TN´S

FUMIKO SATO FROM JAPAN

DIEGO CANAVERAL FROM BELGIUM

AIESEC in Loja, local committee UTPL, congratulates you for your upcoming internship. We are very happy and excited to be receiving you in the near future. To get you prepared for this life changing experience, we have put together this reception package. You will find very useful information and links about your entry and your stay in Ecuador. We are also providing you with information such as the climate, the people, the Must-Go places in Ecuador, thetypical meals you will be tasting, the transportation, and much more.

If you have any concerns, comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact us anytime before your arrival in Loja. It is a pleasure for us to answer your needs and lead your discovery of our beautiful city, Loja, and make the best out of your internship.

AIESEC in Loja, LC UTPL

Campus Universitario San Cayetano Alto
3rd Building, 3rd Floor.

+593 7 257 0275, ext. 2105

Many rivers and abundant valleys turn it into a unique ecological mosaic where specimens of flora and fauna coexist, especially a great number of birds, among them the “pájaro chilalo” stands out. This bird sings in a peculiar way at six in the morning and at five in the afternoon, indicating to farmers the beginning and end of their working day.

The valleys of Loja are famous, not only for their beauty, but also for their secrets that have traveled around the world. The most known valley is Vilcabamba, also called “Sacred Valley” where time seems to have stopped for those who desire the secret of eternal youth.

Among the many tourist attractions is the Podocarpus National Park, which is one of the most important places for biodiversity conservation in the world and conserves large forest with gigantic trees. The petrified forest of Puyango, ancient caves and the legendary “Baño del Inca” in Saraguro emphasize that this is a different province.

The people in Loja are known for being friendly, cordial and hospitable. Loja holds a rich tradition in the arts and for this reason is known as the Music Capital of Ecuador. The most representative ethnic group in Loja are the Saraguros, who are the connection with the past. This population is recognized for its conservation of the customs and traditions of our ancestors.

Ecuador is a country located in the northwest and adjacent to the west coast of South americas, which borders the mainland to the north of Colombia and Peru to the south and east, in addition to coast in the Pacific Ocean to the west. It won its independence from Spain in 1822, becoming part of Gran Colombia along with the current Colombia, Venezuela and Panama, until his separation from the same in 1830.

Ecuador is a multicultural country with a rich cultural, natural and archaeological sites. It is named as a sovereign state, the Republic of Ecuador, named because of the equator, which crosses the territory of this country. It occupies an area of 256,370 square kilometers, which includes the Galapagos Islands, located about 956 kilometers from the mainland. Its capital is San Francisco de Quito and the city’s most populous country is Santiago de Guayaquil, one of the largest ports in South americas and main engine of the Ecuadorian economy. This country is divided administratively into 24 provinces, all but one mainland which consists exclusively of the Galapagos Islands, also known as Archipelago Columbus (although the coastal provinces also have a lot of islands near the coastline).

]]> http://touristguideofloja.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/map-of-ecuador/feed/ 0 AIESEC LC UTPL LOJA-ECUADOR http://touristguideofloja.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/country-entry-information-2/ http://touristguideofloja.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/country-entry-information-2/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:51:35 +0000 AIESEC LC UTPL LOJA-ECUADOR http://touristguideofloja.wordpress.com/?p=61 ]]> Airports

There are two international airports in Ecuador : the Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito or the Simon Bolivar Airport in Guayaquil. We recommend that you fly to Guayaquil (bus ride to Loja is shorter…) unless you want to take a flight to Loja.

Getting to Loja

By air:

From these airports, you will be able to take a flight to the Camilo Ponce Enriquez Airport in Catamayo which is located at 35 km from the city of Loja. Here are the fares for domestic flights between Loja and Quito/Guayaquil (information as of June 2008 ) :

Fares include: IVA 12%, airport taxes and national security rights.

When arriving at Camilo Ponce Enriquez Airport you can take a taxi to Loja.

Cost of taxi from airport to loja: 5.00 USD per person (4 people).

On land:

From Quito

Distance: 689Km (12 hours approximately)

Cooperativa de Transporte Loja

PRICE

Normal: $14.00 USD

Executive: $17.00 USD

From Guayaquil

Distance: 450Km (9 hours approximately)

Cooperativa de Transporte Loja

PRICE

NORMAL: $10.00 USD

EXECUTIVE: $12.00 USD

Consulate/officials contact information

http://www.mmrree.gov.ec/mre/documentos/representaciones/indice_embajada_extranjeras.htm

      Visa information

         Visit and Non Resident Visas (NON-IMMIGRANT)

Visas up to 90 days

Ecuador welcomes tourists and travelers from every country. United States citizens traveling to Ecuador for tourism, business, and studies do not require a visa unless they expect to stay in Ecuador for more than 90 days in one calendar year (that is, 90 days adding every entry in one year). The only travel requirements are:

Valid passport for more than 6 months.

Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).

Proof of economic means to support yourself during your stay in

Ecuador (may be asked by Immigration authorities)

Nationals of the following countries require a visa and should approach the Consulate of Ecuador of their residence (list may change without notice):

Algeria, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Lybia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine Authority, Panama, People’s Republic of China, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia and Vietnam.

If applying in the U.S., nationals of these countries will have to produce their valid U.S. visa or residence permit and fill out an application form (requirements listed above, plus 2 photographs).

Foreigners traveling in these conditions may not take employment in Ecuador. VISA 12-X status cannot be changed in Ecuador.

Visas for more than 90 days stay:

Foreign nationals planning to stay in Ecuador for more than 90 days need to apply for a visa and must present the following documents:

Valid passport for more than 6 months.

Police certificate with criminal record of the State where s/he resides.

Medical certificate.

Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).

Two photographs

              Application form Nationals of other countries applying for this type of visa in the United States must also present a valid US visa/green card.

The Consul acts as Notary Public of Ecuador, with competence to authenticate documents and legalize translations of documents into Spanish. Documentation to be used in Ecuador must bear the consular stamp.

Additionally, depending on the type of visa needed, the following requirements apply:

Student visas:

Certificate of course registration in an educational institution in Ecuador.

             Certificate of financial solvency (either a bank deposit of a reasonable amount to cover expenses –please inquire at the Consulate of your jurisdiction- with a letter stating the intention of the bank of forwarding to the student 10% of that amount per month OR a document signed by a relative stating that the student is supported by his/her family; OR a legal and duly notarized document indicating the student receives some other type of pension).

Validity: Up to one year, renewable.

Professional, technician, consultant, legal representative, or government

official visas:

              Documents showing s/he is required to stay in Ecuador for work related purposes and that her/his stay will be supported by the company/agency.

             Labor contract legalized by an Ecuadorian Labor Court.

             Technical or specialized professionals or industrial training personnel need a working permit from the Ministry of Labor.

              Managers, legal representatives, or executive officers, with also require a certificate from the Superintendency of Companies.

Validity: According to the appointment.

Clergy, volunteer workers, and other members of religious organizations:

              Certificate of the religious organization where the applicant will work in Ecuador, explaining why a foreign person is required, and a brief description of the tasks s/he will be assigned in Ecuador.

              A copy of the Decree in which the Government of Ecuador authorizes the organization to work in the country.

              A copy of the rules of the organization.

             A copy of the document stating the appointment of the legal representative of the organization in Ecuador.

Validity: Two years.

Cultural exchange visas:

              Teachers appointed to, or students participating in, exchange programs require:

              Application from the Ecuadorian authority sponsoring the student/teachers visit.

              A copy of the Agreement under which the program is carried out.

              Teachers must sign a document stating that s/he will not receive any Ecuadorian funds for his/her work.

Validity: One year.

Tourism, business, and other activities, for more than 90 days and up to 180

days:

              Foreigners who need to stay in Ecuador for over 90 days, for activities such as tourism, sports, studies, science and research, art, or business, will require:

             Certificate of financial solvency to the satisfaction of the Consular Officer (either a bank letter stating the applicant’s monthly balance OR a personal guaranty of an Ecuadorian citizen or a foreigner residing in Ecuador in a duly notarized document OR a certificate stating the applicant’s income OR any other document that proves the applicant has enough funds for his stay in Ecuador).

Validity: 90 up to 180 days.

Resident Visas (IMMIGRANT)

Foreign nationals may apply to settle in Ecuador and obtain the residence. Resident visas need to be approved by the Immigration Board in Ecuador, so upon correct presentation of all the documentation the process may take 4-8 weeks.

There are different categories, please inquire at the Consulate.

10­I Retired persons who receive pensions from their native countries (pension from a stable source, at least US$ 8,000 a year).

10­II Real estate and securities investors who are willing to invest in Ecuador the equivalent of at least 350 minimum monthly general salaries (S.M.V.G.), plus 100 SMVG per dependant, or amount specified by Consular Officer (in the U.S. at least US$ 15,000).

10­III Investors in industry who wish to export agricultural products, livestock, or minerals, provided they bring capital the equivalent of at least 600 minimum monthly general salaries to Ecuador, or amount specified by Consular Officer (in the U.S. at least US$ 25,000).

10­IV Companies with foreign local agents who possess unlimited power of attorney to represent the company in Ecuador, provided that 80% of the company’s local personnel are Ecuadorian.

10­IV Technicians or technical experts under contract with a company established in Ecuador.

10­V Professionals with university degrees recognized by a national university, who wish to practice their profession in Ecuador. Should the applicant’s profession not exist in Ecuador, the degree must be locally certified. The applicant must also fulfill the requirements for such practice (e.g. bar).

10­VI Individuals economically dependent on spouses or on a blood­related family member (family).

Malaria

Other vaccines

First aid kit

Medicine for dehydration

00 + Country Code + Area Code + Telephone

Example: calling to Montreal 00+1514+1587458

http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/

Cellphone providers

PORTA

MOVISTAR

ALEGRO