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Trip Report

Backpacking Ecuador

Hitchhiking through Ecuador, going from the coast all the way to the mountains!

  • Salinas+ 4
  • Banos
  • Salinas
  • Backpacking Ecuador
aninainwonderland
About Me:Hi everybody! I'm a 23 years old traveler from switzerland. The last 3 years I was exploring the ancient history of south america traveling as a backpacker and artist in 6 countries. Before that I studied and worked in my country but offic... read more

South AmericaEcuador42 days / September - October 2017

Highs & Lows

The ecuadorian beach in sumertime!

Didn't get my flight to the coast when I arrived to Quito

Itinerary Overview

The first time I arrived to South America I decided to discover Ecuador first, kind of a feeling to go there to learn Spanish. As I first arrived to Quito the people from the airport told me that my flight to the coast was cancelled and that I only could get one the next day. So I got a free night in a really classy hotel for free. The next day I got a flight till Guayaquil, then I took a Bus from the Terminal Terrestre which is huge and a 5 minutes walk from the airport. When I finally arrived to the first stop that was Salinas, I was amazed flom the deep blue water and I was even happier as I saw that the hostel had a huge balcony where I was watching  breathtaking sunsets with any kind of colors every night. The hostel had a bar and a restaurant with one of the best arepas I've eaten in my life. The following days I went to see the whales on a boat tour (you can see the whales from June till September and the tour costs 15$) that was absolutely worth it. I was amazed from this majestic animals. Another place I recomend are the viewpoints of Chocolatera to see the sunset.

After a few weeks in the coast I went to Baños de Agua Santa, a small town in the middle of the mountains. It is like 8 hours bus ride away from Salinas. I arrived to the small terminal and went walking to the hostel where I got taken care of very well after I went to explore the small town and I noticed the Candy culture. There are a lot of candy shops and everybody is selling sugar cane sticks witch you have to bite not to eat! There are tons of things to do in Baños like Rafting Canyoning but also tours like to the famous Casa del Arbol or El Pailon del Diablo. I went to both but without paying the tour because you can arrive easily everywhere by bus paying less(like 0.50$). The Pailon del Diablo has two entrances both are impressing you can see the waterfall from up and down but you have to pay at both entrances separately (approx 2.50$ each)

  • 21 Nights: Salinas
    Beautiful beach and nature
  • 21 Nights: Banos
    The Vulcano Tungurahua
Salinas - Beautiful beach and nature
1

Salinas Beautiful beach and nature

Salinas - Beautiful beach and nature - null
Salinas - Beautiful beach and nature - null
Salinas - Beautiful beach and nature - null1+

The firt time I arrived to south america i decided to discover ecuador first, kind of a feeling to go there to learn spanish. As I first arrived to Quito the people from the airport told me that my flight to the coast was cancelled and that I only could get one the other day. So I got a free night in a really classy hotel for free. The next day I got a flight till guayaquil, then I took a Bus from the Terminal Terrestre witch is huge and a 5 minutes walk from the ariport. When i finally arrived to the first stop witch was Salinas, I was amazed flom the deep blue water and I was even happier as I saw that the hostel had a huge balcony where I was watching  breathtaking sunsets with any kind of colors every night. The hostel had a bar and a restourant with ones of the best arepas i've eaten in my life. The folowing days went to see the whales on a boat tour (you can see the whales from June till September) that was absolutely worth it. I was amazed from this majestic animals. 

Banos - The Vulcano Tungurahua
2

Banos The Vulcano Tungurahua

Banos - The Vulcano Tungurahua - null
Banos - The Vulcano Tungurahua - null
Banos - The Vulcano Tungurahua - null

After a few weeks in the coast I went to Baños de Agua Santa, a small town in the middle of the mountains, it is like 8 hours bus ride away from Salinas. I arrived to the small terminal and went walking to the hostel where i got good attention after that I went to explore the small town and I noticed the Candy culture, there are a lot of candy shops and everybody is selling sugar cane sticks witch you have to bite not to eat! There are tons to things to do in Baños like Rafting Canyoning but also tours like to the famous Casa del Arbol or El Pailon del Diablo. I went to both but not paying the tour because you can arrive easily everywhere by bus paying less. The Pailon del Diablo has two entrances both are impressing you can see the waterfall from up and down but you have to pay them separately.

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    Hike more
  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    Nothing
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Chescos Hotel & Hostel Salinas El Casi Tuco Salinas Stray Dog Baños
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Always ask for the busses and normal transport to the places you want to visit.
  • Packing tips?

    Clothes for everything, it can rain a lot in Baños.
  • Transportation Tips?

    Buses en Ecuador are realy cheap so it's the best way to move from one place to another but hitchhiking also works really good
  • Any surprises?

    The amazing juices in the central food markets (Mercado Central)

Lodging