Arriving by air, you’ll land at Simon Bolivar Airport, on Avenida de las Americas, about five kilometers [three miles] north of the town center. There are good connections to all Ecuadorian cities.

The chaotic and daunting Terminal Terrestre bus station, lies about two kilometers [just over a mile] north of the airport. You can walk or take a taxi between the two. Taxis from the airport to the center of town shouldn’t be more than four or five dollars, but you might have to bargain. On the opposite side of the street from the airport terminals are buses to town. There are plenty of buses and taxis between the bus station and the center.

There are several bus cooperatives available to Quito, 8 to 10 hours, US$10*. To Riobamba, 5 hours, US$4*. To Cuenca, 5 hours, US$7*. To Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 5 hours, US$5*. To Esmeraldas, 8 hours, US$6*. To Manta, 3 hours, US$6*. To Bahia de Caraquez, 6 hours, US$5.50*. To Ambato, 6^1/2 hours, US$4*. To Portoviejo, 3^1/2 hours, US$5.50*. To Salinas, 2^1/2 hours, US$2.50*. To Playas, 2 hours, US$2.50*. To Huaquillas, 4 hours, US$3.50*. To Machala, 3^1/2 hours, US$4*.

Going to Peru. The best buses to the Peruvian border are Ecuatoriana Pullman’s, and there are numerous buses to most corners of the country.

The city’s train station in the suburb of Duran, on the east side of the Rio Guayas, is currently closed.

*The prices are approximately

|Article contributed by Dominic Hamilton|||