IX.  BUSINESS TRAVEL

-  Business Customs

Business customs in Ecuador are similar to those in other Latin
American countries.  Ecuadorians are formal people when engaged
in business relations.  Suits and ties are the norm.  Business
meetings are conducted in offices or restaurants, the latter
often used in order to get better acquainted with a potential
working partner.  Meetings normally start somewhat after the
appointed time.  Americans should be punctual.  Normal office
hours are 9:00 - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Small talk
usually proceeds discussion of business.

With regard to social courtesies, Ecuadorians are very polite and
well mannered.  Superiors are treated in a friendly but
respectful way, and the use of a title (such as doctor, economist
or engineer) before the name is common.  Business is conducted in
Spanish.  Efforts by Americans who are not fluent in Spanish to
speak it are appreciated.  Interpreters are available for
Americans who do not speak Spanish.  For visits to Ecuadorian's
homes, a gift such as flowers is appreciated.

-  Travel Advisory and Visas

Ecuador is a stable country, where terrorism is not a concern.
However, student, worker and indigenous demonstrations occur with
some frequency in the countryside as well as in the major cities.
These involve rock throwing, looting and other random violence.
Petty crime is a problem in some areas of Quito and Guayaquil.
Hotel accommodations in the major cities for business visitors
are excellent.  Medical care is available but varies in quality.
U.S. citizens have been the victims of legal harrasement by
business associates, including arrest.

A passport and a return/onward visa are required for a 90 day
stay.  Travelers without a visa cannot extend this stay beyond 90
days.  For current information concerning entry and customs
requirements for Ecuador travelers can contact the Ecuadorian
Embassy at 2535 15th St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009, tel 202-
7200 or Consulate in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco,
Chicago, New Orleans, Newark, New York and Houston.

-  Holidays

Good Friday           April 1
Battle of Pichincha   May 24
Founding of Guayaquil July 25 (Guayaquil only)
Independence Day      August 10
All Souls Day         November 2
Independence of
Cuenca                November 3
Founding of Quito     December 6 (Quito only)

- Business Infrastructure

There are frequent thirty minute flights between Quito and
Guayaquil (travel by road between those cities takes more than a
day) and less frequent flights to other main cities.  Highways
are almost all two lane and are hazardous.  Driving at night is
not recommended.

Spanish is the official language and the norm for both spoken and
written business communication.  However, English is often spoken
by the business elite.  Telephone service within the country is
poor, but international connections are good, although expensive.

Comfortable modern housing is readily available in Quito and
Guayaquil.  Apartments and townhouses are more commonly used by
foreigners than free standing houses.

There are numerous health hazards in Ecuador, principally caused
by contaminated water and food.  Gastrointestinal problems are
frequent.  Cholera is present in parts of Ecuador but visitors
who follow proper precautions are not usually at risk.  Malaria
is present in the coastal areas and Amazon lowlands.  All types
of food are readily available, but proper preparation is
essential.  There are a wide variety of excellent restaurants in
the main cities.