Route: Tumbes (Peru) - Guayaquil - Quito - (flew to) Panama City
Total Number of Days: 5
**See below for breakdown
Budget:
Overall Average: $27.50/day
Interesting Expenditures:
- Departure fee: $37.90
- Cost of an empanada: $.35
- Liter of beer at the grocery: $1
- One hour of internet: $.50
- Tour of Guayaquil on a pirate ship: $5
Food and Drink: We didn’t find much to rave about, other than the fact that we were able to find all the things we’d been missing throughout South America. Namely, Mexican food. The “almuerzos” are a great deal - lunch that usually includes a few courses, like soup, chicken, rice, fries, and a few other things. For $1.50.
Must Eats:
- Margaritas and enchilladas at Red Hot Chilli Peppers in Quito
- Patacon con queso - An Ecuadorian specialty, slices of grilled banana with white cheese on top
Highlights:
- Pirate ship cocktail cruise in Guayaquil
- A touch of home in Quito - cable TV, Mexican food, brick oven pizza
- A free night in the Hilton Colon, courtesy of Copa Air (the bastards)
Best Deals:
- The “almuerzos” are a great deal (see above), a very filling lunch for $1.50.
- A double room in Guayaquil with cable TV and aircon: $15
- A walk along the Malacon 2000 boardwalk: free.
Calendar of Events
June
12 - Tumbes to Guayaquil
13 - Guayaquil to Quito
14, 15 - Quito
16 - (flew to) Panama City
Hi there. I met you briefly in Cusco while you were at the Internet cafe. One of you was saying, “don’t put that picture of me, I look like a court jester”. I remember that cracked me up as I too was missing some of the luxuries of home (i.e. hot shower, fluffy towels). In reading your experiences, I feel like we had some similiar ones in various places. I, too, had trouble getting out of South America on a plane. One taxi driver and I went to and from La Paz to the airport around 5 times due to canceled flights, incorrect flight information, etc. He helped me through my meltdown at the airport as my friend had already taken off earlier and made it out. I also am a big fan of CIPRO, especially in Bolivia. My poor friend also had to suffer in hotel rooms that had no windows that opened to the outside air! Well, anyway, I am glad t hat you gave me your card as I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on various places that I visited also. Yes, that boy who raced down to Agua Caliente and met the bus was amazing! Well, hope that you are enjoying the last leg of your trip! It is good to get back to the luxuries of a fluffy pillow, familiar food, friends and family. Look forward to reading more about your experiences! Take Care!
July 6th, 2007 | #