Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

I'm planning on studying Spanish in Ecuador in a few months time for a month (2 weeks at Cristobal Colon and 2 weeks at Clara Luna Spanish schools). I was wondering whether I have to get a student visa for this or whether that's only for studying 6 months or more, and therefore I could do these Spanish lessons simply on a tourist visa

I'm looking for advice on how to get from Quito to Machachi and then onto El Porvenir Hacienda. Does anyone know if there is a regular bus service from Quito to Machachi and if so how early this service starts? I have to be in El Porvenir by 8.30am, do you think this is possible? Thanks, in advance.

Hi there, We are planning to arrive in Quito on Feb 15 and would like to arrange a last minute cruise in the Galapagos. We will have a month in Ecuador and plan on heading to the Galapagos once we arrive. I am wondering if it is reasonable to get a last minute cruise at this time of year and whether it is best to do that in Quito or Puerto Ayora. I would like to do the Northwest Itinerary for 8 days. Also, are there concerns about the El Nino, do you think there will be major effects at this…

We're planning to spend about 6 weeks in Ecuador, including a few weeks on the Galapagos Islands, so we'll need various kinds of gear and want to minimize our luggage. We live in northern BC, so we are accustomed to using at least light-weight hiking boots in the mountains. How much of a boot will we need to hike the Quilotoa loop -- or can we get away with sneakers?

Seeking recommendations on what to visit for a few days pre or post Galapagos cruise. Galapagos is pricey so I am trying to keep the costs down for the land portion of the trip. Is it safe and advisable to rent a car and travel on your own? I was thinking of arriving in Quito, staying at a Hacienda, travel to Otavalo, Cuicocha Lake, then travel South to Cotopaxi (is it truly closed?), Banos, etc for 4 or 5 days though I don't have a maximum # of days.

Hello again everyone. Well last year you all helped us out on our first foray to Costa Rica and now we are looking at going to Ecuador. We are an adventurous (somewhat) family and the children are now 12 and 8. I was hoping the Lonely Planet family could give me some sound advice regarding Ecuador and what to do while visiting?

I'm visiting Ecuador on a solo trip. I don't speak much Spanish, enough to order food and ask for direction basically. Are there any towns along the coast which would be better for me to stop in - a few places where it may be easier to communicate in English?
Thanks!

Hello,

I am going to Galapagos on my own in October 2016. Does anyboby know if I can visit a farm growing coffee on Isabela island or Santa Cruz?

Thank you!

Marianne

Cannot seem to find advanced tickets for this anywhere and our itinerary needs to depart on a specific day. Do these ferries fill up or will I be OK to wing it and not get tickets ahead of time? Gracias!!!

Hey everyone-

I arrive in Quito on Monday night. I have to be back for a flight first thing Saturday morning.

Do people recommend going to Banos for a few days or trekking in Quilotoa? The only thing is public transport throughout the quilotoa loop seems to be a bit scarce- I would get there on Tuesday afternoon and have to leave Friday morning or afternoon depending on where I end up...

I guess my question is- do you think it is worth meandering through the quilotoa loop or heading to banos…