Planes
Fly over the Andes on your flight
into Quito and fly over them again as you travel the country in
a matter of minutes.For the most up-to-date fare and scheduling
information, it is always best to check with:
TAME:
flights to almost all destinations in the country including:
Guayaquil, Quito, the Galapagos, Bahía, Esmeraldas, Manta,
Portoviejo, Machala, Cuenca, Loja, Tulcán, Coca, Lago
Agrio, and Macas.
Icaro:
now flies to most major destinations and is in the process of
expanding its service.
While prices vary depending on
the destination and the season, non-national tourists can expect
to pay under USD 50 each way for mainland flights (with the exception
of flights to and from jungle destinations in the Oriente which
tend to be a little more expensive) and between USD 300 and USD
380 for a round-trip flight to the Galapagos from Guayaquil or
Quito.
Please
note that additional info (prices, activities, etc) are found
to the right of this pages. 
Buses
As more and more roads are paved
in Ecuador, buses are becoming the preferred means of travel.
All of Ecuador's top travel spots are within a day's ride from
Quito and prices are very low.
The Terminal Terrestre de Cumandá
in Quito is where many bus companies have their offices and where
most buses traveling within the country depart from. The terminal
is located in the old town, close to Plaza Santo Domingo at 3077
Maldonado. The terminal and the area around it are breeding grounds
for thieves so keep a close eye on your bags at all time. There
are a few bus companies that leave from the new town.
Rent a Car
If the idea of long bus rides
and erratic schedules doesn't appeal to you, you may choose to
rent a car in Ecuador and travel the country, designing your itinerary
as you go along.
To hire a car in Ecuador you need
to be at least 25 years of age, hold a valid driver's license,
and carry an internationally recognized credit card. Realize,
however, that car rental in Ecuador is vastly different from that
in the USA or Europe, mainly because there is no CDW (Collision
Damage Waiver). Practices differ from company to company, so you
need to make sure you understand fully the details of the contract
and your responsibilities.
Taxis
In Quito, yellow taxis are ubiquitous.
All of them are required to use a taximeter and most of them do,
but on occasion you will be asked to agree on a price instead.
The same laws apply in Guayaquil and Cuenca. Everywhere else they
either don't have one or don't use it. Know the approximate price
of your trip before you get into the taxi and make sure that you
and the driver agree on a price before you go anywhere. If the
price he quotes you is too high you can negotiate it down a bit,
something you won't be able to do once he has already driven you
to your destination, or just get out and get an honest taxi driver.
Any taxi ride in Quito should
cost between USD 1 and USD 5, including the ride in from the airport.
Pay no more than double these prices for late night rides. Taxis
can also be hired for several hours or the whole day. In many
cases this is cheaper than renting a car and also means you don't
have to navigate Ecuadorian roads or deal with unpredictable Ecuadorian
drivers. Most main hotels can arrange to get you a taxi for the
day. Most trips out of Quito cost about USD 50-70 dollars per
day.
Taxi Numbers:
Central Radio Taxis
2500600
Teletaxi 2220800\2222222
Co-op de taxis Brasilia 2550493
California 2400411
Colón 2543071
CC Inmoquito 2441183
Dammer 263404-152, 2241948
Cumanda 217572-654
El Rosario 2533878, 2531578
Boat travel
Boat travel is a popular and necessary
means of transportation in Ecuador. Travel down Amazonian rivers
in canoes or sail between the Galapagos Islands in luxury cruise
ships.
Train Travel
Taking the train in Ecuador should
be thought of less as a means of transportation than as an adventure.
Mudslides and flooding have severely damaged the railroads and
a lack of government money has left them in disrepair. Take the
train to experience riding on the roof, ducking under tunnels
and the famous autocarril, basically a bus fitted to the tracks.
Others
Experience every bump in the road
or change in weather by riding in the back of a truck. This may
be your only option if traveling to very remote areas, but it
offers great views and a chance to get really close with the locals
who will admire your sense of adventure.
Hitchhiking is not a very popular
means of transportation in Ecuador. Most people who pick you up
will expect some payment and with the safety concerns inherent
in hitchhiking, it makes more sense to take a bus.
|
