Does anyone have any advice or experience in renting a car and driving in Ecuador. My husband are traveling there in February and would like to see the country. We are flying into Guayaquil and plan on driving to Cuenca and then on to Quito and then down the coast and back to Guayaquil. Are we smart or stupid?
Appreciate any info.

Pretty risky review safety/crime info here

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1106.html

www.enchantedexpeditions.com good custom tours

Great locals who know the best places

far wiser way to go.

It's not expensive to fly within mainland Ecuador. It's a lot quicker to get between main cities like Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil than it is to drive.

TAME
www.tame.com.ec

Aerogal
www.aerogal.com.ec

are both dependable domestic airlines.

Quito has some very scary driving practices, I would not want to drive there---it makes New York and DC look tame. I haven't spent time in Guayaquil but have heard that it is even worse than Quito. I remember a guide book said as a pedestrian to find a mother with kids and follow her as she crosses the street, no joke, since cars just don't stop.

I recommend never to rent a car in Ecuador. I have done it several times and it always ends up being a hassle on return. The other issue is the rental could be stolen and if you have a wreck it is difficult to untangle the legal issues. Someone will be going to jail in most cases. I will usually hire a driver. While the drive to Cuenca from Guayaquil is quite beautiful it can be dangerous especially for the unexperienced. I have driven it twice and now fly.

http://www.ecuadortraveladvisory.com