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== Accomodation and sleep ==
The '''bomberos''' (firemen) are more hospitable in Ecuador than in other countries. Drop by the firehouse and ask if they have a space for you to lay your blankets and pitch your tent. Usually they will let you use their bathrooms and kitchen too.
As a last resort, there are [[police]] in '''bus terminals''' all night, if you don't mind sleeping under the florescent lights.
== Internet ==
In addition to the internet cafes, you may also find '''Infocentros''' in small towns around the country. These are government-funded facilities with free computers with internet access. You just need to show your ID to use a computer (a foreign driver's license worked fine). Look out for signs that say "Infocentro <Town name>" along the highway. There is also a map of Infocentros on their [http://www.infocentros.gob.ec/index.php/ website] (in spanish).
== Healthcare ==
'''Centros de Salud''', found in most cities and towns, give out free condoms, and probably healthcare too.
== Cities ==
* [[Aloag]]
* [[Ambato]]
* [[Baños de Agua Santa]]
* [[Cuenca]]
* [[El Coca]]
* [[Guayaquil]]
* [[Ibarra]]
* [[Latacunga]]
* [[Manta]]
* [[Montañita]]
* [[Otavalo]]
* [[Puerto Lopez]]
* [[Puyo]]
* [[Quilotoa]]
* [[Quito]]
* [[Riobamba]]
* [[Santa Elena]]
* [[Tena]]
* [[Tulcán]]
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|hitch = <rating country='ec' />
}}
'''Ecuador''' is a country in [[South America]]. It borders [[Colombia]] and [[Peru]]. It is great for [[hitchhiking]], just be careful in some places, especially at the coast. Many pick-up trucks are there. Drivers might ask for money, but if you can explain your situation you will get away with it. Many Ecuadorians are happy to pick up a foreigner. It's not the safest country to hitchhike though.
Along the [[Panamericana]] there are several [[toll booths]] ("peaje"). Take an overland bus in direction of your destination and get out at the first toll booth (normally $0.25 - $0.50). You have a couple of seconds to ask the other drivers until you get kicked out by the [[police]], but that's normally enough time to find a ride. If you are able to explain your situation in Spanish, you might be able to stay longer. If you want to avoid this kind of "trouble" you can as well try to stop cars along the Panamericana. Along this road normally you won't get asked for money.
Strangely, hitching in groups almost works better than solo or in pairs. Don Nadie once left [[Quito]] in a group of eight, all drunk, at 3am and no problems catching a ride. Incredible. The best country for hitching in the Western Hemisphere.
== Cities ==
__TOC__
* [[Aloag]]
* [[Ambato]]
* [[Baños de Agua Santa]]
* [[Cuenca]]
* [[El Coca]]
* [[Guayaquil]]
* [[Ibarra]]
* [[Latacunga]]
* [[Manta]]
* [[Montañita]]
* [[Otavalo]]
* [[Puerto Lopez]]
* [[Puyo]]
* [[Quilotoa]]
* [[Quito]]
* [[Riobamba]]
* [[Santa Elena]]
* [[Tena]]
* [[Tulcán]]
== License plates ==
*If the key letter is W, the background color is white-silver and the vehicle is property of the [[police]].
The rest of letters are for private, or ''particular'', vehicles. Their background color is white-silver.
== Personal Experiences ==
:''Loved Ecuador, I hitchhiked from the Colombia border to Quito, over to Pernables, down to Montanita, over to Guayaquil and onwards to Peru. Never waited long, could easily sleep in the country in my hammock and got given money for lunch once, bought lunch once and given a place to stay twice. The coast is a little trickier but very doable, just aim for the pickup trucks, some might ask for money (one did) but just say you have none and it's all cool. The water in Quito is drinkable too and there is a lively couchsurfing scene, just be careful because its not as cheap as Peru or Colombia. Managed to hitchhike urban buses twice, I recommend always walking with your bag on your bag and turning around when a car approaches, especially on the coast, this type of hitchhiking works better than petrol stations and signs because Ecuadorian will pity you fast and want to help out'' - [[User:HoboSpirit|HoboSpirit]]
== Border Crossings ==
'''Puerto Asís''' isn't a real border, but it is a town located at the Putumayo river that forms part of the border with Ecuador. It is likely possible that there are river boats from here to Puerto El Carmen de Putumayo in Ecuador, the tri-border with Perú called Güeppi, and far away places in Colombia like Tarapaca (near [[Leticia]]). Eventually, the Putumayo river will become part of the Amazon river in Brazil and end in the Atlantic Ocean, if you're looking at the big picture. Please add any information you have if you have taken a river boat border crossing in this area!
== Resources ==
{{nomadwiki}}
== Gallery ==
