The rugged Andes and tracts of impenetrable rainforest present formidable barriers to overland travel in Ecuador.
But journeying through this dramatic topography is just one of the many reasons to come here. Getting around in Ecuador won't necessarily be quick, but it will always be an adventure.
The good news? Transportation in Ecuador is generally inexpensive, particularly if you stick to the buses, though prices ramp up dramatically if you include the Galápagos on your itinerary. Transit is easier on the mainland – wherever there are roads, you can pretty much guarantee that there'll be a spluttering local bus to take you to your next destination.
Here's everything you need to know about safely finding your way around Ecuador.
The bus – the beast of burden favored by many South American nations – reigns supreme in Ecuador. If there’s a road, whether it’s paved or gravel, it’s likely that some lavishly decorated rattletrap bus will be waiting to take you down it.
On routes between larger cities, you can often take a comfortable modern coach – these luxe buses have become much more common in recent years, replacing many of the wheezing old buses on long-distance routes. Air-con, reclining seats, Wi-Fi and onboard movies usually come as standard.
As is often the case in the Americas, bus travel offers some colorful insights into the lives of ordinary Ecuadorians. A long bus ride is a great way to meet and speak to local people (expect your own apparel to feel decidedly dull next to the felt hats and colorful shawls of your fellow passengers).
Need some hand-holding before jumping onto a local bus? Ecuador Hop is a gringo-friendly, hop-on-hop-off bus service with a variety of routes and passes, traveling to destinations across the country; what you lose in local color, you make up for with convenience. Ditto Wanderbus Ecuador, although the itineraries are slightly more rigid.
Alternatively, head to the nearest public bus station with your Spanish phrasebook and go it alone. In most towns and cities, the bus terminal – typically called the Terminal Terrestre – is on the outskirts, with regular services to almost anywhere. If you’re in a hurry and want some creature comforts, make sure you book onto an autos de lujo, one of those modern coaches with all the mod-cons.
If you enjoy the freedom of the open road and being in charge of your own destiny, you could always rent a car in Ecuador. Your home license is usually sufficient for renting a vehicle (you'll also need your passport), but if you get stopped by the police you may face less hassle if you have an international license.
The backbone of the country’s road network is the Pan-American Highway, which broadly follows the Avenue of Volcanoes; a chain of eight
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
There may be no other city in the world whose history can be told through its food as plainly as New York’s can. Its food landscape can be peeled back to reveal successive waves of immigrants, each adjusting their national cuisine to fit their new home.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nicole Cueto, a 40-year-old who has traveled to 47 countries. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Scattered amid the azure waters of the South Pacific, Fiji is made up of 300 or so islands – sailing is undoubtedly one of the best ways of navigating this paradisiacal archipelago (with the best season being between May and October), but there are plenty of ways to get around if you don’t have your own boat.
Good news! You don’t need to book an expensive cruise to discover the wonders of the Galápagos - here's how to DIY it. Regis St Louis, who has journeyed extensively across the archipelago for multiple editions of Lonely Planet Ecuador explains how to put together an independent itinerary.
“Chowder has always been here,” says Emily Haynes. “It isn’t just a dish for Nova Scotians — it’s who we are.” The executive director of Taste of Nova Scotia, an association that promotes businesses that champion local ingredients, Emily is taking me for a blustery coastal stroll along the Bay of Fundy. “Chowder was shipboard food,” she says as we pass fishing boats stranded on the bay’s muddy bottom; the Atlantic inlet between the Canadian Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick is home to the world’s highest tides. “Fishermen would cook salt cod or fresh catch with salt pork in hot water, then ship’s biscuits were added as a thickener. It was a tasty meal that could feed a whole ship from one pot.”
Mexico is huge! From fluffy, white ski slopes and thick, steamy jungle to cacti-strewn deserts and sublime stretches of untouched sand, expect to use many transport options to get around the world's 13th biggest country.
Philadelphia is the sixth-largest city in the US (and the biggest in Pennsylvania), home to the Phillies and Eagles sports teams, delicious Philly cheesesteaks, museums, music venues and tons of American history. So what's the best way to get around and experience it all?
Spanning from the remote northern reaches of Nunavut to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the American landmass is home to a spectacular array of native flora and fauna—and all of that abundant biodiversity has given rise to a wealth of incredible drinking and dining destinations all throughout its boundaries. Whether you’re seeking fresh seafood, complex cocktails, or refined nikkei-style dishes, each of the following Marriott properties showcase the culinary splendor of their surroundings, with no shortage of high-end amenities to enjoy along the way.
From the deserts of Arizona to the rocky coastline of Maine, from the sandy shores of Florida to the peaks of Colorado, the United States offers a breathtaking range of natural landscapes. The new National Geographic book Great Outdoors USA: 1,000 Adventures Across All 50 States reveals how to hike, raft, climb, surf, and bike through some of the best of them. Here are 50 of its top picks, one in each state.