Ecuador Lodging Tips for Budget Travelers

By Christopher Minster

Every major or minor tourist destination in Ecuador has at least one or two hostales that cater to the budget traveler set. In some, you can find decent, dorm-style lodging for as little as $4/night or less, a price to warm the heart of the most tightfisted backpacker.  

Ten or fifteen years ago, finding a good place was a crap shoot. You showed up in a town and started looking, guidebook in hand. Maybe you would get lucky and find a nice, clean place with a vacancy, maybe you wouldn't. Word of mouth among travelers was the best way to find a good recommendation.

Today, many of the better hostels accept reservations via the internet or by phone: V!VA Travel Guides is a good place to begin your search. In many hostels, the most inexpensive lodging option is a bunk room. Bring a padlock to secure your belongings while you explore. Most of the better hostel dorm rooms have small lockers for guests to keep their things.

Above all, don't settle for just a clean bed and place to lock your stuff. Ecuadorian budget hostels often boast game rooms, TVs with DVD libraries, friendly cafés and more. Often, doing a little homework beforehand can make a big difference when you finally find a place to stay.