Help with flights to Quito

[SelkieDVM]

I am doing a Galapagos liveaboard in September/October of this year and have been researching options for getting to and from Quito. Any help from folks who have made this trip or suggestions from travel pros would be greatly appreciated. The charter runs Monday to Monday, and we are staying one night in Quito at either end of the trip, so I'll need to fly in on a Sunday.

I could fly out of Washington or Raleigh, though Raleigh would be more convenient as I have family in the area. I would prefer only one connection, and it looks like it would have to be either Miami or Houston. Miami sucks, but the flights from Houston get in fairly lateish, 10:30-11. Though I might join up with others from my group, I feel I should be prepared to make my way as a solo female who speaks basically no Spanish from the airport to the hotel in Quito.

I am accustomed to traveling alone, but never to this location, so I thought I would solicit your opinions as to what you would do. Are there other options of which I am not aware? Thank you!

 

[Scared Silly]

You are correct going through Miami sucks. I refuse to fly American because of that. Houston is much easier. I would not worry about getting in to Quito late. Just have your hotel arrange a driver to pick you up. They will meet you in the terminal with a sign.

My one suggestion would be to fly on Saturday or even Friday. Quito is a nice city and a day up at Otavalo is worth while. Personally, I think it is a bit silly to fly in and out of country and never at least experience some of the culture. Also learn a few words of Spanish, it ain't that hard to pick up some simple pleasantries.

Otavalo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[SelkieDVM]

Thank you. I will consider extending the trip a bit, but the budget is stretched a little thin. Actually I did take a semester of college Spanish way back when and do know some basics, but my eyes glaze over when I try to understand a native speaker. I do have a phrase book to bone up with a little before the trip.

Cheers,
Lilla

 

[oceancat]

Hi. Definitely stay an extra day on the front end in Quito--it's a neat city or you can take a day trip as the previous poster suggested. that way too, if something goes awry with your flights getting there, you have a little bit of a cushion. You can stay in Quito without paying an arm and leg. Ecuador is a really neat country. We spent 2 weeks there last year and did a galapagos liveaboard. incredible experience. My husband's a DVM at UNC are you there too?

 

[SelkieDVM]

Hello Oceancat! Yeah, I've been looking into staying a couple of extra nights and a taking a tour or two. It's really not that much more expensive, so I think I will go for it. I practice vet med in Virginia, but I am a Chapel Hill native and UNC alum. Go Heels!

Cheers,
Lilla

 

[<*)))><]

"I would not worry about getting in to Quito late. Just have your hotel arrange a driver to pick you up. They will meet you in the terminal with a sign."

This is a great idea. Its been many years since my trip to Quito, but getting a cab at the airport is absolute chaos.