Ecuador - Info Sheets

Apartments and Homestays Staying with a local family is a great way to practice your Spanish and connect with the culture. It is also often a good budget option for a long-term accommodation, at the same time providing a much needed income...

Hotels & Hostals in Quito less than $20 There are many cheap hostals in Quito. This list contains some of the better, recommended hostals in Quito. To make the search easier, we categorized them by areas. Nearest to...

There is a great variety of hostals and hotels in Quito. If you're not a budget traveler and looking for some better accommodation, there is plenty of choices. In the Table below you will be able to find 5* Hotels as well as high-to-mid range...

We listed down some accommodation posibilities outside of Quito. In this list you're going to find Hostals for Baños, Cuenca, Cotopaxi area, Otavalo, on the coast, Riobamba, Mindo, Tena, Vilcabamba...

Day Trips in and around Quito Centro Historico There are many churches and historic places you can visit in the Quito’s old town. Just take a map and explore this part of Ecuador’s capital. Walking tour:...

Ecuador Indigenous Markets Ecuador is famous for its colorful indigenous markets. The most famous of them, Otavalo, explodes into a sprawling smorgasborg of exotic colors, sounds, and smells every Saturday, as thousands of local artists...

Hikes near Quito Metropolitano Park – altitude around 2900 and 3050 meters In Metropolitano Park you can find several easy walking trails that are well signed. The park also offers mountain biking trails, eucalyptus forests,...

Museums (Quito) Museo de la Ciudad Phone: 228 3882 or 3883 Open: Tues-Sun 9:30am – 5:30pm Costs: $2 Adults, $1 Students, Guides $2 in Spanish, $4 other languages Address :Antiguo Hospital San Juan de Dios García Moreno 572 y Rocafuerte...

Shopping in Quito Malls / shopping centers The biggest malls are located north of the city and they are open daily from 10 am. – 8.00 pm. Centro Comercial El Jardin: Av. Amazonas & Av. De la Republica Centro...

Weekend Trips from Quito
Baños Directions: Baños is located 3.5h ($3.5) from Quito. From the Terminal Terrestre there are many busses leaving each day between 3:50am – 10: 45am and coming back between 2:00am –...

Asociación Apangora - Comunidad de Eugenio Espejo de Cajas This Kichwa village with incredible views of the Páramo has recently opened its doors to folks who want to truly experience the everyday life of rank and file...

Festivals in Ecuador January 1 - New Year's Day* January 6 - Three Kings Day (a.k.a. Epiphany)* February 12 - Anniversary of the Discovery of the Amazon River Province Day (Galápagos) February 27 - National Community Spirit...

MONEY (Quito) American Express Office Phone- 256-0488 Address- Amazonas 329 y Jorge Washington 5th Floor, Edificio Rocafuerte en Ecuadorian Tours S.A. Open: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5pm Sat - closed Will accept personal checks using American...

Our Favorite Restaurants

Breakfast

Kallari (10% SAE discount) Wilson y Juan Leon Mera...

Spanish Schools and Tutors(Ecuador) There are about 80 one-to-one Spanish Schools in Ecuador as well as a number of private teachers. These schools are highly recommended by members or have had at least two or more recent positive...

TEACHING ENGLISH (ECUADOR) Choosing an Institute Some of the following institutes and schools offer highly structured programs with standardized tests and levels and mandatory teacher training. Others simply throw you into the classroom with...

AZUAY Azuay is southern Ecuador’s most visited and populated province. It is centered around the city of Cuenca, a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site, and boasts breathtaking protected areas such...

BOLIVAR Although Bolivar used to be the main thoroughfare between Quito and Guayaquil, the province, one of Ecuador’s smallest, is now also one of the countries least-visited. With only 180,000...

CAÑAR Cañar, in the southern Andean region, is home to Ecuador’s most important archaeological site – Ingapirca. Here, the Pre-Colombian finds and the Temple of the Sun attract hundreds of visitors year...

CARCHI Population: 167,175. One of Ecuador’s smallest provinces, the drumstick-shaped Carchi is roughly evenly divided between lovely frailejon* filled highlands and coastal lowlands, with...

CHIMBORAZO Population: 425,207. Chimborazo province lies in the heart of Ecuador’s central highlands. A province with a strong indigenous population and flavor, it boasts the fine colonial city of...

COTOPAXI Population: 349,540 This province, which bears the name of the famous volcano at the heart of Ecuador’s oldest national park, also boasts the attractive colonial town of Latacunga, as well as...

EL ORO Population 559,846. Machala’s nickname –“the banana capital of the world” – is fairly indicative of a province almost entirely devoted to banana production. El Oro is hot, sticky lowlands....

ESMERALDAS Population:(433987) Named either for the luminous green of its vegetation or its azure waters, Ecuador’s ecologically rich northernmost coastal province boasts lush cloud forest, thick...

GUAYAS Ecuador’s most populous province, Guayas contains the port city of Guayaquil, the country’s largest with more than 1.5 million and also its most important commercial center. Close to 50% of...

IMBABURA This a frequently-visited province offers as highlights the internationally-famous Otavalo market, the weaving towns between Imbabura volcano and San Pablo del Lago, the austere white colonial...

LOJA This southern most province of Ecuador forms one of the lowest points in the Andes. The flora and fauna are varied and interesting, since the relatively low altitude permits communication of plant...

LOS RIOS Population 429,010. This province takes its name from the large number of rivers that traverse it on their way south to the Guayas delta. The hillier northern part contains fertile banana...

MANABI This central coastal province of Ecuador includes some of the country’s most spectacular coastline within and around Machalilla National Park as well as a number of sleepy to busy fishing...

MORONA Morona-Santiago is a province in southeastern Ecuador rich in natural beauty. The capital is Macas with some 32,000 inhabitants. Surrounding it is rainforest; home to several indigenous groups...

NAPO Despite having lost roughly 75% of its territory with the creation of Orellana Province in 1999, Napo remains a tremendously varied area, ranging from the cloud forested eastern slope of the Andes...

ORELLANA Francisco de Orellana “EL COCA” Population of 17,000 people. Capital of the new Orellana Province. It’s located at the junction of Rios Napo and Coca. El Coca is a sprawling oil with...

PASTAZA Puyo Hotels

Hostal El Colibrí (03) 883-054 Av. Manabí y Vacas Galindo $ 7p.p. for SAE members All rooms w/private bathroom Guides

Mentor...

PICHINCHA Ecuador’s second most populated province and home to the outstanding colonial capital of Quito, Pichincha offers not only world-class architecture and the active volcano from which it takes...

SUCUMBIOS Nueva loja “LAGO AGRIO” Its official name is Nueva Loja and has a population of about 24,000 inhabitants. Since the oil discovery has changed its virgin jungle to an oil town. To...

TUNGURAHUA Once more one of Ecuador’s most popular destinations, the face of travel and tourism in this small province has been temporarily transformed by the ongoing activity of Tungurahua volcano,...

ZAMORA CHINCHIPE “ZAMORA” Its present population is over 16,000. Since the rediscovery of gold in Nambija ( a few kilometers to the north ) a few years ago, Zamora has been experiencing a boom. To...

Cloudforest (ECUADOR) One of the least known types of tropical forest, cloud forests are found in remote valleys at higher elevations (1600 2500 m). Their name comes from the clouds which drench the forest in a fine mist, allowing some...

Information Package: The Coast -“Ruta del Sol” The “Ruta del Sol” offers fantastic views of long, deserted beaches. You pass through string of small fishing villages and there is some good surfing in this area. Here is some information about...

Galapagos tour operators or boat owners have contracts with a variety of different agencies. Only those agencies that own and contract out their own boats can usually offer discounts. Remember the boat rating is as important as the tour agency...

Jungle Information Package Although Ecuador lost its access to the Amazon River to Peru in 1942, its eastern region houses 2% of the Amazon rainforest. Popularly known as El Oriente, Ecuador’s Amazon region provides myriad opportunities for...

GYMNASIUMS & POOLS Fit Center Phone: 02 2 508 851 Fax: 250 8853 Address: Apallana 505 y Whymper Costs: $20 inscription, $54.25/month Open: Mon - Fri, 6am-10pm, Sat 9-2, Sun 9-1 Good weights, c.v. machines, aerobics and spinning classes....

Health – Quito ALLERGIST Dr. Gualberto Arias 2260-555 2892-619 Centro Médico Meditrópoli 4to. Piso, Oficina 415 Ave. Mariana de Jesús y Occidental Dr. Plutarco Naranjo 2508-479 Ave. 12 de Octubre 2206 y Coruña 2520-150 2236-590...

Libraries, Books, Maps Libraries Biblioteca Ecuatoriano Phone:249 1156/157 Address: Jose Negales 6922 y Fco. Aros Open: Mon - Fri, 8am-5pm. Sat 8:30am 6:30pm. Reference library only. You need a cedula or passport....

Post Offices-Quito Ecuador Post Office website is www.unidadpostal.com. Address Telephone Guayaquil 935 y Espejo 02 295 9875 Av. Napo y Juan de Alcázar, Chimbacalle 02...

Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking is all over Ecuador, mostly centered around Baños, and throughout the Amazon. There is everything from paddling a dug out canoe in the Amazon too kayaking on the coast. For information on all trips please refer...

Biking Mountain Biking in Ecuador is excellent fun. Most companies offer downhill biking from Ecuador’s famous volcanoes - the most famous being Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. Check your bike and make sure...

Camping in Ecuador can be a good option if you really want to get out and experience the country’s remoter parts. Whilst still a relatively uncommon activity, lots more people are looking at camping as a cheaper and more interesting way to see...

Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Ilinizas are just one of the few volcanoes that you can climb in Ecuador. There are a bunch of Climbing agency and guides that offer climbing tour not only to this volcanoes, but also to other ones in Ecuador. For...

Outdoor Equipment Rentals and Sales The equipment you need for just about any outdoor activity can be rented and bought in several places around the country, although Quito has by far the greatest selection. Climbing gear...

Airlines Here you can find the several International and national airlines that are providing flights in and around Ecuador. There are also several travel agency that sell airline tickets. You shoul always ask for special promotions...

Aerotaxi Terminal Terrestre Cumandá (593-2) 2572 256 Guayaquil, Esmeraldas. Amazonas Terminal Terrestre Cumandá, oficina No. 60 (593-2) 2571 747 Puyo, Baños, Tena, Baeza. Alausí Terminal Terrestre Cumandá (593-2) 2582...

Long Distance Bus Schedule – updated November 2006 (Ecuador) We endeavour to keep this schedule accurate however times and prices are subject to change, if you find out new information please tell a SAE volunteer. We have included the...

Busses: Quito-Bogota / Quito-Lima Check the website: http://www.goecuador.com/traveler-guide/land-international-transport.html ”Rutas de América”: tel. 2 503 611; Selve Alegre Oe1-70 y Av. 10 de Agosto (Direct bus...

Private Transport Renting a car in Ecuador has become a little safer in the past few years; you still have to check the insurance that is given and whether there is a limited km. It is wise to stick with the main companies that...

Trains (Ecuador) A good source of up-to-date information about Ecuador’s trains is www.quito.gov.ec/turismo/f_t_ferro.htm Riobamba - Nariz del Diablo - Riobamba Days/Times: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 07:00 Leaves from:...

VISA Information Types of Visas Tourist Visa: Tourists and travelers from the United States, Canada, and most European countries do not need an Ecuadorian visa for a stay of less than 90 days. The 90-day tourist visa is...

CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES (Quito) Argentina (Embassy) Phone: 256 2292 Fax: 256 8177 Address: Amazonas 477 y Roca 8th flr Open: Mon - Fri, 9am-1pm Email: embarge2@andinanet.net Brazil (Embassy and Consulate) Phone: 255 6252 Fax:...

Weather Sierra The Andean highlands enjoy a spring-like climate year round, with highs of around 20-25° C (68-77°F) and lows of about 8-10°C (45-50°F). The wet season or ‘invierno’ (winter) is from October until April...