Ecuador Experiences, Stories & Photos from a Backpacker

Experiences & Stories:

For one of the smallest countries in South America, Ecuador offers a huge range of landscapes and activities! In the east are the tropical lowlands and jungle areas, to the west are beautiful beaches and The Galapagos Islands, while through the middle of Ecuador runs the spectacular Andes mountains. Ecuador is extremely rich in plant and wildlife species and is a must for bird-watchers!

I spent 2 weeks in Ecuador in June 2009 and intend to see more of this beautiful country, here are my experiences and story.

Huaquillas to Machala: Crossing the border from Aguas Verdes north of Tumbes (Peru) to Huaquillas was my first experience in Ecuador. I immediately encountered a busy main street with all kinds of things for sale including apparel, fruit and drinks. I wanted to get to Machala and spend my first night there. More

Riobamba to Guaranda to Latacunga: The next day I headed into the highlands to Riobamba to stay a night, mainly so that I could see Chimborazo, Ecuadors highest peak at 6268 meters. Riobamba is also the start point of the train ride down Nariz del Diablo aka The Devil's Nose through the cloud forest and ending up in the hot jungle, it departs at 7am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. More

Latacunga to Quilotoa Laguna: The next morning from Latacunga I got a local bus to Zumbahua/Quilotoa, again with amazing countryside to see along the way, it takes 2 or so hours, at the bus terminal locals were loading in produce to take to the famous Saquisili market. The journey to the lagoon travels through small towns such as Pujili which is known for making large ceramic jars, look out for the monuments at traffic islands and on the side of the road around Pujili and a huge colored staircase leading up a hill. More

Otavalo: The next morning from Latacunga I began my 2 or so hour bus journey up to Quito where I planned to immediately find another bus north to Otavalo for the saturday markets. At the bus terminal in Quito it was easy to find a bus to Otavalo that was leaving soon, especially because of the markets on the next day. More

Mitad del Mundo: There was one thing I needed to do on the way down to Quito from Otavalo and that was to stop off at Mitad del Mundo to stand on the equator! The bus dropped us off and we caught a taxi for $5USD to Mitad del Mundo, it was quite far from where we were let out by the bus. More

Puerto Lopez: The overnight bus from Quito to Puerto Lopez left at 7pm and should have taken 11hrs but due to the driver being in rally mode, it took only 9hrs, so we arrived at 4am, there were other travelers on the bus and we all sat out on the road for a while waiting for the bread shop to open and to find a place to stay but without arriving too early, so that we wouldn't be charged for the current night. More

Puerto Lopez to Cuenca: My plan for the next morning was to travel to Cuenca via Guayaquil during the day from Puerto Lopez so that I could enjoy the scenery from the bus and stay a night there and have a look at the city. The bus in the morning was to take about 4+ hours to Guayaquil, the bus headed north for a while past the fish markets in Puerto Lopez, past an early morning futbol game, up the coast and through small towns such as Pedro Carbo, people came on board the bus with food for sale along the way and people at intersections had things for sale such as kites, drinks and fruit. More

Cuenca to Loja to Macara: After 2 hours of walking around Cuenca city it was time to get my backpack from the hotel and take the 5 and a half hour bus journey to Loja where I wanted to get another bus for 6 hours to Macara, on the border with Peru, by that night. The scenery to Loja was very beautiful with hills and fields, farm houses, little settlements and villages such as Al Canton. More

Photos:

All Ecuador Photos




The front facade of church San Blas in Cuenca. Sign - Feliz Viaje at Quito bus terminal. Local man of Guaranda wearing a poncho. The countryside between Ambato and Salcedo en route to Latacunga. Colored beads, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings, Otavalo.
View more photos from Ecuador

Recommended Things To Do:

Stand at 0 degrees latitude on the equator.

The Galapagos Islands, but be aware that the tourist trade is ruining this beautiful place.

Visit the banana plantations near Machala.

Spend a few days in the National Parks seeing the wildlife.

Have a mud bath in Banos.

Spend 2 or 3 days on the Quilotoa loop and see the lagoon and markets.

The city of Otavalo in the north has famous markets on saturdays.

Party with the locals out at Puerto Lopez and visit Isla De La Plata on the coast.

Hop on a local bus and head into the highlands, it's beautiful.

Visit Cuenca, a very nice city full of interesting architecture and churches.

Visa Requirements:

Links:
Ecuador - Wikipedia
Amarongachi Tours in Tena
Lonely Planet
Weather for Ecuadorian Cities
Art Prints and Posters
Infoplease
Travel Blogs
Watching Quito Blog
My Quito
Volunteer in Ecuador
Newspapers
Jungle in Ecuador
Backpacking South America
Blog: Inside South America

Find Accommodation:

Videos:

Walking Around Otavalo Food Market

Walking Across the Bridge from Macara into Peru

Views of Quilotoa Laguna

See more videos from Ecuador & South America
My Hostel & Hotel Reviews:

Hotel Majestic, Machala, Ecuador (Jun 2009 - 1 night) - Smallish room with a window, in the market area, some computers in the reception for free use, nice owners, not expensive. A restaurant is in the foyer, there is a restaurant 3 doors away that make only crab soup.

Hotel Imperial, Riobamba, Ecuador (Jun 2009 - 1 night) - Not a very nice room, had 2 broken windows and the owner barged into my room and asked for payment, not recommended. photo

Hostal Pillarenita, Latacunga, Ecuador (Jun 2009 - 2 nights) - Nice little rooms with tv on 2nd or 3rd level with street views, shared bathroom, it's opposite the bus terminal for buses for the Quilotoa loop, I stayed here before and after Quilotoa. photo

Hostal Pacha Mama, Quilotoa, Ecuador (Jun 2009 - 1 night) - Great hostal run by a nice family of indigenous locals, its at nearly 4000 meters above sea level so each room has its own pot-belly fire, they serve a nice meal also, recommended. photo

Hostal Mi Otavalito, Otavalo, Ecuador (Jun 2009 - 2 nights) - Beautiful decor and atmosphere here, nice rooms, restaurant and music downstairs, run by some very nice people, it's central. photo

Hostal Fragata, Puerto Lopez, Ecuador (Jun 2009 - 4 nights) - I loved this place, great for beach life, rooms with or without a bathroom, close to the beach, cheap and run by a nice family. photo

Hotel Los Helechos, Cuenca, Ecuador (Jun 2009 - 1 night) - Very close to the bus terminal, nice room and possibly the hottest shower I have had in South America, recommended. photo

Maps:

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Festivals and Holidays in Ecuador during September:

Month	Date	When	Festival / Holiday	Where / Location
September	1 - 15		Fiesta del Yamor	Otavalo
September	15		Dia Mundial Limpieza de las Playas (World Clean Beaches Day)	Beaches
September	23 - 24		La Fiesta de la Mama Negra	Latacunga
September	23 - 24		Fiesta de la Virgen de la Merced (Virgin of Mercy)	National, Puerto Lopez

Yearlong Festivals and Holidays of Ecuador