This series on buying tickets to Ecuador began with two articles at this site. If you missed part one see it at Buying Tickets to Ecuador.
See Ecuador Tickets 2 here.
Here is a rave from the first messages on this series.
Merri, This message on Ecuador tckets is a good one=—thanks for your input. Shoot, I thought I WAS THE BEST at getting Ecuador tickets!!!!!! I use Delta, American and Southwest…..I did not have quite enough miles on American for both my son and I so we just bought the extra miles. I am using Delta miles to fly to Calgary and I am getting first class on way back for no extra miles because their coach air mile seats were taken but they had a first class seat available. I am happy. When I get over 50,000 miles with one airline, I start using the card that needs boosting up to 50,000 —and Southwest is easy—-I like it —2 hours to Columbus from TPA——can go to Orange City airport in California – Seattle – Tulsa – now they are hooked up with West Jet for Calgary-!!! but I loved Avianca and Lan Peru both. Our airlines do not compare.
There are many reasons to buy an Ecuador ticket. Miles of safe empty each is one. All the pictures in this message were taken at San Clemente Ecuador around the Vistaul condos. For more information on Vistazul contact Kjetil Haugan at kjetil@haugancruises.com
There are no hurricanes in Ecuador. This surf is as bad as have ever seen.
Most days it looks like this. Or at best…
a surf to play in… .. lots of nature… birds and sun!
Here is the third part of Merri’s tips on Ecuador tickets.
Some suggestions for Ecuador. I find a lot of people need help on this somewhat exotic country…because there isn’t a lot of information out there. Gary and I have lived/worked in Ecuador for going on 15 years, so we’ve learned a lot the hard way…that is so you won’t have to!
Here are my list of dos and don’ts:
1.Fly into Quito not Guayaquil (even if the flight is cheaper). Guayaquil is a big, bustling, expensive city full of a lot of things you don’t need to put up with and not much of interest to tourists as well as those who want to look for a place to live. Quito is orderly and functional and the airport really organized. We have good friends in Guayaquil and over the years have spent a lot of time there, but that doesn’t mean that we like it. It also costs a lot of time and money to get up to Quito (over $100 round trip, so that usually wipes out any savings) and since most flights arrive in the evening…you’ll have to overnight in expensive Guayaquil.
The surf at San Clemente is safe enough for kids to play in.
Merri continues.
2.Don’t fly on a Colombian Airline (Avianca and others), even if it is great deal cheaper.
For instance, right now Avianca is flying from Miami to Quito for $361 while Delta is listing at $362. (round trip). I’ve been waiting for all of you to arrive in Quito for over 14 years and those which fly from Bogota, Colombia often don’t land in Quito, they go onto Guayaquil and overnight there…or more usual, they just stop in Bogota (unscheduled of course) and then continue in the next day to Quito.
Why do people fly with them? Often they are the cheapest…but cheap is nothing compared to an American passport holder overnighting in Bogota and not really understanding when the next plane goes out, plus missing your ride in Quito, etc. I always say to people this is the prime example of false economy.
Weather can be misty with a socked in airport and Quito can be a tricky airport to land into. (This will be remedied when the new airport is finished. It is built on top of a plateau instead of in the valley of Quito.) All Delta pilots who fly in there are licensed to land in any weather (but sometimes choose not to land and go to Guayaquil…but rarely.) Colombian pilots are rarely licensed to land on instruments, so the plane just stays in Colombia and comes the next day…not ever a good thing for a traveler! I’ve waited hours in the Quito Airport with our crew for years looking for those people who don’t arrive until the next day!
Even little children are safe on this beach.
Merri’s notes continue.
3. Bring your own favorite non heavy snacks and just drink lots of water, skip the airline fare and the drinks…you’ll feel better and the next day not have any recovery time.
4. We never book “Multiple Airlines” tickets. This can be a combination of all sorts of airlines and can be a reason if anything goes wrong (like lost luggage) that no one claims responsibility. We don’t like to mix airlines.
5. If you think that Quito might be too high in altitude for you, then just hire a driver to meet your plane, bring you water and fruit and a pillow and blanket and bring you on out to your destination! That’s what we do!
Ecuador is a charming, beautiful country…buy your tickets with care and enjoy the ride!
Let’s discuss Award Tickets vs Pay with Miles and other variations that we use tomorrow.
Big children can play in the surf as well!
Gary
Join us in Ecuador or North Carolina for a seminar or tour.
June 12-14 Shamanic Mingo Tour
June 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
June 18-21 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour
There are many reasons to buy an Ecuador ticket. You can enjoy rustic, really low cost accommodations like this reserve hut near Vistazul…
with this view or…
luxury accommodations like Palmazul Hotel & Spa or Vistazul condos below.
Here is a night view from Vistazul.
July 4-8 Ecuador Export Tour
July 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
July 10-13 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour
There are many reasons to buy an Ecuador ticket… including business opportunity by exporting hand woven textiles.
July 24-26 IBEZ North Carolina
Sept. 17-21 Ecuador Spanish Course
Sept. 23-24 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Sept. 25-28 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour
Many types of crafts make good exports.
Oct. 9-11 IBEZ North Carolina
Oct. 21-24 Ecuador Import Export Expedition
There are other reasons to buy an Ecuador ticket… like real estate bargains. These condos just off the San Clemente beach offer 400 square foot units for under $19,900.
See these condo interiors below.
Nov. 6-8 IBEZ Ecuador
Nov. 9-10 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Nov. 11-14 Ecuador Coastal Real Estate Tour
These little condos are three bedroom, one bathroom.
Attend any two Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$949 for one. $1,349 for two.
Attend any three Ecuador courses or tours in a calendar month…$1,199 for one. $1,799 for two.
There are many reasons to buy an Ecuador ticket… like fresh seafood direct from the fisherman’s boat to your table in a rustic, on-the-beach Ecuador restaurant or…
A gourmet meal and fine dining at Palmazul Hotel & Spa like…
this sushi meal.
Get an Ecuador ticket and join us!
