www.ecuadors.org

[Koenie]

I'm heading to Ecuador in mid-August for about ten days. Short trip, mostly to unwind from work. Had thought about spending time in Banos, but it looks like the eruptions might be a problem. Any suggestions for places to go to forget about life for a while? (Or I am worrying for nothing?)

Thanks!

[Bucktown]

Cuenca is lovely! If you're going to be in the country for only ten days, and assuming you're flying into Quito, Cuenca may be a bit far for you. I Banos it's VERY touristy and I can only imagine it's gotten more so over the years. The bike ride, however, from Banos down to the jungle is pretty sweet and very popular.

One of the most amazing places in the country is Papallacta. The hotel is a bit higher end, but the mountains and volcanoes which surround are amazing (as is the trout in the restaurant), and the springs are HOT HOT HOT!!!

There's a great little village outside of Otavalo called Peguche. It's very chill and has a great waterfall.

I just posted a recommendation for a mountainside hostal called La Luna. It's on the road towards the Mojanda Lakes and Fuya Fuya. It's a few miles from the Otavalo market and a place where you can surely forget about life for a while. Take a taxi from town. I used to stay there for days at a time.

If you take a few days in Quito, a few days at Otavalo/La Luna, a couple days at Papallacta and a day back in Quito, i think you'll be sorted.

Cheers!