BUS HOPPING ECUADOR’S BEACH TOWNS

Are you planning on bus hopping Ecuador’s beach towns? There are direct buses from Quito and Baños. But if you want to reach the coast from Latacunga you will have to travel via either of these cities. Either way, your journey will take you through coastal towns Bahia and Portoviejo which aren’t worth spending time at. Read on to find out useful tips and how to travel between:

Quito – Canoa – Puerto Lopez – Montañita – Guayaquil – Baños

▼ Quito Terminal Quitumbre

$ 10.20, 6.30 h. We travelled with Carlos Array at 11 pm. I advise you to look at recent reviews before travelling. The bus was cold, the road very bumpy, and my rucksack was cut open. Check with the staff if they stop at Bahia Terminal. We were dropped off at the opposite side of town, conveniently close to the bridge leading to Canoa. Although, it felt too unsafe to wait for a local bus on the side of the road in the early hours.

▼ Bahia de Caráquez

$ 1, 30 minutes by local bus or take a taxi for around $ 12. Local bus tickets are purchased on the bus from a conductor. Don’t get excited about not having to pay, sometimes conductors take their time in collecting the money.

▼ Canoa

$ 1, 30 minutes. The busses can be flagged down anywhere on the street. Moreover, most busses head to Bahia Terminal but double-check with the bus driver.

▼ Bahia Terminal Terrestre

$ 2.50, 1.20 h. Buses aren’t running frequently. We took the 11.45 bus on a Sunday. The journey will take you past plantations including the glistening waters of rice fields. Inform the bus driver that you need to change bus for Puerto Lopez when you are close to Portoviejo.

▼ Portoviejo

$ 4, 1.30 h. The previous bus will have dropped you off on the opposite side of the bus stop to Puerto Lopez. On Sunday, there was only a bus at 2 pm and 4 pm taking you along the sparkling ocean to Puerto Lopez.

▼ Puerto Lopez

$ 2.50, 1 h. Shop around at the bus terminal for the best price and time. Buses run every half an hour. Prepare yourself for a curvy and bumpy ride.

▼ Montañita

$ 6, 3 h. The ticket office on the side of the main road is easy to overlook. Buses run every hour. Make sure to sit on the righthand side of the bus for dreamy ocean views. When entering Guayaquil the bus loops around the city for 40 minutes, then stops at the airport bus terminal before heading to Terminal Terrestre. There are public transport connections from the airport to the city centre.

▼ Guayaquil Terminal Terrestre

$ 8, 5.30 h.

► Baños

USEFUL TIPS WHEN BUS HOPPING ECUADOR’S BEACH TOWNS

Be vigilant when travelling on night buses from Quito as theft is common. Remember that buses can be exited wherever. This is convenient when your destination is before the bus terminal and you want to avoid a long walk or taking a taxi to your hostel.

Now go ahead and explore! Try not to lose your towel.

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