General facts about Ecuador

Time Zone: Ecuador is located at GMT -5 (Eastern Standard Time zone). The Galápagos Islands are one hour behind mainland Ecuador, although the Legend and Coral ships are governed by mainland time.

Population: About 15 million. Spanish is the country’s official language and Quechua is spoken by many indigenous groups.

Religion: 95% Roman Catholic.

Currency:  U.S. dollar.

Capital: Quito.

Government: democracy.

Business Hours: In Quito and Guayaquil, most stores, banks, businesses, and foreign exchange offices are open from 9:00 to 18:00, Monday through Friday. Shopping malls are open every day, including weekends from 10:00 to 20:00 where you find bank branch offices and ATMs. 

Kleintours´emergency phone 24 hours / 7 days: 099-9456-205 & 0989-485-967
Av. Eloy Alfaro N34-11 y Catalina Aldaz, business hours: Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30.
From overseas, please dial (593-99) 945-6205 & (5938-98) 948-5967

Note:
- December 31st special end-of-year celebration, with the burning of life-size effigies in the streets on New Year’s Eve (young people disguised as widows grieving for the dying year stop people in the streets and beg for money).
- Sometimes holidays are shifted to the following Friday so a long weekend can be enjoyed.

Main Indigenous Market Days:

Taxes:
Government taxes are mandatory.  The Galápagos National Park tax and the Galapagos National Institute Migration Control Card tax can be prepaid thru us otherwise can be paid in cash directly. Credit cards and traveller checks are NOT accepted. Government taxes are subject to change without prior notice:

-Galápagos National Park (Children under 12 years old have 50% discount):
International travellers; US$100 for adults
Latin American countries; US$50 for adults
Ecuadorians; US$6 for adults

-Galápagos National Institute - Migration Control Card: US$10.00 per person, no discounts apply.

Suggested Gratuities per day per person in US$
-Guides on mainland Ecuador US$10, Driver on mainland Ecuador US$ 8, hotel & airport portage US$ 1 p/suitcase.
- Guides in the Galapagos US$ 10, Crew in the Galapagos US$15               
-Restaurants and coffee shops 10% of the bill

Domestic Flights & Luggage Allowance: 
There is a 20-kg SOFT luggage allowance and a carry-on bag of 7-kg per passenger for all DOMESTIC flights, including the Galapagos Islands. Check-in time at the counter is usually AT LEAST one hour before departure for all domestic flights, EXCEPT for flights to Galápagos, which require all passengers to be at the counter TWO HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE.

Emergency Numbers:
For emergencies dial 911, Police 101, Firefighters 102, Red Cross 258 2482.  There are very good hospitals and medical services both in Quito and Guayaquil.  Almost all hotels have a doctor on call for emergencies.  Pharmacies and drugstores are open 24 hours a day.

Phone:
Local area codes: Quito 02, Guayaquil 04, Cuenca 07, Galapagos   05
Cell phone, you must first dial “098” or “099” and then the seven-digit number.
To call another country, dial 00 + country code + area code + phone number.

Water: We suggest you drink bottled water throughout your trip.

Electricity: In Ecuador we use 110 volts, however at main hotels in mainland Ecuador and on board our cruise fleet you will find 110v and 220v clearly specified on the electrical outlet.

Safety: Keep an eye on your belongings at all times. Never put anything valuable in your backpack. Passport, money and travel documents could be left in the hotel’s safety box.