Entry Visa Requirements A visa is not required for U.S. and Canadian citizens, but they must carry a passport that is valid for at least the next six months for a stay of up to 90 days during a 12-month period. Customs All visitors arriving from abroad must go through customs. Currency Ecuador’s official currency is the U.S. Dollar, so there are no issues with exchange rates. Prices, however are generally much lower than in the US. Languages Spanish and Quichua in the highlands, among other indigenous dialects. English is widely spoken at most places frequented by tourists. Climate Ecuador's climate is as varied as its territory. One can experience four distinct weather patterns within a day's travel in Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands offer a pleasant sub-tropical climate and an average temperature of 75°F year-round. The Coast tends to be dry and hot in the south to more tropical and humid in the north. Temperatures vary from 75°-88°F. The area experiences two distinct seasons, the rainy season (December to May) and the dry season during the remaining months of the year. Buena Vida Properties sells coastal property. The Andean climate varies according to the altitude. Although the region is said to experience a sub-tropical climate throughout the year, visitors will find a variation from hot in the south to temperate to cold in the north, especially in the higher altitudes. Temperatures can be between 45°F- 55°F in the north to 55°F-65°F in the south. The Amazon is generally warm and humid. Although the region experiences rain and mild temperatures between 70°-80°F throughout the year, it also has a dry season from October through December when temperatures can get into the upper 80's. Electricity Ecuador uses 110/120 VAC 60 Hertz. Plugs have two flat pins, like the ones in the U.S. Power converters and plug adapters are available for purchase in electronic stores. Main hotels frequented by international tourists use the same 110/60-cycle current as in the U.S. Time Zone Eastern Standard Time Public Holidays January 1 - New Year's Day. Holy Thursday* Good Friday* May 1 - Labor Day May 24 - Battle of Pichincha. May 26 - Corpus Christi. July 24 - Simon Bolivar Day August 10 - Independence Day November 2 - All Souls' Day December 25 - Christmas Day December 31 - New Year's Eve *date changes every year Air Service Travelers to Ecuador from the U.S/ can choose from a number of U.S. and Latin American airlines. These are American Airlines, Avianca, Continental Airlines, COPA, Lan Ecuador, Mexicana and TACA. Non-stop flights depart from New York and Miami. Ecuador's national airline, TAME offers good service between all major cities in Ecuador, operating numerous daily flights between Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil as well as serving the Galapagos Islands. Smaller national airlines include Aerogal, Icaro and Austro Air which offer flights to several cities and towns along the Coast and the Andes, as well as the Amazon and Galapagos Islands. Telephone Calling from the U.S., dial 0-11 (593) plus the local area code, followed by the number. Local area codes are: Quito (2), Cuenca (7), Guayaquil (4), Galapagos (5), and all cellular phones, (9). 