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The Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle covers more than 1/3 of its territory
I was Here!!

Find out about Travelers experiences in Ecuador!!

 
Travel in Ecuador
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F.A.Q

Do I need a Visa to enter Ecuador?

 

If the purpose of your visit is strictly tourism or a combination of business and tourism for less than 90 days, you do not need a visa. The Ecuadorian Government recently eliminated the requirement for nationals of all countries to have a visa for tourism purposes.
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What vaccines do I need to enter Ecuador?

 

No vaccine certificates are needed to enter Ecuador. However, in several regions and during certain times of the year mosquitoes may transmit a number of diseases, usually in remote areas. Recent regulations now require a malaria vaccination in order to visit certain areas of the Amazon region.

 

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What is Ecuador’s climate?

 

Being located on the Equator, Ecuador does not have the defined seasons of the northern and southern hemispheres. Climate varies according to the region. In general, the Coast, Amazon region and Galapagos are warmer, while the Andean region tends to be cooler. Rainfall and sunshine also vary depending on the region and the time of year.

 

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What should I pack when traveling to Ecuador?

 

Because of the regional, climatic and seasonal variations clothing and accessories will largely depend on your itinerary.

 

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What activities are available in Ecuador?

 

Ecuador is extremely diverse.  Geographical, climatic, ecological and cultural variations provide for countless activities, from visits to architectural monuments, churches, convents, museums, archaeological sites or theaters to nature walks and treks in any of the country’s four natural regions.  Horseback riding, cycling and mountain bike outings, mountain climbing, rafting, fishing, scuba diving, water and aerial sports are also options for the more active visitor. The country’s remarkable biodiversity means there are many unique and fascinating places to observe a fabulous variety of fauna and flora, from the smallest insects and invertebrates or diminutive hummingbirds to the mighty humpback whales.

 

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What are Ecuador’s principal tourist attractions?

 

The Galapagos islands, the Andes and the Avenue of Volcanoes, the Pacific Coast including Guayaquil and the Route of the Sun, the Ecuadorian Amazon with its rich natural and cultural diversity, the churches and colonial centers of Quito and Cuenca,  UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site cities, pre-Hispanic ruins and archaeological sites, handicraft centers and picturesque towns, Indian markets, popular fiestas, the delicious and varied cuisine of each region, National Parks and Ecological reserves, pristine beaches and much more.

 
 
 
/Travel in Ecuador /Traveler's Manual / Denounce Centers /
Denounces Centers

CRIME REPORTING CENTERS:   

There are a number of offices where visitors who fall victim to theft, assault, aggression, fraud, rape or other incidents can report the crime. Procedures are usually slow, especially in the short-term. However, there is an increasing awareness by the authorities of the need to provide more appropriate attention and protection to visitors.

The main Centers are located in Quito. In Guayaquil and Cuenca you may use the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Tourism. Your hotel and/or tour operator will most likely be glad to provide you with assistance and guidance on the procedures to be followed in this type of situation.

Principal places where tourists may report crimes are as follows:

Tourism Prosecutor’s Office. Ministry of Tourism Building. Ave. Eloy Alfaro y Carlos Tobar. Phones: (593-2) 222-4972 y (593-2) 250-7557; Quito.

Crime Units of the Public Prosecutor’s National Offices. Main Office: Nations Prosecutor General Building: Ave. Eloy Alfaro N32-240 y Carlos Tobar. Phones: (593-2) 255-9958 and (593-2) 255-9959; Quito.

Tourism Security Service of the National Police. Ave. Amazonas y Juan Pablo Sanz. Phone: (593-2) 244-7392, Quito.

Crime Reporting Office of the Judicial Police. Juan Leon Mera 5565 y Carrion. Phones: (593-2) 255-0770 and (593-2) 255-0918

 

Important: Please note that only the Tourism Prosecutor’s Office of the Ministry of Tourism accepts reports of crime at any time (within working hours).  All the other institutions require crimes to be reported within 48 hours of the event taking place.

 

PROCEDURES:

 

Identification documents. Foreign tourists must present their original passport. If this was stolen or is lost, you must submit a valid document, preferably bearing your photograph and certifying your identity.  Ecuadorian tourists must present their National Identification document or a similarly valid document certifying their identity.

Report the crime.  The Prosecutor’s Agent will compile, in writing, an account of the events which happened, including basic details such as day, time, place and nature of the incident; possible individuals involved (with corresponding support and/or evidence); witnesses, etc.

If the reporting person does not speak Spanish, the Ministry of Tourism’s Prosecutor Office will accept the report in the English language. This will be formally received and translated into Spanish. If the visitor does not speak English or Spanish, he/she should take along a qualified translator in order to proceed with the reporting process.

No time limit is imposed for the receipt of crime reports at the Ministry of Tourism’s Prosecutor Office. If there are witnesses, they should provide their evidence. In the absence of witnesses, the visitor must report the crime by him/herself and credibility will be taken into account.

Approximately 30 minutes will be required to follow the process described above, depending on the gravity of the event. The incident must always be of a penal nature as the referred offices and institutions will not accept or register incidents of a merely civilian character.

The Ministry of Tourism’s Prosecutor Office is open for the receipt of reports of crime from 08:00 to 11:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30.

The entire investigation procedure may take days or even weeks. Most tourists use a stamped copy of the reporting document presented to the authorities, with the corresponding seals, for the purpose of claiming on their insurance policies when returning back home.