Spanish is the official language. Kichwa (also Quichua or Quechua) is widespread, especially in the Sierra. Chibcha and various other indigenous languages are also spoken, such as Awapit (language of the Awá), A’ingae (language of the Cofan), Achuar-Shiwiar (language of the Achuar and Shiwiar), Cha’palaachi (language of the Chachi), Tsa’fiki (language of the Tsáchila), Paicoca (language of the Siona and Secoya) and Wao Tededeo (language of the Waorani). Of these languages, Shuar, spoken in the southern Oriente, is the most widespread with around 100,000 speakers. In total, about 23 different languages and idioms are spoken. Employees in the tourism industry sometimes speak some English, otherwise the language is generally not understood. English is also often not understood at the airports and in the hotels. Ecuadorians are very happy if you speak to them in Spanish. As a result, you often start a conversation, even if it is about hands and gestures.
Idioms
Eight = Ocho Eighty = Ochenta Goodbye = Chau Exit = Salida Beer = Cerveza Please = Por favor Thank you very much = Gracias Tuesday = Martes Thursday = Jueves Doctor = Médico Thirty = Treinta Three = Tres One = Un / uno / una Entrance = Entrada One Hundred = Cien One Thousand = Mil Friday = Viernes Five = Cinco Fifty = Cincuenta Danger = Peligro Open = Abierto Closed = Cerrado Good Morning = Buenos Dias Good Day = Buenas Tardes’ Good Evening = Buenas Noches Hello = Hola Today = Hoy Hotel = Hotel I understand not that one. = No entiendo I feel sick. = Me encuentro mal Ja = Sí My name is… … = Me llamo… I’m doing very well. = Estoy muy bien Wednesday = Miércoles Monday = Lunes Tomorrow = Mañana Nine = Nueve Ninety = Noventa No = No Restaurant = Restaurante Saturday = Sábado Six = Seis Sechzig = Sesenta Seven = Siete Seventy = Setenta Sunday = Domingo Menu = Carta Do you speak German/ English? = ¿Habla inglés? Excellent! = Chevere! Toilets = Servicios Forty = Cuarenta Four = Cuatro Wine = Vino How are you? = ¿Qué tal estas? How much is it? = ¿Cuánto it? Where is …? = ¿Dónde esta? Ten = Diez Twenty = Veinte Two = Dos Toilets = Servicios Forty = Cuarenta Four = Cuatro Wine = Vino How are you? = ¿Qué tal estas? How much is it? = ¿Cuánto it? Where is …? = ¿Dónde esta? Ten = Diez Twenty = Veinte Two = Dos
[*] No public holidays, but observed in most parts of the country. There are also other regional holidays.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Ecuador (persons over 18 years of age): 20 cigarette packs of 20 cigarettes each or 25 cigars/cigarillos or 500 g of tobacco; 3 l alcoholic beverages; 300ml of perfume per person and 600ml per family; 1250ml of creams and lotions per person and 3000ml per family; Gifts and items for personal use valued at up to US$500.
Import regulations
Weapons and ammunition only with permission of the Ministry of Defense. Fresh or dried meat, non-canned meat products, plants and vegetables require an import permit. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Exports
Gold bars, narcotics, antiques, live wildlife, souvenirs made from protected species (black coral, tortoiseshell). Further information is available from the Ecuadorian customs authorities.
Knowledge of Spanish is absolutely necessary. Scheduling appointments is common, but appointments are often changed at short notice. This is especially true for ministers and government officials. Negotiations require a great deal of sensitivity. Business trips are best scheduled for the months of October to mid-December and mid-January to June. Business hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-16.30.
Business contacts
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland Kasernenstrasse 11, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland Tel. +41 (0)44 240 33 00. Website: www.latcam.ch Federacíon Nacional de Cámaras de Comercio del Ecuador (National Association of Chambers of Commerce) Av. Francisco de Orellana y Miguel Alcivas, Ciudadela Kennedy North, Edificio Las Cámaras, piso 2 y 3, Guayaquil, Ecuador Tel. +593 (0)4 259 61 00.
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code of Ecuador is 00593. The national telephone company is called Corporación Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CNT). There are payphones and a few payphones in the larger towns.
Mobile phone
GSM network 1900/850, 3G and 4G. Network operator is Movistar, among others. Few roaming contracts exist with Europe. For longer stays, it is worth buying prepaid SIM cards or telephone sets, which can be purchased at the airport.
Internet
There are internet cafes all over Ecuador. Usually free WiFi is also available in many travel agencies, language schools, restaurants, cafés and hotels.
Post office
Post offices are called correos. Post to Europe takes between 10 days and 2 weeks. Poste restante is possible at the embassy, some travel agencies, language schools and hotels.
