Ecuador land routes, driving, domestic air flights
Ecuador transportation by car or bus
All major Ecuadorian cities and attractions are connected by roads, which are in generally good conditions. Almost all primary land routes circulate through Quito, including roads leading north to Otavalo, Ibarra, Tulcán; the Colombian border crossing, south to Ambato, Latacunga, Riobamba, Guaranda, Cuenca, and Loja; west to Mindo, Santo Domingo and the northern coast of Esmeraldas and the southern coast of Manta; and east to Baños, Baeza, Lago Agrio, Puyo, Tena and Coca. The steep and rugged geography of Ecuador makes the construction of direct roads challenging, so expected travel times are often longer than the actual distances involved. Travel in car between Quito and the nearest point on the northern coast is usually at least 5 hours.
Landslides are sometimes an issue during rainy season, so it is always advisable to check the state of roads before travelling. Roads are sometimes blocked because of political protests, and the poor visibility and slick conditions caused by the rainy season make travel generally slower during these months. More isolated destinations, especially the interior of national park and reserve areas, are much less accessible, so four-wheel drive or off-terrain vehicles are necessary. Ecuador has an extensive system of bus cooperatives, making land transport without a car easy.. Almost any destination may be reached by bus, and prices average to cost $1/hour of travel, buses are only slighter slower than cars here.
All major Ecuadorian cities and attractions are connected by roads, which are in generally good conditions....
There are several things to be aware of while driving in Ecuador. Driving on Ecuador's roads takes skill and a good deal of caution, because Ecuadorian drivers tend to be fast and aggressive with passing and maneuvering, and the roadways are often narrow and very curvy. In the more isolated areas, roads are poorly marked. In some of the poorer provinces, there are unmarked speed bumps, hardly visible potholes. City driving, especially in Quito, is intense and often chaotic. Many city residents will opt for public transportation in order to avoid the stress and traffic. If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country, you are allowed drive in Ecuador during the 90-day period granted under your tourist visa. Should you change your visa status, you will need to obtain an Ecuadorian license in order to drive legally.
Renting a car requires that you be at least 25 years old, hold a valid license, and have an international credit card. Car rental rates vary between $50 and $120 per day, and it is generally recommended that you rent a four-wheel drive vehicle if you plan to drive in rural areas. Avis (tel. 02/2440-270; www.avis.com.ec), Budget (tel. 02/3300-979; www.budget-ec.com), Hertz (tel. 1800/227-767 toll-free within Ecuador, or 02/2254-257; www.hertz.com.ec), and Localiza (tel. 02/3303-265; www1.localiza.com.ec) are the main car rental agencies, with offices at both major international airports. Since Localiza is a national company, it also has several offices in other cities and tourist destinations around Ecuador.
