VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Ecuador
Citizens of the Russian Federation traveling to Ecuador for a period not exceeding 90 days do not need to apply for a visa. When crossing the border, you need to have a passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of completion of the trip. In it, you will make a note about the duration of your stay in the country. To visit the Galapagos Islands, a fee must be paid in cash.
It is prohibited to import unpreserved foodstuffs, as well as to import and export objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value without special permission. When exporting wool and leather products, jewelry and souvenirs, you must present a receipt from the store where these goods were purchased.
Ecuador, Russian Embassy in the country:
Calle Reina Victoria, 462. Casilla 3868, Quito.
Tel.: 8-10-5932-52-63-61, 52-63-75.
Fax: 8-10-5932 – 56-55-31.
Communication in Ecuador
You can call from pay phones throughout the country, but in cities they are quite rare. It is best to call from the offices of some telephone companies, especially since there is access to long-distance and international calls.
In order to make a long-distance call in Ecuador, you need to dial 0 – city code – subscriber number, and for an international call – 00 – country code – city code – subscriber number. Ecuador code – 593,
Quito code – 2.
Emergency Phones in Ecuador
Police – 101
Fire Department – 102
Ambulance – 131
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
Official holidays:
January 1st – New Year’s Day
April 12th – Teacher’s Day
May 1st – Workers’ Solidarity Day
May 24th – Battle of Pichincha
Day July 24th – Simón Bolivar
Day August 10th – National Independence Day
November 2nd – All Souls’ Day
December 25th – Christmas
Each city in the country celebrates Ecuador’s Independence Day at different times, organizing colorful festivals. In February-March, a folk festival is held – the Carnival of Water, during which local residents pour water over themselves.
USEFUL THINGS You
should be more careful in markets and airports, as pickpocketing is possible, and you should also avoid traveling to remote areas of large cities at night. A tourist should always have a passport with him, because local police very often conduct checks, and the absence of a passport is officially considered a serious violation of the law.
SHOPS
According to ehuzhou, shops are open from 9 am to 6 pm, private shops are open until 10 pm.
TIPS Tips
are approximately 10% of the bill. Money should not be left on the table, it is best to give it to the waiter.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Local residents are calm and balanced, hospitable, they have a highly developed self-esteem, but they are absolutely not conflict.
ELECTRICITY
110V, 60Hz;
HEALTH CARE
Before traveling to Ecuador, be sure to take out medical insurance. No special vaccinations are required to enter the country, but if you plan to travel to the rainforest, you should be vaccinated against yellow fever and prevent malaria. When visiting high mountainous areas, people with heart disease should be careful. It is recommended to drink only bottled water.
What to See in Ecuador
Of course, first of all, it is worth visiting the capital of the country – the city of Quito . It was founded in the 10th century by the Indians. Quito was rebuilt by the Spaniards in 1534, so the spirit of the colonial era reigns in it. The city is located on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, and its name is translated as “village in the mountains.”
The old part of the city has been declared a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO because there are many historical sights here. In the area of the main squares of Quito – Independence Square, Santo Domingo and San Francisco – it is worth looking at the Cathedral of the 17th century, the oldest monastery in the country – San Francisco, the churches of San Agustin, La Compagna and Santo Domingo, the Presidential Palace with a changing guard and climb the hill of El Panecillo, which means “little bun” in Spanish, where the statue of the Virgin Mary of China rises.
The museums of Quito are interesting – the Museum of Musical Instruments with the world’s largest collection of musical instruments, the Museum of Art, which presents sculptures and canvases of the 16th century as well as works by modern masters, the Vivarium on Reina Victoria Street, which is dedicated to reptiles and amphibians, the Museum of Del Banco Central, representing a collection of ceramics and gold products of pre-Columbian America and the Museum of the Amazon, which is dedicated to the peoples and nature of the Oriente region.
24 km north of Quito the equator line passes through the town of Mitta del Mundo (literally – “middle of the world”) and, in fact, a yellow line stretches along the entire city. In the center of Mitta del Mundo, a monument was erected, crowned with a globe weighing 5 tons. Inside the monument is a local history museum.
South of Quito stretches the so-called “Volcano Avenue”. This is a network of mountain peaks, among which 9 of the 10 highest in the country. Among these peaks passes the Pan American Highway and the Ibarra-San Lorenzo narrow-gauge railway, traveling along which you can admire a wide variety of landscapes. Otavalo is a
2 hour drive from Quito.. It is known for its Indian market, which is open on Saturdays. It is located near the settlement and sells hand-knitted items, woolen fabrics and blankets, felt hats, pottery and jugs. The most interesting thing about this market is that the sellers are native Indians in national costumes, who are happy to bargain with you.
Guayaquil is the main port of Ecuador and the economic capital of the country. It was founded in 1535 at the mouth of the Guayas River. The main attraction of the city is the wide Malecon promenade, surrounded by a complex of botanical gardens with fountains, and the Parque Bolívar square with the Cathedral. In the northeast of Guayaquil there is a historical park, which is divided into 3 zones – the “forest” zone, the “coast” zone and the “urban architecture” zone.
– the third largest city in Ecuador, which was founded in 1557. It is a colonial town with small houses and cobbled streets. The most interesting in terms of architecture are the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral, built in neo-Gothic style. But most often tourists come here to go to the Inca fortress of Ingapirca, located 50 km from Cuenca. From the ancient settlement now there are only the ruins of stone buildings in the shape of a trapezoid, among which the main temple of the Incas – the Temple of the Sun. There is also a museum, which presents exhibits discovered during excavations in the area.
Excursions to the rainforests are organized from the province of Oriente in the Amazonian plateau. Usually these are walking tours in the National Parks accompanied by a guide, during which you will get acquainted with the flora and fauna of this region.
