By Bus
Ecuador's comprehensive bus service makes getting around simple, with hundreds of bus companies plying the country's roads, often with dozens competing on the most popular routes. Levels of comfort can vary widely between companies: some have fleets of air-conditioned buses with TV, toilet and on-board snacks, while others run beaten-up old monsters with cracked windows, growling gears and belching exhausts. As a general rule, luxury buses (ask for an autobus de lujo ) travel the most popular long-distance routes, leaving regularly all day and night, and require passengers to have a pre-booked ticket. The further into the backwaters you go, the more the standards of comfort are likely to drop. Ordinary buses will stop anywhere for anyone who wants to get on until every available crack of space has been filled - you're likely to end up sharing the aisle with a bag of clucking chickens and a fat sackful of corn. If you can, bring your luggage in with you and keep it in sight, but don't panic if it's put on the roof because it'll usually be covered in a tarpaulin to keep both the weather and light fingers at bay - don't feel shy about climbing up and checking it's secure. Fortunately, bus drivers are increasingly unwilling to let people ride on the roof, where they can get at your stuff. Obviously, the remoter the area, the less regular the buses will be, and generally speaking, the last bus isn't likely to be much after nightfall. At the margins of the bus network, pick-up trucks ( camionetas ), minibuses ( busetas ) and open-sided trucks converted to hold wooden benches ( rancheras ) often fill the vacuum. If you're unsure of the area you're travelling to, note that most drivers know their routes well and are happy for you to ask them to stop at your destination - they'll let you know when you've arrived. Also, for reasons of safety , avoid travelling at night on buses. Larger towns usually have a main bus terminal ( terminal terrestre ), where all the long-distance bus companies are based. In smaller towns, company offices and departure points may be scattered around, though they're usually never very far from the central square or main thoroughfare. Out of town, it's easy to hail non-luxury class buses if you stand in a place where they have plenty of time to spot you; the standard gesture to flag one down is an apathetic point to the ground in the middle of the road next to you. You can buy your fare from the conductor ( ayudante ) on board, who will come and collect it. Overcharging is uncommon, but keep an eye on what others are paying. To get off, make for the door and say " bajo " or " gracias ". Alternatively, if you can, it's always a good idea to buy your ticket in advance to guarantee yourself a seat, something you can do on all long-distance buses whether luxury class or not - seats towards the front are less prone to bumping and lurching. There's never much of a difference in price between companies unless it's a luxury bus, in which case fares will naturally be a little more expensive, but look around the terminal to see what sort of condition the different companies' buses are in - you'll soon get an idea who the best outfits are in any given area. Buses can be noisy however, what with onboard TVs and blaring music, so earplugs are often useful. Local city buses in the larger towns generally carry a board in the window showing their route, with a list of street names and key landmarks. There's normally a flat fare (usually around $0.2), which you pay as you enter. Local buses often stop to pick up and put down anywhere on request, though in some city centres proper bus stops , marked " parada ", are respected.
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