By Robyn Leslie, Posted Jul 06, 2006
Sections: Ecuador Travel Guide The Basics Travel in Ecuador Romance and Dating The People of Ecuador Work and Money Transport Health and Safety Oh, Politics Accommodation The Galapagos Islands Quito Banos The Jungle Guayaquil Cuenca Loja Salinas
 In the city, you'll have a variety of dorm options (http://www.flickr.com/photos/obvio171/) |
You will always find a hostel in Ecuador. Folks have cottoned on to the potential economic benefits of having strangers in the home, and offer good deals country-wide. In cities, you will have the choice of single, double or dorm (often mixed sex). Often, there is a breakfast option, and in Quito, some hostels have free rum nights. As you head into the countryside, try to have at least a name or recommendation with you, else you’ll waste time hunting out the best (or cleanest) deal. If you’re in no hurry, take it as it comes. Word to the wise: in the countryside, things shut down as soon as it gets dark. You may have trouble rousing someone to answer the door or even direct you to the nearest place if you rock up after supper.
In a village, its a different story all together (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theyoyoman/)
Hostels do not generally have hot water. They might say they do, but they don’t. Prices vary, and the countryside can accommodate you for $3 – $5, including breakfast. The Galapagos Islands, however, will set you back, at the cheapest, $8 – $10. The best way to accommodate yourself there (depending on your time frame) is to find a family or boarding house that you can rent for a month or two weeks.
Moral of the story: it’s not the brightest idea to leave yourself two days to travel overland from southern Colombia to northern Peru. Departing from the Colombian city of Popayán, ...
Dentists have a tough job. They’re expensive, universally disliked, have to spend each working day staring into complete strangers’ mouths while being tormented by foul breath, and little kids cry ...
