No matter how you look at it, Ecuador and budget traveling go hand in hand. You can stay in a luxury hotel in the middle of Quito, and still spend less for a week than you would for two nights in many other places in the world. And if you can save so much on a 5-star hotel, just think how much money you’d keep in your pocket by staying in a 3- or 4-star hotel, just like you would ordinarily!
If you stray from a typical tourist itinerary for a trip to Ecuador, you can travel comfortably and affordably, all while seeing a unique side of the country. The city of Quito is a favorite of Americans, being cheap and easy to walk around, but many only ever see downtown Quito or the northern beaches in the touristy Esmereldas region and don’t venture “outside the box” to get a different perspective.
Escaping the crowd is simple enough with the buses that travel from city to city, but renting a car might be even more optimal. Buses may only depart once or twice a day, and not always at a convenient time. If this doesn’t matter to you, the bus will certainly save you money. If it does, you can splurge on a rental car, which won’t cost you as much as you think. Make sure you either bring your personal GPS loaded with South American maps or add it to your rental fee, because Ecuador is notorious for failing to replace street signs … that is, if they were ever there in the first place. You may also find it hard to buy a map.
There are so many places to visit and things to see and do in Ecuador, it’s hard to name just a few you should focus on when venturing out from the usual tourist attractions. Here are some destinations/experiences that no traveler should miss:
Mindo – In the heart of the Cloud Forest, Mindo is a great little village in the mountains of Ecuador in the Los Banos area. The location has so many choices for lodging, you’ll be hard-pressed to pick. From resorts to eco-lodges to basic hotels, every level of pricing and luxury is on offer. You’ll be amazed by the exotic plants and flowers and the novel wildlife. Even the butterflies are brighter, not to mention omnipresent. Drink it all in by hiking through the forest or, for the more adventurous, from above on a zipline.
Otavalo – Anyone who’s ever been to Ecuador will tell you that Otavalo is a must-see. Make sure you plan your visit for the weekend. Get in on a Friday and plan to wake up bright and early to trek to the Animal Market on Saturday morning. Each week the farmers bring the livestock they have to sell, and auctions and deals take place in the early morning hours for strong bulls, milking cows, pigs, goats and more. You can walk among the animals for sale, and barter with the merchants for handmade goods.
Once the crowds start to disperse, walk over to the main street in Otavalo and enjoy the street market. You can purchase alpaca goods, pottery and almost anything else. If you walk to the end and close to the middle of town, you’ll find the food and flower market as well. The sights and smells are amazing. Put your bargaining skills to the test and get some incredible deals at the stalls in both parts of the market. You’re sure to go home with some fantastic keepsakes.
Dining in Ecuador is really inexpensive, even in an upscale restaurant. Take a chance and stop in a restaurant that’s full of locals and has a handwritten menu. Not only will you eat for dirt cheap, but it could be some of the tastiest food you encounter on your whole trip. Once outside of the main cities, you might even find street vendors that sell some basic but delicious dishes.
See the sights from above the city. The Teleferico cable car in Quito is one that draws people from all over. Take a taxi ride to the top, unless you think your driving skills are above-par. It won’t set you back much and will be quicker than navigating there yourself. The cable car takes you straight up the side of a mountain and gives you awesome views of the whole city on the way up and from the top. Try to go as early as possible, because you never know when the fog may roll in. Enjoy the vista while browsing the souvenir “shops” in the observation building or sipping a coffee. The ride up and down isn’t for the faint of heart, but offers some of the most incredible views you’ll ever see.
Visit the Middle of the World. Ecuador is right on the equator, so the climate isn’t all that variable and the sun rises and sets promptly at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Being on the equator also gives the country some interesting quirks: for example, water empties straight down the drain, without a swirling motion. You can unearth more trivia and get your passport stamped at the Mitad del Mundo, or Middle of the World. On entertaining guided tours, you learn about Ecuador’s history and how being on the equatorial line affects the country. Because it’s a bit of a drive outside of Quito, independent travelers often don’t often take the time to visit.
Ecuador offers a lot of culture and history, and you can learn quite a bit from foregoing the city tours and wandering a little out of the way to explore on your own and interact with the locals. While most people there speak Spanish – use it as a chance to practice – you’ll also find many Americans or Ecuadorians with ties to America that speak English very well. Even with a language barrier, they’re some of the friendliest people around, and you’ll be surprised by how much you can convey with a few basic phrases. Make the effort to get to know people and try something new and out of the norm.
There are so many sides to Ecuador, that touring and shopping’s only a small part of the culture. It would be a shame to miss all the beauty this country offers. Especially when you can travel it so easily and affordably!
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