Ecuador

Republic of Ecuador is a country in South America west of the sea, bordered by Colombia to the north, by Peru on the east and south, and with the Pacific Ocean in the west. The country also includes Galapagos Islands (archipelago Colon) in the Pacific, about 965 km west of the mainland. Ecuador is located on the equator (Ecuador is Spanish for "equator") and has area of 272,045 km.

Quito is the capital of Ecuador. Republic of Ecuador is one of three countries that emerged from the fall of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the other is Colombia and Venezuela).

Tourism
TVGalapagos island is famous in ecuador and the landscape is also a very interesting tourist attention.

Money
Ecuador adopted the United States dollar (USD) as its currency in 2000.

Climate
Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Transportation
By plane
Quito's airport has an executive lounge shared by all the airlines with drinks, snacks, and seating areas. The view is not of the airplanes and runway, but there is a view of the airport entrance and the surrounding mountains. Business class travelers get a free invitation. Economy passengers may enter by paying USD $15 as of August 2006.

Another port of entry is Guayaquil, which has a modern airport that includes the typical amenities such as restaurants and duty-free shopping. The airport is located north from downtown.

The Galapagos Islands are one of the Ecuadorian provinces and have two airports, one of which is on Baltra and the other is on San Cristobal. Aerogal is the name of the airline which flies to Galapagos. There is no way to get to the Galapagos without first coming to Ecuador.

The Quito airport charges an international departure tax of $40.80. The tax is $26 from Guayaquil. This tax usually is not included in the cost of the flight.


Drink
Aguardiente, often made from fermented sugar cane, is the local firewater. If possible, have some ground freshly into your cup from the sugarcane.

Bottled mineral water is very common and is guaranteed safe to drink; it comes in both carbonated (con gas) and noncarbonated (sin gas) varieties.

Coffee and tea are widely available. Herbal teas are also common. Probably needless to say, but Coca-Cola, Pepsi and other types of soda can be found everywhere in Ecuador.

Fruit juice is plentiful and good. Ask the server what kind of juice they are serving and you are often presented with a long list: piña (pineapple), mora (blackberry), maracuya (passion fruit), naranja (orange), sandia (watermelon), naranjilla (a jungle fruit), melon, taxo, guanabana, guava, etc. You can get them made with milk if you ask for a batido. Fruit juice and yogurt are available at some street stands. However, not all juices are served cold as many people expect; it's more than likely a lukewarm juice will be served to you.
Eat
Throughout the country there is a lot of variety as to what is typically eaten, depending on the location. In the Sierra, rice almost always accompanies lunch and dinner, and in the coast potatoes are popular. Soup is also a big part of lunch and dinner. Breakfasts often consist of toast, eggs and juice or fruit. Batidos, or fruit shakes, are popular breakfast items or snacks.

Restaurants run the gamut in terms of menu, quality, hygiene, hours and price. Basic meals can be had for less than $2, or it is possible to pay close to U.S. prices in the tourist areas, especially for food from the American chains.

If you're on a budget, your best bet for a good and local meal is to order an almuerzo (lunch) or a merienda (dinner). These normally consist of a soup, a meat main course and a dessert for $1-$2.

More expensive restaurants (say, ones that charge $4 per meal or more) often add a 12% sales tax and a 10% service fee.

Coffee or tea (including many herbal varieties) is typically served after the meal unless you ask for it sooner.

Except at places that cater to foreigners, it is the custom not to present the diner with the bill until it is requested. While many servers are used to rude tourists, rubbing your fingers together isn't as accepted as in Europe although it's not considered downright rude as in the United States. The best way to get the check is to tell your server "La Cuenta, Por Favor."

Smoking is allowed in most restaurants, but the lay explicit prohibit smoking in closed areas, so it's a good idea to ask for a smoking section, or ask if the restaurant allows smoking.

Locro de papa is a famous Ecuadorian soup with avocados, potatoes and cheese.

Ceviche is a common dish found on the coast. It is a cold seafood cocktail that is usually served with "chifles," thin fried plantains, and popcorn.

Encebollado is a hearty fish soup with yuca, also found on the coast: A tomato-fish soup filled with chunks of yucca, marinated vegetables with "chifles" thrown in for added crunch.

In the Highlands, Ecuadorians eat cuy, or guinea pig. The entire animal is roasted or fried and often served skewered on a stick.

Empanadas are also a common local food that are usually consumed as snacks in the afternoon. The most common varieties of this filled pastry are cheese and/or chicken.