A road trip planned by Angie Drake over 27 days with 82 stops.
Countries: ECU
From 2019-01-09T08:00:00.000Z to 2019-02-04T08:00:00.000Z
Ecuador
Sigsig, Ecuador
If you love wandering around ancient ruins, plan for a couple of hours at multiple spots, including the indoor museum (requires a reservation).
Yantzaza, Ecuador
Budget is approximate for 1 room double occupancy.
Ecuador
We had a great Bolon de Verde... currently no restaurant listed in Google Maps.
Timbara, Ecuador
Budget is approximate and generous. Locals often eat the Menu del Dia for $5 or less per person.
Ecuador
Lots of great murals to photograph in Zamora. Also best place to renew your tourist visa if traveling this far south.
Vía Podocarpus, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Zamora, Ecuador
Spent the day hiking in the reserve. National Parks in Ecuador are free.
Vía Podocarpus, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Vía Podocarpus, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Via Nuevo Paraiso, Ecuador
You will note we had to double back to Cabañas Yankuam. This was due to available dates. We would have preferred to stay at Cabañas Yankuam before heading to Copalinga. Current pricing for the "single room" is $40 but it can sleep two. We have erred on the side of caution with the price for the double room and all meals.
Via Nuevo Paraiso, Ecuador
You will note we had to double back to Cabañas Yankuam. This was due to available dates. We would have preferred to stay at Cabañas Yankuam before heading to Copalinga. Current pricing for the "single room" is $40 but it can sleep two. We have erred on the side of caution with the price for the double room and all meals.
Via Nuevo Paraiso, Ecuador
You will note we had to double back to Cabañas Yankuam. This was due to available dates. We would have preferred to stay at Cabañas Yankuam before heading to Copalinga. Current pricing for the "single room" is $40 but it can sleep two. We have erred on the side of caution with the price for the double room and all meals.
Ecuador
We headed to this trailhead along the river in a boat rather than by car. This hike takes you to a stunning collection of cave-like limestone structures hidden in the jungle. Be warned, this is a former war zone and signs indicate that you should stay on the trails. We recommend going with a local guide.
Via Nuevo Paraiso, Ecuador
Return by boat
Ecuador
Stunning metal sculpture - uncertain of current condition.
Ecuador
Area known for the Orange-throated Tanager but there are also trails to the Cascada del Vino, where you can swim in the natural pool, and the Mirador de Los Tepuyes. This is an approximate point.
Via Nuevo Paraiso, Ecuador
You will note we had to double back to Cabañas Yankuam. This was due to available dates. We would have preferred to stay at Cabañas Yankuam before heading to Copalinga. Current pricing for the "single room" is $40 but it can sleep two. We have erred on the side of caution with the price for the double room and all meals.
Ecuador
Vía Zamora, Loja, Ecuador
Good photo op... just be sure to pull off the road after the bridge and beware of traffic. We have not hiked the trail but looks like it could be a good time.
Loja, Ecuador
Beautifully painted church front near an excellent restaurant in Loja.
Duran, Loja, Ecuador
This was a great place for a lunch stop (we had been to Loja before so had a good idea). Lots of local dishes to choose from!
18 de Noviembre, Loja, Ecuador
If you want to see an iconic Loja monument on your drive through town, drive over the Puerto de la Ciudad.
Loja, Ecuador
Side Trip for hiking... Google Maps also showed a route through the park but the gate on the other end was locked. Do not expect to transit through!
Diego Vaca de Vega, Vilcabamba, Ecuador
We love walking around the plaza and taking pictures of the quaint church. Traveling artists often set up under the trees or on the church steps.
Via Quebrada Sunungo, Vilcabamba, Ecuador
Entrance fee per person is $4 and the trails are a great escape from the business of the town itself.
Diego Vaca de Vega, Vilcabamba, Ecuador
We believe this hotel is no longer in business. The views of the mountains and almost daily rainbows were spectacular.
Ecuador
Cool outcroppings - supposedly it is possible to hike in this area though we have not tried. Best managed as a day trip from Vilcabamba without a car loaded with gear.
39, Valladolid, Ecuador
We passed our stop for the night to check out the neighboring town of Vallalodid and grab lunch. The central park is full of beautiful murals.
Valladolid, Ecuador
This is a simple church with a beautiful Virgin Mary, Baby Jesus wearing a Spain and Ecuador sash, and a unique cross made of metal.
Valladolid, Ecuador
It can be tough to find good restaurants in rural areas and El Guiso gets a 4.5 on Google. Not bad at all.
Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
39, Palanda, Ecuador
Interesting archeological site known for being the first source of domesticated cacao, a unique spiral formation, and circular buildings. Also great for birdwatching as it lies along the Rio Valladolid.
Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Ecuador
Ecuador
Loja, Ecuador
Macara, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Ecuador
Late afternoon birding with our guide from Jorupe. He took us to the outskirts of town along the rice fields.
Ecuador
Birdwatching along the old runway... especially good for the Peruvian Meadowlark. Lots of locals out for walks as well.
Macara, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Calvas - Loja, 1106, Ecuador
This is the approximate location of the Jocotoco Foundation's Utuana Reserve. $15 per person entry fee.
Macara, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Loja, Ecuador
Ecuador
Small grocery store at the cross roads was a good place to get snacks and water.
Ecuador
We decided to go off the main route to see some petroglyphs advertised from the main road. Most ended up being in someone's pig sty but there are others dotted throughout the region. We then continued on this road as the map showed it would eventually meet the highway again... it did, only after fording a stream and traversing some dodgy, rutted dirt roads. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Loja, Ecuador
Ecuador
Beautifully painted red, gold, and white church.
Ecuador
Patagrande, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Moromoro, Ecuador
Patagrande, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Patagrande, Ecuador
$264 double occupancy for 2025 (https://www.jocotoco.org/jt1#/EN/our-reserves). Includes full room and board.
Ecuador
Original overnight destination but our hotel moved to Alamor which meant driving a little further.
Ecuador
Our overnight in a hotel we cannot recommend. However, options in and around this area are limited.
Ecuador
Machala, Ecuador
Another poor choice in hotel... stay in Machala proper if you decide to repeat this trip. Or skip Machala altogether.
Bolivar Madero, Piñas, Ecuador
Calle Sucre, Zaruma, Ecuador
Calle Bolívar, Zaruma, Ecuador
Walking rather than driving.
Calle Sucre, Zaruma, Ecuador
Walking, rather than driving
Zaruma, Ecuador
Walking rather than driving.
Calle Sucre, Zaruma, Ecuador
Zaruma - El Oro, 0703, Ecuador
Marked to show road taken.
Ecuador
Zaruma - El Oro, 0703, Ecuador
https://notyouraverageamerican.com/spiral-petroglyphs-guizhaguina-ecuador/
Zaruma - El Oro, 0703, Ecuador
Calle Sucre, Zaruma, Ecuador
Huertas, Ecuador
Atahualpa - El Oro, 0703, Ecuador
We ended up going in circles trying to figure out how to navigate our way through Paccha.
Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador
Santa Isabel, Ecuador
Ecuador
Santa Isabel, Ecuador
Ecuador
Girón, Ecuador
E59, Ecuador
Carretera Panamericana, Cuenca, Ecuador
Ecuador
9 Jan 2019 - 4 Feb 2019
Patagrande, Ecuador
Patagrande, Ecuador
Patagrande, Ecuador
Carretera Panamericana, Cuenca, Ecuador