Not much to see or do in PortoViejo but it is a main connection hub between the north and south coast so chances are you may find yourself stuck there sooner or later.
My value pick is the Hotel New York on the cnr of Olmedo y Francisco de Moreira with simple, clean rooms and most importantly in this town, AC, rooms start at $20 per person.
Gualaquiza is a small town of around 15,000 people in the Southern Amazon region of Ecuador. The people are friendly and the backdrop is beautiful as the area is surrounded by lush rainforest.
What to do?
Visit the bike shop Ciclos on Orellana 4-35 and rent a bike and enjoy the excellent 3 hour bike ride to La FLorida.
Bath in one of the numerous rivers at one of the several sandy beaches.
Where to stay?
My pick is the Hotel Internacional on Cuenca Ave. with simple, clean rooms starting around $10 per person.
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Every time I come to this city I’m awed by the character and bravado of this small coastal city. The hilly streets leading down to the ocean are always full of something interesting to see, the locals are friendly, and the foreigners are scarce. The beach isn’t so nice but the food along the boardwalk is to die for. I’m sorry but this place reminds me of Florianapolis, Brazil.
Where to stay?
My value pick is Hotel Arenas, a few blocks from the beach with cable TV and well kept rooms starting around $10 per person.
It’s nice to be treated special just for being a foreigner in Ecuador.
In fact, for those that know about the program, foreigners don’t even have to pay the sales tax on items made in Ecuador.
It’s true, the Ecuador government is now refunding foreign “tourists” the sales tax they paid on items made-in-Ecuador and on hotel stays when the invoice amounts over $50.
The sales or VAT tax in Ecuador is 12% and that is the amount that is refunded.
All you have to do to receive your refund is save your receipts (facturas) and fill out the brief form you can pick up on a little stand just outside of the check in lines for international flights in Guayaquil and Quito.
Also, you’ll want to bring an envelope and a copy of your passport.
Then present your goods at the SRI-CAE counter in the check in luggage lounge in Quito or Guayaquil or if no one is attending deposit the envelope with your invoices, copy of passport and form in the mailbox located in the pre-boarding (departure) lounges in the international airports in Quito and Guayaquil.
The refund accreditation is carried out only through a credit card that must be under the name of the applicant.
There are no limits to the refunded amount, so if you’re not sure if an item you bought qualifies for the refund, just deposit the invoice anyway and see what happens.
Afterward, you can check the status of your refund using your passport number through the official Ecuador SRI website sri.gob.ec.
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Macas is an interesting mix of old and new with new buildings jutting up from crumbling streets. Most choose to go to northern jungle towns like Tena, but for those who like off the beaten track destinations Macas wont disappoint.
-Kayak the Upano River with class III rapids through one of the local outfitters.
– Take a waterfall tour with Planeta Tours on Comin at Soasti.
– Visit a nearby Shuar community thourgh a guided tour only.
Where to stay?
My value pick is Hotel Level 5 on the corner of Sucre y Soasti, a big glass hotel thats clean and cheap with rooms starting at $10 per person.
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