PICTURES OF THE COUNTRY.

They are great!
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Ecuador’s Authentic Hotels and Haciendas from North to South

Ecuador is beginning to attract more tourists to regions besides the Amazon, Quito (capital city), and the Galapagos Islands. Travelers are discovering the Andes highlands, Avenue of Volcanoes, coastal areas and southern Ecuador. Many travelers enjoy authentic experiences while staying in historic haciendas and hotels which offer organic foods, cultural inclusion, sustainable ecotourism, volunteer possibilities, and adventures

During my trip, I met gracious and enthusiastic proprietors who were eager to share stories, legends, history, and anecdotes about their hotel or hacienda. As an owner of Kaony Lodge put it, “I love what I do.” I sensed that his remarks were not an exception.

Haciendas are generationally-owned. Its descendants take great pride in keeping their family’s traditions alive. It is their life’s passion to preserve the properties. Their personalities, as well as the staff members, added life and learning to each stay.

Other owners found properties they loved and spent years restoring them. For example, Samari Spa Resort used to be a monastery, and Hotel Café Cultura was once the French Embassy. Each is unique and melded with its community.

Hungarian born, László Károlyl (owner of Hotel Café Cultura) recognized the uniqueness of these authentic accommodations. He chose thirteen from Quito (north) to Vilacabamba (south) and developed criteria for the group, “Exclusive Hotels & Haciendas.” “Exclusive” does not imply elitism in this case at all. Rather, it refers to this group of haciendas and hotels that represent various regions of Ecuador.

Each property is involved with the local community, uses local products, and is representative of Ecuador’s culture. They practice sustainable tourism and ecological practices leading to the “Smart Voyager” Certification.

Established in 2000 by the Ecuadorian NGO Conservation y Desarrollo, along with the Rainforest Alliance, this “Smart Voyager” Certification implements “best practices” in the tourism industry.

Its strict requirements for owners include contributing directly to the local economy and environment, reduction in the ecological impacts of tourism, while providing travelers with the opportunity to help local people and protect wildlife.

László’s “Exclusive Hotels and Haciendas” requirements--along with work towards the “Smart Voyager” certification—serves to assure travelers of a comfortable yet authentic experience which is beneficial to the environment, local people, and wildlife.

Search for more info on accommodation on Transitions Abroad Ecuador.

Ecuador's President Mr. Rafael Correa

Rafael Correa won the run-off vote in presidential elections in November 2006, promising a social revolution to benefit the poor.

He took up his post in January 2007, joining Latin America's club of left-leaning leaders, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales, who have not been shy in their criticism of the US and who have led a South American nationalisation drive.

Mr Correa, an outsider with no political party backing, moved quickly to secure the support of voters in a referendum for a special assembly to rewrite the constitution.

He said the new constitution was designed to hand more power to the poor and reduce the role of the traditional parties, whom he blames for the country's problems. Critics said it was solely aimed at increasing his powers.

Despite resistance from the opposition-led Congress, the revised constitution was approved by 64% of voters in a referendum in September 2008.

The new basic law also allowed Mr Correa to stand for re-election, enabling him to win a second term with a convincing election victory in April 2009.

Mr Correa is against Ecuador entering into a free trade pact with the US, saying it would hurt Ecuador's farmers. Talks on such a deal were frozen with his election.

He also refused to extend the US military's use of the Manta air base on the Pacific coast for drug surveillance flights after the treaty governing its use expired in 2009.

Read more at BBC News.

Where is my Embassy?

The embassies and consulates listed below will be able to provide detailed information about Ecuador:

Embassy of Ecuador in Canada, 50 O'Connor St., Ottawa, Suite 1311, ON K1P 6L2, Canada; Tel: (613) 563-8206; Fax: 613-235-5776.

Embassy of Ecuador to the United Kingdom, 3 Hans Crescent, London , SW1X 0LS, U.K.; Tel: 020 7584 8084.

Embassies in Ecuador:

United States Embassy in Ecuador, www.usembassy.org.ec. Patria and 12 de Octubre Avenues, Quito, Ecuador; Tel: (593) 2-256-2890; Fax: (593) 2-250-2052.

Canadian Embassy in Ecuador, www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ecuador/menu-en.asp. Av. 6 de Diciembre 2816 y Paul Rivet, Edificio Josueth González, 4th Floor, P.O. Box 17-11-6512, Quito - Ecuador; Tel: (011 593 2) 2232-114 and 2506-162; Fax: (011 593 2) 2503-108; quito@dfait-maeci.gc.ca.

British Embassy in Ecuador, www.britishembassy.gov.uk. Citiplaza Building, Naciones Unidas Ave. and Republica de El Salvador, 14th Floor, PO Box 17-17-830, Quito; Tel: (593) (2) 2970 800 / 801.

See where your embassy is at Transitions Abroad Ecuador.

DOING BUSINESS IN ECUADOR

STARTING A BUSINESS

STANDARDIZED COMPANY
Legal Form: Compana Limitada
Minimum Capital Requirement: 800
City: Guayaquil

Registration Requirements:

Procedure 1. Hire a lawyer to prepare the minutes of incorporation

Time to complete: 1 day

Cost to complete: USD 500

Comment: The minutes include the constituting contract, articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the company and the formation of capital. A lawyer has to prepare the minutes containing the contract for the incorporation of the company, and sign them. Those minutes have to be notarized by a Notary Public. The lawyer cannot notarize those documents. The cost includes all the operative expenses and the lawyer's fees.

Procedure 2. Register company name at the Superintendent of Companies

Time to complete: 1 day

Cost to complete: no charge

Procedure 3. Deposit 25% of paid-in capital in a special account of "Completion of Capital" (Integración de Capital )in the name of the company in formation

Time to complete: 1 day

Cost to complete: no charge

Comment: The minimum deposit for opening the "Completion of Capital" account is 25% of the share capital. Proof of approved company name has to be presented.

Procedure 4. Notarize the charter of incorporation and bylaws

Time to complete: 2 days

Cost to complete: USD 75 (varies)

Procedure 5. The lawyer presents the documents (attached with three certified copies of charter and bylaws) to the Superintendent of Companies for the approval of the constitution of the company

Time to complete: 5 days

Cost to complete: no charge

Comment: Registration fee is paid annually to the Superintendent. Cost of contribution is 1% of total assets.

The Superintendent of Companies cut the time of processing company applications as it has eliminated internal proceedings, increased the number of staff and used a better computer system. The entrepreneur can verify the stage of the registration procedure online.

Read all requirements on Allo' Expat Ecuador.