A Day in Rural Ecuador

As you have noticed, I really enjoy talking about our adventures and our experiences as we travel around the world. But I never discuss what things actually cost us. So I thought to give you a typical day, item by item.

5:30 AM - taxi from the Hilton in Quito to the bus terminal -- $10.00 (note: it is a 30 minute ride when there is no traffic. We could have taken a bus, but we were traveling with all our bags - one duffel bag, two backpacks and quite honestly, it was just too darn early in the morning.)
6:00 AM - bus from Quito to Otavalo - $4.40 (note: this is a two hour bus ride)
6:00 AM - snack for bus ride two buns and two chocolate milks - $2.60
9:00 AM - hostel in Otavalo - $28.00 (note: this is for a double room with private bathroom with hot water, wifi and breakfast included)
9:00 AM - breakfast for two people, muesli, yogurt, fresh fruit, rolls, butter, jam, coffee - $4.00
9:30 AM - lunch to take on our hike with us - $1.30 for two cheese filled bread and two bottles of water
9:49 AM - bus to Quiroga - $0.50
10:00 AM - taxi to start of hike - $2.00 (we shared the cab with another couple)

10:10 AM to 2:30 PM: Hike and view of Laguna de Cuicoche in a collapsed volcanic crater - priceless.

3:00 PM - taxi back to Quiroga - $4.00
3:15 PM - bus back to Otavalo - $0.50
3:40 PM - afternoon snack of 10 Clementines - $1.00; 2 liters of water for our onward journey - $1.60
5:30 PM - two coffees - $2.50 (yes, coffee is that expensive here...surprisingly. As is beer and wine)
6:45 PM - dinner of 1 medium pizza and 1 small pizza - $23.50 (we could have had "street food" and saved on the budget, but this is not something that appeals to either of us. And after looking at a few restaurants, we went for quality and comfort.)

The day's total: $85.90 for two people including meals and accommodations, travel and four hour excursion. Now, of course you can spend more by staying at a hotel (~$40.00), hiring a guide for the trek (15.00), taking a taxi all the way from Quito as was suggested to us by the doorman at the Hilton ($100.00), etc. But, you can also choose to stretch your dollar quite far if you want to.