Ecuador Travel Forum

We are 4 students going to do their internship in Guayaguil Soto Mayor. We are looking for a house to rent together. Can anybody please help us find a furnished house for rent in a safe neighbourhood?
We arrive on 1 february 2010 and our departure date is 8th of may 2010.
Any help would be much apreciated! Thanks form Belgium...

Hi there,

please comment if you have any info on this:

I am traveling in November and December.

Looking to travel Quito To Cuzco. Airlines online are 500$+...

Anyone ever traveled on a charter flight for cheap ? Anyone have connections with travel agents down there ?

Train: Is there a train I can take ? How long is it ? Connections ?

Bus: I heard it takes 2+ days and buses dont show up on time etc.

What is most recommended way of traveling ?

Thanks to everyone that replies.

Alex

Hi, Can anyone recommend a safe and convenient accommodation in Quito? We thought it would be nicer to stay in the Old town (Lonely Planet writes it's relatively safe now, safer than Mariscal district), as this is closer to the bus terminal. We are looking for a safe and comfortable place that costs about $ 45 maximum or less (including tax and breakfast). We're considering the following options:

Hotel Internacional Plaza de Teatro - Anyone ever stayed here?
Hotel Cathedral Internacional
Hotel Hotel Viena Internacional
Hotel San Francisco de Quito
Hotel Real Audiencia
Hotel Auca Continental

Many thanks!

Am I correct in thinking that to get a good view of the islands one has to take some sort of cruise?

It looks like there are 4D/3N, 5D/4N and 8D/7N trips, but I can not figure out which length of visit would be enough? Perhaps VT members can help me decide.

I am not interested in packages with mainland hotels, etc. So what tour group, cruise or ship would you recommend?

I'm hoping to catch the mama negra festival in Latacunga this November {2009}. Some sites say that it is November 7th, others say Nov 11th. Is it several days of festival, or just one? If there is more than one day, which is the best day to go? Does anyone know the exact date of the festival for this NOvember 09? Any insight for a good place to stay? Any info would be a great help! Thanks!

Hi VTers!
I´m planning to visit "el oriente" in Ecuador and we would like to see the real wild rainforest (no fancy resorts or stuff like that) for 3-4 days.
What would be a good place to start and find a trustable local guide at a reasonable price?
Thanx a lot,
Susana

Hi all!
I would like to fly from Quito to Galapagos islands as cheap as possible. Any recommendation?
Thanks a lot in advance
Susana

Does anyone know if I am correct about a retirement visa needing documented proof of income of at least $800 per month and $100 for dependants? My husband and I are working on a way to retire there but would not have a pension, just an income which could be documented. Any advice will be great.

Hi, mid-December I will travel by plane from Cuenca to Quito. I read this should be a beautiful flight over the avenue of volcanos. Can anyone tell me which side of the plane gives the best views; should I try to sit on the left or on the right side?

Thanks!

Hey everyone. I'm planning on moving to Ecuador in November and have a couple questions about visas. How tough is it to obtain the extended tourist visa once you are in Ecuador? Is there any way to stay longer than 6 months? Do I really have to come back to the states to apply for a work visa if I find a job while I'm in Ecuador?

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I have a masters in marine science and would very much appreciate any contacts that could potentially help in finding long-term employment.

Hello fellow travelers,

We will be going on a 8 day cruise (Archipel II) and wonder how much money to bring. This differs from person to person, I know, but anyone have any clue about prices of drinks/snacks/tips/etc on board these cruises? Have not been able to find any info solid on this. Softdrinks $3, others like wine and cocktails higher, but what does this mean? Or should I stock up on rum and coke before we board the boat :)? Anyone have recent info for the Archipel II? Park entry fees and others should be around $125, or has anyone seen other prices?

Gonijn

how long would it take and how expensive and easy is it to get a bus or a train from Quito to Lima?? Thanks.

Hi, I have some additional questions that hopefully anyone could help me with...

1. Would november be an OK month to visit the Galapagos? Or is January/February a lot better? November suits my schedule best but the water might be too cold for snorkeling? Or isn't the difference that big?

2. Is there a specific area in Quito (street?) where our chances on finding a last-minute offer are best?

3. Are these tour agencies also able to arrange permits and flight to/from Galapagos?

4. Any tips/experience regarding agencies offering good last-minute deals?

Thanks so much for your help!

Hi, me and my friend are planning to go to Ecuador for 4 weeks in November or January. As I would like to get the most out of it, we want to go for 7/8 days. By browsing the internet I found out that there are two ways to visit: either on a liveaboard cruise or otherwise via an island-hopping trip.

Can anyone advise which type of trip would be better? Our main interest is the wildlife, we would really love to swim with sea lions and see the penguins, giant turtles, sharks and rays, but also see all kinds of birds, reptiles etc.

And...does anyone know where chances on swimming with sea lions, penguins and seeing sharks are best?

Thanks for your help!

Hello everyone moving to ecuador in 3/01/10 and looking to rent a house for $200 a month close to the ocean since i'm half dolphin lol. I would appreciate any information given. Thank you in advance:-}

Does anyone know how non-ecuadorians can get tickets to a game at Estadio Monumental to see the Barcelona Sporting Club?

We have looked but it seems very hard to get tickets. We love soccer and would like to go to a game when we are down there.
Thanks!

I've booked a week crusing on one of the above names boats....just wondering if anyone done a trip on one of them...and if so did they stick to the itinerary? what was the boat and cabins like?Thanks

I am looking into the treks in Ecuador and will probably have only time to do only one or two.
Which one would you recommend, and why?

El Camino del Inca
Chimborazo Circuit
Papallacta to Cotopaxi
Pinan Lakes

thank you.

Hello,
we have 3 weeks of vacation which we have to take by the end of the year so I am looking for ideas what to do in Ecuador?
And when to go?
We are active couple and like to be in the nature, hike, mountaineer, swim, kayak, snorkel, bike. Do not like shopping or overly touristy destinations.
Is this a good time to visit Galapagos and trek in the Andes?
What are Not to miss places/ activities?

What would be the itinerary for Ecuador?
thank you for any ideas,

Hi,

Myself and the Mrs. are planning a trip around S. America early next year and are hoping to include a once in a lifetime trip to Galapagos.

Looking at the tours on offer, the prices seem to vary from around $1000 to $3000 an more, not including getting to the island.

As we're hoping to spend a couple of months travelling, in addition to Galapagos, this would eat a huge chunk of our budget. Do any VTers have an idea how to keep the costs down, whilst still getting the most out of this unique trip?

Would we be better off waiting until we arrive at the archipelago to book something locally, try and book day trips from the islands etc, do some of it independently?

Help, advice and any recommendations are welcome and appreciated.

We are a family of 3 with a 7 yr old. We are looking to learn spanish and then go onto tour South America. We were looking at Manta area and Quito - any suggestions - we are finding it to be quite expensive - thoughts.

Hi everyone, I saw a few postings re: specific boats in this forum but am overwhelmed by trying to sort through all the available boats and tours on-line. I'm going with my 16 year old daughter,(she's a good diver) and am trying to find a great, but not too expensive 4 or 7 day boat trip with diving.

Questions:
1. Does it make sense to wait to arrive in Quito to make a dive trip booking? We'd be flying to the Galapagos within one or two days.
2.I'm thinking tourist superior class (up from economy, but not first class or luxury). Can anyone recommend a great boat, not too crowded (maybe 12 or so)?
Thanks!

i understand its a lovely beach community but how do you get to it?

In october we will have three days in Quito, I am thinking of doing tours to Cotopaxi and Mindo Forest,

I have found several companies doing these tours but they are quite expensive, I am looking for tips, what to do, what are good companies to book those trips,

what do you suggest?

Hey, this might seem like a stupid question but I was wondering if Ecuadorian US dollars are as acceptable all over the coninent as actual US dollars?
So if, for example, I take a supply with me when I leave Ecuador I wont have problems using them in Peru, Bolivia or Argentina?
Thanks, Carly

Hello to those living in Guayaquil, and neighboring towns. I was wondering if it is possible to get into contact with a local potter.

I am working with a group of students from Clarkson University in the US, and Engineers Without Borders. We are hoping to bring clean water to a nearby town, and have chosen a clay pot filtration system. The only problem that we have in implementing this is having a method to fire the pots.

We think that the best way to do this would be to have a local potter fire the pots for the townspeople. We have it set up so that there would be no start up costs to the potter, and they could then recieve an income off the pots there after, perhaps even expanding to other nearby towns with similar circumstances

Any information that could help us find a potter, or another available method of firing pots would be extremely helpful.
thanks!!!!!

I'm going to be spending some time in Ecuador this summer and I'll be travelling with three other girls. I'll be the only guy in my group, so naturally I'm curious about protection. Specifically, if we are either held up or attacked - What is in my legal boundary? I know it's illadvised to fight back, but will I be in legal trouble if I do fight back? In terms of self defense, will I be protected under the law if I need to defend myself? If I show a weapon (pocketknife) while being held up, will I be asking to get arrested?

If anyone has any insight in these matter, it would be greatly appreciated! Obviously, I'm hoping that I won't ever have to be in a situation where I would need to defend myself - But you never know and I'd rather know what my legal limits are before I go so that I don't have to find out the hard way once I get there...

Hello, I have approximately 3 weeks and am travelling from Quito to Lima (flying in to Quito and out of Lima). Can anyone suggest an itinerary which isnt too hectic? Is going to Lima AND machu pichu too much to do in 3 weeks? Also a friend is flying in a week after I do so we need a place to meet towards Lima. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Hy is anybody living in Guayaquil. I read a lot about visiting Guayaquil, but since 3 Weeks i am living with my family here in Guayaquil. Still try to explore everything and find out where i can go and where not. Any tips about outhentic things,restaurants, areas, markets?

Thanx
stephanie

Hi guys I need to find a quick way of getting from Ecuador to Bolivia. I've been looking at flights but its difficult to find airlines that fly between the two countries. Someone told me I could book my flight once I'm in south america but I'm a bit nervous about doing that because it would be really last minute and they might turn out to be really expensive.
If anyone could suggest a reasonable airline to fly with that would be fantastic, or an alternative to flying.
I did think about getting a bus from Guayaquil to Lima and then another one from Lima to Santa cruz but wasnt sure about how much time this would take and how reliable the buses were.
Anybody with any information about this would be my saviour,
Carly