Travel Answers

We are planning to visit Tena this June (2013) and need to discover what transportation options are available to and from Quito and Tena. Is there a reliable bus route / company that runs to Tena? Do we need a private car or taxi? Is the train another option, or other shuttle vans, etc..? How do we hire a car or taxi or find out info about the bus or train service? Thanks. I would appreciate your time and guidance.

From Terminal Quitumbe in Quito, Ecuador what bus do I take to the new airport? Will there be room for my suitcase. I have heard that it is a 2 to 3 hour trip to the new airport, but can't afford a taxi.

I will be traveling in Quito on May 1st/labor day. I saw some info stating all the workers will take the day off from work. So does that mean all the businesses incl restaurants will be closed? Any suggestions on what to do that day? Thanks!

1. Best flight schedule from NY Area? 2. How many days are suggested?

Does anyone have any information on English teaching in Quito or other locations around Ecuador? I plan extensive travel around the country and am thinking to help fund my travels around the country by teaching. I do have English teaching credentials which I hope will help. Any helpful feedback would be sincerely appreciated. As would any additional suggestions. Thanks.

I am heading to Quito next week and I was wondering if I need any electrical adapters to take with me or Ecuador electrical system is same as US? Many thanks

I'm completing a small research project in Quito at the Universidad de las Americas in January, and am looking for inexpensive accommodations that are within walking (or a short bus ride) from the university. I've heard about Traveler's Inn which seemed nice, but would love recommendations from others who have been through the area. Thanks in advance!

I have a child in Quito as part of his college major in the USA. His new ASUS computer died. They will not let him ship it home nor allow me to send a used computer as replacement, through the mail due to safety concerns. Does anyone know a computer repair store or an electronics store in Quito? He'll need his computer to write his papers and get his courses online. His "home family" does not own a computer and has not been able to assist.

Has anyone heard of Haugan Cruises ? ? Good or Bad experiences ? ? We are looking for a reputable/reasonable cruise in the Galapagos Islands ? ? Would prefer something longer then just the 7 or 8 days cruise ... as we would like to see and visit as many islands and sites as possible.... Any suggestions ? ? Thank you....

Hi gang! So I've sorted out the whole Galapagos and Amazon tour, now I really wanna pin down the other stuff before we start those tours! I need everybody's opinion on this itinerary: April 18 - arrive at 6:30pm, get settled in a hostel/hotel somewhere, have dinner (where?) 19 - One day tour to Laguna Quilotoa 20 - Get to Banos somehow and stay the night? 21 - get back to Quito and take a flight from Quito - Guayaquil and head over to Montanita (how?), partayy 22 - Relax and chill, go back to guayaquil and stay the night there 23 - fly out to Isla Baltra 23-29 - Galapagos tour 29 - Back in Quito 30 - May 3 - Amazon tour May 3 - back in Quito, maybe go to Mindo for the day? 4 - day tour to Mitad del Mundo and Museo de Sitio Intinan 5 - leave Ecuador :( It sounds incredibly busy but I really wanted to visit Laguna Quilotoa (is it really the most breathtaking sight? I did an alpine hike in NZ and the emerald lakes were stunning there) AND Banos (spa-feel, tempting fate by being so close to Volcan Tungurahua) AND chill out in Montanita for the weekend. When we finish our galapagos/amazon tours we have a day and a half left for Mitad del Mundo (gotta have that picture ya know) and the real equator line in Museo de Sitio Intinan. Is Mindo too far then? Is this itinerary completely crazy? Any advice and recommendations very much appreciated!

Hello! I am looking for someone who would like to summit Cotopaxi with me tomorrow. The total cost is222 and includes all expenses (transport from Quito, lodging, cold weather and mountaineering gear. You only need a camera! Thanks, John PS - more info about Cotopaxi :en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotopa...

I'm flying into Quito with two other people on a Sunday and am trying to get to Esmeraldas. It doesn't appear that there are any commercial flights available until the following tuesday. Does anyone have any knowledge or info regarding chartering a small plane to fly on a Monday? All of the searches I have done on the internet have found only large commercial charters. Thanks for any info you might have! -Chad

Hello everybody, during our trip to Sth America we are visiting the Galapagos islands for a couple of days. We certainly do not need all of aur luggage over there. Does anybody have an experience about luggage storage in Quito(perhaps at he airport)? Tks in advance Reinhard Brandt

Hi! In two months my husband, I and our 5 year old daughter are moving to Quito for a couple of months. At the moment we are considering the possible neighbourhoods we could search for an apartment. We would like to stay in a neighbourhood with some facilities like a close supermarket, market, kindergarden, children´s playground, park, public transport as we don´t drive. We would also prefer some safer and quieter place and neither very expensive nor very cheap, somewhere in between. Would anyone give us some useful advice? Thanks a lot Eminita

Hello, My boyfriend and I are traveling to Ecuador for the Christmas holiday from Dec 23-Jan 1st. We fly into Quito. Initially, we thought we might go to Otavalo first (which we may not do due to it being very touristy) then head south towards Tena and the Oriente region. Also, we have considered the Quilota Loop. However, with such a short amount of time there I want to do as much quality things as possible. To give you an idea of what we are looking for…. We have traveled extensively through Mexico, Central America and Cuba and my boyfriend hiked Machu Piccu last year. Our main joy is experiencing the indigenous people in communities. We are not so much into hiking or white water rafting - just hanging out with people and learning. We speak Spanish (pretty good) and I hope to have some Quechua phrases under my belt by then! (Ha! Easier said than done!) ☺ Each time we travel we bring clothing to the children so therefore would like to find any communities with an orphanage or a small community with a local leader or even a church that can distribute to those in need. We would also like to do home stays as part of our trip and contribute to local families as much as possible. Please write back with any information or suggestions you may have, as we are very excited to come to Ecuador! If it is easier we can always call you! If so please send your phone number or SKYPE name! Best, jennifer

OK, I am going out on a limb here........have never responded to any scary web stuff although I have read many. So please don't SPAM me. So........my 30 year old son and I...yeah I am old want to straddle the Equator so we are going to Ecuador. Actually not as expensive for flights as you think. I know this seems weird but sometimes you just have to do something you always wanted to do and how cool that my son agreed to go with me? Anyway - 5 days. What should we do? I want to experience Ecuador in the few days we have. So, any recommendations on housing - think cheap but not rat infested :) No fear of buses, taxis, etc. I speak Spanish (not fluent but OK). Where is the best place to straddle the equator? Any super great ideas on nearby sites? Not too strenuous but I can hike a few miles. This is very wordy but, hey, hotel/tours/ any advice? Thanks in advance, Jackie

I'm going to be staying in Quito for several months and looking for a neighborhood to live in that would have gyms, dance and yoga studios, natural food stores, a more artsy oriented community. Any suggestions on locations? Low to mid price range for an apartment. Do you know of any sites that would advertise for apartments other than Craigslist, a local site? To stay within the framework of the Guidelines, you can email me any links? Thanks.

Hi, we travelling throughout Ecuador and have been given advice by our hotelier NOT to travel via bus from Quito to Banos. I wonder if this an "upsell" for a private driver at a rather expensive cost.

Hi People I am really hoping to watch the boxing this Saturday in Quito. Does anyone know of a bar that is or might be showing the it. Many thanks

What is the safest form of travel from Quito to northern, rural Ecuador? Is there a way to hire a driver that is trustworthy? ( I have recently read some warnings about traveling by cabs in Ecuador, especially for tourists and women.) Any suggestions?

Hi, My husband and I will be in Quito for 3 days next week before our OAT tour begins. We are interested in the tourist train trip to the Cotopaxi area-- I have read that it departs daily, and elsewhere that it departs only on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks for any help and advice, LibraryLady

Hello, I am traveling to Quito the last week of November with the hopes of visiting the convent where Our Lady of Good Success appeared in the 17th century, also praying and attending mass there and if possible, venerating the incorrupt body of Sister Mariam, the Lily of Quito. Does anyone know how I can arrange to visit the convent and see the holy statue, I have read it is only for viewing at certain times and November was not one of them, any information you can give would be appreciated, even a local travel agency that conducts local Catholic tours, etc would be a big help, thank you, Kevin USA

Im staying in Quito at the Hotel Quito and would like to go to the middle of the world this weekend. Can someone give me some info on the easiest way to get to it. Thanks!

Hi, I am looking to travel from Quito to Lima by bus in November 2011. I can leave Quito as early as the 16th of November but need to be in Lima by evening of the 20th. So that give 5 days for travel. Can anyone suggest an Itinerary that I could take? Would be traveling with my girlfriend and we would like to travel by day if possible so we can see things as we go, rather than during the night. From research I have done it seems international buses only leave on certain days. Is it possible to depart any day from a desternation in Equador and cross into lima by bus, other than by local buses to border? Also would like to cross boarder without having to get off bus and wait for another if at all possible. Any suggestions? Thanks heaps Dev

Landing around 11pm would I make it to the old town by midnight? thanks

I need help on this please... I will be traveling to Quito in November. I am on a budeget but prefer a hotel over a hostel. I see the Eugenia Hotel which is in the north part of town looks pretty decent for the rate vs. Real Audencia Hotel in the Old town. Does anyone know anything about these hotels? Are these good choices?. On the internet anything can be made to look good but I dont want to be scared when I get there. Anyput would be most appreciated:)

We would like to experience as much of the country as we can. We fly into and out of Quito but have 7 full days to sight see. We will be using planes, busses, etc. to travel around and would appreciate suggestions of an itinerary from those in the know. We are in our late 50's and appreciate luxury on a moderate to budget price scale. We don't want to overschedule ourselves so as not to enjoy our time there but hope to get a taste of as much of Ecuador as makes sense.

Writer/Producer/Musician has driver who was recommended to me. He has an executive van. Seeking fellow travelers who have a compatible itinerary with mine to share van. My itinerary as follows: Monday, October 4 - Quito to Tena Wed., October 6 - Tena to Cuenca Monday, October 11 - Cuenca to Loja Any of these schedules work for you? Please reply!

I was fortunate to live in Quito in 1994-95 while teaching at the American-International School. This winter I'm returning to visit for a couple weeks. I was glad to see the Folklorio Dance is still continuing. How far from the airport is the theater they perform in and can i buy tickets at-the-door? Also, is there still an arts-and-crafts market across the street from Hotel Colon? If so, which days? On Fridays we used to go hear classical music performances for free but I have forgotten where they were held. My friend, Anne, and I are coming in December or February and plan to travel in Quito, Mindo and Cuenca. I am extending my stay and plan to go whitewater rafting somewhere near Cuenca or Quito. Any suggestions? I am an avid canoeist at home and frequent Class1-3+ rapids. Many thanks for any insights and information you can give me. I remember my time in Ecuador fondly. Oh, in 1995 we were using the Sucre. I understand it has changed to dollars? (Ecuadorian dollars? US dollars?) I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi does anyone have any suggestions for accommodation in colonial Quito for the budget conscious? thanks