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Hotel Ali Shungu, Otavalo, Ecuador Ecuador Travel Tips |
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ABOUT ECUADOR Ecuador is one of the smallest and one of the more colorful of the Andean countries, about the size of Colorado or Great Britain, with many distinct tribes of indigenous peoples. Pure Indigenous peoples make up about 40 percent of Ecuador, with perhaps another 60% being "mestizo" (people having a mix of indigenous blood). The language spoken is Spanish, with some English spoken in the bigger cities. In the Andes (throughout Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia), the Indigenous peoples also speak Quichua, which varies slightly from community to community and country to country. In the jungle, indigenous peoples also have their own language. In general, Ecuadorians are kind and friendly people. Greetings are important to Ecuadorians, especially in the Andean highlands. A simple hello, from a "gringo," may bring a bevy of smiles and laughs and a willingness to help you with anything. It's always good manners to shake hands. As a tourist, you can receive a visa for up to 3 months a year in Ecuador. Ecuador is a wonderful destination for travelers who are interested in the outdoors and nature-related activities, as well as Colonial Architecture (there are no finer examples of Spanish colonial architecture, sculpture and paintings than those produced in Ecuador in the 17th and 18th centuries), cathedrals, museums, rainforests, isolated beaches, Inca treasures, birding, the Andes, volcanoes, handicrafts and food markets, colorful festivals and parades, traditional folk music, and colorful Indigenous peoples. |
