Culture and Customs
Gap Year in Quito Ecuador was the home of the Inca Empire (in the XV and XIV century). The Inca left an indelible mark and heritage in the capital. The original Inca language, Quecha, (now Quichua in Ecuador) was imposed on the population and is still spoken today by a quarter of all Ecuadorians.
However, Ecuador's official language is Spanish, but there are also ten native languages spoken here. English is the most widely spoken foreign language amongst tourist providers and professionals.
Indian culture is also still present in Ecuador. Each region of Ecuador has its own customs and own dress code. People that are familiar with the native dress can often tell roughly where an Indian is from, based on what they wear.
The cuisine in Ecuador is an incredible experience. Each region has its own specialities and you can expect to find a variety of foods from lemon marinated shrimps, toasted corn on the cob and a huge selection of sweet or savoury pastries.
As with most of South American countries, the United States of America has influenced Ecuador and in 2000 the US dollar became the official currency in Ecuador.
Wherever you go to volunteer in Ecuador with GapGuru, be it in the city, the Andes or on the coast, you will be impressed by the friendliness of the people who are always inquisitive and eager to share with you their own culture and customs.