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Ecuador-How to drive and where to stay

This article has basic information about Ecuador, including details about roads and driving, gas prices, hotels with parking and camping. 

Basic Facts

  • Population: 13,922,000
  • Capital: Quito
  • Fun Fact: Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 965 kilometers (600 miles) west of the mainland.
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Roads and Driving

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Quito Driving Restriction

Be aware that Quito has a driving restriction based on the last number on your licence plate. Cars ending in 1 or 2 are not allowed to drive on Monday, 2 or 3 on Tuesday and so on.
The permit lasts for 90 but this can be extended by a further 90 days by applying in writing to the District Manager of the nearest customs office, 'only for properly justified reasons'. Over staying the permit results in a fine of 10% of the 'CIF Value' of the vehicle. Full details on the back of the permit, in Spanish and English.

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Gas Prices

Prices are in US Dollars Per Gallon
Nov, 2010: $1.45 gallon of regular
Conversion: 1L=0.26 gallons

For information on border crossings with a vehicle, see the Ecuador Border Crossing page. 

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Camping and Hotels

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Highlands

Quito
Hostal Jhomana, Gil Ramirez Davalos 151 (near Amazonas, in Mariscal Sucre, Quito. www.jhomana.com, 252-2566. Hot water, wireless internet, breakfast included, around $35/night. Has room for 3 cars in gated lot out front.
Casa Helbling is a great place to stay with the best mattresses ever. $2-3 breakfasts, laundry facilities, wifi, hot showers, well-equipped kitchen, fireplaces and parking for a smaller car or motorbikes. A double room was about $22USD/ night.
Banos
Hostal El Eden, 12 de Noviembre and Montalvo (about 2 blocks away from the main church, next door to Hostal Plantas y Blancas). El Eden has parking for about 4 cars, hot water, TV, and is $7/person/night. Nice clean rooms, a good deal.
Chugchilan
On the Quilotoa loop, Hostal Cloud Forest has parking. It's simple - no heat, small rooms, but breakfast and dinner are included for $10/person. They can help organize tours of the local area as well. There's only one road in town, so it's hard to miss. 593-032-814-808 info@chugchilan.com

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Beaches

Montanita
Hotel Maeo, Via Olon, 225-6153. Limited TV, electric shower, and maybe a little too close to downtown Montanita since the saturday night raves in nearby bars kept us up much of the night. One of the few places downtown that has parking.
Salinas
Hotel Amira, Ave Eloy Alfaro between calle 4ta and 5ta. 04-277-0701. AC, cable TV, hot water, parking, one block off the Chipipi malecon (nice section of Salinas). $35/night.

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