Travel Blog

Currency
New Zealand’s unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$) and foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres. All major credit cards are accepted in New Zealand and travellers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. ATMs are widely available.

How far will your money go?
Approx
A hotel breakfast                                               NZ$10‐ $25
Lunch snack/sandwich                                   NZ$5 ‐ $10
Cafe lunch                                                             NZ$10 ‐ $15
A postcard stamp to anywhere abroad    NZ$1.50
Big Mac Hamburger                                          NZ$3.95

Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory but can be carried out at your discretion for any good service you receive.

Peaks season for tourism are from the middle of the December to January and from June to August. Rainy season lasts from January to April; it is the best time for diving in The Galapagos Islands. The best time for hiking in high mountains is June – August, for traveling in Oriente – from September to February.
The weather here changes several times a day. In general, Ecuador has two seasons: dry and rainy. Features of local weather conditions depend on geographic location. Ocean influences the coast and the Galapagos Islands making the weather between January and April very hot and rainy, it’s not the best time to come. Dry season in the highlands lasts from June to September and in the Christmas period. The rainy season in the mountains is not so rainy. In the central valley is year-round spring, the air temperature does not rise above 24 ° C (75,2 ° F). It rains all year in Oriente. July and August are the rainiest months, and period from September to December is the driest time. The air temperature is the same as on the coast.

Ecuador is a country on the west coast of South America, lying in the equatorial zone of the Andes. It has borders with Colombia in the east and with Peru in the south. In the west Ecuador is washed by the Pacific Ocean (coastline length is 2,237 km). Ecuador in Spanish means “equator”, hence the name of the country lying on both sides of the conventional line.
0 degrees, 0 minutes, 0 seconds – geographical definition of the breadth in 24 km from Quito. There, at an altitude of 2850 m above sea level passes a line of the equator. Tourists who come to the monument erected at the equator one leg stand in the Northern Hemisphere, the other – in the South. Ecuador holds a unique geographical position in South America. And throughout the world there is no country that combines such a variety of climatic zones on such a small area.
The composition of Ecuador also includes the Galapagos Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, a thousand kilometers from the coast (in Spanish, “Galapago” – ivory turtle). The country is divided into four geographical regions: Costa – coastal plain – is little more than a quarter of the territory; Sierra – Central Piedmont – the plateau surrounded by mountains, the Oriente or eastern jungle, which occupy about half of the country, the Galapagos islands – 13 large and 17 small islands of volcanic origin. Area of the islands is 7,800 square kilometers. The total area of the country is 283.6 thousand square kilometers. Galapagos is widely known for its beauty, landscapes and local ecosystems. This made it possible to create the first reserve of the country.
All four geographic regions of Ecuador are easily accessible for hiking and have their unique features: the snows and volcanoes of the Andes, the Amazon jungle, hot Pacific coast and the

Ecuador is one the best places on the planet for alpinism and hiking, kayaking and diving, surfing and paraplanerism. Cotopaxi National Park which lies in 60 km south of Quito is a lovely area for climbing and trekking. Volcano of the same name with a strikingly symmetrical conical peak rises 5,897 meters above sea level. Routes of the highest category of complexity has the highest peak in the country – Chimborazo (6310 m), which in the Indian language means “mountain of snow”. Farther south, in Banos, you can find plenty of slopes for the simpler route, while nearby is a complex of hot springs. Near Cuenca, in the nature reserve of Las Cajas, between picturesque lakes and the cold landscape of the foothills laid excellent hiking trails. A trip to the Amazon jungle has always been among the most extreme adventures that are available on this planet. Tours to the jungle depart from Misahuali, Kok, Baños, Dureno, Tena and Quito.

Ecuador has all the natural conditions for water sports. Good beaches can be found near Atakames, San Vicente, Bahía de Caráquez, Bahía de Manta, Salinas and Playas. The National Park of Oriente, in the two reserves and eight protected areas, are equipped with numerous hiking trails and parking. Tours in traditional boats and launches are organized on tributaries of the Amazon to the heart of the jungle.

ChristchurchHome to many scenic gardens and parks and its close proximity to the ski‐fields and other attractions in the Southern Alps make it a popular destination.

KaikouraKaikoura is well known for its whale watching and opportunities to swim with dolphins. It has a beautiful setting at the base of the Kaikoura mountain range with numerous tracks leading up through the mountains.

QueenstownThis is very much the adventure capital of New Zealand and is well worth a visit. Activities on offer include: jet boating, bungee jumping, paragliding, white water rafting, sky diving, mountain biking and much more.

The West CoastThe South Island’s West Coast is full of natural beauty. Taking a walk up the Franz Josef Glacier, which changes almost daily due to its unusually fast flow is just one day well spent in this astonishing landscape.

Auckland

This is the largest city in New Zealand and is packed with culture and diverse scenery; from volcanic hills to bays and beaches. It is known as “City of Sails” because of its placement between two harbours; home to hundreds of yachts and the Auckland harbour bridge. Day and night, you won’t be short of things to do in Auckland.

Mount Maunganui

Known as ‘The Mount’, the town itself is located on top of a sand bar that connects it to the mainland. It is well‐known for surf culture, hosting the Northern Regional Surf Championships (NRC’s), though parts of the beach are notoriously dangerous.

PaihiaThis is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island. The bay is a 16km‐wide natural habour and is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country.

RotoruaThe thermal activity here is at the heart of much of Rotorua’s tourist appeal. Geysers, mud‐pools, hot thermal springs and the Buried Village (Te Wairoa) which was buried by the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption, all within easy reach from the city.

Taupo
The panoramic views over the lake and across to the volcanic mountains of Tongariro National Park will take your breath away. You could also try some of the activities on offer here, including: jet boating, sky diving, bungee jumping and paragliding.

Waitomo
The area is known for the popular limestone Waitomo Caves with amazing stalactite and stalagmite displays and the presence of glow worms.

Wellington
New Zealand’s capital city is host to a vibrant arts scene, café culture and some excellent nightlife as well as the Museum of New Zealand ‐ Te Papa Tongarewa.