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Language: Spanish is the official language, but Quechua is the main language spoken among the indigenous people.
Currency: The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency in Ecuador. In 2000 the sucre was replaced by the dollar as the legal currency, but despite dollarization, the sucre will likely persist in rural areas for a while longer. It is recommended that travelers bring both US dollar notes and travelers cheques as other foreign currencies are difficult to exchange outside of Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca. Small denominations in good condition are the easiest to exchange
outside of the main cities. In the main centers most currencies can be exchanged at banks and exchange houses (casas de cambio) at variable commission rates. ATMs are available in the cities, and major credit cards are accepted in tourist areas and large hotels although a commission of 6-8% is often charged.
Time: Local time is GMT -5 (Galapagos Islands are GMT -6).
Electricity: Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.
Communications: The international access code for Ecuador is +593. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Quito is (0)2. Calls made from hotel rooms can be very expensive, but public telephones can be found in most public buildings in the main cities; the most cost-effective way to telephone internationally is from call centers, which are located in most towns and cities. They also offers fax services and sometimes Internet connections, but Internet cafes are available in the main towns. The local GSM cell phone network does not have roaming agreements with international operators; European, Australian and other phones from non-GSM cell phone networks will not work, but cell phones can be rented at the international airports or at cellular phone shops.
Duty Free: Travelers entering Ecuador do not have to pay customs duty on 300 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 200g tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverages; perfume for personal use; and gifts and personal effects to the value of US$200 for a stay of up to seven days, US$300 for eight days to six months, and US$400 for stays of six months to two years.
Tourist OfficeMinistry of Tourism, Quito: +593 (0)2 250 7559 or www.vivecuador.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 101 (Police); 131 (Ambulance).
Embassies
Embassy of Ecuador, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 7200.
Embassy of Ecuador, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7584 2648.
Embassy of Ecuador, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 563 4286.
Embassy of Ecuador, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6286 4021.
Consulate of Ecuador, Auckland, New Zealand: +64 (0)9 303 0590.
United States Embassy, Quito: +593 (0)2 256 2890.
British Embassy, Quito: +593 (0)2 297 0800.
Canadian Embassy, Quito: +593 (0)2 223 2114.
South African Embassy, Lima, Peru (also responsible for Ecuador): +511 440 9996.
Irish Honorary Consul, Quito: +593 (0)2 2600 1166.
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