Traveling by land in Ecuador? This is what you need to know

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Traveling by land in Ecuador? It's a very good idea. If you come by sight Ecuador and you think about touring our beautiful country by land, whether by renting a car or by bus, this is what you should know.

Post written by Sil
Instagram: @smc_sock
With photos by Sil and Nicolás

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These are some of the best tips we can give you, so you can travel by road like a local through the great Ecuadorian landscapes with no surprises.

The basics we generally take on a road trip are:

• Mobile SIM card: if you like to always be connected, SIM cards in Ecuador are super cheap, since the $5 with a basic internet plan, or you can pay more to upgrade your internet options. This will not only help you post updates on your social networks, it will also help you navigate as a GPS with any map APP you have.
• Toilet paper: you never know when nature calls, but in general finding a public toilet can be a challenge. The best advice to find a public toilet will be in restaurants, large stores or service stations (gas stations). Don't have high expectations about the types of toilets you'll find, we have to be grateful if they are clean, although this has improved a bit.
• That $ h: on the way there will be different establishments to buy food, clothing, souvenirs or paying for visits and attractions, but most of them only accept cash, Credit cards are not accepted / debt. Recommendation: always carry at least $40 Dollars, in small denominations if possible.
• Comfortable clothes: road trips are all about comfort, so you must travel with loose clothing, during all the hours you will be inside the vehicle or to visit different places. Bring a backpack with a jacket that will keep you warm and protect you from the rain, Sunglasses, a hat or cap, sunscreen, insect repellent and comfortable walking shoes.
• Appetizers: some of us prefer to start our trips early in the morning, so we make sandwiches that always go well along with fries and at least two bottles of fresh water or your favorite bottled drink. Never be thirsty or hungry!
• Wet towel or hand sanitizer: after eating the sandwiches or fruits that can be bought on most roads in Ecuador, it may take a while before you can wash your hands. Therefore, you can clean your hands with wet wipes or antibacterial sanitizer until then.
• plastic bags: it is common to stop on the way to buy something to eat in small shops or service stations. Now, the problem is putting away all that junk while you're in the car, so that's where plastic bags come in handy until you get to an appropriate dump.
• music device: there will be long hours of driving and with good music from your phone, MP3 player or a USB will make the adventure a more entertaining experience.

We in Ecuador we take many road trips during the year, It is common for people who live in the highlands or sierra, go to the sunny beaches of the coast, while people who live near the sunny beaches want to visit the great volcanoes and the cities of the sierra.

Therefore, when there are "long weekends" (more of 2 consecutive holidays) everyone starts planning their trip around the country, which can make highways a bit chaotic at certain times and points. It is always recommended to go out of town on a regular weekend or in the middle of the week if you are not working, opposite case, you could get to restaurants, hotels and crowded spaces.

Since Ecuador, geographically speaking, it's a small country, driving distances are not as long as in other countries in the region. Here is a table that calculates approximate times from one city to another using our highway system.

*Approximate times, could vary depending on traffic, route conditions and type of transport.

After planning where you would like to go on your road trip, It is always advisable to wear the appropriate clothing so that you are prepared for the weather conditions that you are going to reach.

So pack your bags according to where you plan to go and what you plan to do., that is to say, if you go to Baños de Agua Santa, the climate is temperate and a little cooler, so we recommend bringing a waterproof jacket and warm clothing. You can also use thermal pools, so don't forget to pack your bathing suits.

We tend to travel in our own car, this should be preferred, alto. Keep in mind that the roads in the sierra were built around the curves of the mountains and around the volcanoes, so there will be times when the car must be strong enough to go up the hills back or into the mountains or to venture to a new destination where the road is second order or dirt.

If you will travel by bus, recommendations are very similar. Just keep in mind that the bus terminals, for example in Quito, are located at the ends of the city, so you must get to them by taxi or urban buses.

Take into account the season in which you come to Ecuador, since you might have to buy interprovincial bus tickets in advance, but on most days, when you arrive at the bus terminal you can buy them without problems that very moment to start your discovery of the country.

Have a good trip and tell us about your experience traveling by land in Ecuador!

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