The Battle of Pichincha

📣 Traveler notes

Ecuador is in northwestern South America, positioned on the Equator. Highlights include UNESCO sites like the Galapagos Islands, and the Andean cities of Quito and Cuenca. The area features high-altitude active volcanoes, such as Cotopaxi.

• Expect close personal space during conversations.
• Dress warmly in the mountainous Sierra region (including Quito); coastal areas are generally more casual.
• Default to using "usted" when unsure of formal address in Spanish.
• Use formal greetings (e.g., "buenos días," "buenas tardes"). Handshakes are standard; a cheek kiss is common for women or when meeting an unfamiliar person. Use the formal pronoun "usted" when addressing elders or strangers in Spanish. Avoid pointing downwards to indicate height in the Sierra regions; instead, measure from the lower hand edge to the floor. To gesture for someone to approach, swipe the palm downward.