Flight
This is the main airport to the coast of Ecuador and the closest international airport to Pasaje. There are flights from some major U.S. cities direct to Guayaquil, but more often you'll need to connect through Quito or other Latin American cities. This can be a great excuse to visit them as well!
Travel Note
Pasaje is in southern Ecuador, nestled near the foothills of the Andes, and along a major route between the cities of Machala and Cuenca. Getting there is a journey - but an exciting one! First, fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. Then head by rental car or bus (or connecting flight) to Machala - a major port for the export of bananas and chocolate, with plenty of hotels. Finally, on the day of the wedding, head to Pasaje by car or shuttle, less than an hour's drive from Machala. And either before or after the wedding, explore Ecuador! This page has tips and info about how to plan each step of this journey!
Rental Car
There are several rental car agencies near the Guayaquil airport - we suggest using one from an international company, as they'll be more likely to accept credit cards and be upfront about charges. (We've had less luck with local companies). Ecuador is a country where those of you how can drive a manual transmission are in luck - nearly all cars and manual, and you'll pay extra to get an automatic transmission. But overall, prices aren't that high.
Travel Note
If you'll be driving, you'll want to be ready for a few differences between Ecuador's roads and the U.S. First - like everywhere else, things will be in metric. Liters and kilometers - be ready! Second - Highways work a little different - even interstate-style roads in Ecuador may have speed bumps, intersections, or vendors selling oranges. Third - while many roads are in good shape, some aren't. (But from what I've heard about Indy's roads, this won't be any different than home for some of you!) Pavement can end, and large potholes can exist, especially on less busy roads or on mountain highways. Fourth - rules for driving are a bit different - and traffic patterns are way different! It can be jarring, especially if you find yourself in a busy city near rush hour. Many gringos avoid the hassle by taking buses or taxi-vans. Finally - yes, American driver's licenses are valid for driving on Ecuador's roads (for 30 days).
Travel Note
There are two things you can do once you get to Guayaquil. You can head to a hotel in the city and rest OR you can head directly to Machala or Pasaje. You can get most places in Ecuador through bus. Once in Guayaquil, you can head to the Terminal Terrestre Jaime Roldos Aguilera, which is the main hub for getting out of town through public transportation. From there you can catch a bus to either Pasaje or Machala: Oro taxi is fastest and safest mode of public transit. This is what Marcela's mother recomends for those not getting picked up by family members at the airport. If you prefer a traditional bus Rutas Orences is the bus you are looking for. You can also call la Cooperativa de Turismo OroGuayas +7 293-4382, they run a shuttle service to the airport
Travel Note
If you are visiting other Ecuadorian cities or locations, getting around is often as easy as finding a bus station. Most cities and towns have stations, and the Ecuadorian bus system is robust, with regular transport to anywhere you'd want to go. There are also flights between some Ecuadorian cities, like Guayaquil, Quito, Machala, Cuenca, and others. Prices will be higher than bus fare, but will certainly be faster!
Travel Note
The best way to get around Guayaquil will be by taxi. You can catch a taxi from the airport. For example, la Cooperativa de transporte Aeropuerto de Guayaquil, a taxi company, is located right at the airport. Phone number: +593 216 9141 Here are some general rates to know: From the airport to the big bus terminal is about 3 dollars - from there, you can catch buses or taxi-vans heading to Machala or Pasaje. You can also catch taxi-vans from the airport. From the airport to city center / hotels downtown about 6 dollars From the airport all the way to Pasaje or Machala is around 120 dollars (by personal taxi, not taxi-van)
Travel Note
When staying in one city, it is possible (and can be affordable) to hire a driver to take you around during your entire stay. This way, you avoid the hassle of finding a taxi for each trip. Ask your hotel's front desk or concierge , or ask taxi drivers directly if they have a daily rate (which often means not just a fare, but also meals and gas).
Hotel
There are many places to stay in Guayaquil with a variety of ranges in prices. There are the normal international recognized hotels you can book. Prices range between between 60-150 dollars depending on when you book, you can book these online: Hilton Colon Courtyard by Marriot Sheraton Guayaquil Hotel Oro verde More Economical Hotels or Hostels. Some of these offer online booking: Hostal Villa 64: $34 Hotel Alexander: about $40-60 a night. (this is the hotel where i stayed when i was going to the consulate to get my green card!) Nazu City Hostel: $25-35
Hotel
This is the hotel that our shuttles will leave from. It is the most likely hotel to have English speaking staff
Hotel
A great hotel at the heart of Machala
Hotel
Hotel
Hotel
Travel Note
Two travel guides we like are the Moon Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos and the Lonely Planet Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos. Both have been recently updated and point out highlights of Ecuador, along with suggestions for what to do in various cities. (We're leaning on the Moon Guide for our honeymoon planning!) They also both offer some basic travel tips, and are aimed at low-cost vacationers. Bookings.com for finding hotels General travel tips: https://ecuadorabroad.com/travel-tips/ if you are traveling to Cuenca try the app: Visit Cuenca