Basically, rent a car, take a bus, or fly into the Loja airport (actually located 45 minutes away in Catamayo) and use a combination thereof. While the bus is by far the most economical method and provides for some drive by site seeing as well, it can take a while. If the rent-a-car is not in the equation, then a fair estimate for bus fare was described to us as “about $1 per hour,” and it seemed to prove a reasonably accurate observation. For example, from the Quito airport to the north terminal of Rio Coca, the fare ran $2 and took close to 2 hours. From Otavalo to Cotacachi the fare was 25 cents and took approximately 20 minutes.
Running a little short on time this trip, we made a last minute decision to fly from Guayaquil to Loja on Ecuador’s airline Tame. Something to note here: airfares are of course a bit less on the company’s web-site than if purchased at the counter, however the complete-the-purchase section of their site does not function. We were trying to complete our reservations and each time we submitted the card info for payment we received a message stating it could not be processed. Attempting with two different cards and then checking with card services, it was discovered no attempts to charge were made. We looked up a local office for Tame only a few blocks away and stopped in the following morning – the day of our desired flight. The rep at the counter agreed they were advertised cheaper on the site, and apologetically confirmed that their site did not work and tickets could not currently be purchased on-line. In any event, for same day one-way tickets from Guayaquil to Loja we paid $47 + $11.69 taxes =$58.69 each.
The 50 minute flight from Guayaquil lands in the valley just outside of Catamayo. No buses and only 3 taxis in site, without the appearance of much bargaining leverage, the cost of the taxi for the 45 minute ride to Loja was $20. A more economical option may have been to take the taxi to bus terminal in Catamayo, and then connect to the terminal in Loja for continuing on to the small town of Vilcabamba. Per the directions our host had offered, we went ahead and took the taxi from the airport to Taxi de Ruta, a company located at Once de Mayo (11 of May -name of street) in Loja. While a singly hired taxi from Loja to Vilcabamba would run $15, a taxi from Taxi de Ruta is only $1.75 – the only difference being that you wait until there are a total of 3-4 people to fill the cab and share the ride. They run pretty regularly and we did not have to wait at all. We simply got out of one taxi and into another and continued on to Vilcabamba, another 45 minute ride winding through beautiful green mountain countryside with others to converse with.
During our stay in Vilcabamba with our wonderful Couchsurfing host we made a day trip to Loja. $1.75 each via a Taxi de Ruta cab from Vilcabamba back to Once de Mayo in Loja, which is located only a few short blocks from the downtown market and plazas. The bus ride back was 40 or 50 cents each. Buses and taxis both arrive at the same location in Vilcabamba, which is only a two block walk in to the parque central -village center.
Leaving Vilcabamba via the Loja airport in Catamayo, while there is another road as well, the suggested route is simply back through Loja. The $1.75 shared ride with Taxi de Ruta is one option back to their station in Loja, where you could then take another for about $1-$1.50 to the Loja bus terminal, go to the Catamayo bus terminal and then taxi it to the airport. However if tight on time this might not work as you may have to wait for enough people to fill the cab – and coordinate the bus schedule. A regular taxi from Vilcabamba to Loja (not shared) we were told is $15. The most economical option would be the bus from Vilcabamba to Loja, then bus from Loja to Catamayo (Since we did not visit the bus terminal in Catamayo, I am not sure if there is a bus directly to the tiny airport. Would seem there should be, but no buses were seen at the airport on either visit, and others arrived by taxi, van, or personal transportation). A number of taxis can be found around the central park in Vilcabamba that advertise airport service on the side of their vehicle, and everyone seems to have a favorite driver they can recommend and call. A taxi from Vilcabamba direct to the airport is a 1.5 hour ride and $35.
One somewhat helpful site for checking bus, air, and limited train schedules and locations throughout Ecuador is www.ecuadorschedules.com. However the site does not show (at the time of this post) any bus routes to the Loja airport itself. Always advisable of course if traveling by bus is, upon arrival at a terminal, since you are there, to check the departing schedules and routes so you know the options and what to expect when returning for your departure.