Author: Kali Kucera

Photo by Eric Huybrechts, CC BY-ND 2.0, via Flickr. Mompiche it is not. Atacames it is not.  And that’s a good thing! Roughly halfway between those two popular spots on the Ecuador coast, Muisne provides none of their expense, pretense, or loudness, but instead a huge beach and heaps of sublime peace.  As I headed… Continue reading Discovering Muisne | Ecuador’s Hidden Paradise Beach

You probably know the feeling of being on a rollercoaster when the car goes around a curve and turns almost upside down, and what was once on your left and ahead of you is now actually beneath and behind you.  So, you never see that landscape because you were bent by force to look another… Continue reading Gualaquiza: The elusive vault of Ecuador’s ancient past

When it comes to finding remarkable ruins in the midst of breathtakingly primordial surroundings, with the emphasis on finding, Machu Pichu’s got nothin’ on these guys. I know, I know. Machu Pichu is the glory of the Incas and gives you a sensation of walking through a lost castle in the sky. But the problem is…… Continue reading Who’s Got the Incas Beat Now?

Explore Seven Other Fantastic Towns on Ecuador’s Ruta del Spondylus Tonchigüe, Ecuador. Photo by Kali Kucera (2007). Ecuador’s Ruta del Spondylus is a spectacular stretch of coastline where the Pacific’s mothering waters kiss sandy shores, a route on which each town conveys its distinct personality and charm. As an expert bus traveler who’s explored these… Continue reading There’s more than Montañita

WHY IS CROSSING THE ECUADOR TO COLOMBIA BORDER A BIG DEAL? For many years now, we have been sought out by international travelers who have a ton of questions about crossing the Ecuador-Colombia border.  We have edited this article countless times trying to keep you up to date with the latest news, both official and… Continue reading Three Ways to Cross the Ecuador-Colombia Border

Sure, why not! Let’s put it even more dramatically: Galapagos: $2,000 and 8 days. — OR — Guayaquil/Yaguachi: $<45 and 1 day!! Wait a minute, how do you figure? You may ask. If what you’re looking for is to see some wildlife on a tight time and money budget, you don’t even need to spend… Continue reading An Alternative to the Galapagos | Birds and Iguanas by Bus?

Source: Photo by Kali Kucera, 2017. | All Rights ReservedPhoto by Kali Kucera, 2017. Coca has got attitude! You, my bus traveling buddies, are catching on to the lesser appreciated “El Oriente” (the eastern Amazon side of Ecuador).  It is showing in the increasing number of bus tickets you’re asking us to reserve for you… Continue reading Coca, Ecuador | Getting there and exploring the gateway to the Amazon

When I heard Cotundo for the first time, I was just told it was located in the Ecuadorian jungle. By far, the majority of travelers to Ecuador come to visit the Galapagos. The majority of the minority come to see the Andes and Ecuador’s “Avenue of the Volcanoes.” But very few venture out east to… Continue reading On the Trail of Dragon’s Blood

It’s more common than you may think, or even realize when it happens to you. You’ve boarded a fast-moving and crowded bus, and are so grateful to get a seat. You’re showing all the signs of being exasperated and disoriented, a little giddy perhaps. You’ve already made yourself a prime target. you as a passenger.… Continue reading Fare Scamming on Long-Distance Bus Trips