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Climate
Ecuador has two seasons; wet and dry. Depending on which region
you are in this can vary a great deal. The wet season hits
the coastal areas (including the Galapagos) between January
and April, the Oriente is pretty wet all year round, but September
to December are the driest months. In the highlands the dry
spells fall between June and September and also around Christmas,
and are the best times to climb Mt. Cotopaxi.
Cash
The local currency in Ecuador changes frequently
but since 2000 is has been the US Dollar, so American
visitors will not need to use currency exchange.
The fluctuating economies of South America means shoe string
travel is not as easy or cheap as it once was, but if you're
planning to camp and make your own journeys, expect to get
by on $20 a day excluding travel - triple this or more if
you intend to go jungle trekking and trips to the Galapagos
Islands can run into several hundred dollars per day for experience
such exclusive wildlife.
Visas
Most tourists do not need a visa for stays of less than 90
days, and UK citizens can stay longer. Business, work, residence
and student visas are hard to come by in Ecuador.
Language
Spanish is the official tongue and Quechua and Quichua are
the most widely spoken of the Amerindian languages.
Religion & Population
95% Roman Catholic. Older religious traditions still exist
and are often found in a blend of Catholic and indigenous
beliefs. Indigenous peoples represent 40% of the population,
with an equal number of mestizos.
Health
Some of the coastal areas may have malaria risks so
make sure you check the situation with a travel agent or the
tourist board before visiting and take the necesssary precautions.
Altitude sickness in Highland areas - including Quito -
can cause some discomfort and visitors will need to acclimatize,
especially if you are planning to climb Cotopaxi.
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