Any recommendations? I will be traveling with Miha on her return visit to Ecuador next week (April 2013). No time for Galapagos this trip and not likely to make it to coast. However the agenda will be busy, visiting friends of Miha’s in Quito and Guayaquil, as well as stop overs in Otavalo, Baños, and the southern towns of Loja, and Vilcabamba. We’re going to check out some hostels and other recommendations, as usual, and write about them on the BLOG (www.travelswithmiha.com), where a highlighted overview of her previous journey is noted . This time we intend to make some new friends and enhance the experience through one of her favorite but not often enough used Couchsurfing network. Loja, Vilcabamba, and Otavalo will be new visits for Miha – interests sparked by reading through our editions of International Living Magazine, and all will be a first time visit for Michael.
Spanning a fair distance between the southern region of Ecuador, where Loja and Vilcabamba are located, and Quito, we are looking for additional recommended locations in between, to visit and stay over one or two nights. We were considering a possible stop over in Tigua, home of the artist and origins of the iconic Ecuadorian paintings. Cob cottages would be cool. Other interests would of course include scenic, safe, beautiful locations with friendly people and great local food. Considering bus versus rent-a-car, and curious as to the interior road conditions. Any recommendations?