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Making
Calls to Ecuador
To
call Ecuador from abroad you must dial the international access
code (011 in the United States and Canada) followed by Ecuador's
country code (593), followed by the two-digit area code (see the
chart below), and finally the number (six digits). Here is a chart
of the calling codes of each province which are used wether calling
from another country or within Ecuador.
|
Area Code
|
Province
Names |
|
02
|
Pichincha |
|
03
|
Cotopaxi,
Tungurahua, Pastaza, Chimborazo and Bolivar |
|
04
|
Guayas |
|
05
|
Galapagos,
Los Rios and Manabi |
|
06
|
Carchi,
Esmaraldas, Imbabura, napo, Orellana and Sucumbios |
|
07
|
Azuay,
Caņar, El Oro, Loja, Morona Santiago and Zamora |
Making
Calls in Ecuador
In major cities, and most fair-sized towns, there are public phones,
most of which take only phone cards and are pretty much all either
Bell South or Porta. There are a few coin-accepting phones (usually
charging 10 to 20 cents) but theyīre not as common as you might
expect. Itīs highly reccommended to buy a 2 or 5 dollar phone card
from Bell South or Porta (Porta is cheaper) which are available
almost everywhere. Phone cards last for a long time (if you use
them only when you have to).
If,
by any chance, you canīt find a card phone, or only of the card
you donīt have, almost any place that sells thing (restaurants,
furniture stores, especially "Viveres" or convenience
stores) are usually happy to let you use theyīre phone for a fee
of 20 to 30 cents.
The
cheapest calls, whether local, inter-provincial, or international,
are made at the offices of Andinatel (the national phone company).
Fax service is also available at Andinatel. Expect to stand in line
to use either of these services.
Collect
Calls
Collect
calls are possible to a limited number of countries. In order to
connect with the phone system of a certain country from private
phones you can dial 999, then the appropriate country code: Argentina
(161) Brazil (177) Canada (175) Chile (179/166/168) France (180)
Great Britain (178) Spain (176) Switzerland (160) USA (AT&T
- 119, MCI - 170, Sprint - 171) and Venezuela (173). For more information
about this service call 105 for something like the operator, but
a lot harder to get through to.
Internet
Phone
Web-based phones like Net-Phone are getting more and more
accessible. Though calling is currently limited the US and Canada,
and some other South American countries, it will soon expand to
Europe and other parts of the world. Most of the internet cafes
in Quito have Net-to-Phone services.
Although
it has that quality of one-person-talk-at-a-time, itīs incredibly
cheaper than calling directly or calling collect. The internet cafes
generally charge about 20-25 cents per minute. If you have access
to a private computer that has either a headset or a mircophone
and speakers, you can also connect to various net-phone programs
which you can download, where you can make unlimited calls to the
United States and Canada for free, which is nice.
E-Mail
Internet cafes are becoming more and more common throughout
Ecuador, especially in Quito. Internet Cafes are most plentiful
in the La Mariscal, Quito's main tourist and commercial district.
The
services in Quito range from basic dial-up connections to top-of-the-line
cable and radio modems. Just walk down Amazonas or ask the hostel
or hotel where you are staying. Other travelers that have spent
more than a few days in Quito will also likely know where to find
the better internet cafes.
Postal Services
Air mail services between Ecuador and the Americas/Europe are in
general, quick and efficient. Postcards and air mail letters to
the US normally take between 7-10 days, and to Europe between 10
days and 2 weeks. When posting airmail mark each one with POR AVION,
otherwise it may not arrive until around year 2734.
Air
mail letters (up to 20g) and postcards cost about 30 cents to the
Americas and about 35 cents to the rest of the world. Letters cannot
be sealed with tape, instead you have to use glue, normally available
in Correos (Post offices). Parcels can be sealed before being taken
to the Correo, where the sender must complete a custom's declaration
listing contents and value. Parcel prices depend on weight and destination.
Two services are available: 4 week delivery and a more expensive
2 week delivery.
There
are several stationery stores along Colon (between 10 de Agosto
and Reina Victoria) and Veintimilla (between 9 de Octubre and Amazonas)
where you can also buy boxes, tape, Jiffy bags, bubble wrap, art
tubes and stationery in bulk. You can also find these items close
to one of Quito's many universities.
Post Office
Addresses in Quito
* Reina Victoria and Colon (Edificio Torres de Almagro)
Mon - Fri 0730 - 1745 Sat 0800 - 1145
* Espejo (between Guayaquil and Venezuela)
Mon - Fri 0730 - 1900 Sat 0800 - 1400
* Eloy Alfaro 354 and 9 de Octubre
Mon - Fri 0730 -1900 Sat 0800 - 1400
* Japon and Naciones Unidas
Mon - Fri 0730 - 1900 Sat 0800 - 1400
* Airport Mariscal Sucre (National Departures)
Mon - Fri 0730 - 1900 Sat 0800 - 1300
Receiving Mail and
Faxes in Ecuador
Although sending mail from Ecuador is usually fairly reliable, receiving
it is another story, itīs reccommended that you avoid getting things
of great value sent to Ecuador. However, if you donīt mind taking
the chance, you can usually have mail sent to your embassy (see
our list of Embassies in Quito),
as well as recieve faxes. You should be sure to check with you embassy
to see what services are available for you. Also the South America
Explorer's Club and American Express offices will receive mail and
faxes on your behalf if you are a member/client. Some travel agencies,
spanish schools, and hotels will offer e-mail, mail and fax services
for their clients and guests.
In
Quito, if you do not have an address or if expected mail takes too
long to arrive, you should go to the main post office at Eloy Alfaro
and 6 de Deciembre or Espejo. All incoming mail and mail that does
not have a specific address, or that has an incorrect or unidentifiable
address, will end up there unless specifically marked 'Correo Central
- Eloy Alfaro'. It is worth checking at both locations when trying
to locate mail. Be aware that mail may have been filed under your
first or middle name rather than your last name. To help ensure
that your long-awaited letters reach you, capitalize and underline
the letters in your last name. You will need your passport in order
to claim any mail. Address the letter with your name, lista correos
Eloy Alfaro or Espejo and Quito, Ecuador.
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