Renting a Car and Driving in Ecuador

Driving Distances

Ecuador is a compact country that makes getting around a pretty easy task. Driving to Canoa on the coast from Quito usually takes less than 6 hours. To Guayaquil it is about 7 hours. To Otavalo in the north is just over an hour and a half, and getting to Cotopaxi National Park takes just over 1 hour. Driving to Cuenca from Quito takes 8 hours, and further south to Loja is an 11 hour journey. One thing to consider is that, even when Ecuador is a small country, its geography changes very often, while driving you will meet high hills, gravel and dirt roads, as well as curvy roads, and in the end this adds up time behind the wheel. 

General Rules of Thumb

• Drivers in Ecuador can be aggressive and it can take some adjustment to the rhythm of traffic. Watch out for people changing lanes, buses that move quickly, and speeding trucks.
• Police checks and road blocks happen as well, so make sure you have registration documents, a valid driver’s license and your passport. Speeding is measured by cameras, and some drivers get a surprise when they return their rentals with a record of fines and requests for payment.
• Basic insurance is offered by most agencies, but it also a good practice to inspect your car and note any damage including scratches before driving away.
• Repairs on the road should be done with the approval of the rental agency to avoid confusion. Shops with a tire hanging outside in most areas can fix flats for a small fee but anything significant or damaging should be left up to professionals.
• Maps are few and far between in both clarity and accuracy. In recent years GPS tracking has vastly improved here and helps to navigate the roads when signs are lacking.