GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ECUADOR

Ecuador is a small and unique territory that has it all! It is a designated Mega-diverse country holding a plethora of world records of biodiversity per unit area. A reduced size makes travel easy, efficient and enjoyable. Within a few hours one can drive from the snowline of an active volcano westwards to a vast stand of mangroves on the ocean or east to lowland Amazon Rainforest! Our colonial architecture is outstanding and at a human level, Ecuador is a melting pot of more than a dozen fascinating indigenous cultures. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • Ecuador is the Eastern Standard Time Zone (GMT minus 5 hours), the time of daylight is not important. The Galapagos Islands (GMT minus 6 hours) •
  • The official language is Spanish, with thirteen other recognized indigenous languages, including Kichwa and Shaur. •
  • As in the US and Canada, the electrical power is 110v 60hz. •
  • The currency in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is the US dollar. (banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and fractions of: 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 ctvs.) •
  • The official religion is Catholic. •
  • The most important cities are Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca. And in the Galapagos Islands Puerto Ayora. •
  • The population of Ecuador is currently estimated at 17 million people. •
  • Ecuador is among the 15 countries with the most volcanoes in the world. (In fact, it is the third country with the most volcanoes in the world) •
  • It enjoys all the types and subtypes of climate that exist in the different latitudes. The Galapagos climate is considered one of the best in the world. •
  • The highest volcano in Ecuador is the Chimborazo Volcano 6,268 meters above sea level. •
  • The most visited protected areas in Ecuador are the Galapagos National Park, the Cotopaxi National Park.

WEATHER IN ECUADOR

THE ANDES

There are no established weather seasons in the highlands of Ecuador, geographic location is the main determining factor, but the weather in general varies greatly. the closest that could be established as a pattern indicator is the dry season (June to September) and the wet season (October to May). December and January are unpredictable where either season or a combination of both can occur. In general, the weather in Quito has a constant cool 14 to 19 degrees Celsius on an average day, and drops to about 10 degrees Celsius at night, rain is a different story and can happen at any time, Quiteños know better and it is not uncommon to see them carrying their jackets and umbrellas on a sunny day.

THE COAST

The coastal region with its sub-tropical climate promotes warm and quite cozy weather all year round, befitting the amazingly beautiful beaches that lie along its shorelines, the water is unsurprisingly warm and adds to the overall enjoyment. . The weather seasons are not exact and vary a bit with an average temperature of 22 to 27 degrees Celsius on a normal day depending on your coastal location. 2 seasons are expected in the coastal region, the Humid-Hot season (January to May) good sunny mornings in all their splendor, followed by regular rains in the afternoon. The dry season (June to December) is regularly met with cloudy, gray and misty mornings, and in most cases the sun shines brightly well into daylight.

THE AMAZON JUNGLE

The rainforest, as represented by its name, has rain throughout the year, however, the intensity and frequency changes throughout the year, this should not be a deal breaker when entering the Amazon as wildlife and vegetation do not vary significantly. (May and June) begin to show more intense rainfall that reaches its peak in the months (July and August). (Mid September to December) would be considered the driest months with light and less frequent rain. (from January to April) rainfall is fairly constant. The benefits of traveling with increased rainfall are healthy high currents in rivers that reduce travel time in canoes, and lighter rain means better terrain for manageable hikes.

WEATHER  IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The weather in the archipelago is another thing to contemplate and marvel at the enchanted islands. as Darwin himself said: “Considering that these islands are located directly below the equator, the climate is far from excessively hot” With excellent weather year-round, there is never a bad time to visit the islands.

Warm Season – January to June
Also known as the hot or wet season, warmer waters take over the archipelago, and warm air rises to the point where rain clouds form, with brief afternoon showers becoming a common affair. With clear skies during the day, vegetation flourishes and there is an abundant food source for the herbivorous animals on the islands. This is also the nesting and breeding season for much of the wildlife in the Galapagos, until well into the warm season around March and April the islands will be teeming with new wildlife. With calmer seas and warmer waters, snorkeling and diving are really nice, but there is less marine life compared to the dry season.

Dry Season – July to December
The Garua season, which refers to the fog and mist common at higher elevations that shows up at this time of year on the islands, is brought by the great south polar current, now known as the Humboldt current, and the upwelling of the ocean that stirs up nutrients, stimulating algae growth, resulting in rich marine life flourishing in the archipelago. As a life cycle, many seabirds depend on the well-being of the marine life on the islands to survive. The highlands receive more moisture at this time of year than rain in the hot season. The sea currents are colder and more agitated; however, they are considered the best for diving. However, in this table you can find the variation of the climate and temperature in the enchanted islands.

WHAT TO BRIG?

  • Wide-brimmed sun hat •
  • Small backpack •
  • Shorts (2) •
  • Short and light shirts (4) •
  • Light pants (2) •
  • Sweater (1) •
  • Windbreaker (2) •
  • Jacket or rain poncho (2) •
  • Good athletic walking shoes (1) •
  • Beach sandals (1 pair) •
  • Sunglasses •
  • Swimsuit •
  • Camera and camcorder •
  • Binoculars •
  • Snorkel equipment and wet suit •
  • Sunscreen •
  • Mosquito repellent NOTE: You can buy all these items in Ecuador. *
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