Walking about the trees you may have lizards alongside as a river runs past. What city do you want to depart from? Heres a likely outdated bus schedule for Carceln. Our fleet of guided buses take you to the famed destinations but also to the small hidden gems off the beaten path. He had a Colombian football shirt on, and as soon as I said "no, gracias." When you choose to return to Guayaquil, the main bus office can be easily located in the centre of the town on the main road. And if you liked it Share us with your friends! Award-winning hop-on, hop-off bus passes and Day Trips through Ecuador. Host made sure no step was left out laying symbol of each step onto a round board as a visual. What I usually do is to pack everything valuable in my day pack that I would keep on my lap in the bus, and put everything else in my big pack - locked - itself being placed in the storage place under the bus. The bus was on time for everything. OUR BUSES Ecuador Hop is quite simply the best way to get around in Ecuador. Private shuttles are door-to-door services, customized to your itinerary and the size of your group. If you are a backpacker with a limited budget then travelling by land is by far your best option in South America. Especially if you travel by bus and dont quite know the tricks to staying safe in Ecuador. My tour guide, Andrs, is one of the nicest people Ive met and is very considerate to making sure your are having an enjoyable experience. They were always available for questions, too. Pods can be red or yellow when ready. Our tour guide, Joseph, was top notch and so knowledgeable. The main cause of the accidents is driver error and the poor maintenance, and age, of the vehicles involved. Your bus schedule in Ecuador - Ecuabuses The company was very accommodating and took great care of everyone. Six years later, while sitting at a foreigner-friendly caf in La Floresta, I overhear people lamenting over lost possessions all the time. CheckMyBus has got you covered! For the portions of our route between Baos, Guayaquil and Montaita, we switch to full-sized buses with all the essential features for making longer journeys (including overnight trips) as comfortable as possible. Stunning, which by the way is also the active volcano of Quilotoa. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger. Once you get to other terminals outside of Quito some buses wait until they are full enough, or go early if they are already full. Planning a trip? BTW, some clouds but views were great. A bus from Alaus to Guayaquil takes around 3 hours. Bursting with culture, I recommend spending a few days here perusing local museums and coffee shops. In preparation for the three-hour trip from Quito to Banos, I did some Googling and found no shortage of other anecdotes. Good group of 9 tourists, guide was very knowledgeable and driver fine. That said, we must also acknowledge the risks that do exist, especially those associated with bus travel in Ecuador. The Best Deals Save up to 70%. Bus travel in Ecuador lends itself to a more authentic experience, despite the associated risks. We hope that private investors -- or a revival of public fortune -- will bring the train system back in the future. They buy luxury, packaged tours and never interact with local Ecuadorians (apart from their guide). This is precisely what I said to the young guy who wanted first to show me to my seat and then help me with my daypack on the bus from Montanita to Guayaquil. We felt he represented the company well and we would go on another tour with him in a heartbeat! A shout out to our drivers, Alberto and Christian who drove us around quickly and safely. Migrationology Edition. The most beautiful Volcano/Lagoon in the world!! It was very windy and dusty on the hike up. FIND OUT WHY Cruz del Sur International Services As well as having the best domestic route coverage in Peru, Cruz del Sur journey to more international destinations than any other Peruvian bus company. I'm convinced the safest place on the bus is seat #1, in the first row, against the left window, right behind the driver's seat. Recommendations on intercity bus from Quito to Cuenca Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. They revealed the typical tactics of thieves and safety tips for riding the buses in Ecuador (learned the hard way). For many years there was no direct bus from Cuenca to Baos, the thrill-seekers paradise of Ecuador. Quito is a great starting point as there are buses to every area of the country from here. A bus from Riobamba to Cuenca takes around 4.5 hours. Are you thinking of doing a bus travel in Ecuador? Some traveling will be by bus. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry. You can take buses at night to make the most of the day time for exploring destinations. These travelers arent really experiencing Ecuador or departing from their comfort zone. This farm is totally eco friendly/sustainable tourism experiences. Thieves have been known to sneak under the seats and empty out the goods while you sleep. A: The best Bus Services in Ecuador according to Viator travelers are: Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels. Having said this, crime is not rampant in Ecuador just be cautious. Amazing family trip! If the bus starts to get too crowded (people standing in the middle aisle), your bag is safer in your hands, but NOT below your seat. By doing so, theyre defying their comfort zone and experiencing the real Ecuador. Expect the same level of comfort and service as in the Peru Hop buses, with USB ports in the seats for charging your . A bus from Baos to Alaus takes around 3 hours. However, most tourists want to get to specific destinations, like the entrance to a National Park or a small surfer town. The Most Choices Millions of routes worldwide. The border crossing from Peru into Ecuador can be unpredictable so expect anything from two to five hours here. So, sit back and enjoy the, Five days in Ecuador is clearly not enough to get to know the country well, but theres one thing that five days in Ecuador can do. Juan Carlos was a great driver. The Wanderbus has a handful of centrally located hop on/hop off locations in each city, saving you time and stress. +1 (702) 648-5873 Chat now Top Ecuador Bus Tours Bus Tours Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises How to Get Around Tours by Duration Sightseeing Tours Car Tours Outdoor Activities Private Sightseeing Tours Day Trips Adventure Tours Full-day Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Multi-day Tours Art & Culture Culture Cultural Tours They buy luxury, packaged tours and never interact with local Ecuadorians (apart from their guide). It provides a safe, hassle-free experience while also getting you, Exploring Cuenca, a charming city rich in culture and history, Av. You'll also be able to see more of the country. You can take one of the smaller mini-vans for about $12 USD (note that these are not very comfortable and have no bathrooms). Natalia (through Condor Travel Ecuador) was our guide. So, sit back and enjoy the, Five days in Ecuador is clearly not enough to get to know the country well, but theres one thing that five days in Ecuador can do. Also, try to opt for companies that provide you with a ticket when storing your suitcase or backpack below the bus. Baos, Coca, Cuenca, Lago Agrio, Loja, Manta, Mindo, Montaita, Otavalo, Puerto Lopez, and Quito are all just a short list of many destinations we can transport you to, by public buses or private shuttles, at a range of prices depending on your budget or other criteria. Pickpockets usually operate above deck. There are two types of shuttle services in Ecuador: private and shared. From Quito, there are two main bus terminals: Quitumbe and Carceln. Eduardo was a great tour guide, and really knowledgeable about all the plants and animals we saw. Travelers come in all shapes and sizes, and the ones that travel by bus are, by far, the coolest.Some travelers land at the airport only to hop on another plane to get to their next destination. The chocolate making process was probably my favorite even to learn about one of the countys biggest export as well as try a lot of types of chocolate. In the search bar, simply enter your desired departure point and destination in Ecuador and select the date youd like to travel on. Check out some of the Wanderbus passes here to see if it fits with your travel plans. For all of South America, but particularly for an incredibly compact country like Ecuador, there is no better way to travel around than by bus the scenery is beautiful, buses operate to every possible destination multiple times a day, and tickets are amazingly inexpensive. Theyre picking up new phrases in Spanish or Quechua, theyre eating street food (#sorrynotsorry) and traveling to all their destinations by bus. You will love this experciente! As Ecuador is a relatively small country, transportation time from its northern border with Colombia to its southern border with Peru can be done in 15 hours. Riobamba to Cuenca by Bus: 2021 updated information about bus schedules, bus safety, and the best bus to take! Even the most popular bus companies, like TransEsmeraldas, dont let you reserve your ticket by phone. Take water, sunscreen, warm clothes, sunglasses, something to cover your head and face with. We have more than 900 communities, towns and cities as possible stops. Thieves rely on distracting their victims, and one way to do that is to build some rapport and comfort, so the victims drop their guards. Though ten days in a country offers a better feel of what that country has to offer, Ecuador doubles-down on offering the experience of nature at its most extreme and most diverse If 5 days takes us up and down the Ecuadorian rollercoaster, 10 days is double the fun. We especially enjoyed the experiments portion very interactive. Safety First As a travel company in Ecuador, Wanderbus has no interest in scaring visitors off with stories of theft and safety hazards. I am a nomad girl and write here about South America destinations. You can even buy your ticket in advance though it is not necessary. However, visibility will always be better during the day than at night, and landslides can occur without warning. This small-group tour simplifies the logistics, We do offer: A beautiful, charming city that we loved our time in! Temp at the Basecamp was about 5C (40F) but very cold winds and snow coming from higher up. You only need to be concerned about the person sitting to your right and those immediately behind you. Were a hop-on, hop-off bus service connecting the cities of Ecuador. Numerous international executives plan their meetings in the city for the day and then return to the airport in the afternoon and take the last flight; for all this, we offer you the best Bus rental. Information about Buses in Ecuador | Ecuador Explorer I highly recommend this tour, our guide Josu was very charismatic and knowledgeable. Theres usually a lot of commotion and its easy to get distracted, providing a perfect opportunity for opportunistic individuals. Though ten days in a country offers a better feel of what that country has to offer, Ecuador doubles-down on offering the experience of nature at its most extreme and most diverse If 5 days takes us up and down the Ecuadorian rollercoaster, 10 days is double the fun. Click on any category below to read real customer reviews and see why Ecuador Hop is your perfect way explore this country. I hike a reasonable amount, but I was definitely feeling my 65 years today. Its estimated that there are 6.2 deaths from bus accidents per 100,000 inhabitants in Ecuador. I had a wonderful time during the tour. of you so you have a clear view of your bag during the trip. Easy and Transparent Compare offers with 1 click. By the way: If available, we will also show you information about other modes of transportation, such as trains, carpooling and flights, to help you get around in Ecuador. Each of them made every effort to make sure our group felt safe and happy at all times. Bus travel in Ecuador is SO cheap, youll probably spend more money getting to the bus terminal by taxi than getting from the bus terminal to your destination. Most people make it through in a couple of hours (we somehow got a very quiet night and got through in ten minutes). He gave excellent food and drink recommendations in Baos. 10 de Agosto N21-123 y calle San Gregorio, Edificio Epsilon, 3rd floor, recent Q&A interview, Wanderbus Owner and Founder Nico Ponce, Ecuador Tours with local private tour guides. When you travel with us, youll meet fun & friendly people of all ages from around the world. Our experiences start on allocated days . 2. By allowing travelers to create their own journey in a safe and reliable environment, Ecuador Hop gives you the freedom and the stability that you are looking for while traveling in South America. Help . Then there are those that dive in deep. Just for that experience alone, 5 days in Ecuador is an exciting adventure that few, Tourism and travel have evolved throughout the years and we could say that, in this day and age, people are more and more inclined to seek travel experiences in which they control every last part of their journeys. For routes in other countries, getting to or from other countries, or for more intricate domestic searches that include indirect paths and transfers and offline purchases, use our parent mega-search engine at andestransit.com. Forget about having to look over your shoulder while hanging around bus terminals for hours on end. Of all the guides we encountered during our stay in Quito, Daniel was by far the most competent, knowledgeable, and informative. For cross-border or international transportation from Ecuador to Colombia or Peru, check out the popular routes from Quito to Ipiales (Colombia), Loja to Piura (Peru), and Guayaquil to Mancora (Peru). Here are further details on taking buses to all of Ecuador's main destinations. Posted by Suzanne Murphy | Nov 2, 2019 | South America. I'm talking movies, fully reclinable seats, Wi-Fi, snacks and bathrooms. Note, volcano has been active so they are not permitting you to ascend further, there was a glacier another 400m up, but not sure I would have made it in the time available, if at all. 1h 10m $56 - $234 Cheapest Bus Take the bus from Guayaquil Terminal Terrestre to Cuenca 2h 55m $4 - $12 Bus via La Troncal Take the bus from Guayaquil to La Troncal Take the bus from La Troncal to Cuenca 5h $15 - $25 Taxi Take a taxi from Guayaquil to Cuenca, Ecuador 3h 8m $110 - $140 Drive Drive from Guayaquil to Cuenca, Ecuador 3h 8m $11 - $17 Though youll get there eventually, the journey may require hopping on/off 4 different buses and long waits in isolated bus terminals at ungodly hours. (You can buy them there too.) Don't be a typical tourist. We're especially grateful to our tour guide Carlos who spent two days taking us around the all the key sights and sounds, and was very flexible to accommodate our requests as we were the only two guests on the tour at the time. I bonded with my travel group and each tour guide very quickly and miss them already. Not sure? From Quito, there are two main bus terminals: is a larger terminal in the South of Quito and over 120 bus companies depart from here to dozens of destinations around Ecuador (and internationally). This is quite a long and complicated journey but doable (and is certainly the cheapest option across this unpredictable border). They joined many other similiar stories around the world where tourism income fell so dramatically that the government could no longer finance the train infrastructure, and so was forced to auction it off in order to pay for desperately needed public health and welfare needs. It was great to meet many backpackers like me!. In 2018, there have been 104 deaths in 751 traffic accidents involving public buses. If there is one tip in this list you cannot ignore, keep your valuables/daypack/purse in your lap. Most taxis here still accept USD and don't cost more than $4 total. The 3 Day 2 Night Cotopaxi and Baos Tour went to each of these sites! While youre on the bus, you have time to spare. Ecuador is probably one of the cheapest countries in South America to visit and travel through by bus. As the journey is extremely long (we're talking thirty hours from Lima to Guayaquil in Ecuador), I suggest you pay a bit extra for good company and enjoy the comfort they have to offer. alternative you wouldnt be able to pass up that will give you the best of both worlds? The waterfalls and the volcanoes between leaving Quito and arriving at Baos were indescribable. Speaking of distraction, don't let yourself get too engrossed in that Steven Segal action flick playing on the TV, the book you're reading, or music you might be listening to on your smartphone. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. . There are regular tragic accidents involving public buses. The highest standards of hygiene and transport safety combined with unlimited free start date changes! Abstract: Amazing Bus and Shuttle travels in Ecuador. Ecuabuses reserves the right to withdraw any offensive message. Book risk-free with fully refundable, free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. FASCINATING. FURTHER READING: Mancora, Peru: Desert, Beaches and Sunsets The night bus from Ecuador to Peru: Safe, Cheap and Comfortable I can't imagine a better way of crossing the border from Ecuador to Peru.