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Information for Participants
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Visa requirements
Ecuador welcomes tourists and travelers from every country. Citizens of any country traveling to Ecuador for tourism, business or to study do NOT require a visa for an intended stay of 90 DAYS to gain a visitor’s permit. However, foreigners entering Ecuador must hold a passport valid until six months after the end of their stay in the country.
Visas ARE required for CHINESE nationals to gain a visitor’s permit.
Colombian nationals need to provide a police clearance stating that they have no criminal conviction in order to enter Ecuador.
Please keep in mind that delegates flying through the United States might need to comply with US Visa requirements for stopovers and transits.
Accommodation & Meals
There is a wide variety of comfortable accommodation available in the Yachana Lodge to fit required budgets. During the Conference, participants will be accommodated in the Lodge, Casa Quest and High School. All of these facilities are located relatively close to each other, the High School and Lodge are a ten to fifteen minute walk apart.
Spaces will be allocated on a first-come-first served basis, with preference given where advance payment for the conference has been made. Rates for meals and accomodation vary from US$45 per person per night (Casa Quest or High School) to around US$120 per night per person (the Lodge).
Note: Accommodation is not included in the Conference Registration fee.
All meals for the duration of the conference are included within the cost of your accommodation. Should you have any particular dietary requirements please ensure you mention these on your registration form.
Internet Access
Wireless internet access will be available throughout the conference venue.
Getting Around
Transport to and from Quito's international airport is not included in the registration fee. However, participants will have the chance to choose between different options that fit different budgets. Transportation from and to the airport can be arranged by Yachana Foundation on request, and guides will be provided for delegates whose travel plans coincide with the conference start and end dates.
Ecuador - Basic Facts
Languages: There are two official languages in the country of Ecuador: Quechua and Spanish. Most of the people in Ecuador speak Spanish. However Quechua is also spoken in various places in Ecuador.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -5
Electricity: 120V 60Hz.
Electric Plug Details: plugs used are American-style (two perpendicular flat blades above a circular grounding pin) and Japanese-style (two perpendicular flat blades), meaning an adaptor is almost always necessary for visitors from overseas.
Ecuador - Our Conference Host's Guide of What You Need to Know
Located between Colombia and Peru on the west coast of South America, Ecuador is the fourth-smallest country in South America; it has a coastline of 2,237 kilometers. The Galapagos Islands, which rest 960 kilometers to the west of mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean are part of the Republic of Ecuador.
Ecuador's capital city, Quito, is located in the Andes mountain range on the equator, while Guayaquil, the country's most populous city, is positioned on the southern coastline about 210 kilometers from Quito.
CLIMATE & WEATHER
Weather varies greatly, depending on the altitude. The coastal and Amazonian lowlands have a wet equatorial climate, but the higher you go, the colder it becomes. Most large cities are located in a fairly comfortable subtropical zone, although it can be very cold at night in Quito. At higher altitudes it can be cold at all times.
Due to its varied regions and because of is located on the equator, Ecuador is a year-round destination, but highland areas are best visited during the dry season - from June to September. Rather than rotating through four seasons, most of Ecuador experiences oscillating wet and dry periods.
The general weather trends for each region are as follows:
- El Oriente (Amazon region) normally has a warm, humid and rainy climate. The average temperature varies from 23 to 26 oC (72 to 80 F). The drier season is generally November to February but varies by region.
- La Sierra (Andean Highlands), though on the equator, is generally cooler than most people would expect. The climate in the Andes varies according to the altitude and the time of the year. In Quito the temperature ranges from 7 degrees C (55 F) at night, to 26 C (78 F) at noon, averaging 15 C (64 F).
- La Costa's (Coastal lowlands) climate is usually very warm with temperatures averaging 25 degrees 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 humid but still a little muggy.
- The Galapagos islands enjoy warm and dry weather year-round, with an average temperature of 28º C. (85 F).
The Yachana Lodge, where the conference will take place, is located at the heart of the Amazon rainforest. There the weather is warm, wet and humid. The average temperature is 80° F or 27° C. There is an average of 12 feet (144 inches or 3,650 mm) of rain annually and the humidity is consistently high. It rarely rains for a whole day without interruption but it often rains for a period of time every day.
HEALTH TIPS FOR PARTICIPANTS
Nothing can spoil a visit overseas more than feeling off-colour, and nothing can dull the pleasure of your holiday memories more than getting ill far from home. There are a number of health issues that you should be aware of, particularly if you are from the northern hemisphere. However, while there are risks anywhere, Ecuador has a relatively comfortable climate and our levels of water treatment, hygiene and such make it a safe destination.
Vaccinations
Malaria is not a problem in the area where Yachana is located - however participants should take advice about appropriate preventative measures if they intend to visit other areas of the country where malaria does exist.
Hepatitis B inoculations are recommended for children up to the age of 12 who have not completed the series of injections as infants as well as for those staying longer than 6 months and having intimate contact with local residents.
Altitude sickness is a risk, particularly if flying directly into Quito (2,800m/9,186ft). Give yourself time to acclimatise before setting off into the mountains. Walk slowly and drink plenty of water.
For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and the Medicues Travel Clinic.
Medical facilities
There are plenty of pharmacies in urban areas. Good medical care is available in Quito, Guayaquil, and most of the big cities. Medical facilities outside the major towns are limited. Acute surgical and cardiac services are not available on the Galápagos Islands; therefore, for more serious illnesses, patients may be evacuated to the USA. Health insurance (to include emergency repatriation) is strongly recommended.
It is advisable to drink only bottled or sterilised water in Ecuador. Avoid unpasteurised dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. However, at the Lodge the water comes from natural springs and is purified for use in food preparation and is chlorinated in all other areas of the lodge. Therefore, it is safe to drink and can be used directly from the taps in the rooms.
HIV/Aids
As in other countries, always take precautions when having sex.
Insects and Mosquitos
Mosquitoes are virtually nonexistent at Yachana Lodge. However, there are sand flies, "no see-ums" (small, nearly invisible insects that bite), and chiggers. We do recommend bringing insect repellent, wearing long pants when you go for walks and using the rubber boots we provide.
THE PEOPLE
Most of the peoples who inhabit Ecuador today can trace their heritage to European or indigenous ancestors. Long before the Spaniards set foot in this part of the world, there was definite tribal organization among the indigenous peoples, but most tribes had been conquered by the Inca Empire prior to the Spanish conquest. In this mix, is also blended Afro-Ecuadorians descended from African slaves that were transported to the Pacific Coast region by European slave-traders.
MONEY MATTERS
Currency
From September 2000 the official currency is the US Dollar. Notes are in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents. Some coins are usual US cents and some are Ecuadorean centavos. They have the same value.
Foreign Exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and at casas de cambio (exchange houses), the latter being generally the best option. It may be difficult to exchange money in the Oriente. The rate of commission varies between 1 to 4%, so it is worth shopping around.
Credit cards and cash
Major credit/debit cards are accepted for most purchases. ATMs are available at most banks in urban areas. In some small towns, you may find you will need to use cash.
More information on Ecuador is available at the following sites:
http://www.ecuador.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador
http://ukinecuador.fco.gov.uk/en/
http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/ectoc.html
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