Ecuador - Country Guide

FACTS, FIGURES, AND A GENERAL OVERVIEWÂ

E C U A D O R YOUR COUNTRY GUIDE

GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECT

SKILLCORPS

E X P E C T A T I O N S

A T

A

G L A N C E

WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE?

Capital City Quito

Ecuador lies directly on the equator, but the climate you will experience depends largely on where you are in Ecuador since there are four distinct geographical areas —the Sierra (mountains), the Oriente (eastern rainforests), the La Costa (Pacific coastal plains), and the Galapagos Islands.

Major Religions 80.44% Catholics, 11.30% Protestants

The temperatures in Ecuador don’t change much throughout the year. However, Ecuador experiences a wet and dry season each year, though the timeframe of each varies by region. Throughout the highlands October through May tends to be wetter than the months of June through September. January through April are often rainier and warmer on the coast while the months of April through November are when you’ll find the most rain near the Amazon.

Population 17,159,300 (January 18 2019 est.)

Official Language (s) Spanish

W H A T ' S

T H E

B I G

P I C T U R E ?

Political/ social climate The Department of State has issued a level 1 travel advisory and suggested to exercise normal precautions when traveling to Ecuador but also issued a level 4 travel advisory which meant "do not travel" for Esmeraldas, Carchi, and Sucumbíos Provinces. Since January 2018, a transnational crime group has kidnapped and murdered Ecuadorian citizens in Esmeraldas province, in addition to carrying out bombings targeting Ecuadorian military and law enforcement. The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Colombian border area, as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi, and Sucumbíos without permission from the Embassy’s security office.

Ecuador is a patchwork of ethnic identities, a complex legacy of its indigenous and colonial past. Nowadays, political and economic stability may be in sight since the recently elected President, Lenin Moreno, is trying to open its public policies towards integration with Ecuadorian private companies, to boost the country´s productive sector.

What kind of content does the government sensor?

Although the Communications Law exempts social media users from sanctions, the government has issued gag orders forbidding “the dissemination of unauthorized information by any means of social communication, whether public or private or via social media.”

How will we get around?

In large cities, there is extensive bus service that is fast and cheap. Additionally, taxis are abundant, low-cost and available everywhere but please note to take registered taxis.

CALENDAR Jan 01, 2019 New Year’s Day Mar 04, 2019 Carnival Mar 05, 2019 Carnival Apr 19, 2019 Good Friday May 01, 2019 Labor Day / May Day May 24, 2019 The Battle of Pichincha Aug 10, 2019 Independence Day Oct 09, 2019 Independence of Guayaquil Nov 02, 2019 All Soul’s Day Nov 03, 2019 Independence of Cuenca Dec 25, 2019 Christmas Day

GOOGLE FOR THE EXCHANGE RATE, IT CHANGES DAILY!

B U D G E T I N G &

P L A N N I N G

National Currency | U.S. dollar

Accessing cash ATMs are ubiquitous in Ecuador. However, it's very hard to make the change, especially for any bill over $5, and especially in taxis. If you are retrieving money from an ATM, be sure to request a denomination ending in 1 or 5 (most ATMs will dispense money in multiples of $1) so that you won't have to worry about breaking a large bill. If you are stuck with big bills, try to use them in restaurants to make the change.

Daily expenses Expenses will vary depending on individual and situational needs but here is a sample budget for a typical working day at the partner site. We will leave budgeting for souvenirs and gifts up to your discretion.

Small meal: 3.50 $ Bottle of water: 0.48 $ Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff):Â 2.41 $

H O W

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C O M M U N I C A T E ?

Will I be able to use my cell phone?

Yes. But be careful, international roaming will probably charge you exorbitant calling rates. To avoid this, you need to first get your phone unlocked and then choose from Claro, Movistar, and CNT, to decide a cell service provider to sign up with. You'll pay $12 for a SIM card with $6 of calling time included.

Internet access The Internet is widely available in Ecuador, especially in Urban areas that offer the widest range of options for going online outside of the hotels. Apart from the hundreds of Internet cafes, WiFi is available at large malls and airports as well as some restaurant chains and big hotels. However, bear in mind that it’s not always free and/or fast.

H O W S H O U L D

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D R E S S ?

What do people wear in Ecuador?

Although there is no official dress code in Ecuador, great attention is paid to etiquette. Dress in layers so that you’re ready for temperature changes throughout the day. A raincoat or jacket is useful at night since it gets pretty chilly. Please also consider keeping knees and shoulders covered when possible. We are aware that Ecuador is not necessarily as modest as other parts of the world, but when representing the organization we ask that you dress in a professional and mindful way.

M O R E

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A B O U T

LGBTQ What is the legal status of the LGBTQ+ community in Ecuador?

LGBTQ people in Ecuador may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Although both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Ecuador, same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for all of the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples. In 2013, gay activist Pamela Troya filed a lawsuit to strike down that ban and legalize same-sex marriage in the country but the lawsuit currently remains pending with the Supreme Court. While you may be perfectly fine and safe if you share your personal stories with locals, but we encourage you to be mindful and modest with details about your personal life, regardless of your sexual orientation.

Will I be safe traveling to Ecuador?

Ensuring your safety and comfort during your SkillCorps service trip is of utmost importance to us. Therefore, we strongly advise that you thoroughly read this section before traveling.

It is unlikely that you will encounter any dangerous or life-threatening situations with us.

However as is the case with any international travel we advise that you take the necessary safety precautions to get the most out of your experience with us. Additionally, we advise that you check government websites and local news sources prior to embarking on your trip. Be aware of information gleaned from domestic media outlets as news headlines pertaining to security issues or minor incidents are often exaggerated or sensationalized so take the information with a grain of salt and check only reputable newspapers (Recommended: the New York Times or Reuters). The intent of this section is not to alarm you or dissuade you from traveling with us but to keep you safe and informed.

In case you do run into any problems during your brief stay. Here are the addresses and contact information for the local U.S embassy and consulates.

U.S. Embassy Quito E12-170 Avigiras Ave. and Ave. Eloy Alfaro Quito, Ecuador Phone: +593-2-398-5000

WHEN

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COMFORTABLE. IS

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MAKE

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PEOPLE COMFORTABLE.

CLIFTON FADIMAN

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M A P S ,

P H R A S E S ,

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M O R E

IMPORTANT PHRASES Yes/no Si/ No

Thank you Gracias

No meat Sin carne

Hello Hola

Where is the bathroom? ¿Dónde está el baño?

No milk Sin leche

Goodbye adiós

Check, please La cuenta(el cheque), por favor

My name is...

Me llamo...

Vegetarian Vegetariano

W H A T

D I D

O T H E R S T H I N K ?

"Such an amazing country! We absolutely loved the experience, the food, the culture, the colorful buildings.

It's a stunning place and I can't wait to go back!Â

"Even just stepping out onto the streets felt like a new city around every corner. Guayauil is colorful and old, but feels like a metropolitan city full of life.

- Aliie

"I'm thrilled to know I'll be going back so often! It's one of my new favorite places, absolutely.

- Kathryn

"The people were so lovely and excitable.

It's a gorgeous country and I think the warmth of Ecuador will stay with me for weeks.

- Ksenia

COPYRIGHT GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECT | 2018