Some Interesting Facts About Ecuador

Public Holidays

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1 New Year's Day 
February 7-8 Carnival
March 24 Holy Thursday
March 25 Good Friday
March 27 Easter 
May 1 Labour Day
May 24 Anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha
May 26 Corpus Christi
July 24 Simon Bolivar Day
August 10 Independence Day
October 9 Foundation of Guayaquil (Guayaquil only)
November 2 Memorial Day/All Souls Day  
November 3 Foundation of Cuenca
December 6 Foundation of Quito
December 25 Christmas Day  
December 31 New Year's Eve

Weekend- Saturday, Sunday

Health & Safety

If you’ve got a tooth extraction or root canal treatment to be done, do so at home before you get to Ecuador – dentistry is a problem here. However, satisfactory, affordable medical care is available at hospitals and clinics in most towns. Carry malarial pills to malarial areas. Also make sure you’ve got insect repellent creams – drink boiled or bottled water.

Beware of pickpockets – otherwise a safe place; avoid night buses through Guayas Province. If robbed – head straight for the police and report within 48 hours.

Weights and Measures

The Metric system is followed here.

Customs & Duties

You can walk in fearlessly with a litre of alcohol and 300 cigarettes. You can’t export pre-Columbian artifacts or endangered animal products. Drugs are an absolute no. A US$25 departure tax (pay in cash dollars or sucres) is levied for international flights- unless you are in transit.

Electricity

Ecuador uses 110 V, 60 Hz AC.

Post & Communications

Postcards are safe to send since they have no enclosures. EMETEL (Ecuador Telecommunications) provides long distance national and international phone, fax and telegram services.

Tipping

10-15% of your bill is included as service charge therefore tips are not necessary. Taxi drivers do not expect extra money.

English Language Media

There are two English Language dailies called Q and Inside Ecuador though they are often irregular. International magazines and newspapers are widely available.