Atacames centre, Ecuador
Pasto, Ipiales and border crossing
Between Popayan and Pasto were the best mountain views in Colombia, but I sat in the wrong (left) side of the bus.
I made a two hour bus trip to Ipiales in the next morning and visited Las Lajas Sanctuary before continuing to the border 6 km from Ipiales.
The shared taxi went directly to the Ecuadorian side of the border, so I had to walk back 300 meters to the Colombian side to get an exit stamp. On the Ecuadorian side I had to wait for an entry stamp for maybe 45 minutes.
5 hour bus trip from Tulcan to Quito took 14 hours!
Normally it takes 5 hours from Tulcan to Quito. However, now it took 14 hours! After a 4 hour ride to Otavalo about 8 pm there was a road block and we had to turn back. The bus parked at a service station and the passangers to Otavalo were asked to leave.
Quito bus station
The bus waited for an hour at the service station and for some time in front of a restaurant. Then I thought we left for Quito, but the bus soon parked at the side of the road.
It was very cold in the bus, but it was too late to leave for Otavalo, I would not have catched a taxi any more.
Only at 4 am we could continue. Short before Quito we had to change a bus and pay 1 USD more.
I don’t know more about the reasons for road block and why it lasted so long. I asked once in the bus whether there is anyone who talks English, but none appeared.
I was at 06.15 am at Quito bus terminal and it was terribly cold even inside of the terminal. I changed my plans – instead of staying a few days in Quito I leave for the coast immediately.
Atacames, Ecuador
It took 7 hours from Quito to Atacames by bus.
I took a mototaxi (1 USD!) to Chill Inn, but it was full. I ended up in Hotel Club Real for two nights.
Atacames 19.11.2011 17:44
Prices
– bus Popayan – Pasto 22 000 pesoa (9 e), noin 7 h
– Hotel Torre Ideal, Pasto, near bus station, with bathroom and wifi, 20 000 pesos (8 e)
– shared taxis to/from border 1500 pesos (0,60 e)
– bus Tulcan – Quito 5 USD
– bus Quito – Atacames 8 USD, 7 hours
– mototaxi, Atacames, 1 USD!
– Hotel Club Real, Atacames, beach road, 15 USD/night, own bathroom, wifi in lobby