PortaWebsite: http://www.porta.net
Alcoholics Anonymous |
(02) 252-6527 |
|
|
Ambulance/Red Cross |
131 |
|
|
Blood Bank |
(02) 258-2480 |
|
|
Civil Defence |
(02) 243-9433/(02) 2469-009 |
|
|
Criminal Investigations |
(02) 255-0918 |
|
|
Emergency |
911 |
|
|
Fire Department |
102 |
|
|
Police Radio Patrol |
101 |
|
|
Police Regiment |
(02) 245-9811 |
|
|
Detention Centre |
(02) 295-0250 |
|
|
Airport |
(02) 294-4900 |
|
|
Public Water |
(02) 250-1375 |
|
|
Time |
109 |
Airport |
(04) 228-2100 |
|
|
Alcoholics Anonymous |
(04) 230-0871 |
|
|
Ambulance/Red Cross |
(04) 256-0674 |
|
|
Blood Bank |
(04) 2560-675 |
|
|
Civil Defence |
(04) 232-1111 |
|
|
Criminal Investigation |
(04) 287-0439 |
|
|
Fire Department |
102 |
|
|
Police Radio Patrol |
101 |
|
|
Transit/Vehicular Commission |
103 |
|
|
Tourist Information |
(04) 232-1160 |
If you have family calling you from Ecuador they can compare the rates of numerous carriers at the following website:
http://www.abelltolls.com/compare/international/longdistancerates/ecuador.htm.
There are two major players in the mobile phone market in Ecuador:
Porta
Website: http://www.porta.net
Movistar
Website: http://www.movistar.com.ec
(For more information on telephone numbers in Ecuador, please refer to Chapter Five, Settling In.)
Exito Travel; tel: 1-800-655-4053
Website: http://www.exito-travel.com
Intratours; tel: 1-800-334-8069
Website: http://www.intratours.com
Latin Cheap Tickets; tel: 1-888-590-3152
Mill Avenue Travel
International tel: 1-800-815-6455 US Tel: (01) 602-966-6300
Website: http://www.millavenuetravel.com
I have used this agency for a number of years.
Safar International; tel: 1-800-544-2369
Email: safarinc@ameritech.net
Website: http://www.safarint.com
TAME; toll free within Ecuador: 1-800-555-999
Website: http://www.tame.com.ec
Ecuador Government Tourist Office
Reina Victoria 514 y Ramon Roca, Quito
Tel: (02) 252-7002
Avenida Venezuela y Chile (smaller office)
Tel: (02) 251-4044
Airport Executive Tower II, Suite 400, 7270 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33126
Tel: (01-305) 477-0041
Website: http://www.ecuadorexplorer.com
This is a comprehensive website for anyone travelling or moving to Ecuador. While highly commercial in nature, it does list good information.
In Quito, there is a radio taxicab company that you can call to your location—Taxi Amigos (Tel: (02) 222-2222). It often uses cars that are not marked as cabs for security purposes, as thieves do think that foreigners who take cabs may have large amounts of cash. You can always ask for the identification of the driver. I have found that making good connections at your hotel can often yield good reliable transportation. If you indicate to the help desk that you are looking for a cab available for long term trips, such as to Guayaquil, you will often be referred to someone who is reliable. Other cab companies in Quito are:
Autoexpress; tel: (02) 227-1742
Taxiexpress; tel: (02) 221-1111
Banco Bolivariano
Website: http://www.bolivariano.com
Banco de Guayaquil
Website: http://www.bankguay.com
ABN Amro Bank
Website: http://www.abnamro.com
Banco de Austro
Website: http://www.baustro.fin.ec
Banco Pacifico
Website: http://www.bp.fin.ec
Carchi 702 2nd Floor, Guayaquil
Tel: (04) 228-1555
Diego de Almagro N 32-48 y Whymper, Edificio IBM 1st Floor, Quito
Tel: (02) 226-3530
The tax system is quite complicated and has changed significantly in the last several years with the government’s attempt to increase revenues. The taxable rate for most foreigners who reside in Ecuador is usually about 25 per cent. The government website for tax issues (in Spanish only) is:
Opening up an account in Ecuador is quite straightforward. A savings account will usually require a minimum of a few hundred dollars. You will also have to produce an identification card. Current (checking) accounts require, in some cases, at least several hundred dollars with a previous banking reference and two commercial references. Writing invalid cheques is serious business in Ecuador and can land you in jail. In 2000, at a certain bank, customers withdrawing money from its cash machines had the amount debited twice. Also, there have been several cases where money withdrawals were attempted but the machine didn’t dispense the funds. Always keep your receipts when withdrawing money.
The most commonly accepted cards are Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa and American Express.
Through Ecuadorian Tours
Avenida Río Amazonas
Tel: (02) 256-0488
Through Ecuadorian Tours
Avebuda 9 de Octubre 1900
Tel: (02) 228-7111
Edificio Diners
Avenidas de la Republica 710 y Eloy Alfaro, Quito
Tel: (02) 222-1372
Website: http://www.dinersclub.com.ec
This is an excellent website with lots of information about upcoming events and special discounts. If you’re moving to Ecuador for the long term, I would recommend that you obtain this card as it is considered prestigous and is widely accepted in Ecuador.
Dr John Rosenberg (Internal Medicine)
Foch 476 y Almagro
Tel: (02) 252-1104
Email: jrd@pi.pro.ec
Alvaro F Davlos P M D
La Colina 202 y San Ignacio
Tel: (02) 250-0267, (02) 250-0268
Email: adavalos@pi.pro.ec
Dr Roberto Calderon
Clinic Alcivar Centro Medico, #2, 2nd Floor
Tel: (04) 234-3575, (04) 244-7354
Dr Rafael Caputi
Clinica Kennedy Seccion Beta #21
Tel: (04) 229-3526
Telmo Fernandez
L Urdaneta 1401 y Garcia Moreno
Tel: (04) 229-4515
Dr Gilberto R Peñafiel, M D
Tel: (04) 228-5886
Ma Fernanda Ayala de Hidalgo (Dentist)
Orrantiz MZA 2 y #503
Tel: (04) 268-0105
Hospital Metropolitano
Avenida Mariana de Jesús y Nicolas Arteta y Calisto
Tel: (02) 226-1520, (02) 226-9030
Website: http://www.hospitalmetropolitano.org
254 Villa Lengua
Tel: (02) 226-2142
Clinica Alcivar
Coronel y Azuy Esquinas (Sur)
Tel (04) 244-4287, (04) 258-0030
Clinica Kennedy
Av San Jorge entre 9a y 10a
Tel: (04) 228-6963, (04) 228-9666
Ambulance: (04) 228-8888
Clinica Kennedy
Alvorada Guill Pareja R y Benj Carrion
Tel: (04) 224-7900
ADAMI
Tel: (02) 226-5020
UTIM
Tel: (02) 256-2613, (02) 256-2614
Aeromedevac Inc (US based)
Tel: 1-800-462-0911 (from the US)
Tel: 1-800-832-5087 (from Mexico)
Website: http://www.aeromedevac.com
Ambulancias Aereas del Ecuador
Tel: (02) 244-9191 (Quito)
Tel: 1-800-523-8930 (International SOS, US based)
Life Flight
Tel: 1-800-231-4357; Non-emergency tel: 713-704-4014;
Emergency tel: 713-704 HELP (4357)
Email: webmaster@lifeflight.com
Website: http://www.lifeflight.com
National Jets; tel: 1-800-327-3710
Website: http://www.nationalairambulance.com
Carefree Travel Insurance
Tel: 1-800-645-2424
International SOS
Website: http://www.internationalsos.com
Wallach & Co
Tel: 1-800-237-6615, (540) 687-3166
Email: info@wallach.com
Website: http://www.wallach.com
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT)
Tel: (716) 754-4883 (Lewiston, New York)
Website: http://www.iamat.org
Free membership with listings of doctors who speak English. There is a set fee for the first visit. This is a very good organisation funded by donations. Some donations include excellent climate and tropical disease charts covering the world.
Website: http://www.travmed.com
It is a very good source of general and specific information on travelling around the world and travelling to Ecuador.
Main Post Office
Eloy Alfaro 354 and 9 de Octubre
Open: Mon–Fri, 7.30 am–7:00 pm; Sat, 8:00 am–2:00 pm
Branch Post Offices:
Reina Victoria and Colón (Edificio Torres de Almagro).
Open: Mon–Fri, 7.30 am–5.45 pm; Sat, 8:00 am–11.45 am
Espejo y Guayaquil (between Guayaquil and Venezuela)
Open: Mon–Fri, 7:30 am–7:00 pm; Sat, 8:00 am–2:00 pm
Japón and Naciones Unidas
Open: Mon–Fri, 7:30 am–7:00 pm; Sat, 8:00 am–2:00 pm
Airport Mariscal Sucre (National Departures)
Open: Mon–Fri, 7:30 am–7:00 pm; Sat, 8:00 am–1:00 pm
The main post office is located at Pedro Carbo y Clemente Ballén. Another option for receiving your mail while you are overseas is by using a private company. Personal Mail International out of New Jersey offers such a service.
Tel: 1-800-548-3622, (973) 543-6001
Website: http://www.pmipmi.com
Most of the foreign embassies and consulate offices are in Quito. I have provided a list of foreign embassies and consulates in Quito and Guayaquil. Their addresses and telephone numbers are below but please take note that these are subject to change. To verify this information, here are some related websites:
http://www.goabroad.com/embassy
Argentina: Amazonas Ave. 477, 8th Floor
Tel: (02) 562-2921
Austria: Of Comercial, Av Gaspar de Villarroel E9-53
Tel: (02) 246-9468
Belgium: Av Rep de El Salvador 1082 y Av Naciones Unidas, Edf Mansión Blanca
Tel: (02) 246-4387
Bolivia: Av Eloy Alfaro 2432 y Fernando Ayarza
Tel: (02) 244-6652
Brazil: Av Amazonas 1429 y Colón, Edf. España
Tel: (02) 256-3086
Canada: 6 de Diciembre Avenida 2816 y Paul Rivet, Josueth Gonzales Building, 4th Floor
Tel: (02) 2232-114, (02) 2506-162
Chile: Juan Pablo Sanz 3617 y Av. Amazonas, Ed. Xerox, Floor 3 y 4
Tel: (02) 246-6780
China: Atahualpa 349 y Av Amazonas
Tel: (02) 243-3337
Colombia: Av Colón 1133 y Amazonas, Ed Arista, Floor 7
Tel: (02) 222-2486
Costa Rica: Rumipamba 692 y República, Floor 2
Tel: (02) 225-4945, (02) 225-6016
Dominican Republic: Av de los Shyris 1240 y Portugal, Edf. Albatros Of. 201
Tel: (02) 243-4232
Egypt: Baquedano 222 y Reina Victoria
Tel: (02) 222-5240
France: General Plaza 107 y Avenida Patrtia
Tel: (02) 256-0789
Germany: Avenida Naciones Unids y Avenida Repúbublica El Salvador
Tel: (02) 297-0822
Great Britain: Avenida Naciones Unidas y República El Salvador 14th Floor-City Plaz
Tel: (02) 297-0800
Holland: Avenida 12 de Octubre 1942 y Cordero–World Trade Center, Tower 1, 1st Floor
Tel: (02) 252-5461
Israel: Avenida 12 de Octubre y General Salazar
Tel: (02) 256-2152
Italy: La Isla y 111 y Humberto Albornoz
Tel: (02) 2561-077
Japan: Avenida Patria 130 y Juan Leon Mera
Tel: (02) 256-1899
Mexico: Avenida 6 de Deciembre N 36–165
Tel: (02) 225-8788
Peru: Avenida República de El Salvador 495 y Irlanda
Tel: (02) 246-8410, (02) 246-8411
Russia: Reina Victoria 462 y Roca
Tel: (02) 252-6375
Spain: La Pinta 455 y Av Amazonas
Tel: (02) 225-64373
Switzerland: Avenida Amazonas Xerox Building
Tel: (02) 243-4949
United States: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Patria
Tel: (02) 254-9083
Website: http://www.usembassy.org.ec
Venezuela: Av Amazonas 5546
Tel: (02) 224-6526
Ecuadorian–American Chamber of Commerce (Quito)
Edificio Multicentra 4 floor, La Nina y Avda. 6 de Diciembre, Quito
Tel: (02) 250-7450
Website: http://www.ecamcham.com
Ecuadorian–American Chamber of Commerce (Guayaquil)
Edificio Centrum 6th floor, Office 5, Francisco de Orellna Avenue, Kennedy Norte, Guayaquil
Ecuadorian American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles
701 N. Alvarado Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA
Tel: (1-323) 939-6568
Email: franklinfigueroa@hotmail.com
Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce
4100 Westheimer, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77027-4427, USA
Tel: (1-713) 877-8534
Email: james@eacc.org
Website: http://www.eacc.org
Export and Investment Promotion Corporation (CORPEI)
Cdla. Kennedy Norte, Avda. Francisco de Orellana y Miguel H. Alcívar, Edificio Centro Empresarial Las Cámaras, Torre de Oficinas, 2nd Floor, Guayaquil
Tel: (04) 681-550
CORPEI
Avenida 12 de Octubre y Cordero, World Trade Center Torre B office 1406
Website: http://www.corpei.org
Federación Ecutoriana de la Pequeña y Mediana Industría (CAPEIPI)
Avenida Amazones y Atahualpa, Centro de Exposiciones
Quito 2nd Floor, Quito
Tel: (02) 244-3388
Website: http://www.capeipi.com
Aguiar Law Group
Tel: (02) 256-4721
Website: http://www.aguiarlaw.com
World Trade Center, Building Tower II, 12th Floor, 12 Octubre y Cordero, Quito
Tel: (02) 225-4587
Bustamante Cia. Ltd
Tel: (02) 256-2680
Website: http:/www.bustamante.com.ec
Frave Real Estate
Corunia Av. 10 de Agosto 7080 y Amazonas, Quito
Tel: (02) 246-6217
Website: http://www.ecuainternet.com
Quito Real Estate Service
Calle Leonids Plza 353 y Roca
If you’re moving appliances or going to purchase appliances for your move to Ecuador, there is a very good company in New York called Appliances Overseas where you can purchase items plus have them shipped overseas:
Appliances Overseas
276 Fifth Avenue & 30th Street, Suite 407 New York, NY 10001-4509
Tel: (212) 545-8001
Email: help@appliancesoverseas.com
Website: http://www.appliancesoverseas.com
Academia Cotopaxi
Website: http://www.cotopaxi.k12.ec
Probably the best private school in Quito.
Alliance Academy
Website: http://www.alliance.k12.ec
Used primarily by Christian missionaries.
Inter-American Academy
Website: http://www.interamerican.edu.ec
Boston University
Website: http://www.bu.edu/abroad
College credit language and liberal arts programme in Quito. Also offers a tropical ecology programme with intensive fieldwork on the coast of Ecuador.
Elderhostel
Website: http://www.elderhostel.org
Offers numerous tours exploring Ecuador’s history and culture. They also offer a Spanish language programme.
Marist College
Website: http://www.marist.edu/international
Offers a programme with Pontifica Catholic University of Ecuador in Quito. Semester and full year programmes for variety of subjects including Ecuadorian studies.
University of Minnesota
Website: http://www.umabroad.umn.edu
Semester and year-long programme offered in numerous subjects including agriculture and Andean studies.
First Baptist Church (English), El Telérapho 281 y Juan de Alcántara
El Girón Church, Avenida 12 de Octubre y Veintimilla
El Batán Church, Av Gaspar de Villareal y 6 de Deciembre
English Fellowship Church, Villalengua 884
Presbyterian Church of Ecuador, Río Coca 1025
Iglesia de Jesuscristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Días Av Colón 706- y Almagro
Israelite Society Synagogue, 18 de Septiembre 954
CEIBA (Foundation for Tropical Conservation)
Website: http://www.ceiba.org/index.htm
Earthwatch Institute
Website: http://www.earthwatch.org
Partners of the Americas
Website: http://www.partners.net
Global Volunteers; tel: 1-800-487-1074
Website: http://www.globalvolunteers.com.
HCBJ World Radio
Website: http://www.hcjb.org
A number of Christian opportunities in technical fields and medicine.
Reformed Church in America
Website: http://www.rca.org
This organisation needs Doctors, Nurses, Construction and Agricultural Workers.
United Nations Volunteers
Website: http://www.unv.org
Volcano information may be obtained at
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/guag.html
Dates are normally written as day-month-year (3-1-2002). Full stops indicate thousand and millions, and commas are used for decimals, e.g. 1.101.800,10.