News affecting holidays in Ecuador - transport, visas, news and more http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/ Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:15:00 GMT People with an upcoming cruise to the Galapagos Islands will note that the La Cumbre volcano on the uninhabited island of Fernandina began erupting on Saturday afternoon after a dormant period of four years. Galapagos National Park officials have said that the eruption does not pose any risk to either locals or tourists but that wildlife is likely to be affected by the lava flows and ash deposits. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=1 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:15:00 GMT Noting the recent implementation of many of the measures suggested to protect the Galapagos Islands' delicate and unique ecosystem, UNESCO have confirmed that they will be looking at the possibility of removing the Galapagos from their list of endangered World Heritage Sites. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=2 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:50:00 GMT Guayaquil, on Ecuador's Pacific Coast is in many ways a perfect base for Galapagos cruises, but has until recently been held back by a shortage of top-quality hotel accommodation. This looks set to change, however, with the announcement by the Swissotel group that they plan to construct a brand-new, 35-floor hotel in Guayaquil. With a couple of other leading hotel groups also looking at Guayaquil, the city looks set for a real hotel renaissance. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=3 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:30:00 GMT We've been saying it for ages, but the rest of the travelling public seems to be catching on as well: Quito has just been chosen as one of the top 25 destinations in South America by the readers and contributers of the internet site, TripAdvisor. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=4 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:15:00 GMT The Ecuadorean cost, and in particular the coast of the Manabi province, is a great place to be right now to see the migration of Humpback whales. Cruises depart daily from Puerto Lopez, just near the Machalilla National Park, to head out into the Pacific and catch sight of these fabulous creatures as they breach the surface. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=5 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:45:00 GMT The island of Isabela is a popular part of many Galapagos cruises, and is famous for its giant Alcedo tortoises, dolphins and whales, and also for its active volcanoes. One of these, Cerro Azul, has recently erupted after a decade-long inactive phase. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=6 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:30:00 GMT Moves are underway to renovate a southern portion of the rail network in Ecuador to provide an alternative to the popular Devil's Nose train ride as part of holidays in Ecuador. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=7 Fri, 09 May 2008 11:50:00 GMT Planning a holiday in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest? A recent case of Yellow Fever in the Brazilian Amazon, close to the border with Ecuador, has resulted in the provincial administration of Sucumbios in Ecuador requiring all visitors to show a valid yellow fever innoculation certificate. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=8 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:50:00 GMT Holiday-makers travelling through Ecuador to Colombia will no doubt be aware of the current high state of tension between the two countries, following the Colombian army's attack on a FARC rebel training camp located just inside Ecuador. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=9 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:50:00 GMT If you are planning an Ecuador holiday in the next few weeks you should be advised that Ecuador is currently experiencing some of the heaviest rains it has seen for 20 years. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=10 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:05:00 GMT Anyone in Ecuador on holiday near the volcano of Tungurahua should be aware that increased volcanic activity has led the Geophysics Insitute of Ecuador to increase the alert level for the Baños area from yellow to orange. Some villages on the western slope have been evacuated and put under red alert, although this is described as only a precaution. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=11 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:25:00 GMT A new electronic ID card has been introduced for anyone travelling to the Galapagos Islands, whether as part of a cruise or holiday, or for Ecuadorean nationals looking to work or settle. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=12 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:25:00 GMT When looking at flights for your Ecuador holiday, you already have several options but these are set to expand in 2008 with a variety of new connections being offered, both regionally and to the United States. The US flights in particular will be of interest to holiday-makers from the UK, who can pick up cheap transatlantic flights and benefit from these improved connections with Ecuador. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=13 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:15:00 GMT The cruise season in Ecuador has begun with the arrival of the transatlantic cruise liner "Alexander Humboldt" in the port of Manta. The start of the season is eagerly awaited in Manta and cruises will be arriving and departing for the next six month. According to the local council's Director of Tourism, the arrival of 30 cruise liners is confirmed so far, with hopes of more to come. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=14 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:35:00 GMT Those planning to arrive in Guayaquil to start their Ecuador holiday may have to make a slight adjustment to their plans - the airport is closing for maintenance work for most of the weekends in November! http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=15 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:20:00 GMT Due to the high numbers of holiday-makers who wish to enjoy cruises to the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos National Park authorities have announced that with immediate effect, they will be requiring all visitors to purchase an electronic transit control card to enable them to better track numbers entering and leaving the islands. http://www.therealecuador.co.uk/guide/news.aspx?id=16 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:45:00 GMT