Destination in a Nutshell
283,560 km²
Area
17.64 million
Populations
Quito
Capital
Quick Facts
Ecuador has the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Site number 1 is the Galapagos Islands and number 2 is the City of Quito.
Ecuador is home to the closest point on Earth to outer space.
Ecuador is home to one of seven of the world’s mega volcanoes.
Currency: United States Dollar
Language: Spanish
Time zone: GMT -5
Best Time to Visit:
Shoulder Season: October to May
October to November is the dry season in the Amazon Basin, meaning low water levels and excellent conditions for spotting colorful birds and other active wildlife.
Lower prices for accommodations and tours are to be expected as the crowd is lesser.
December to May are warm, sunny days with some tropical afternoon downpours, the wet season is actually a good time for expeditions to the Galápagos Islands and beach adventures such as surfing, diving, snorkeling, etc.
High Season: June to September
These months are ideal to explore Ecuador though the temperature fluctuates a great deal from morning to night, and changes markedly as you gain altitude, this season is verdant and the highlands are full of life.
Expect busy crowds and high prices throughout the entire country. Advance bookings for hotels and flights are essential.