MonicaKD

Hi Fodorites

My husband and I will be in Ecuador the first two weeks of September and are hoping to rent a small car. Our tentative itinerary includes Banos, Mindo, Otavalo, Quilotoa Loop area and Cotopaxi. Will we need a 4Wheel drive to visit any of these areas or will a small, basic car be okay?

Also, will we need summer clothes for any of those locations or will the weather be too cool for shorts and tank tops in September? I know it's much colder in the higher elevations, but in Banos and Mindo for instance.

Lastly, Google maps doesn't seem to recognize Cotopaxi National Park or Parque Nacional Cotopaxi so I'm having a difficult time figuring out driving distances. Does anyone know what city or town is closest to the entrance to the park?

Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me.

Monica

crellston

A basic car will be fine for everywhere with the possible exception of the Quilatoa Loop. We hiked and bused our way around there but I do recall the roads being pretty rough. That said we did drive on similar roads in NW Argentina so you should be ok. I think yestravel rented a car for tha area and will hopefully comment.

Latacunga is the closest to Cotapaxi (and Quilatoa). Cotapaxi park entrance is about 30-40 mins by car and Quilatoa took us a couple of hours by bus. Probably a little less by car.

As for clothing. It will be absolutely freezing overnight in Quilatoa so go prepared (I.e. Hat gloves and thermals)! Elsewhere, we didn't use shorts much when we were there in May. I imagine the weather to be much the same in Sept. I would suggest layers are the way to go as the weather can vary tremendously even in the course of a few hours. A lightweight waterproof jacket on standby is always a good idea.

mlgb

I think September is mostly dry, although end of September is the beginning of rains in the Andes. I wouldn't want to drive in a heavy rain (and it can be very, very heavy). So allow some flexibility in your itinerary.

The major roads are good standard and wouldn't need a 4x4. Where I went birding outside of Mindo, minor roads can be paved, gravel or dirt/ mud that I wouldn't do in the rain. You can ask around in Mindo when you're there about the road condition. You can also book day tours once you're actually in Mindo if you don't want to drive the local roads.

Weather wise it's pleasant if the sun is out in Quito that time of year, but always bring a rain jacket. If it's overcast or raining it can be quite chilly.

MonicaKD

Thank you crellston and mlgb. I just went ahead and booked a small car since the 4x4s are way too expensive. Hopefully it will be fine since it's still the dry season. I'll keep my fingers crossed. : )

yestravel

I havent been to Mindo but did go to the others this past February. We drove in a small car in Ecuador and had no problems. We ran into some road construction that was a challenge but we made it and were fine. Agree that it could be quite cool even cold so as suggested prepare with layers. Have a great trip!