HOW
IT WORKS

WHAT IS ECUADOR HOP?

Ecuador Hop is all about discovering the REAL Ecuador through the eyes of an Ecuadorian. Imagine a tourist who came to your city with a Lonely Planet book. Who can show them your city better... you, the local expert, or a guidebook probably written by a foreign tourist?? Ecuador Hop is a hop-on, hop-off private bus system that not only gets you from point A to point B, but goes off the beaten track to hidden gems that would be impossible to get to, or know about, if you'd just followed the guidebooks. That's why we have partnered with a local family-owned Ecuadorian business with decades of experience in tourism who can help provide that local, insider knowledge! Our team of local experts LOVE their country and they love Ecuador Hop, because they know we are trying to help local communities grow as well as ensuring tourists stay safe and don't get ripped off along the way!

READY TO START YOUR DREAM TRIP?

PLAN AND BOOK
HOW IT WORKS

First, let us explain how public buses in Ecuador work and then explain how Ecuador Hop works so you can understand a little about the difference. It's best to always compare your different options to find the best one.

How PUBLIC BUS travel in Ecuador works:

  • Spend your travel time searching for and booking your ticket for the journey from Destination A to Destination B. Be careful with the public bus company you choose!
  • Take a taxi from your hotel/hostel to bus terminal A – note that some taxis in Ecuador refuse to use the meters…you need to negotiate the price with the driver!
  • Arrive at bus terminal B after a direct non-stop journey simply looking at the window and usually driving at excessive speeds (normal for public buses in Ecuador).
  • Take a taxi from terminal B to your hotel/hostel when you eventually arrive.
  • When finished at destination B, spend more of your travel time searching for and booking a new ticket to destination C and follow above process again and again until you are tired and worn out!

STRESSFUL. UNSAFE. BORING.

How ECUADOR HOP Bus travel works:

  • Book 1 single bus pass that covers ALL bus journeys – no need to research bus tickets and routes!
  • Get picked up and dropped off at your hotel/hostel in Quito and Montañita (other stops have safe designated meeting points).
  • Go from Destination A to B with lots of unique quick stops along the way to see the real Ecuador.
  • Stay in Destination B as long as you like and simply hop on the next bus to Destination C whenever you are ready (we recommend how long to stay at each destination but it’s your choice!)
  • Have an onboard Ecuadorian assistant fluent in English to give you expert tips and advice on where to stay and what to do at each destination.
  • Your ticket is valid for 1 year…so take as long as you like traveling with us!

EASY. SAFE. UNIQUE.

Want more details on how Ecuador Hop works? Below is our simple guide to helping you understand how our service works.

You may not be familiar with a hop-on hop-off system, but it's easy to understand. We're going to explain how Ecuador Hop works in 5 simple steps so that you, the passenger, can perfectly understand everything!

1

CHOOSE A PASS

Choose from a variety of passes, depending on where you want to start, where you want to go, and how much time you have. Check our passes section for more information.

2

PLAN YOUR ITINERARY

View our recommended plan for the whole trip using our "Plan your itinerary" tool within each pass or simply make your own plan. Or, for the spontaneous, make no plans-- just hop on and go with the flow! Our passes are perfect for everyone, whether you want to squeeze it all into a few days or hop off somewhere along the route and stay for a longer period of time.

Note: Our passes are incredibly flexible, but if you want a fixed tour with everything organized and booked in advance for your whole trip (e.g. all accommodation and extra activities) then that is no problem at all. You can use our itinerary planner within each pass, and then book your own accommodation and tours to match this itinerary. OR, if you prefer, email our local experts who will assist you with everything you need.

3

START YOUR TRIP

If starting your trip in Quito or Montañita, we will pick you up directly from your hostel or hotel. At other stops we have designated safe meeting points for pick-up and drop-off.

4

HOP ON AND HOP OFF

You decide how long to stay at each stop. Maybe stay one night or one month, it's up to you! Your pass will be valid for one whole year, so you don't have to worry about those dreaded fixed schedules other companies offer. Simply log in to your HOP LOGIN account and change your itinerary on the go.

5

FINISH YOUR TRIP

Finish your trip and stop by our office to get help from one of our trained staff for the rest of your time in Ecuador!

READY TO START YOUR DREAM TRIP?

icon bus ecuador hop PLAN AND BOOK

We understand your needs!

  • It’s not always easy traveling by bus through Ecuador due to the lack of English-speaking staff, long delays and poor customer service.
  • What do you do in an emergency? What if your taxi takes you to the wrong place?
  • What if you book a fixed itinerary but then want to stay somewhere longer?

That’s why we created Ecuador Hop!
We offer a safe, comfortable and stress free trip!

Meet our local Ecuadorian guides (now famous on Tripadvisor haha!) as well as fellow passengers from across the world. Pay local prices with local Ecuadorian companies paying Ecuadorian taxes. Lose an ATM card or your passport? Need to call home for an emergency? Ecuador Hop is always there to help, and our on-board assistants are famous for their care and attention, while also leaving travelers enough space and freedom to explore at their own pace.

As we like to say: "Travel independently but never alone."