www.ecuadors.org

[Fergus]

How much will a flight from Quito to Cuenca set me back in February? How long is a busride back to Quito? What are the best things to do in Cuenca in five or six days? Any spanish schools that people particularly recommend?
THanks!

[Abhijit]

Last week I just flew (one way) from Cuenca to Quito. I used Icaro and it cost me $63, tax included. I understand that fare for TAME would be the same. While flight time was less than an hour, a road trip would take well over 10, due to the poor road condition and the frequent stops. Just for your information, the airport in Loja is not in operation. That is the reason why I had to take a 6 hours bus ride from Vilcabamba to Cuenca in order to fly back to Quito.

If you will be there on a Sunday, try visiting the nearby towns Gualaceo, Chordeleg, and Sigsig. All three have market days on Sunday, and you can visit all three (along the same route) in the same day. I did that and enjoyed the visit.

I did not go to Spanish school in Cuenca, but a friend of mine is now attending the Simon Bolivar school there and seems to like it.

[Hovan]

It cost us $63pp one way July. We could not be flexible about the day.

Busses in Ecuador were about $1 per hour. Cuenca varies between 9-11 hours. We paid $10pp. It is a stunning but long & uncomfortable journey.

If you take the bus I would strongly suggest you leave Quito before dawn. At least 3 major bus companies have pick-up in La Mariscal (imo you do not want to be at the main bus station at night). They will still stop at the main station but at least you won’t have to wait there in the dark.

The main reason to go for the 6am bus is that it arrives in Cuenca when it’s still daylight. Not only will it make it nicer for you to find your way around & get the hostel of your wish but very very few backpackers took that one & choose the bus that left at 9am. By that time most of the hostels were full.

If you have the time there is absolutely no need whatsoever to fly anywhere in Ecuador…