EULAC Focus Workshop Ecuador

TOURISM INFORMATION

29th to 31st of March 2017

ABOUT ECUADOR

Ecuador is a country located in South America with an area of 283.561 km2. (Including the Galapagos

Archipelago and the territorial sea). Ecuador has 15,6 million citizens (2014 Census) and its official

language is Spanish & Quichua. People do speak English, especially Travel Services providers.

Ecuador has four different regions: Galapagos, Pacific Coast, Andes, and Amazon and is divided into

24 provinces.

Time Zone: -5 GMT Continent; -6 GMT Galapagos

Currency: US Dollar.

Ecuador’s facts:

1. It's the country with the highest diversity per square Km

2. Nearly 20% of its territory consists of protected areas

3. It has National Parks recognized by UNESCO (Galapagos; Sangay)

4. Is a diverse country with nearly 13 indigenous nationalities, mestizos, Afro Ecuadorians, etc.

5. Ecuador has cities that are recognized as World Heritage Patrimonies by UNESCO, such as

Quito & Cuenca.

6. It also has cities that are recognized as models for Human Development and Urban

Regeneration such as Guayaquil.

Acknowledgements:

World Travel Awards - South America’s Leading Green Destination (Ecuador) – 2016

More information:

http://trade.allyouneedisecuador.travel/en/ www.ecuador.travel https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador

ABOUT QUITO

Quito is the capital of Ecuador, located at the province of Pichincha. Quito has a popullation of 2.2

million inhabitants and a temperture that ranges between 9 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Quito is well known for its colonial treasures. It has been considered cradle of arte and historically

recognized as the Light of America, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Spanish American Cultural

Capital and Cultural Capital of the Americas.

Climate: 10° C and 25° C

Acknowledgements:

World Travel Awards - South America’s Leading Destination (Quito) - 2016

More information:

Please find attached Quito’s Brochure

http://www.quito.com.ec/ http://experience.quito.com.ec/ https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador/quito

Touristic places

Historic Center

In the past, this area comprised the entire city of Quito. These days, it is an historic dimension that

preserves streets, alleys, squares, ancient houses, endless cobblestone slopes and garden gates;

history and silent treasures are sheltered in every corner, waiting to be awoken by the sound of

visitors’ footsteps.

La Compañía

La Basílica

La Ronda

San Marcos

Panecillo

El Panecillo stands at the foot of the Historical District, and is characterized by a sculpture made

from seven thousand pieces of aluminum. The Virgin of Quito or “Virgin of the Apocalypse” is a

replica of the 30 cm sculpture by artist Bernardo de Legarda. It depicts a woman with wings who

has a chain and stands above a serpent, which represents the beast. From El Panecillo, one can see

the passage of time in the city: the South and North, notice the differences; the houses and narrow

streets across from buildings and its avenues.

Itchimbía

Watch as the city lights up to illuminate the night, like a small canvas painted with streets and paths.

This ancestral hill, home to indigenous funeral rites, is where visitors can find an amazing view of

the city’s historic district and the Avenue of Volcanos. During the summer, days are even clearer,

guaranteeing a true sight to behold.

Culture in La Floresta

Walking along this traditional neighborhood presents the city’s new wave: artisans, designers, and

filmmakers inhabit this area, which also hosts several restaurants and cafes. During the afternoons

and evenings, this area comes alive with culture; there are art-house films, art galleries, and several

culinary options.

Guápulo

It is a traditional neighborhood with a beautiful view and interesting cafeterias and galleries. You

can visit the church of Guapulo and ancient monastery of colonial construction. It was the first

Marian shrine in Ecuador, built in the second middle of XVII century.

La Capilla del Hombre

Oswaldo Guyasamín is one of the greatest painters from Ecuador and Latin America. He was born

in Quito in 1919 to an indigenous father and a mixed race mother, the first of ten siblings. He studied

painting and sculpture and held his first exhibit in 1942. Ten years later he won the “Premio de la

Bienal de España” (Biennial Prize from Spain), followed by the “Premio Bienal de Sao Paulo” (Biennial

Prize from Sao Paulo) in Brazil.

La Capilla del Hombre is a Cultural Center that honours the human beign and its identity. It was

dedicated to the peoples of Latin America by the painter Guayasamin. It has an awesome

architecture, paintings, sculptures and other art pieces.

It was declarared Priority Project for Culture by UNESCO, as well as, Cultural Heritage for the

Ecuadorian State.

Address: Mariano Calvache E18-94 y Lorenzo Chávez – Bellavista

Schedule: Opens every day from 10h00 to 17h00 (except holidays).

Rates: $8,00 Adults

More information: http://www.capilladelhombre.com/index.php

TelefériQo

For spectacular views over Quito’s mountainous landscape, hop aboard this sky tram that takes

passengers on a 2.5km ride (10 minutes) up the flanks of Volcán Pichincha to the top of Cruz Loma.

Once you’re at the top (a mere 4100m), you can hike to the summit of Rucu Pichincha (4680m),

about a three-hour hike for fit walkers – some scrambling is required and you should ask about the

safety situation before attempting.

You can also hire horses (per hour $10), which are about 500m from the upper station (follow signs

to ‘paseos a caballo’). Don’t attempt the trip to Rucu Pichincha until you’ve acclimatized in Quito for

a couple of days. Vulqano Park, a children’s amusement park, is at the base station. Try to visit in

the morning, when the views here are best; the clouds usually roll in by noon. A taxi here costs about

$5 from the Mariscal.

Bolivar Theatre

The Theater has a beautiful architecture and is a survivor of fire that almost destroyed it. The Bolivar

Theater has a history of 75 years, history that whispers through the ashes. Bolivar Theatre was built

in 1933 and sought to democratize culture.

Bolivar Theatre is located in Quito downtown, on Espejo Street, between Guayaquil and Flores

streets.

More information: http://www.teatrobolivar.org/portal/index

ABOUT YACHAY CITY OF KNOWLEDGE

Yachay City of Knowledge is the first planned city in Ecuador, located in the San Miguel de Urcuquí

municipality district, in the northwest of the Imbabura province. It was created for the development

of research, science and technological applications, and it is protected under the objectives of the

National Plan for Good Living. It operates under the logic of the triple helix of knowledge by

combining academia, the State and the business sector.

The City is composed by 4 strategic zones:

Zone 1: Knowledge Sector

This was given priority over other areas to allow activation of the city. It is aimed at facilitating high-

tech research, where facilities will be located for Research and Development (R & D), the university,

incubation spaces, offices, residential units, bedrooms and commercial spaces, to promote

experimental production. It will operate as a direct connector to the industrial production area.

At the heart of the Knowledge Sector is located Yachay Tech University, a public and autonomous

higher education institution. The university will contribute to the development of a new talented

generation which would enable the establishment of a knowledge-based economy in Ecuador and

in the region.

Yachay Tech aims to provide an international environment in which research, learning, technology,

and professional activity are valued and supported, enabling Ecuador to become a center of

interdisciplinary scientific and engineering research activity in Latin America.

Zone 2: Techno-Industrial Production Sector

This zone is oriented towards the high-tech industry, including manufacturing and the technological,

industrial and logistical ZEDE: Residences, shops, equipment and other facilities will be placed here,

which will enable the development of industrial activity.

Zone 3: Agro Tourism Sector

This zone is aimed at ensuring self-sufficiency of inhabitants within the city, eco-tourism, agro-

tourism and tourist villas. Ecotourism and agro-tourism are to be integrated with each other so that

both share a functional relationship.

Zone 4: Biotech Sector

This zone promotes research in agriculture, pharmacy, food science, environment and medicine. It

aims to attract related public and/or private institutions to strengthen the development of the

agricultural industry. This area will be dedicated to land use in areas related to agriculture,

residence, commerce and other uses compatible with biotechnology.

Climate: 14°C and 22°C

More information:

http://www.yachay.gob.ec/yachay/?lang=en http://www.yachaytech.edu.ec/en/

ABOUT IBARRA

Ibarra, the “White City”, is the capital of the Imbabura Province. It is located 115 km northwest of

Quito and 125 km south of Tulcán. Ibarra has an altitude of 2,225 meters above sea level.

Climate: 8° C and 24° C

More information: https://www.touribarra.gob.ec/eng/

Historic Center

Ibarra has several cathedrals, basilicas and churches that be part of the religious heritage of the city.

Each one with its individual architecture dating from previous years; they have religious art, gold

leaf altars and religious sculptures of great historical value.

The Ibarra Historic Center concentrates a huge number of religious buildings. During the night it

looks bright and its activities generate the influx of domestic and foreign visitors.

Nuestra Señora de la Merced Cathedral Santo Domingo Church

Yahuarcocha Lake

This lake was made by the melting of nearby glaciers and is loaded with legends, and surrounded by

friendly locals eager to fill a foreign visitor in on them. The name in Inca literally means “Blood Lake”

due to the nasty battle that occurred here centuries ago.

The lake and its surrounding micro-basin has become an important tourist attraction. It is located 3

km. north of Ibarra city. Visitor can enjoy a camping day, horseback riding, boating, trekking or

fishing on the lake shores.

Yahuarcocha is also the well-known scenario for extreme sports such as: hang gliding and water

skiing.

Traditional sweets

Ibarra is a city with unique sweets and appetizer in the region. Ibarra offers the delicious nogadas

and the arrope de mora; both are demanded sweets for local and visitors. Many women conserve

this sweet tradition which is a main attraction of Ibarra. The traditional places for sweet sales are

located in the hallway of the Military Ancient Barracks.

ABOUT GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Galapagos Islands are an isolated group of volcanic islands with a bio diverse ecosystem. It is one of

the few places left on the planet where the human footprint is kept to a minimum.

The Enchanted Islands are worldwide famous and has been named a World Heritage Site. In its

waters there can be found species from different parts of the Pacific Ocean.

More information: https://ecuador.travel/destination/galapagos-islands-ecuador/

Climate: 20°C to 25°C

Grietas del Amor

It is a place near Puerto Ayora, at the west of Bahía. There, water from the ocean is filtered and

forms pools where you can swim. Its lakes of crystalline water and the sun bathing the islands

creates a landscape that seems removed from fantasy books. Its natural swimming pools are

surrounded by the biological spectacle Galapagos is.

Galapagos National Park

Galápagos has become an important worldwide center of scientific investigation and nature

tourism.

Entrance Fee

Foreign tourists, non-residents of Ecuador over 12 years US $100 Foreign tourists, non-residents of Ecuador under 12 years US $50 More information: http://www.galapagospark.org/index.php