The cheapest way to travel around South America is by bus, and Ecuador is no exception. This mode of transportation also offers the traveler an alternative way of seeing the country. Each glance out the bus window will usually bring a new delight as you pass through lush valleys, vast deserts, snow-capped mountains and volcanoes, and drive along the Pacific Coast all within a day's journey.

One thing to remember is that distances may be short, but the roads are often in poor condition, adding hours to the journey. For the sake of your back and long gringo legs, take one of the many luxury coaches that travel these longer routes. These offer more comfortable seats with leg room and usually come well-equipped with a toilet, television, and air-conditioning.

International Buses

If you are traveling to Peru or Colombia your best bet is to buy a ticket to the border and then buy an onward ticket there. You can take an international bus, but these are significantly more expensive and you still have to switch buses once you arrive at the border, and you will still have to go through Immigration and customs. Beware of scammers and thieves at both Peruvian and Colombia borders.

Inter-provincial Buses

The preferred way of getting around Ecuador is by bus. The cost of a bus ride is minimal and because the country is so small you can get almost anywhere in under a day.

In most cases, especially for longer trips and on busier weekends, it's a good idea to buy a ticket at least a few hours in advance so as to be assured a seat. It is best to buy your ticket the day before traveling so that you can choose your seat; seats in the last row are the most cramped and offer a bumpy ride, so if you have motion sickness, you'll want to sit as close to the front as possible. Also, make sure to arrive a little while before your bus is due to leave; full buses will leave early. Empty buses, on the other hand will wait around until the bus fills up. For this reason and because schedules change so frequently, departures listed in any timetable should be considered more of an approximation than an exact time.

You should know that a "full" bus in Ecuador includes the aisles. Many buses will pick passengers up along the way and stop to drop them off as well. Also, know that it is better to save that big bottle of water for after you arrive at your destination; on-board bathrooms are a rarity and you never know when or where your next stop is going to be.

In Quito

The Terminal Terrestre de Cumandá in Quito is where many bus companies have their offices and where most buses traveling within the country depart from. The terminal is located in the old town, close to Plaza Santo Domingo at 3077 Maldonado. The terminal and the area around it are breeding grounds for thieves so keep a close eye on your bags at all time. There are a few bus companies that leave from the new town.

In the Countryside

You can arrive to most any small town in Ecuador by bus. In smaller towns there is often no central terminal, and in the most remote areas, there may not be buses every day. Ask around town for where and when to take buses.