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Which Airport is Best to Fly Into

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labrat1952
  1/19/2015 15:02 EST

My Wife and I are planning trip in the near future to Vilcabamba, Ecuador. I am learning toward flying from JFK to Guayaquil and then from Guaryaquil to Loja, but some people have said that it's better to fly into Quito and then on to Loja. Can anyone offer any experiences or recommendations regarding either scenario?

OceanHideaway
  1/20/2015 00:26 EST

Most folks I know are flying into Guayaquil and then driving up to the Cajas.

A favorite driver is Jorge Lopez who went to H.S. in Boston and now has a transport service and B&B outside the Guayaquil airport.

Cell phone # 0989031961- [email protected] - www.ecuavantransportation.com

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Jim123
  1/20/2015 01:38 EST

I really hope that someone that knows would answer the OP's question v/s pushing some other idea.

Starriderx
  1/20/2015 04:36 EST

I believe Susan did that Jim. What is your problem?

EcuadorDean
  1/20/2015 08:07 EST

Are you flying to Loja immediately or doing a stopover first? Otherwise I would go with the one that had the best connection to Loja or the brest price. In Quito you must endure an almost 2 hour ride to and from the airport. In Guayaquil the airport is right in town.

GringoinQuito
  1/20/2015 09:21 EST

Almost a 2 hour ride from the Quito airport? Usually takes me about 45 minutes from Avenida Gonzalez Suarez. Add about 10 minutes if you are going into the historic center.

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kmoriarty45
  1/20/2015 10:29 EST

Guayaquil is your best bet and then flying into Loja - actually, I think you fly into Catamayo airport ( about 30 min. by bus from Loja city centre ). If you do fly into Catamayo, and have time, explore one of Ecuador's best kept secrets. If you want beauty and tranquility, the Catamayo's the ideal spot.

windshadow
  1/20/2015 10:37 EST

Consider "seeing" some of Ecuador.
Since your destination is Southern Ecuador, flying into Guayaquil seems logical. You could then take a taxi, bus, private van, etc. through some beautiful areas along the way. What is it that you want?

bentparrot
  1/20/2015 13:00 EST

Here is a link that will give you much of the information you need:

http://www.flightstats.com/go/Home/home.do

TAME arrives in Quito from JFK at 3 PM. It departs for Loja at 4 PM. It is a fast connection, but it can be done. The GYE arrival entails a horrible (IMHO) overnight flight. You will probably be too beat to want to connect that day.

Or, and this is my recommendation. Fly TAME from JFK to UIO and connect to Cuenca at 6:05 PM. Spend a couple of days in Cuenca and catch a van for the beautiful 4 hour ride to Vilcabamba.

Note: The airport serving Loja is about 30 kilometers distant. And you still will need transportation to Vilcabamba. Your cost for that route may be greater than Cuenca to Vilcabamba via van.

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