Ecuador Campgrounds and Hotels

This article is part of our Accommodation Listing series.

Download the Google Earth KMZ of our Ecuador route and lodgings.

A note about GPS coordinates: Google Maps/Earth does not have great coverage in Ecuador and in cases where we did not have our GPS turned on at a given location the coordinates are marked as "Estimate" and may not be 100% accurate. See the notes section or website link for directions.

Rose Cottage (Hostel with Camping)

Otavalo
http://www.rosecottageecuador.com/
GPS: 0°12'26.01"N  78°17'7.92"W (Estimate)
Cost: US$4.50 per person for camping
Date we stayed: August 3, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: A fantastic place to camp above Otavalo, it's hard to beat the view. There are indoor and outdoor common areas, and a place to have a campfire and grill. The kitchen is open for breakfast and dinner upon request, but is not available for use by guests. A variety of cabins and rooms can also be reserved if you don't want to camp. See website for directions.

Tambopaxi (Hostel with Camping Area)

Cotopaxi National Park
http://www.tambopaxi.com/
GPS: 0°35'52.47"S  78°27'22.32"W (Estimate)
Cost: US$6.50 per person for camping
Date we stayed: August 8, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: Tambopaxi is the only lodge inside the park, and one of two places where you can camp, the other being the Limpiopungo Lake Campground a short distance from Tambopaxi. The hostel offers rooms and the restaurant serves good food but at higher-than-average prices. Camping is in front of their new lodge building which was just opening for business when we arrived. At over 12,000 feet it's cold and windy, so bring plenty of warm clothes. Campfires not allowed. See website for directions.

Cloud Forest Hostel

Chugchilan - Quilotoa Loop
http://www.hosteltrail.com/hostels/hostalcloudforest/
GPS: 0°46'10.48"S  78°56'11.21"W (Estimate)
Cost: US$15 per person for a room
Date we stayed: August 10, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: Price per night includes a set breakfast and dinner. Internet was not available, but there were signs for it, so it may have just been offline while we were there. Restaurant also sells fresh bread and lunches upon request. Hard to miss this place as you drive the Quilotoa Loop counterclockwise into Chugchilan on the right-hand side of the road.

Pequeño Paraiso (Hostel with Camping Area)

Rio Verde - 25 minutes east of Baños
http://www.pprioverde.com/
GPS: 1°24'7.78"S  78°17'16.58"W
Cost: $6 per person for tent camping, $10 per vehicle if you sleep inside it
Date we stayed: August 12, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: A very overlanding-friendly place run by two ex-professional overlanding tour operators. Has all the amenities you could want - a big grill, a cozy common area and plenty of places to pitch a tent, covered and uncovered. Sue can help you arrange any number of activities nearby. Highly recommended!

Las Tolitas (Hotel with Camping Area)

Macas
GPS: 2°14'5.10"S  78° 8'25.44"W (Estimate)
Cost: $8 per person to camp
Date we stayed: August 16, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Cold
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: Very expensive and not entirely setup to be tent-camper friendly. Has the potential to be very noisy during the weekends. There are several other options around Macas but they were either temporarily closed or temporarily without a bathroom. The hotel was closed while we were there, the only activity was at the at the pool and (loud) open-air restaurant. We pitched our tents as far away as possible. The groundskeeper will want to charge you extra to use the facilities. Rip off.

Hosteria Pircapamba (Hotel)

Alausi
GPS: 2°11'33.27"S  78°50'46.81"W
Cost: $20 per person for a room
Date we stayed: August 17, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: A cozy place with friendly staff and a great view of Alausi. The restaurant was closed while we were there, the chef was on vacation.

Hostal Hogar Cuencano (Hostel)

Cuenca
GPS: 2°54'8.37"S  79° 0'10.08"W
Cost: $9 per person for a room, prices vary by room
Date we stayed: August 18, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: No

Notes: With half a dozen options on the same street, we ended up here by chance. We had a great room on the top floor with a balcony overlooking the city where we could cook our own meals. The lady who runs the hostel was incredibly friendly and helped us find parking on several occasions. There are guarded lots nearby but they are closed on Sundays. Street parking during the week is not free, you must buy a ticket at a shop nearby. Parking attendants carry cameras and know exactly how long you've been there.

Puyango Petrified Forest (Park Office with Camping Area)

Puyango
GPS: 2°54'8.37"S  79° 0'10.08"W
Cost: $3 per person
Date we stayed: August 22, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Cold
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: No

Notes: The petrified forest has a legitimate campground near the river, but it was closed due to road construction. The park employees let us pitch our tents in the "recreational areas" next to the park headquarters and small museum. We did not visit the park, but would have had camping conditions been better and non-street parking available. The road to the park is not in good condition, although it is currently being re-paved. We recommend not coming to the area unless you plan on spending two or three nights and know that the campground is open.