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ECUADOR - Cruising Guide
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Ecuador Cruising Guide - Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador (Spanish: República del Ecuador), is in South America, bordered by Columbia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country also includes the Galápagos Islands (Archipiélago de Colón) in the Pacific, about 965 kilometers (600 miles) west of the mainland. Ecuador straddles the equator, from which it takes its name.
Contents Ecuador Cruising Guide
About Ecuador
Ecuador Marine Weather
Travel Seasons in Ecuador
Passage Making to Ecuador
Ecuador Major Ports
Ecuador Marinas
Travel Documents
Boats Check-In and Check-Out
Clearing Customs in Ecuador
Internet in Ecuador
Telephone in Ecuador
Time Zones in Ecuador
Electricity in Ecuador
Travel Attractions for Cruisers in Ecuador
Ecuador Cities
Transportation on Land in Ecuador
Ecuador Politics
Ecuador Geography and climate
Biodiversity in Ecuador
Religion in Ecuador
Staying Safe in Ecuador
Staying Healthy in Ecuador
Showing Respect in Ecuador
Food in Ecuador
Drinking in Ecuador
Links for Cruisers in Ecuador
About Ecuador
Ecuador
Officially the Republic of Ecuador (Spanish: República del Ecuador)
Capital: Quito 00°9'S, 78°21'W
Largest city: Guayaquil
Official language: Spanish
Area Total 256,370 km² (73rd) 98,985 sq mi - Water (%) 8.8
Population: 2007 estimate 13,810,000
Currency: U.S. dollar(USD)
Time zone: UTC-5
Calling code: +593
Ecuador Marine Weather
NOAA for Ecuador
Ecuador and Peru Marine Forecast
7 Day Forecast for Ecuador
Ecuador Virtual Buoy Map
Travel Seasons in Ecuador
The months of December through May tend to offer the calmest seas. Late August and the month of September tend to have the roughest seas.
Passage Making to Ecuador
-- Panama to Ecuador --
Charts
DMA 21601 Gulf of Panama Morro de Puercos to Panamá
DMA 21036 Golfo Dulce to Bahía de Paita
Overview
The weather in Ecuador is strongly influenced by 3 things – the Columbian low, the Chilean high and the cold, north-setting Humboldt current. Winds are almost always S to SW below 3º N and get stronger during the dry season, May through December. Coming south, count on S to SW winds, 15-25 kts. and adverse current during dry season. Motor sailing is usually required to make headway. You can get a better wind angle by leaving from Costa Rica or Western Panama. During the season of northerlies in Panama (December through April), you can get a good boost out of the Gulf of Panama, and if the ITCZ is particularly far south, these favorable winds may carry you almost to Ecuador. S to SW winds are also generally much lighter at this time of year, because the Columbian low is not as well-developed. Pass on either side of Isla Malpelo but 10-20 miles off. Staying closer to the Columbian coast when coming from the Bay of Panama may be less rough, but also subject to more convective activity off the land.
Notes from S/V Asylum - Currents to Ecuador:
The most significant weather advice Don gave us had to do with higher levels of convection between the mainland and Isla Malpelo. He strongly urged, and we followed his advice, to go OUTSIDE OF MALPELO. When we were in that area we could see significant wx/convection activity between that island and the mainland that we weren't getting farther out and that wasn't even in the rainy season. All the boats we've talked to that have gone between Malpelo and the mainland have had yucky trips down. It's ok coming back, but not going down.
We came down in early January, and pretty much followed Don's routing advice, which of course was more wxrelated than current-focused but he did mention that he'd HEARD the currents were better the farther west you go. That being said, here's what we did, and for the record, we had a FOLLOWING current the whole way! Granted, every trip is different, and different things affect currents at different times... (We'd also read an Alvah Simon article about his trip to Bahia in which he said to go out at least as far as 81W to take advantage of the current boost... )
Following is a rough outline of the path we took to get to Bahia from the Perlas in January. We left from Isla Espiritu del Santo near high tide to catch a boost south from the falling tide. The waypoints are taken from our track and show the basic two-tack contour of the trip.
1.Off Punta Mala - 07* 08.45 N /079* 43.89 W
2. NW of Isla Malpelo (our farthest west point) - 04* 08.08 N / 081* 47.15 W
Don had recommended giving Malpelo a good 10 - 12 miles of berth (less for the wx than the reports of boats being chased away if they get too close), but we came a little closer because conditions were ok and we figured if anyone came out to chase us away we'd move, but no one did. From that second waypoint. we started to bear SSE into Bahia. It was in this area that we had a great sail, ultimately having to slow down to time our arrival for the high tide entry. It killed us to have to shorten sail when we finally were having such a wonderful sail! Hope that helps a little. Every trip is different, but the "Go West" advice proved to be very good for us.
-- Mexico to Galapagos (Ecuador) --
We sailed directly from Acapulco to the Galapagos, basically SE the whole way. Winds off Mexican coast were light (we averaged 2 knots for several days) until we picked up strong NE winds that took our 35-foot wooden double-ender up to 75-130 Nm a day for a few days until we hit the Doldrums and lost the wind. We motorsailed dodging squalls - our first rain since February 2005 in Ensenada. Coming out the south side, we hit SE noserlies and wished we had made far more eastings earlier on. But we had wanted to be well off of the Gulf of T. Motor-sailed the last 400 miles of the 1200 NM trip and did everything in 17 days. Arrived with fuel and water and two beers so never in desperate straits. Boats we met here coming from Panama (mainly Australian, Norwegians and English: very few US vessels and we are the only Canadian boat) said they had SW winds much of the way and had to motor. - Vilisar
Ecuador Major Ports
* Bahia Baquerizo Moreno
* Bahia De Caraquez
* Bahia De Manta
* Pto Maritimo De Quayaquil
* Puna
* San Lorenzo, Ecuador
* Esmeraldas
* Guayaquil
* La Libertad, Ecuador
* Manta
* Puerto Bolivar, Ecuador
Ecuador Marinas
Marina section not complete - YachtPals edit page or comment to suggest more.
* Bahia Yacht Club - Bahia de Caraquez
* Manta Yacht Club
* Puerto Amistad Yacht Club - Located in Bahía de Caráquez
* Puerto Lucia Yacht Club
Travel Documents
Your first step in preparing your trip is to make sure you have all your travel documents in order.
Tourist card
Valid Passport valid for 6 months beyond the date you plan to enter Ecuador. Ecuador welcomes visitors for stays up to 90 days with a passport valid through the duration of their stay.
Exceptions:
*Citizens of the United Kingdom do not require visas for stays less than 180 days
*Colombians traveling between Colombia and Ecuador with National Identify Cards and International Embarkation Disembarkation cards
*Passport holders from China, Cuba, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam need to obtain a visa for travel to Ecuador
If you are planning a visit of more than 90 days, traveling on business, or have other visa questions you can consult the Ecuador Consulate website or your local consulate for the latest information and visa requirements.
Check In and Check Out
At this writing four yacht clubs – Puerto Amistad (Bahía de Caraquez), Puerto Lucia (La Libertad), Salinas (Salinas) and Guayaquil (Guayaquil) were able to receive yachts without an agent being employed. Yachts entering at other ports or at other facilities presumably must use an agent; fees vary. Yachts moving between ports must have an internal zarpe (domestic zarpe) and agent fees apparently apply (per Willow, leaving Puerto Lucia for Bahía de Caraquez). Yachts entering Ecuadorian waters are “required” to email the navy at: Guayaquil_radio @ digmer.org
If entering at one of the yacht clubs listed above, a yacht should copy the yacht club on the email. Then, according to Puerto Lucia, a yacht will be entered into the Navy’s computer system and the Port Captain will be able to receive a yacht without an agent. HOWEVER, each port captain dictates protocol in their jurisdiction, so the process will vary.
Clearing Customs in Ecuador
According to Ecuadorian law, any person that enters the country temporarily is exempt for the payment of any customs duty. You will not be required to pay taxes or duties for your luggage, new or used articles that you will use during your trip, and portable items such as photo cameras, video camera, laptops, radios and CD players.
Internet in Ecuador
Internet cafes can be found nearly everywhere in the major cities and in many of the smaller ones. Cost is from $1 to $2 per hour in the large cities, and the better places have high-speed access. Ecuadors Internet: .ec
Telephone in Ecuador
For most visitors, the easiest place to make phone calls is an Internet cafe, most of which provide VIP service at reasonable rates. You can call the United States for about $0.10 per minute and Europe for a bit more. Avoid making a phone call through an operator; the cost cost for an international call can be $3 or more per minute. For calls within Ecuador, it is possible to use a telephone cabin. This is an entire storefront filled with telephones. Generally, you are assigned a booth by the proprietor, you make your call, then you pay as you leave. Calls within Ecuador are more expensive than domestic calls in most countries, but not unreasonable, except for calls to cell phones, which generate most of their revenue by charging the caller. Also, call prices increase depending on the distance of your call within Ecuador, based on city, province, etc. Visitors making an extended stay should consider purchaing a cell phone. Most are sold on a prepaid-call basis, and phone refill cards can be purchased in all but the smallest towns. It is also possible to get a modern GSM cellular phone "unlocked" so that it will function in Ecuador (you can take your own phone, if it compatible with GSM 850MHz), however, this should be reserved for emergencies as the cost of actually making such a call is usually exorbitant (about $0.45 per minute).
Time Zones in Ecuador
Mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are on two different time zones. Time on the mainland is Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5). Time in the Galapagos Islands is Central Standard Time (GMT-6). Due to its location on the equator The Galapagos Islands and Ecuador have long 12 hour days year round. The sun rises around 6am and sets around 6pm. These consistent hours of sunlight make it so daylight savings time is not necessary or observed.
Electricity in Ecuador
Electrical current in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is the same as in the United States and Canada 110v60hz.
Travel Attractions for Cruisers in Ecuador
Ecuador has so many attractions. The capital Quito, is a city with a lot of history where you can walk in downtown, enjoying of the beautiful colonial buildings. There is also the "Teleférico" (cable-car) which takes passengers from the highest mountain in Quito to see the whole city from the sky. Regular admission is $4 per person or you can pay $7 for an express ticket that bypasses the line. There are many welcoming cafes as well as many dancing clubs open every weekend, often until 5 am. The beaches in Ecuador are great, the weather is just perfect and the food is delicious and unique. One can eat a lobster for $15 and stay in a hotel for $10.
In Guayaquil, an excellent place to visit is the Malecón 2000, which is very similar to Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, offering food, shopping, boat rides and a beautiful view of the river. Except for electronics, prices are quite low; however, almost everything sold with any sort of brand name is a knockoff. This area is very well patrolled and quite safe. For a real adventure, it is possible to visit the more authentic, less expensive, and far more dangerous Bahía or "Informal Market". It is not advisable to visit it without a native. It is possible to purchase a knockoff of almost anything here. Pirated video games and movies also abound; it is possible to purchase game systems modified to play such games as well. Make the proprietors prove to you that any movies or games you might purchase actually work before buying though. In the Bahía, it is necessary to haggle for all items.
Baños is the perfect city for the outdoors or extreme sports enthusiast, offering rafting, mountain climbing and backpacking excursions of all sorts. It is possible to get an English speaking guide. Be sure to get all the necessary vaccinations, as it is possible to get some nasty infections from prolonged exposure to the water. Baños also offers a public hot spring mineral bath, which only charges $1 admission. Other, more expensive baths also exist, but are fed from the exact same water. It is best to arrive at these baths as they open, as the water is freshest and cleanest then.
Many tourist don't take the time to visit the northern part of the country. The north of Ecuador offers the best beaches, Bahia de Caraquez, Manta, Crucita, San Jacinto, San Clemente are just a few. They offer very inexpensive hotel accommodations, great food and even warmer people. In the coast it is no surprise that travellers find a more relaxed place, where the people only are welcoming. Manabi is a providence that you MUST visit.
Ecuador is perhaps the most bio-diverse country in the world, so don't miss the chance to see some of the wildlife. The Galapagos Islands are justly famed for their wildlife, but there is also lots to see on the mainland. Ecuador has over fifty different types of hummingbird - good places to see them include Mindo and San Luis de Pambil. One local charity offers a photo gallery of hummingbirds to give you some idea of what you might see.
Other top travel destinations in Ecuador:
* Agua Blanca
* Babahoyo
* Canoa - Small Beach Town
* Cotopaxi
* Galapagos Islands
* Guaranda
* Mindo - Cloudforest
* Montañita - Beach
* Papallacta - Hot Springs
* Piedra Blanca
* Puerto López - "Poor Man's Galapagos"
* Puyo - Jungle town
* Quilotoa Loop
* Salinas (Ecuador)
* Salinas de Guaranda
* San Luis de Pambil
* San Miguel
* Santo Domingo de los Colorades
* Tena - Jungle town
* Vilcabamba
National parks in Ecuador:
* Limoncocha National Biological Reserve
* Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve
* Pululahua Natural Monument
* Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve
* Parque Nacional Cotopaxi
* Parque Nacional Cuyabeno
* Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve
* La Cordillera de los Llanganates
* Parque Nacional Machalilla
* Parque de los Enamorados - Ambato
* Parque Nacional Galápagos
* Parque Nacional El Cajas
* Parque Nacional Podocarpus
Ecuador Cities
* Quito - Capital. Colonial City. Quito is one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Cities.
* Baños- The adventure capital of Ecuador. In this city you can find an active volcano having small eruptions of ash and lava. Volcano Tungurahua. There are also many hot spring mineral baths as its name would imply.
* Cuenca- The third largest city in Ecuador. Cuenca was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site.
* Guayaquil - Largest city in the country and largest port city.
* Manta - the most important seaport of the country.
* Otavalo - Small town only two hours north of Quito famous for its indigenous craft market.
* Riobamba -- Starting point of the famous train ride down the Nariz del Diablo and gateway to Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak, whose summit is the furthest point on Earth from its centre.
* Esmeraldas - One of the most popular beaches in Ecuador.
* Bahía de Caraquez - Another popular beach.
* Loja - the oldest colonial city.
* Sucumbios or Nueva Loja - a jungle centered city.
Transportation on Land in Ecuador
-- By bus --
Intercity buses travel to almost everywhere in Ecuador. Many cities have a central bus terminal, known as the terminal terrestre, where it is possible to buy tickets from the various bus lines that serve the city. Long-distance buses typically cost from $1 to $2 per hour, depending on the distance and the type of service; groups may be able to negotiate discounts. Buses are frequent along major routes. Reservations or advance purchases usually aren't needed except during peak periods such as holidays. The bathroom on the bus, if any, is usually reserved for women. However, it is permissible for men to request that the bus make a stop so that they might relieve themselves. The bus rides themselves are often quite beautiful, through mountain views in the clouds. These altitude changes cause many of the same ear pressure problems which are associated with an airplane ride.
The bus driver will stop along the way to board additional passengers. Many buses arrive at their destination with passengers standing in the aisle. There are a few first class buses, called "Ejecutivo", which cost a little more than the regular busses. They are generally more comfortable and safer.
-- By taxi --
Taxis are widely available. Taxis are generally yellow and have the taxi license number prominently displayed. Taxis in Quito have meters (fares under $1.00 are rounded up to the minimum fare of $1.00). Agree upon a price before getting in or ask the driver to use the meter (often cheaper than a negotiated rate); short trips generally don't cost more than $1 or $2, and you generally shouldn't end up paying more than $10 per hour, if that, for longer trips. Evening rates are often double. As with any country in Latin America, (or the world for that matter), don't ride an unlicensed taxi.
Ecuador Politics
Current president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa. The constitution provides for concurrent four-year terms for the president, vice president, and members of Congress. Presidents may be re-elected after an intervening term, while legislators may be re-elected immediately. The executive branch includes 25 ministries. Provincial governors and councilors (mayors, aldermen, and parish boards) are directly elected. Congress meets throughout the year except for recesses in July and December. There are 69 seven-member congressional committees. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Congress for indefinite terms.
Ecuador Geography and climate
Ecuador has three main geographic regions, plus an insular region in the Pacific Ocean: * La Costa, or the coast, comprises the low-lying land in the western part of the country, including the Pacific coastline.
* La Sierra ("the highlands") is the high-altitude belt running north to south along the center of the country, its mountainous terrain dominated by the Andes mountain range.
* El Oriente ("the east") comprises the Amazon rainforest areas in the eastern part of the country, accounting for just under half of the country's total surface area, though populated by under 5 percent of the population.
* The Región Insular is the region comprising the Galápagos Islands, some 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) west of the mainland in the Pacific Ocean.
Ecuador's capital is Quito, which is in the province of Pichincha in the Sierra region. Its largest city is Guayaquil, in the province of Guayas on the Coast. Cotopaxi, which is just south of Quito, features one of the world's highest active volcanoes. The top of Mount Chimborazo (6,310 m) is considered to be the most distant point from the center of the Earth, given the ovoidal shape of the planet (wider at the equator).
Although the country is not particularly large, there is great variety in the climate, largely determined by altitude. The Pacific coastal area has a tropical climate, with a severe rainy season. The climate in the Andean highlands is temperate and relatively dry; and the Amazon basin on the eastern side of the mountains shares the climate of other rain forest zones.
Because of its location at the equator, Ecuador experiences little variation in daylight hours during the course of a year.
Biodiversity in Ecuador
Ecuador is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world according to Conservation International. With 1600 bird species (15 percent of the world's known bird species) in the continental area, and 38 more endemic in the Galápagos. In addition to 25,000 species of plants, the country has 106 endemic reptiles, 138 endemic amphibians, and 6,000 species of butterfly. The Galápagos Islands are well known as a region of distinct fauna, famous as the place of birth of Darwin's Theory of Evolution, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite being on the UNESCO list, the Galapagos islands are threatened by a range of negative environmental effects.
Ecuador Demographics
Ecuador's population is ethnically diverse. The largest ethnic group is the Mestizos, (as of 2008) the mixed descendants of Spanish colonists and indigenous Indians, who constitute 62 percent of the population. Amerindians account for 8 percent of the current population. Whites, mainly criollos, the unmixed descendants of early Spanish colonists, as well as immigrants from other European countries, account for about 25 percent. The small Afro-Ecuadorian minority, including Mulattos and zambos, largely based in Esmeraldas and Imbabura provinces, make up 4 percent.
The tropical forest region to the east of the mountains (El Oriente) remains sparsely populated and contains only about three percent of the population.
Largest Cities: Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca, Machala, Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Manta, Eloy Alfaro, Portoviejo, Ambato, Riobamba.
Religion in Ecuador
Approximately 95% of Ecuadoreans are Roman Catholic.
Staying Safe in Ecuador
Tourists should use common sense to ensure their safety. Most tourists who avoid flashing large amounts of money, visiting areas near the Colombian border, civil disturbances, side streets in big cities at night and that sort of thing report few problems. Probably the biggest threat in most places is simple thievery: Belongings should not be left unguarded on the beach, for example, and pickpockets can be found in some of the more crowded areas, especially the Trolébus (Metro) in Quito, in bus terminals and on the busses themselves. Busses allow peddlers to board briefly and attempt to sell their wares; however, they are often thieves themselves, so keep a close eye out for them. Hotel personnel are generally good sources of information about places that should be avoided.
Ecuador offers great opportunities for hiking and climbing, unfortunately, some travelers have been attacked and robbed in remote sections of well known climbs. Travelers are urged to avoid solo hikes and to go in a large group for safety reasons.
Staying Healthy in Ecuador
Ecuador is widely considered to be a developing country and health hazards are a significant issue. Of the most significant are foodborne illnesses, though they can easily be treated with digestive drugs such as antacids or antidiarrheals.
Bottled water is the key in Ecuador if you don't want to get sick. This doesn't only apply to foreigners who don't have the stomach for Ecuadorian food but also Ecuadorians who know that if they don't boil their water or drink it from the bottle that they can get very sick. As a result, it can be purchased almost everywhere (even in the most remote places) for very cheap. Water bottles are sometimes provided by hostels and hotels, which can be used for brushing teeth.
It is advisable to receive a typhoid vaccination, and possibly a yellow fever vaccination, depending on your specific area of travel. Outside the major cities and tourist areas, malaria can be a problem along the coast during the rainy season. As always, check with your doctor for up-to-date information.
* Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
* Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles.
* Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an “absolute 1-micron or less” filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. “Absolute 1-micron filters” are found in camping or outdoor supply stores.
* Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself.
Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it!
* Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
* Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
* Don’t handle animals.
* To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
Immunizations:
While no shots are required for travel to the Galapagos Islands, you should consult with your physician 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to discuss health precautions you may wish to take.
* Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) (Hepatitis A is water and food born)
* Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing areas in this region
* Yellow fever vaccination, if you will be traveling to the jungle
* As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles
* Malaria tablets if you will be traveling to the jungle or the mainland coast
* Rabies, if you are traveling to farms in the Andean highlands
Important Note:
If your travel plans include visits to both Ecuador and Brazil you are required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate or you will not be allowed to board your international flight (Brazilian Regulations)
If you are currently taking prescription medication make sure you bring enough to last during your trip, all medication must be clearly labeled, and include a copy of the prescription for the medicine. Medicine should be divided into two different pieces of luggage so that if one piece is lost or stolen your medicine is still available.
If you are carrying syringes for medical reasons a medical certificate of explanation should also be carried. Many countries view individuals holding syringes as potential drug traffickers and possession can lead to serious legal problems.
Showing Respect in Ecuador
Among many other cultural idiosyncrasies, it is considered impolite to use a downward-facing palm as a reference for the height of a person. Instead, the hand is held on its side, and the measurement taken from the lower edge to the floor. Gesturing with the palm down is appropriate for animals only. When motioning for someone to "come here," it is impolite to motion your hand with the palm facing up. Instead, use a downward swipe of the hand with the palm facing down.
Acceptable clothing varies by region of the country. In the mountainous Sierra region, including Quito, clothes are usually more warm because of the weather. On the coast, meanwhile, more casual clothes predominate. Packing for any trip is difficult and traveling to an area with a different culture compounds the matter. Ecuador tends to be much more conservative than its Latin neighbors are. Dressing in clothes that are consistent with the norms shows a respect for the local culture. While there is no formal dress code and foreigners are tolerated in whatever they wear though shorts and swimsuits are best left to tourist areas and the beach.
Greetings are one easy way of showing your good manners. If you meet someone in the afternoon (between 12 noon to 6pm) use "Buenas Tardes" (Good afternoon). In the evening or at night (6pm to midnight) "Buenas Noches" is the appropriate greeting. And in the morning hours (midnight to noon) "Buenos Dias" is used to start the day. If you are saying good-bye you can choose to say either "Hasta Luego" or "Chao" in Spanish or "Cayacama" in Quichua. Ecuadorians are friendly people. These greetings are given upon entering or exiting an elevator. And by greeting everyone in general with "Buenos Dias" or the appropriate greeting upon entering a small shop can help with the service you receive. If you just wander in you may be ignored.
One of the biggest dilemmas for foreigners when traveling in Ecuador is whether to shake hands or to kiss when meeting people. Here’s a basic guideline to avoid those awkward moments. If you are introduced to someone in a business or formal you should shake hands and again when you say good-bye. When you meet even a casual acquaintance again it's good for you to shake hands both on greeting and parting. Women kiss on the right cheek only. If you are quick to hold out your right hand you can avoid kissing. Kissing is used to show a personal relationship and is given as a sign of trust. When kissing someone as a greeting is usually done by making a kissing sound near the right cheek rather than actually kissing the cheek.
Remember that if you are traveling to the highlands of Ecuador the temperatures are much cooler than you would think at the equator. It is cold at night and you will want to bring a sweater or jacket if you are going outside after 6pm.
If you are dealing with officials (including immigration) or businesses the better dressed and more courteous you are the more efficient is the service you receive will be.
Beginning your conversation by introducing yourself and asking the person’s name that you are dealing with is both friendly and assists you in receiving good service. Small talk is a normal part of everyday life. If you want to make polite small talk asking about someone’s family, particularly the children is always a good subject. Health and weather can be used as topics but family is much more endearing. Ecuadorians are overjoyed to show photos of their children - just be warned that you'll be expected to remember their names. Ecuadorians have an enviable ability to remember faces, names and family relationships. So my best advise is to make notes if you have any doubts about your ability to keep up with it all.
Some manners and customs are the same wherever you are. If you are invited to an Ecuadorian home remember to bring a present. As you receive a tour of the home remember to praise the merits of the house. Social occasions often start late; you may find it's worth eating before you go out just in case foods aren't served until 11pm. Private parties typically will finish around dawn.
Food in Ecuador
Throughout the country there is a lot of variety, and what is typically eaten depending on where you happen to be. In the sierra rice almost always accompanies lunch and dinner, and in the coast it's potatoes. Soup is also a big part of lunch and dinner. Breakfasts often consist of toast, eggs and juice or fruit.
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".
The food in Ecuador is diverse, varying with altitude and associated agricultural conditions. Pork, chicken, beef, and “cuy” (guinea pig) are popular in the mountain regions and are served with a variety of grains (especially rice and corn) or potatoes. A popular street food in mountain regions of Ecuador consists of potatoes served with roasted pig (hornado). Fanesca, a fish soup including several types of bean, is often eaten during Lent and Easter. During the week before the conmemoration of the deceased or "día de los muertos", the fruit beverage "Colada Morada", is typical accompanied by "Guaguas de Pan", stuffed bread shaped like children.
When it comes to the mountain southern area, the food is somewhat different, examples of typical Loja food are "repe", a soup prepared with green bananas; "cecina", roasted pork; and "miel con quesillo" or "cuajada" as desert.
A wide variety of fresh fruit is available, particularly at lower altitudes, including granadilla, passionfruit, naranjilla, several types of bananas, uvilla, taxo, and tree tomato.
Seafood is popular at the coast as always, where prawns, shrimp and lobster are key parts of the diet. Plantain- and peanut-based dishes are the basis of most coastal meals, which are usually served in two courses. The first course is caldo soup, which may be aguado (a thin soup, usually with meat) or caldo de leche, a cream vegetable soup. The second course might include rice, a little meat or fish with a menestra (stew), and salad or vegetables. Patacones are popular side dishes with coastal meals.
Ceviche is also common dish found on the coast. It is a cold seafood cocktail that is usually served with "chifles" Thin fried plantains.
Some of the typical dishes in the coastal region are: ceviche, pan de almidón, corviche, guatita, encebollado; in the mountain region: hornado, fritada, humitas, tamales, llapingachos, lomo saltado, and churrasco.
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.
In the rainforest, a dietary staple is the yuca, elsewhere called cassava. The starchy root is peeled and boiled, fried, or used in a variety of other dishes. Many fruits are available in this region, including bananas, tree grapes, and peach palms.
Drinking in Ecuador
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.
Links for Cruisers in Ecuador
Thanks to all the YachtPals who helped in the making of this Ecuador cruising guide (keep those emails coming), especially Philip and Leslie on S/V Carina and friends.
YachtPals can edit this page, or click "add child page" to make a new cruising guide within Ecuador. All visitors can comment or ask questions about Ecuador on the bottom of this page.
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