Travel to Quito

Last activity 23 June 2022 by cccmedia

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Chris BlackwellMember23 June 2022 16:38:39

I am scheduled to travel into Quito on Saturday 6/25. I have plans to stay there 3 days and then move on to Mindo, Banos, and over to the coast. I am having a hard time finding information on the ability to travel within the country I have seen reports of road blocks and know there are protests and a curfew in Qutio. Trying to understand if it is possible to still travel and get around the country. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

GypsyJackNew member23 June 2022 17:12:25

Hi Chris. The situation continues to be very fluid. You can try checking elcomercio.com or ecu911.gob.ec for local news and road closure info. Both are in Spanish but Google translate works well for real-time translations. Best of luck.

63thanjMember23 June 2022 17:27:13

@Chris Blackwell

Hello, I've been in Quito the last month. Most roads are still inaccessible. There is travel within Quito, but thus far no definite news regarding travel out of Quito to other cities . Bus service in and out of Quito is suspended.

Apparently the protests are targeting areas of high tourist visits.

I'd say don't plan on traveling out of Quito at the moment. The situation changes daily. Good luck!

LindaecuadorActive member23 June 2022 18:19:26

Travel around country is almost impossible. Yesterday at least 65 roads inlcuding highway level were closed. This includes the PanAmerica in many locations. You will not get to Mindo or Banos. I honestly do not know if you can get from the airport into Quito proper, maybe. There are, though, several hotels near the airport (sort of walking distiance) ranging from expensive to fairly modest. You can see them online and connect via email or WhatsApp to understand what is available.

I had tourist clients from Switzerland due to arrive at my house last Friday for several days. They had been to Galapagos and then were in Guayaquil and got to Chimborazo, most of this at the beginning of the Strike. Then they made it to Riobamba thinking they could go on to Banos and then to my house. But no. At one point they thought they could get a military flight out of Riobamba but that fell through. Finally, on Tuesday this week they were able to rent a 6-seater palne and fly from Riobamba to Guayaquil. Yesterday they exited to Costa Rica! Serious tourist travel can be both difficult and costly.

The resolution of the strike is in a kind of stalemate at the moment. The government is loath to give in to the indigenous protesters, particularly their demaind that the State of Exception be recinded and the military / police step down. Meanwhile, others in Quito, espcially residents have started white flag walks requesting peace and dialogue. These are also happening in Latagunga. The situation is complex and here, sometimes a strike can cease overnight but for this, who knows. Find out all you can on your flights and your Quito accommodation access.

Chris BlackwellMember23 June 2022 18:34:31

@Lindaecuador

Thank You so much, trying to figure out if I could fly into Quito and just hop over to the Galapagos as an alternate trip, any insight? Thanks again for the information!

cccmediaEcuador / Colombia Expert23 June 2022 18:35:23

10279

The obstacle course to Quito's airport.

I have exited Quito temporarily for a trip to Colombia.

By the time I left late on Wednesday, there were many indigenous blockades -- protesters, burning boxes in the street, bales of wire piled up in some streets.

Tababela taxi didn't show up on time at 3 p.m. and wasn't answering their phones. I went out in the street and found that police road blockades in Centro Histórico had expanded to five blocks from the government buildings, all the way to my condo. complex at Garcia Moreno and Oriente.

Fortunately, I found a veteran taxi driver who knew all the back roads .. and got me to the airport international departures area with over an hour and a half still remaining before my flight time.

Past Centro Histórico we encountered tire burning at a park, various indigenous roadblocks and a large parade of protesters with banners, but no police until we were a few minutes from the airport. There, at a rendondel, were posted half a dozen policía nacional with helmets and shields. After that spot, it was clear sailing to the airport.

If you don't have a strong reason to fly out of Quito's airport, I would advise postponing any plans until after El Paro ends.

As for flying into Quito, that's an individual's call. Since there's less of a time constraint arriving in Quito, a successful arrival may be possible via a taxista who knows the back roads.

Stay out of Centro Histórico unless you're looking for trouble.

cccmedia, from Medellín, Colombia

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