ECUADOR

• Travel Times: There are not currently direct flights from Paris to Ecuador, but one-stop flights (via Madrid, Amsterdam or the U.S.) are typical. The travel time from Paris to Quito or Guayaquil is usually around 12–13 hours including a short connection. For example, KLM via Amsterdam or Iberia via Madrid will get you to Quito in about 12 hours total (11+ hours flying time) . From the U.S., Ecuador is quite accessible: Miami to Quito/Guayaquil is ~4 hours, and from New York about 6 hours. Regionally, Ecuador’s capital Quito is a hub that’s a quick hop from Bogotá, Lima or Panama City. Note that Quito’s airport is about an hour outside the city, and if you plan to film in the highlands or Amazon, additional ground travel or domestic flights (like to Coca for the Amazon) may be needed.

• Weather: Straddling the equator, Ecuador offers relatively constant temperatures year-round, but climate varies by region: coast, highlands, and Amazon. The coastal region (and Galápagos) has a hot wet season roughly January to April (warm, humid, with periodic heavy rains) and a cooler dry season June to December (more overcast but little rain). The Andean highlands, including Quito (elevation 2,850m), have a mild spring-like climate year-round; days are ~20°C and nights ~10°C. There is a drier stretch June–September in the highlands, and a wetter season October–May, though even in rainy months it’s often clear in the mornings. The Amazonian east is hot (25–30°C) and humid with frequent rain year-round, with a slightly less rainy period December–February. Because Ecuador is small, one can theoretically move from one climate to another in a single day’s drive. For filmmakers, this means you can choose locations based on the time of year: e.g. shoot on the coast in the dry cooler months (Jul–Nov) for easier conditions, or take advantage of the clear summer (Jun–Aug) in the mountains for stable weather and great visibility of peaks. The Galápagos Islands, a unique location 1000 km off the coast, are best filmed in the cooler dry season (Jul–Nov) when seas are calmer and skies blue (though wildlife is abundant year-round). Importantly, at high altitudes sun exposure is intense (bring sunscreen) and weather can change quickly – always have rain gear and cold-weather clothing available when in the Andes, even if it’s sunny in the morning.

• Film Industry Considerations: Ecuador’s film industry is emerging, but the government and private sector are making strong efforts to attract international productions. You’ll find a growing number of production service companies and fixers primarily in Quito and Guayaquil. The local crews are enthusiastic, and while smaller in number, they are resourceful. For most foreign productions, especially commercials, you would hire a local production service company which can source a crew (many have experience on international jobs) and handle permits and logistics. English is not as widely spoken as in Costa Rica, but key crew (producers, some camera department folks) will speak enough English; otherwise a bilingual fixer/translator is needed to interface with Spanish-speaking technicians. Equipment: Basic film gear is available in-country (Quito has a couple of rental outfits with cameras like REDs or basic Alexa kits, lighting, and grip). However, for high-end needs, productions often bring in equipment from outside. Ecuador facilitates this by offering VAT and import tax exemptions on temporary imports – so bringing gear from, say, Colombia or the U.S. is relatively easy and tax-free . Additionally, under new incentives, payments to foreign crew or service providers aren’t taxed in Ecuador , simplifying hiring of international specialists. Permits: Ecuador’s permitting is generally straightforward except for environmentally sensitive areas. City filming in Quito or Guayaquil requires standard municipal permits (best obtained via a local producer who knows the process). For national parks (like Cotopaxi Volcano park or Galápagos National Park), special permits and park ranger oversight are mandatory. Galápagos in particular has strict rules – crew size may be limited and you must follow conservation guidelines closely – but filming is allowed with advance coordination with the Galápagos National Park Directorate. Filming in indigenous community areas (such as certain Amazon regions) may require community permission and hiring local guides, which a fixer can arrange. One advantage: Ecuador’s small size and less-hectic production scene can mean quick bureaucratic turnaround and a very personal level of cooperation from local authorities excited to host a foreign shoot.

• Recommended Shooting Locations: Despite its compact size, Ecuador is incredibly rich in locations, offering almost every terrain except arid desert. In the Andes highlands, you have stunning volcano landscapes – Cotopaxi (a cone-shaped snow-capped volcano) and Chimborazo (Ecuador’s tallest mountain) provide jaw-dropping backdrops for car commercials or adventure-themed visuals. There are high-altitude plains (paramo) with wild horses that can double for Tibetan highlands or other wild environments. The Quilotoa Crater Lake, an emerald lake in an extinct volcano caldera, is an eye-popping site for fashion or travel ads seeking a mystical vibe. Ecuador’s colonial cities are gems: Quito’s Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site) has beautifully preserved Spanish colonial architecture and churches, great for luxury or historical ambiance, while Cuenca offers European-style plazas and cobblestone streets in a quieter setting. In the Amazon basin, Ecuador offers lush rainforest, rivers and indigenous village settings – easily accessible from the town of Tena or Coca, you can capture dense jungles, waterfall cascades (like San Rafael Falls), and wildlife (though films requiring significant wildlife footage often work with controlled environments or animal handlers). Along the coast, there are scenic Pacific beaches – e.g. Los Frailes Beach (in Machalilla National Park) is a pristine crescent bay backed by cliffs, excellent for a tranquil beach scene. The Galápagos Islands are a world unto themselves: dramatic volcanic rock shorelines, turquoise waters, and fearless wildlife (sea lions on beaches, iguanas, giant tortoises). For a high-end brand, an shoot in Galápagos instantly communicates exclusivity and natural beauty – though logistically it’s a big endeavor, the visuals are unparalleled (the Galápagos have been one of Hollywood’s favorite exotic filming spots ). Another unique spot is Baños in central Ecuador, where lush mountains and waterfalls meet adventure sports – think swing at the “End of the World” or bridges perfect for dynamic lifestyle commercials. Additionally, Ecuador’s claim of having “four worlds” (Coast, Andes, Amazon, Galápagos) in one is not an exaggeration – you could film a tropical jungle, a high mountain, and a surf beach all within a couple days’ travel.

• Production Incentives: Ecuador has recently rolled out very attractive incentives to draw foreign productions. The headline benefit is a 37% rebate on qualifying audiovisual production expenditures . This comes in the form of the “Audiovisual Investment Certificate (CIA)”, essentially refunding 37% of the money you spend in Ecuador (one of the highest rebate percentages in the region). Importantly, this incentive applies to advertising productions as well , not just feature films. The process to obtain the rebate is designed to be simpler than in many other countries. In addition to the cash rebate, Ecuador offers a suite of tax exemptions: foreign productions get zero VAT on services – production services are VAT-exempt at the point of purchase with a certificate , and even if VAT is paid, it can be refunded. There’s also an exemption on the 5% currency remittance tax for foreign payments related to the production , and no withholding tax on payments to non-resident crew or suppliers . In essence, Ecuador is trying to eliminate taxation on production spend to maximize cost savings for you. To take advantage, a production needs to register with the Ecuadorian film authorities (through a local production company) and meet a minimum spend (which has been relatively accessible – details can be obtained from the film commission, but it’s designed to accommodate even medium-scale projects). With relatively low base costs (Ecuador touts some of the most competitive production costs in the region even before incentives ) and the robust 37% rebate, shooting in Ecuador can be very budget-friendly.

• Logistical Challenges: Ecuador’s challenges mostly come from geography and developing infrastructure. Altitude and terrain: Quito and many prime highland locations are high up – working at 3,000+ meters altitude means you need to allow time for cast/crew to acclimate and be prepared with high-altitude gear (crew should stay hydrated, and you might keep oxygen canisters on set for strenuous shoot days). Moving heavy equipment at altitude is more labor-intensive, so plan for slightly slower pace or additional manpower. Remote jungle and islands: If filming in the Amazon region, roads penetrate only so far – deeper locations might need canoe travel or helicopter/aerial support. Communication in the rainforest can be limited (satellite phones may be needed). The Galápagos are 2 hours by plane from the mainland, with flights only from Quito/Guayaquil and a strict weight limit on luggage/gear – you’ll likely have to charter cargo or arrange special freight for extensive equipment. On the islands, there are few vehicles and limited accommodations, so production size has to be kept in check and planned well in advance. Crew depth: While local crews are skilled, the pool is not large. For bigger shoots, you might bring in additional crew from neighboring countries (Colombia, Peru) – fortunately, the language and cultural similarities make integration easy, and the new incentives remove taxes on foreign crews. Permitting and bureaucracy: Though generally straightforward, certain permits (like those for protected areas or using drones in national parks) can take time and have specific rules. It’s advisable to hire a local production manager who knows the ins and outs of government procedures. Transportation: Ecuador’s main highways are decent, but mountain roads can be narrow and winding – if you have a convoy of trucks, travel times may be longer than distances suggest. Also, landslides can occasionally close mountain roads in the wet season. Flexibility is key – having backup locations or an extra day or two for unexpected delays is wise when tackling multiple regions. On the positive side, Ecuador is compact, so logistics are simpler than in a large country – and the production incentives are designed to help smooth out any hurdles by making the effort financially worthwhile. With good local partners, the challenges of filming in Ecuador can be managed, opening up a tremendous variety of unique locations for your project.