PBH / colombia (active forums more▼ | travelguide | pictures) / post

Bogota to Ecuador

hi,
I am living in Bogota and want to visit one of my best friends who is in Ecuador (Cuenca). I was thinking I would fly but it seems like all the flights are crazy expensive ($650 USD). So now I am thinking perhaps I will go overland. I think I would go Bogota to Cali to Popayan to Pasto to Ipiales. Has anyone done that route recently? What do you think about it in terms of safety? (I am a young, white, woman - fluent in Spanish, living in Colombia for over two years but don't know that region.) Or is there another way you recommend? Or any ideas on how to get cheap flights? Thanks!

By strawberries on Aug 26, 2005, 07:09 in Friendly Talkzone.

helen says on Aug 26, 2005, 07:36:

I have been twice from Bogota to Quito and never spent more than about US$200. You could maybe fly to Quito then take a bus.....

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juanalejo says on Aug 26, 2005, 07:53:

Avianca Just checked in Avianca and the cheapest fare is 250 USD including taxes. Bus is much cheaper obviously, it is a beautiful ride, two days on the road and the only security advice would be not to travel between Popayan and Pasto at night. Must bus companies do not do it any how.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Aug 26, 2005, 08:19:

Fly ...with Avianca On Travelocity.com, they actually have flights available for as low as $220. But, you have to be flexible with your departure days. Airline fares are tiered in that the days that you wanted to travel, the cheaper seats might have already been sold, hence that is why you were quoted such a high price.

Like anywhere else, if you want the lowest fares, you need to keep in mind 2 things. 1. You need to purchase your ticket as far in advance of your departure date as possible, and 2. you need to be flexible in your days of travel (both departure and return).

One more thing, forget the bus route. It's too dangerous...by day or night. It's not worth the chance. Risk takers and poor people take the bus. Common sense warrants traveling by air.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

untreated says on Aug 26, 2005, 14:37:

Continental flies Bogota to Quito Every night.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juanalejo says on Aug 26, 2005, 18:46:

Continental used to fly to Quito every night. Now Quito flight goes via Panama and Bogotá has a dedicated flight.

0 funny, 0 helpful.