Independence of Cuenca

📣 Traveler notes

Ecuador is a northwestern South American country located on the Equator. It features UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Andes Mountains, including Quito, Cuenca, and the Galapagos Islands. The Andean region is notable for volcanoes like Cotopaxi.

• Dress in layers, as the Sierra region requires warmer clothing than the coast.
• Expect a close conversational distance, which is considered standard in Latin American culture.
• Use the formal Spanish pronoun "usted" when unsure about formality.
• Use common Spanish greetings ("buenos días," "buenas tardes," "buenas noches"). Handshakes are common for men; a kiss on the cheek is typical for women or between a man and woman. When speaking Spanish, use the formal pronoun "usted" when addressing elders or unfamiliar people.