Travel and Tourism Information

Travel - International

AIR

The national airlines are TAME (EQ) (website: www.tame.com.ec) and LAN Airlines (website: www.lanecuador.net). American Airlines, bmi, British Airways and Continental Airlines offer services from London to Quito (with at least one stop). American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Virgin Atlantic offer indirect services from from London to Guayaquil.

International Airports

Quito (UIO) (Mariscal Sucre) (website: www.quitoairport.com) is 8km (5 miles) from the city centre. To/from the airport: A bus service operates frequently, 1100-0300 (travel time 20 to 30 minutes). Return is from Avenida 10 de Agosto. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Medical department, bars, car hire, duty free shops, post office and restaurants.

Guayaquil (GYE) (Simón Bolívar) is 5km (3 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: There are bus and taxi services into the city.

The Visit South America Pass

This must be bought outside South America in country of residence and allows unlimited travel to 36 cities in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), Iberia (IB), LAN-Chile (LA) and Qantas (QF). A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones covered. Children under 12 years of age are entitled to a 33 per cent discount and infants (under two years old) only pay 10 per cent of the adult fare. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines. For more information, visit online (website: www.oneworld.com).

SEA

There are regular passenger/cargo services from Europe, including Hamburg-South American, Johnson Lines, Knutsen and Royal Netherlands which take 20 to 22 days from Rotterdam and Le Havre. Others sail from Antwerp, Genoa and Liverpool, and the US West Coast (Delta Line Cruises). Guayaquil is the main port in Ecuador for both passengers and freight (website: www.puertodeguayaquil.com) However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure this kind of passage.

ROAD

The Pan-American Highway bisects the country. It begins at the Colombian border in the Carchi province and runs south on to Quito, Riobamba, Cuenca, Loja and ending at Macará near the border with Peru. Part of the highway is toll-administered and the condition of the road is mostly quite good but it mainly goes through mountains which make it fairly dangerous to drive on.

Bus: Panamericana Internacional operates direct services to Caracas, Venezuela (tel: (2) 250 1585). Rutas de América operates direct services to Colombia, Peru and Venezuela with connections to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay (tel: (2) 254 8142). Visitors should remember to carry their passports at all times as there may be frequent checks, both within Ecuador and at border crossings.

Travel - Internal

AIR

The national airline, TAME, flies frequently between Guayaquil, Quito and other destinations throughout the country. A number of small airlines serve the coast and eastern part of the country. Flying is the usual mode of transport for intercity travel. Other airports include Coca, Cuenca, Esmeraldas, Lago Agrio and Manta.

Galapagos Islands

There are daily flights to the Galápagos Islands on national airlines from both Quito and Guayaquil; note that non-Ecuadorians have to pay more for their tickets on this route (US$100 for adults and US$50 for children is charged for visiting any national park). The main airports in the Galapagos are Baltra and Caraquez.

SEA/RIVER

Ecuador’s rocky coastline makes coast-hopping an inefficient and even dangerous means of transport for visitors. Several navigable rivers flow eastwards into the Amazon basin. Dugout canoes, which carry up to about 25 people, are widely used as a means of transport in roadless areas, particularly in the Oriente jungles and in the northwest coastal regions. There are few passenger services between the mainland and the Galápagos Islands; once there, however, tourist boats, local mail steamers and hired yachts may be used to travel between islands.

RAIL

The journey from Guayaquil to Quito offers spectacular views, as the train climbs to 3238m (10,623ft) in 80km (50 miles), reaching its highest point at Urbina (3609m/11,841ft). Railway enthusiasts will also enjoy the particularly scenic parts on the Alausí–Duran and Ibarra– San Lorenzo sections. Landslides caused by heavy rain frequently disrupt train services. Always check for further details on arrival in the country.

ROAD

Traffic drives on the right. An extensive network of roads spreads out from the main north–south axis of the Pan-American Highway. The Government and PetroEcuador are developing highways into the Oriente. In general, road improvements are being put into effect rapidly but, due to the effect of earthquakes and flooding (in the south) during the last 10 years, conditions remain variable; potholes and cracks in the road are sometimes sizeable. The roads between Quito and Guayaquil and between Quito, Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba are completely paved. A road connects Quito, Otavalo, Ibarra and Tulcán, the frontier with Colombia.

Bus: Long-distance buses leave from central bus stations (terminal terrestre) but timetables can be unreliable. Tickets should be bought in advance to secure a seat. Busetas are 22-seater small buses which travel long distances quickly, larger autobuses are slower. In general, buses tend to be crowded and fairly uncomfortable. Travellers are advised to keep their passports with them at all times when travelling on buses as transit police checks are common.

Taxis: These are widely available, particularly in larger cities and towns. Fares tend to be low but should be negotiated in advance. Taxis are metered in Quito, but rarely elsewhere. Taxis may be hired for a whole day.

Car hire: Avis, Budget and Hertz car hire companies all operate in Ecuador.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not required.

URBAN

Guayaquil and Quito have bus and minibus services operating at flat fares.

Resorts & Excursions

Quito

Ecuador's capital (and second-largest) city has a setting of great natural beauty, overshadowed by the volcano Pichincha with its twin peaks of Ruco and Guagua. Quito is located at 2850m (9348 ft) above sea level and some visitors may suffer from altitude sickness during the first hours after arrival. Quito used to be a major Inca city that was destroyed shortly before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Although no Inca traces remain, the city has preserved much of its Spanish colonial character, the cathedral in the Plaza de la Independencia (the oldest church in South America) and the many old churches and monasteries being among the most notable instances. Also in the plaza is the Municipal Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the Palacio Presidencial. Many of the city's famous churches and monasteries contain priceless examples of Spanish art and sculpture, particularly the Monasterio de San Francisco (located in the beautiful plaza of the same name) and the Jesuit church of La Compañia. Most of Quito's colonial churches are located in the Old Town, parts of which have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Perhaps the best preserved colonial street is the historic alley of La Ronda. Other places in Quito worth visiting include the Parque La Alameda (a triangular-shaped park), the astronomical observatory, the School of Fine Arts and the modern Palacio Legislativo. As the cultural and political capital, Quito has a number of museums of colonial and modern art. The Museo del Banco Central, located in the Casa de la Cultura, has a vast archaeological repertory as well as displays of colonial furniture and religious art. Also of interest is the Museo Guayasamín, home to many fine works of Ecuador's renowned Indian painter Oswaldo Guyasamín

The Andean Highlands

The Pan-American Highway traverses the country from north to south, a spectacular route which passes through all the principal cities of the Andean Highlands. Tulcan, centre of a rich farming area, is the northernmost of these. Further south is Chota, still inhabited by the descendants of former African slaves who retain some of their tribal customs (the city's population being made up largely of Africans). Chota's Indian market (particularly good for traditional art and weavings) is renowned throughout Ecuador. The peak of Mount Imbabura signals the approach to the valley of Otavalo (95km/60 miles from Quito), the town of the same name being famed for its craftwork and Indian market (which is at its biggest on Saturdays). Approaching Quito, one passes a granite monument which marks the Equator. South of Quito, the region of Latacunga and Ambato has much fine scenery, marked by an avenue of volcanoes. Two active ones are located within the Parque Nacional Sangay, a national park of outstanding beauty which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The park is characterised by a variety of landscapes, ranging from rain forests to glaciers, as well as numerous indigenous animal species, such as the mountain tapir and the Andean condor. Located within Sangay park, the Tunguraha volcano (5016m/16,453ft) is popular with tourists, especially at night, since it became active again in 1999. West of Latacunga, the Parque Nacional Cotopaxi is Ecuador's most visited national park. It includes the active Cotopaxi volcano which, at 5895m (19,345ft), the world's highest active volcano. All have refuges at the snow-line where intrepid walkers can make overnight stays. Visitors are however advised to be cautious when setting out on walking or trekking trips as robberies have been reported in certain areas; experienced mountain guides are available. Further south, the city of Cuenca was founded in 1577 and still contains many examples of Spanish colonial architecture. Contrasting with this, a vast cathedral has recently been built. The nearby ancient Inca settlement at Ingapirca, 50km (32 miles) north of Cuenca, is worth visiting. In the highlands of southern Ecuador, Loja is the last city of importance on the Pan-American Highway, being originally a trading station on the Spanish 'gold road'. Not far from Loja, the Parque Nacional Podocarpus is, along with Ecuador's other national parks, a popular destination for walking and climbing

The Coast

GUAYAQUIL: Ecuador's biggest city, Guayaquil is also the chief port and commercial centre. A good starting point for sightseeing is the Rotonda, the city's most historic landmark, which faces the beautiful garden promenade of Paseo de las Colonias. Across the malecón are the Government Palace and city hall, while at the northern end one can find the ancient fortress of La Planchada. Other places of interest include the Church of Santo Domingo, the old residential section of Las Penas and the Municipal Museum

THE LITTORAL: This is a narrow coastal belt, 560km (350 miles) in length. The chief ports provide visitors with some of the best resorts for deep-sea fishing on the west coast. Particularly attractive are the towns of Playas Posoria and Salinas, while Esmeraldas, one of the country's most important ports, is also known for its beautiful beaches. The region of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, situated some 90km (55 miles) west of Quito, is the domain of the Colorados Indians who still practise many of their ancient customs

The Oriente

El Oriente is the term used by Ecuadorians to refer to the Amazon basin in eastern Ecuador. This is a primeval world of virgin forests and exotic flora and fauna, still mainly inhabited by Indians. In January 1999, the Ecuadorian President issued a decree blocking future oil exploration, mining and colonisation by oil companies of the Cuyabeno-Imuya and Yasuni national parks. These parks are home to thousands of indigenous people, including the Huaorani, the Tagaeri, the Taromenare, the Sionas and the Secoyas. In recent years, the region has experienced ongoing conflicts between oil companies seeking to develop the area and indigenous communities afraid that development will lead to the destruction of their ancestral homeland and loss of their traditional way of life. The principal towns of the area are El Puyo, Tena, Macas, Lago Agrio, Sucúa and Zamora. Tourist excursions are available along the rivers, which provide the principal method of transport. One of the main rivers in this region is the Napo which, like most of the rivers in the Oriente, is a tributary of the Amazon (which lies further east in Peru). Baños is worth visiting, taking its name from the numerous springs and pools of hot and cold mineral waters. It is also the gateway to the Amazon region, passing through the spectacular gorge of the River Pastaza

Galápagos Islands

Situated about 1000km (625 miles) west of the Ecuadorian mainland, the islands are bleak, barren and rocky. Made famous by Charles Darwin's scientific voyage in the 'Beagle' during the 19th century, the islands' unique wildlife - which includes giant tortoises, lizards and iguanas - remains the most interesting feature for the modern-day visitor. Some 50 per cent of the islands' species are found nowhwere else in the world. The islands have been turned into a national park in an attempt to preserve their natural state, and in 1978 UNESCO declared the Galápagos to be 'the universal natural heritage of humanity'. In 1998, the Government enacted a law for the 'Special Regime for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Galápagos Province', which states that the protection of the area is a state responsibility.

Accommodation and travel can generally be arranged either inclusively from the visitor's home country or through local tour operators once in Ecuador. It is advisable to shop around and take advice before booking as the quality of service and reliability can vary greatly. For further information contact the Galápagos Tour Operators Association (ASOGAL), Avenida de los Shyris 247 y Gaspar de Villarroel (tel: (2) 441 550; fax: (2) 436 625). Accommodation is extremely limited and food is not cheap. There are a few small restaurants. Boat trips around the islands can be arranged locally