1. Weather

Ecuador has four different regions, each with its own climate. They all have different temperatures, rainfall, and seasons. Temperatures in Ecuador depend on the altitude. The weather is generally mild and does not present difficulties for travelers. Rather than rotating through four seasons, most of Ecuador experiences oscillating wet and dry periods. Remember the Ecuadorian adage that all four seasons can be experienced in one day, and the most predictable aspect of Ecuador’s weather is its unpredictability.

The general weather trends for each region are as follows:

1.1. Andean Highlands | La Sierra

Though on the equator, it is generally cooler than most people would expect. The climate in the Andes varies according to the altitude and the time of the year. Quito, the capital city, is within 25 km. of the Equator, but it stands high enough to make its climate much like that of spring in England, the days warm or hot, and the nights cool. In Quito, the temperature ranges from 7°C [55°F] at night, to 26°C [78°F] at noon, averaging 15°C [64°F]. Rainy season from October to May with the most torrential rainfall in April. Rain usually falls in the afternoon. The day length [sunrise to sunset] is almost constant throughout the year. In the Ecuadorian rainforest, you should expect high temperatures and high humidity.

1.1.1. How to dress

In the Highlands, the temperature changes throughout the day, and these changes are more evident between the shadow and the sun, so it is necessary to keep warm clothes. Therefore, it is advisable to dress in layers so you can put on/off your clothes depending on the temperature. The climate is generally arid, so it is advisable to use moisturizing creams. Additionally, we suggest you take the following items on your trip to Ecuador or Peru:

• • Raincoat or a long poncho
    Sweatshirts and a jacket
  • Long-sleeved shirts
  • T-shirts
  • Long comfortable pants
  • Boots, sneakers, or comfortable walking shoes
  • Hats and sunglasses
  • Camera, film, binoculars, etc
  • Handbags and backpacks
  • Insect repellant
  • Lip Balm and Sun Block
  • Natural eye Drops
  • Shorts and zip-off pants

1.2. Amazon region | El Oriente

It usually has a warm, humid, and rainy climate. The average temperature varies from 23° to 26°C [72° to 80°F]. The drier season is generally November to February but varies by region.

1.2.1. How to dress

It is recommendable to wear comfortable cotton clothing and water-resistant shoes or rubber boots, flashlight, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent to protect yourselves from mosquitoes, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to protect yourself from insects. You can also bring a small backpack with implements for rain.

1.3. Coastal lowlands | La Costa

Its climate is usually hot with temperatures averaging 25°C [76°F] to 31°C [90°F] during the year. The rainy season [December to May] is warm and very humid. The dry season is less sticky but still a little muggy.

1.3.1. How to dress

Wear comfortable clothes (preferably cotton), sunscreen, hat, and glasses. In the months from June to September, we recommend that you bring warm clothes, especially for the end of the day and night.

1.4. Galapagos Islands

In the Galapagos temperatures range from the low 80° to the high 90°F [25°C-30°C] from December until May, the sea is warm, and there is a chance of rain and accompanying humidity. From June to September, you may experience occasional garua or mist, and the water is atypically fresh for the tropics. Temperatures vary from the low 60° to high 70°F [15°C-25°C]. From October to December, temperatures range from 70°F to 80°F.

1.5. Altitude Sickness

Altitude Sickness’ symptoms appear in some people who are at elevations higher than 2500 meters / 8200 feet above sea level. It is associated with headache, fatigue, digestive heaviness, feeling nausea and malaise. The symptoms do not always appear and depend on each person, their experience with heights and, above all, certain kinds of food habits and daily activity.

Recommendations:

• • light dinner on the eve of a day trip to the height
  • do little physical activity on the first day
  • eat light meals, especially at night
  • drink plenty of fluids
  • consume teas of coca leaf or muña that help good digestion
  • limit alcohol consumption

2. Tipping

While tipping follows a standard 10% of the actual bill, in some cases, the cost of service may be included already. The following can act as a guideline:

• Restaurants: 10 – 15% of the total bill
• Tour guides / Tour conductors: US$ 15 – 20 approx. per day of service (not salary fees)
• Tour drivers: US$ 5 approx. Per day of service

3. Cash

In Ecuador, the currency is the U.S. Dollar. We recommend bringing around US$ 100.00 per day; however, it always depends on how much you plan to spend on restaurants, souvenirs, etc. Keep in mind that you may find ATMs throughout Quito and in major cities of the country (Guayaquil, Cuenca, Banos, etc.), which also accept credit cards, mostly Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. In provinces and rural areas is difficult to make payments with credit cards, and you may have trouble getting cash from ATMs.

We strongly recommend traveling with a combination of US cash and credit cards. Except for airline ticket purchases, all credit card purchases in Ecuador are subject to a 10% surcharge. You can use your credit card for cash advances at ATMs. Most banks limit daily withdrawals to $100 US to $200 daily, except the Banco Pichincha and Banco de Guayaquil (which on average, can dispense $500 US daily).

7. Insurance

Before traveling, we strongly recommend that you review your personal insurance and your health insurance to ensure you have appropriate cover to meet your needs and the needs of your family and dependents, in case of any loss of property, accident, injury, or death. You should also have travel cancellation insurance in case of emergencies or serious illnesses that don’t allow you to start the tour(s) you booked.

8. Electricity

Ecuador uses 110 volts, 60 cycles AC currency. In older establishments, electrical outlets may only be two flat pins (with no ground), while modern establishments use three pins (with ground).