Category: Ecuador Travel Guides

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.

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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When you say “Esmeraldas” most people think “dangerous”, maybe due to the proximity of Colombia, maybe some other racially-charged reason. But in my opinion, Esmeraldas doesn’t deserve the bad hype and is an excellent place to visit. The locals are VERY friendly to the few foreign outsiders that visit and the food is to die for. Unlike the rest of Ecuador, the beaches to the north and south are also of a Caribbean-type white sand quality.

What to do?

-GO drinking with the locals on the MALECON or boardwalk of the city, just don’t go alone.

– Be sure to try the local delicacy of ENCOCADO seafood dishes, seafood cooked with a spicy coconut sauce, good!

Where to stay?

My pick is the Hotel El Trebol on Canizares 1-18 a modern hotel with spacious rooms starting around $13 per person.

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Puyo is one of those towns people go to to get a taste of the Amazon without really going neck deep in it. The backdrop is interesting with the Napo River on one side and towering volcanos in the distance while the Amazon flattens out on the other side.

What to do?

-Bike the 65 km downhill from Banos and descend from the Andes down to the Amazon. (Trip takes 6 hours)

– Visit the ethnobotanical park PARQUE OMAERE and get an up close look at a wide array of rainforest plants and animals.

– See dozens of unique Orchid species in the Jardin Botanico las Orquideas located 15 minutes south of Puyo.

– Bath like the locals do in one of the clear waters of the tributary streams feeding into the main Napo River.

Where to stay?

My pick is the Hotel Las Palmas on the corner of 20 de julio y 4 de enero, a big yellow colonial house converted hotel complete with Parrots walking on the floor with rooms starting aroud $12 per person.

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In Cojimies, you may feel like you are the only foreigner around, in fact, you probably will be. But The beach is pearly white and one of Ecuador’s widest, tours to the nearby Island of Love (Isla del Amor) can also be arranged and this is the only place in Ecuador I’ve seen forests of coconut palms swaying in the breeze.

Where to stay?

My pick is the Sueno de Teo, a collection of bamboo beach huts in the typical Ecuadorian style… fun, and the mosquito nets will pretect your skin. Prices start at around $9 per person.