¿Ecuador?

[transplantella]

So I just booked tickets to Ecuador for 4 weeks in November.

Anybody been there?

Flying into Quito and them somehow moving on to Cuenca, then onto where ever else, it’s a small country and we have almost 4 weeks to wander around.

Tips on places to stay? We’re sort of indy travelers and prefer to avoid hotels. We like guest houses, serviced apartments, pensiones–small, cheap, and local. Recommendations, ideas?

Anything else relevant that anyone knows about Ecuador–local transportation, cool stuff, scams and hazards, hot tips of any kind welcome.

Right now I’ve got a lotta nothing besides 2 plane tickets and three weeks to come up with a plan.

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[angelescrest]

Lucky you. Lonely Planet has a decent travel film called Ecuador; it might give you ideas about hiking in Baños, etc. Their guidebooks are good too. I am so envious.

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[JoB]

i am sooo jealous.

I joined hubby on a mostly work trip to europe this year instead :(

maybe next year..

but i have books you can borrow…

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[amalia]

What are your interests? I worked in Ecuador for a few months, but my experiences are limited to pretty remote rain forest areas. If you are adventurous and interested in a rain forest experience, I can offer some suggestions (walking from Reserva Biologica Bilsa to the coast, for example). For markets, my fave is Otavalo. The Galapagos are a must-see, albeit a pricey one. I loved the Andean foothills north and east of Quito – pretty developed, yet beautiful and full of wonderful people.

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You won’t lack for places to visit, that’s for sure. I can’t offer insights on the beaches, since I didn’t really visit them, but if that’s your thing, someone else can probably help.

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[transplantella]

@JoB, you have books on Ecuador?

@amalia,whopee you probably know lots of stuff I’m wondering about. Between city transit–I’ve heard the roads and buses can be hair-raising? Tell me everything you know about getting around Ecuador by local transit. That tap water outside of Quito and Cuenca is not drinkable? If you can’t drink it is it ok to cook and wash with it?

Clothing> we are not backpackers. I like to look nice but I’m pretty sure my Russian stiletto heels won’t be appropriate in Ecuador (I wear them in Seattle anyway). It is my experience as a foreign traveler that blending into local dress customs is always a good idea. But I have no idea what to expect, we will be mainly in towns and cities.

Whoo hoo, now I’m starting to get excited!

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[JoB]

transplantella..

yes, i have books on Ecuador…

and you are welcome to borrow them

i won’t be using them this year

as for what to wear…

what i learned while researching was that i needed a good pair of flat closed toe shoes…

and that dressing in layers is as important there as here.. the nights do get cool

my intention was to pack neutral basics and buy color and accessories there… where it is irresistible..

and.. that to avoid becoming a target for thieves on public transit, it is a very good idea to pack really light in a backpack that looks like it has been around.

the biggest thing i learned from my recent trip to Munich and Venice is that a big square light scarf in a good fabric really is a woman’s best friend… it served as a warming layer .. both on my neck and my shoulders, a cooling device when dampened and a headscarf for churches … while making me fit fashionably in with the locals…

email me at joanne at brayden dot org and we can arrange a meeting so you can get those books..

in exchange, i get to pick your brain when you get back

Ecuador is still in my dreams

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[amalia]

Hi there-

I found the buses quite agreeable. They kept to scedules and I almost always had a seat. The roads are not always up to N American standards, but they are far better than what you find in many S American places. It all depends on your baseline expectations.

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I drank the water in cities with no problem but we used filtered water elsewhere. In a few places you can drink straight from streams (but I have an iron stomach, so maybe skip it!). Fine for washing and cooking (as long as it reaches boiling).

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Local city dress is tight jeans and semi-dressy overall. Jeans were too hot for me, so in the city I wore a sundress (temperature permitting). For light but nice tops, I use ExOfficio. Some have sunscreening and insect repellent properties. Discounts at SierraTradingPost.com. In the hills or rural areas, any ligth clothes will do. I always dress modestly, though, although it’s a pretty accepting country overall. Just get quick-drying materials for the lowlands.

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Hope that helps.

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[andrea]

transplantella, my sister lived in Ecuador for some time while working for CARE international and knows the country fairly well. I just emailed her about your post and asked her to get back to you here on the where and what for’s regarding Ecuador. She absolutely loved it there I can tell you that much!

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[transplantella]

Thanks so very much JoB. I have sent you an email.

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