the travel time (see above) and their sensitivity to heat. In Ecuador you do not need certain clothes, but for dinner, the locals like to draw good. Cotton clothing is sinnvol and not in Forgot Ihern raincoat.