The official language of Ecuador (and therefore Galapagos) is Spanish. However, English is widely spoken and understood at hotels, restaurants and tourist shops.
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Is English common in Ecuador?
Spanish, the official language of Ecuador, is spoken throughout the country, although for many indigenous people it is their second language.It’s helpful to know a smattering of Spanish in order to get around; however, most Ecuadorians in the tourism industry speak English (and sometimes French or German as well).
Are people friendly in Ecuador?
Ecuadorians are generally nice and hospitable to visitors and tourists, but that won’t keep them from making fun when they see gringos trekking the Amazon in a thick poncho or hiking a volcano in flip-flops.
Do you need to speak Spanish in Ecuador?
The official language of Ecuador is Spanish, but many different languages are spoken here. Many of the Native population speak Quechua, which is an Incan language and which has a number of dialects of its own, but in addition local people may speak other indigenous languages such as Awa pit and Shuar.
What are the top 3 languages spoken in Ecuador?
Today, Spanish spoken in Ecuador has 3 distinct regional variations: Amazonic, Andean, and Equatorial Coastal. The most widely spoken variants are Andean Spanish, spoken in the highlands, and Equatorial Coastal Spanish, spoken from the northern border with Colombia and the southern border with Peru.
How safe is Ecuador?
Ecuador’s crime rate is very high. Drug trafficking, violent attacks, petty theft, and scams occur pretty much every day. On top of that, there’s a high risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.
Are Ecuadorians rude?
Ecuadorians are indirect communicators who speak diplomatically and with courtesy. They view blunt communication as extremely rude. If they want someone to do something, they will generally flatter the person so that it would then be difficult for them not to agree.
What is considered rude in Ecuador?
Body Language
Yawning in public is rude. Fidgeting with hands and feet is distracting and considered impolite. Holding out a hand, as though to shake hands, and twisting it back and forth means “no.” It is impolite to point at someone.
Is life in Ecuador good?
Wikipedia Good living, great weather and excellent medical care make Ecuador the top spot for retirees. The tiny country of Ecuador has been voted the best place in the world to retire to.
Is Ecuador a good place to learn Spanish?
As for learning Spanish, there’s no better place than Ecuador. Accents generally are not thick, fast, nor difficult to understand for a beginner Spanish-speaker. Ecuadorians are also extremely polite, so you will learn Spanish with many please’s, thank you’s and sorry’s.
What is the dialect of Ecuador?
SpanishEcuador – LanguageEcuador – Language
Ecuador’s official language is Spanish, but Quichua, the lingua franca of the Inca Empire, is spoken by many of the indigenous people.
What language do they speak in Peru?
The 2007 Census of Peru records just four major languages, although over 72 indigenous languages and dialects are spoken in the country. Around 84% of Peruvians speak Spanish, the official national language. Even so, over 26% of the population speaks a first language other than Spanish.
Why are Ecuadorians called monos?
11. Mono — Literally means “monkey,” but the slang refers to coastal Ecuadorians. This is sometimes used lovingly, for example, when a coastal girl is called by the nickname la mona or la monita. Other times it’s used not-so-lovingly by people from other regions.
How do you say pretty in Ecuador?
Tell a woman she is pretty.
For a good looking male, you would use the phrase “guapo.” For a woman, “eres guapa” means “you’re pretty.” If you want to say someone is stunning, say, “eres deslumbrante.”
How do you say happy birthday in Ecuador?
Feliz cumpleaños – this is the literal translation of “happy birthday” in Spanish. Feliz cumple – cumple is a more colloquial way of saying birthday and is widely used in the Spanish-speaking world.
What is the main religion in Ecuador?
Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic is the most common religion affiliation in Ecuador.
What are 5 interesting facts about Ecuador?
Ecuador Facts: 10 Fascinating Things You Didn’t Know
- Ecuador means “equator” in Spanish.
- Yasuni Park is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet.
- The Galapagos Islands inspired the Theory of Evolution.
- Chocolate has a long history in Ecuador.
- Ecuador is where to find orchid flowers.
What is Ecuador famous food?
Ecuador Food and Drink
- Cuy: Roast guinea pig.
- Locro: Soup of potatoes, corn, cheese and avocado.
- Empanadas: Corn pasties stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables.
- Llapingachos: Cheesy potato cakes.
- Seco de chivo: Goat stew usually served on special occasions.
- Ceviche: Raw seafood ‘cooked’ in lime and chilli.
Is Ecuador expensive to live?
Ecuador is one of the least expensive countries in the world in which to live. Everything from the price of real estate and rent to the cost of hiring a full-time maid and dinner out is lower. And you won’t have to forego First-World conveniences in major cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca.
Is Ecuador expensive to visit?
Money in Ecuador
Budget travelers can expect to spend about $40-50/day and mid-range travelers should expect to pay about $50-100/day. High-end travel varies widely, as luxury hotels and lodges can cost $300-500/night.
What is housing like in Ecuador?
Here is what you can generally expect: The Mountains – Most homes are made of brick or cement block. Old colonial homes were constructed with mud, clay and straw. Roofs are usually clay tiles or flat cement rooftops where clothes are hung out to dry.