Quito hostels emptier?

bickerss says on Jun 4, 2008, 05:15:

Was there last year (Dec) and a lot of people were going to Colombia but it was still busy. Wasnt a Cusco, but had plenty of backpackers around; much more so than Colombia. Its much cheaper so that may be a reason (ie hostels in the best area are 7 to 10 USD a night with private bathroom.).

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 4, 2008, 10:35:

adrienne79 says on Jun 4, 2008, 19:03:

I lived in Quito for a year in 1995-96 and attended school. At the time I was only 16 and it was an extreemly safe city for me to be in. Although, I have not been back myself, I have heard that right after I left things took a big dive for the worse. Busses and taxis became unsafe and so forth. Not sure if it might be getting better now but I doubt it.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Buongone says on Jun 4, 2008, 19:45:

Was doing a money exchange look. Looks like their money and the USD have stayed about even for some time. Not like the beating the USD is taking with the Col Peso. Hope to check it out sometime early next year. Either before or after Colombia.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Buongone says on Jun 4, 2008, 19:49:

This guy Gary Scott has this thing going called Living in Ecuador. Looks like things are very cheap In Ecuador. Anyone wishing to take a look it's free. Just google Gary Scott, Living in Ecuador. Now he makes money by selling guided real estate tours. But I signed up for his free newsltters. He sends some pretty interesting info for free. Don't know if I'll go on one of his tours, but I would like to check a few other things out in that country.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bickerss says on Jun 4, 2008, 22:06:

Checked out some property there last year - very very cheap. 500 usda sq metre in best areas.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bickerss says on Jun 4, 2008, 23:39:

Bougone - checked it out, the newsletter I found though costs 119 usd.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tejasmarcos says on Jun 5, 2008, 18:54:

hmmmm. prices look like colombia 4-5 years ago.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Buongone says on Jun 5, 2008, 23:10:

bickerss. Drop me an email at Buongone at yahoo.com. I'll send you what I have.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

toneloc24 says on Jun 6, 2008, 09:04:

"I heard hostels in Quito are emptier than they used to be, now that a lot of travelers are staying less time and moving on to Colombia faster (Colombia used to be considered too "dangerous"). Any truth to this?"

Peter - There much truth to that. There are many hostels in Quito, several located in their version of a Zona Rosa, called Marsical Sucre, but also known as "Gringolandia." The hostels seemed to be doing pretty well, always some group or another there. Things are VERY cheap in Quito.

Tourists base out of Quito to head to the equator, volcanic craters, or even active volcano Tungurahua (approx. 2 hrs away). Then there's Quito's historic district.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BillBigD says on Jun 7, 2008, 12:47:

Bickerss- Do you have any of the nicer hostels names?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

toneloc24 says on Jun 7, 2008, 21:10:

Meant to say "there is NOT much truth".....

We need to fix that edit button deal soon.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bickerss says on Jun 8, 2008, 00:02:

Buongone - thanks for your offer; I sent you an email.

BillBig. I stayed at Adventure Hostel in the Maricos. It is not the nicest but it is quiet and the staff are nice. It cost me 7 USD alone and 10 usd when I had my GF. They stored mny stuff when i travelled for free.

There are much nicer ones for around the same price I found. Cant remember the names sorry - but htey are everywhere. Its easy to find them. There was one on the same street as the coffee tree cafe (popular 24 hr cafe). Going towards the old area, it was about 4 blocks on the right. Great place, new and clean. 10 usd a night formy GF and I (with private bthrm).

Check out this link from the thorn tree

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1610700&tst...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Catfish35 says on Jun 8, 2008, 18:41:

I am in Quito right now. I have a condo in new town near the mall. I have not been here for sometime.
Things are normal here. Seems like the day I left. I bought this place from Japanese Oil men in 1989 believe it or not. It was a steal. As far as the post Peter, still see many trekkers as normal, have not actually checked any hostels. More so Europeans than Americans, has always been that way tho. If I get a chance I will give it a gander. Peace to all..

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BillBigD says on Jun 9, 2008, 14:33:

Bick- Thanks for your help

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tejasmarcos says on Jun 11, 2008, 06:16:

fish - you bum! take some foticos and post! i'm itching to come to ecuador some day!

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

durito says on Jul 6, 2008, 09:48:

In the week I was in Quito I saw 20x more foreign tourists than I have seen combined in the last 5 years in Colombia.

It seemed exactly the same as a few years ago.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jonas says on Nov 5, 2008, 09:43:

Buongone: They dollarized in 2000. Only official currency being the US Dollar. They mint (some) 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent coins themselves.
I know that the fx pages still show the Ecuadorian Sucre at 25.000 where it was when they dollarized.

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

0 funny, 0 helpful.