Transportation

1. Air

Two international airports operate in Ecuador, located in Quito and Guayaquil. US flights are usually routed New York, Houston and Miami including several connecting flights from other cities. No direct flights are available between Canada and Ecuador. Regular flights from Madrid, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Lima, Bogota, Caracas and Santiago de Chile also leave for Ecuador.

The ticket prices vary according to the season, duration of stay, time of the purchase and discount offers (international students). However, the ticket prices usually start from about $300 from Miami and New York during the off-season.

Domestic flights operating within Ecuador are also available daily in affordable rates.

2. Bus

One of the best and cheapest ways to travel around the country and explore its beauty can be by bus. It is advisable to travel in luxury coaches for longer distances, as the road conditions are often poor. While international buses traveling to Columbia and Peru are readily available, inter provincial buses can be ideal to move around within the country. The international buses are comparatively more expensive than the inter provincial buses. It is advisable to buy a ticket in advance to secure a seat, especially during weekends.

Many bus companies have their offices in the Terminal Terrestre de Cumandá in Quito. The terminal is located near to Plaza Santo Domingo at 3077 Maldonado.

It is essential to keep a watchful eye on your bags and baggage, as thefts are frequent in the area.

3. Car

In order to hire a car in Ecuador you need to be at least 25 years of age and need to have a valid driving license. Also required is an internationally recognized credit card. The 10% tax and insurance coverage is not included in the daily hire rates and need to be paid additionally. $2000 is required to be paid at the time of hiring the vehicle, which is divided into two vouchers, one for renting the car, and the other to cover up for any damages made to the car. Any additional amount apart from the rental is refunded once the car is returned. This process may take a week's time to complete. Although you can pay in cash or traveler's checks, a credit card is mandatory to guarantee the booking.

4. Ferry

Boat travel is quite common along the coastal region of Ecuador as well as the Amazonian regions and the Galapagos Islands. Dugout canoes also ply through the tributaries of the Amazon and stop by at villages on their way. The canoes are usually quite large, accommodating upto 36 passengers. However, the hard wooden benches might prove to be a bit uncomfortable. It is advisable to enquire about the price before boarding the boats, as they usually tend to vary.

5. Ship

Luxury cruise ships to the Galapagos Islands may accommodate upto 90 passengers. The duration of the tour might vary between 4 days 3 nights to 8 days 7 nights. Visitors may also opt for yachts or motor and sail boats for their trip to Galapagos.

6. Taxi

Taxis in Ecuador can really be a cheap option to get around, especially in Quito and Guayaquil. All taxis usually run on meters, starting from $.35 onwards. Do not forget to ensure that the taxi has its meter on while boarding the cab, and in case the driver is unable to show the meter, avoid that cab and move on to the next one.

Some exceptions to the meter system include the airport taxis, which directly negotiate with the passengers and not run on meters. However, do not forget to negotiate and decide the fare before getting inside the taxi.

The Quito taxis at night may not use meters and are allowed to negotiate the fares with the passengers. Usually you might need to pay a dollar more than the usual fare.

Taxis in Guayaquil also do not run on meters and thus the fares need to be negotiated before getting in. However, as compared to the taxis in Quito, they might seem a bit expensive.

Some of the recommended Radio Taxi companies are:

RTR Tel. 2533878, 2535600

City Taxi: Tel. 2633333 / 2630220

Central Radio Taxis: Tel. 2406806 / 2811111 / 2267900

JJ Taxi: Tel. 2639639 / 2639999 / 2628400.

Taxi Amigo: Tel. 2222222 / 2333333 / 2222220,

These taxis provide door-to-door service.