Anyone ever visit Ecuador?

[berniesandersmittens]

I'm planning on a two week getaway in a few years.

Is it better to use a travel agency?

[getagrip_already]

1. I went almost 40 years ago...

And didn't use a travel agency even back then.

Do they still exist? What possible advantage would they serve unless you want a tour experience where you get shuttled from place to place with 20 other tourists and eat where they arrange and go wherever the person with the little sign leads you?

Seriously, the web has made travel really easy. You can book everything from planes, to trains, to automobiles with drivers, hotels, b&b's, and even find itineraries others have posted.

Unless you want a tour, start planning.

We actually took our honeymoon in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador in the 1980's. We used a special offer from aero-peru where you could have unlimited stops for one set fee. We tried to line up hotels a day or two ahead, but sometimes we just got off a train or bus and walked around till we found a room. It was an adventure of a lifetime.

[berniesandersmittens]

2. It's going to be a solo trip

I'd like to visit the rainforest and Galapagos.

I can't do a lot of physical actuvities, but I've never snorkeled before so I'd like to try that.

[wryter2000]

8. You'd better look into Galapagos ahead of time

There are populated islands where you could no doubt move around freely, but if you want to visit the uninhabited islands, I'm pretty sure you have to be on an approved cruise. Galapagos is a national park, and if I understand correctly, they only allow a few approved cruise companies access to the wilder areas. I went on a National Geographic cruise. It was very expensive but worth it.

Most of the time we were on the smaller islands we were the only people on it.

That said, I'm not sure you can find a single room, and paying double would be ridiculous. One of the major populated islands has tortoises in the highlands, and it has the Darwin center, so you could probably do that island without being on a cruise. If you can get there. I'm not sure that island has an airport.

So, I guess the bottom line is you'd better do a lot of research and not just figure "While I'm here, I'd like to see Galapagos."

Lots and lots of amazing snorkeling on our cruise.

[berniesandersmittens]

9. Thank you

This is my "better go now while I'm still able" vacation.

I found a local travel agent to meet with. I'm really hoping to find a solo package that doesn't leave me with a lot of extra fees. (Upgrades and tours, meals, etc)

[wryter2000]

13. I sure hope you can find a solo

You might need to get someone to join you on that part of the trip.

BTW, both my sister and I have limited mobility. I found I could do "wet" landings, where they pull the zodiac up onto the beach easily, but the ones where you had to jump onto a tiny stoop were beyond my ability. The person in charge was very good at creating things for us with limited mobility to do. One of my very favorite things was for the "old folks." They took us to a tiny white-sand beach. The four of us and the naturalist were the only people on the island. But we shared it with a seal lion and her pup. The pup ended up hopping over to one of us and poking her on the arm. We had a visit from a penguin, and colorful fish swam between our legs.

The area where we saw tortoises was very easy to navigate. We had a nice lunch in a large, outdoor dining room and then wandered into a field full of tortoises. Later we had to urge a couple of tortoises off the road so we could get back.

The cruise was 7 days.

[getagrip_already]

10. If solo, and not an experienced travelor with some limitations....

Then definitely look into tours. As much as I personally dislike them, I'm not a bigot to the degree that I see their benefit to certain travelers.

First, you will have company, you have to decide if that is a good thing.

Second, they will offer a range of activities you can chose from at any particular segment.

They will have access to medical care if needed (they will have spanish fluent speakers who live locally).

And lastly, they will to a certain degree be a safer environment to travel in.

So given what you have said, look into guided tour packages. You will need one to get to the gallopogous anyway.

t will still be the adventure of a lifetime.

[wryter2000]

14. I traveled to Italy solo

Because I was on a tour, I immediately had about 30 people to hang out with. They'd ask me "Don't you feel strange being alone?" I answered, "Does it look like I'm alone?"

I did many, many more things than I would have been able to do alone. Tours don't have to be obnoxious. Be polite and respectful.

[getagrip_already]

15. isn't that what I said n/t?

[wryter2000]

16. I was just agreeing with you

Sheesh.

[getagrip_already]

17. sorry, I was just checking to see if I made a slipup and it came off diff

Not criticizing. Just making sure I didn't screw it up.

Thanks

[wryter2000]

18. You didn't screw anything up.

Thanks.

[spooky3]

3. I don't know anything about Ecuador, but a travel agent

who arranged travel for my employer found amazing deals on tickets if you were willing to do a few small things—and he got us bonus tickets. He knew the ins and outs of airline ticket price games that I would never know. So if the OP is planning to fly to multiple cities, I would recommend thinking about contacting an agent.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. I thought travel agencies stopped booking airline flights

several decades ago when the airlines stopped paying a commission. Or did the agent simply charge you a fee?

[spooky3]

5. Employer paid for it. I don't know how it worked, sorry. Nt

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

12. I'm guessing the travel agent charged a fee for booking the flights.

other things, such as hotel rooms, would have involved a commission to the agent.

[spooky3]

6. This article may help:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2020/01/26/5-reasons-why-you-need-a-travel-agentmore-than-ever/?sh=1313a8253437

[berniesandersmittens]

11. Ty

I've got a lot of research to do. Thankfully I've got two years to plan for it!

[wryter2000]

7. I've been to Galapagos

Amazing place.