Category: Ecuador Travel Guides

Zamora Ecuador

Most tourists dont even consider this part of Ecuador, but you know, for me, its actually my favorite part of the whole country!

In 5 days you can visit most of the highlights.

Start off by flying into Guayaquil, stay the night at my place if you arrive late and continue to Machala the next morning.

In Machala you can tour banana or Cocoa plantations and also visit a Hummingbird Sanctuary.

From there continue to Zaruma, a colonial town build into a mountain which was a gold mine back in the day. Here you can also go on a gold mine tour.

After sleeping in Zaruma head up to Loja where youll want to try local delicacies like the Tamal Lojano and Tigrillo.

After visiting Loja by day head to Vilcabamba and sleep there.

Few places in the world are as quiet as Vilcabamba. Relax while you enjoy literally perfect not too hot not too cold weather and eat dishes like Filet Mignon for around $6.

After Vilcabamba head to Zamora, a small town tucked in the Amazon with loads of Orchids growing out of everything, and the National Park Podocarpus a stones throw away. This area also is known for the origin of the shrunken heads that Hollywood made famous.

Head by bus up through the jungle to Gualaquiza, where youll probably be the only foreigner around, just like in Zamora.

From there you can catch transport back to Cuenca where you can stroll the beautiful old town and converse with fellow expats and from there head the 3 hrs down the mountains back to Guayaquil.

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If you only had 5 days in this little, but diverse country, Id recommend flying into Quito.

Once in Quito see the colonial old town, the best in Ecuador, then go up the teleferico (cable car) which has some spectacular views and a nice hiking trail.

Then be sure to go out partying in EL MARISCAL nightlife district, the TOP place to party, see and be seen in Ecuador.

After 2 days and 2 nights in Quito head south to Latacunga where you can see Quilotoa and Cotopaxi Volcano. Amazing area. 1 Day Bike tours are available from Quito.

From there continue south to Baños, a neat place to eat well and live cheap for a few days. Adventure sports like rafting, hiking and biking also abound.

After Baños Id head to Puyo 60 km away, which is at the mouth of the Amazon Jungle so at least you can get a small taste of what life is like in that region of Ecuador.

Then back 4 hrs to Quito.

Thats what Id do if I had 5 days in Ecuador.

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           Banos, Ecuador

For a 10 day trip to Ecuador, Id do what I recommended in the 5 day itinerary as seen below first…

First fly into Quito.

Once in Quito see the colonial old town, the best in Ecuador, then go up the teleferico (cable car) which has some spectacular views and a nice hiking trail.

Then be sure to go out partying in EL MARISCAL nightlife district.

After 2 days and 2 nights in Quito head south to Latacunga where you can see Quilotoa and Cotopaxi Volcano. Amazing area. 1 Day Bike tours are available from Quito.

From there continue south to Baños, a neat place to eat well and live cheap for a few days. Adventure sports like rafting, hiking and biking also abound.

After Baños Id head to Puyo 60 km away, which is at the mouth of the Amazon Jungle so at least you can get a small taste of what life is like in that region of Ecuador.

Then back 4 hrs to Quito.

Then…

In Quito Id fly to Manta, stay one night in Manta or head straight south 25 minutes along the coast to the kiteboarding haven of Santa Marianita.

After Santa Marianita, Id continue heading south and make quick visits to two of Ecuadors nicest beaches, Puerto Cayo and the National Park Los Frailes.

Near Los Frailes Id stay with the Indigenous community at Aguas Blancas near Puerto Lopez where you can take a small tour and see how coastal Ecuadorians live.

From there Id head to Montanita, the hippest beach in Ecuador, where you can surf all day and party all night. If you like the quiet scene instead opt to stay in nearby Olon, but be sure to eat in Montanita by day (try the Ceviche soup carts).

After Montanita Id go to Ayangue for 1 day and 1 night, the best spot on the coast to scuba.  The beach is in a small cove great for swimming.

And after that Id head to Salinas, a small resort town with a nice beach for swimming and some delicious food.  Then off 2 hrs to Guayaquil where you can fly back to Quito (45 minutes) to catch your flight home.

Be sure to visit me at Murali B/B Airport Guayaquil if you pass by Guayaquil!  Ill show you the ropes!

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The main plaza in Latacunga, Ecuador.

“Snow on the Equator?” I thought scratching my head.

Wow, ok, there it is.

Referring to the massive, snow-capped mountain that resembled the Matterhorn that stood before me.

A true “Matterhorn” in Ecuador.

But this one is named “Cotopaxi”.

At 19,300 ft it’s one of the tallest active volcanos on earth.

And you can climb it without needing to be an expert (with a guide).

Or bike down it in groups that leave from Quito daily which drive you up to the snow line and then lead you on an all day bike descent as you pass from one micro-eco-system to another.

A few brave souls even ski it.

And it’s near a town a few hours south of Quito called Latacunga, where I’m writing from this week.

Latacunga is a small town nestled deep in the Andes Mountains with an old colonial center and surrounded by lush, green farms.

It’s truly a hidden gem ideal for you if you’re looking for a small, cooler mountain town in which to have a small farm or maybe restore an old colonial.

It’s gotten no international press like other, similar places in Ecuador like relatively nearby Cotacachi, Otavalo or Vilcabamba and currently there are very few permanent foreign residents.

Prices are still cheap with country town homes on the outskirts starting around $30k.

Nearby Broccoli and Strawberry farms start around $8-15k a hectare (1 hectare = 2.5 acres).

And I couldn’t help notice, myself being in the hospitality industry, that the few hotels in town are full.

But who can be surprised with one of the top draws in Ecuador nearby, Cotopaxi, as well as Quillotoa, a volcano with a turquoise-colored lake in the crater you can hike down to without even needing a guide.

And the also nearby, locally-famous Andean Market of Saquisili.

Which is a more authentic version of the Otavalo indigenous market hundreds of tourists are shuttled to daily.

I’d stay in Villa de Tacunga, a boutique hotel in the old-colonial style with an excellent restaurant (try the Trout for $5!)  Singles start around $45, and doubles $60.

For smaller budgets I’d try the Hostel Tiana, also in the city center with singles starting around $15, and doubles $25.

If you don’t eat in the restaurant in the Hotel Villa de Tacunga, try the one in the nearby Hotel Rodelu, the Filet Mignon ($10) is a good choice.

Even if colder climates aren’t where you’re looking to live as an expat, Latacunga and this area of Ecuador is a must-see on any trip itinerary to this country!

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