I am thinking about going to ecuador next november for vacation. I plan tostay in the amazon at a lodge for 4 -5 days...any suggestions on lodging there? Also, The rest of the trip we would like to rent a car and drive and visit banos, cuenca, manta, otavalo. Is this safe to do and are there any other areas we should definitely see. <BR> <BR>Hotel suggestions in Quito and elsewhere that are authentic but nice would be great. <BR> <BR>

I fly down to Ecuador every 6-10 months. Nobody ever wants to go to the jungle with me, so I haven't been to that area yet. Get shots, vacinations etc. Take bug spray, like Bug Guard by Avon (it's from the Skin-So-Soft product line) Enjoy the jungle, wish I were going. <BR> <BR>Don't rent a car. It's much cheaper to rent a driver. It's safer and more enjoyable. You won't get lost, the car won't get stolen, you get to enjoy the views . . . The driver I use is great! He is ALWAYS on time (very rare in that country) He knows the fine restaurants where you can eat with confidence. However he does not speak English. If you want his phone number let me know. <BR> <BR>I usually stay at an Apartment/Hotel called the "Amaranta" Bedroom, Bath, Kitchenette, Dining Area, Living Room with Hide-a-bed, and Cable TV with some chanels in English. The Amaranta runs $45 - $65 per night. <BR> <BR>Another hotel, more like you described is the "Ambassador" It is colonial style, beautiful inside and runs around $25 per night. Ecuador is now 'dollar-ized' and I don't know what that's done to the prices. <BR> <BR>If you go to Manta, Las Gaviotas, is a good hotel. My wife's family owns that hotel. It's a good one and reasonable. <BR> <BR>Enjoy Ecuador! I'm going back in December for Christmas and New Years. <BR> <BR>James

My personal experience with Ecuador was super-great. Very friendly people, sfe enough, if you follow the recommendation of the other people. We did even more... Rent a car - no single problem. Very cheap everything. <BR>And our Jungle Tour was very successful, too. A lot of animals really close. Our guide was the shaman of the local tribe. <BR>Try the Web Site: <BR>http://ecuador.terrashare.com

i am going to Ecuador in January - staying in the sierra madre hotel in quito and staying on the flotel orellana in the jungle. I booked everything through Avanti travel - good prices

Our church is sending ten or more people to Quito Ecuador on a mission trip. Looking for a good rate on a budget. <BR> Thank you Don