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The Cheapest Hotels to Book in Ecuador

Prepare to explore – here are the best budget places to stay in Ecuador
Prepare to explore – here are the best budget places to stay in Ecuador | © Marko Reimann / Alamy Stock Photo

While often overshadowed by its larger neighbors, Peru and Colombia, Ecuador is a must for anyone thinking of visiting South America. Whether you’re backpacking through the continent or visiting Quito on a shoestring, we’ve picked out the best places to stay that are guaranteed to go easy on your pocket. These are the top cheap hotels in Ecuador.

Try jungle living at Selina Amazon Tena

Hotel

Four-poster bed, two wicker chairs, a table and wooden chair in the riverside Selina Amazon Tena bamboo lodge
© Selina Amazon Tena / Expedia

Set in the thick Amazonian rainforest overlooking the banks of the Napo River, the Selina Amazon Tena is a charming bamboo lodge that won’t put a big dent in your wallet. Choose between shared or private rooms; expect balconies with river views in the higher-end accommodations. You can splash about in the swimming pool, and there’s a wellness center for yoga classes and massage treatments, all surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Stay at Hotel Libertador to experience the music city of Loja

Hotel

Indoor pool area with arched glass roof and two chairs at poolside in Hotel Libertador
© Hotel Libertador / Expedia

If you find yourself in the southern Ecuadorian city of Loja – a must-visit for music fans – you’ll find your dollar goes a long way at the Hotel Libertador. Firstly, it’s bang in the center of town, with everything within easy walking distance, so there’s no need for taxis. When you’re done exploring, take a dip in the heated indoor pool – there’s also a hot tub and sauna to ease any aching muscles, which isn’t something you’ll get at all cheap hotels in Ecuador.

Sleep close to the beach at Hostal Antares in Manta

Hotel

Small outdoor pool with handrail and three loungers beside it at Hostal Antares; there are also various plants
© Hostal Antares / Expedia

A stay in Manta means you’ll want to be within a short stroll of the beaches and Hostal Antares puts you within walking distance of Playa Murciélago. Fancy a swim without the sand? There’s an open-air swimming pool here, too, and a hot tub with a waterfall. Rooms are clean and modern, with family suites sleeping up to four people; many boast balconies featuring top vistas of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy complimentary breakfast near Guayaquil waterfront at Casa Boutique La Fontana

Hotel

Two double beds in white-painted room with two soft chairs by a table at Casa Boutique la Fontana
© Casa Boutique La Fontana / Expedia

If you’re heading out to the Galápagos Islands, chances are you’ll pass through Guayaquil, though there are plenty of reasons to stay a while in this port city. And if you do, check into the Casa Boutique La Fontana for bargainous rooms, right in the center, just a couple blocks from the riverfront promenade. A bright, modern room awaits your return, with all the amenities you’d expect from a much pricier hotel. When you wake up, enjoy breakfast in the smart dining room.

Kick back in the hip Selina Quito

Hostel

Four-poster bed in carpeted room with archway, table, chair and mural of crying woman at Selina Quito
© Selina Quito / Expedia

Formerly the Hotel Sebastian, this place has been given new life with colorful murals, funky furniture and a clientele of mostly younger travelers. There are plenty of fun places to hang out, too, with a library, cinema and cafe bar. Plump for a bunk in a mixed dorm to really save on green, though private rooms are also available. Selina Quito is in the Mariscal Sucre neighborhood, known for its happening nightlife, so it’s a great spot if you’re up for hitting a bar or two.

Catch a wave at surfer-friendly Hostal Rosa Mistica

Hotel

Exterior of palm-roofed lodge at Hostal Rosa Mistica, with tiled floor plus small wooden table with two chairs
© Hostal Rosa Mistica / Expedia

Located at the top of Playa Montañita, the Hostal Rosa Mistica certainly scores top marks for its fabulous setting. This jungle-lodge-style hostel attracts a friendly mix of surfers and backpackers, thanks to the renowned waves and natural beauty of the area. There’s a healing room offering massages, while a beachfront bar restaurant serves up cold beer and fresh local seafood – be sure to stick around for some spectacular sunsets.

Unwind at the laid-back La Góndola in Montañita

Cabin, Cottages

Two loungers on lawn beside a hut-style building and the sea at La Góndola in Montañita
© La Góndola / Expedia

If your idea of relaxation is swinging in a hammock to the sound of nearby waves and little else, book yourself a space at La Góndola. This collection of shared cabins and private bungalows is as chilled out as you can get, just steps from Montañita Beach as well as local bars and eateries. There’s a shared kitchen to help you save even more money, which you could always spend on those surf lessons you’ve been meaning to take.

Grab a beer with fellow backpackers at Blue House in Quito

Hostel

Rooftop terrace with seven blue chairs and three tables at Blue House; also views across the rooftops and hills of Quito
© Blue House / Expedia
With its eye-catching blue facade set on a sloping cobblestone lane in old town Quito, this is one of the more immediately charming cheap hotels in Ecuador. It offers both youth hostel-style shared dorms, with sleeping pods or bunk beds, as well as private rooms with their own or shared bathrooms. A mix of backpackers and young travelers gives the place a friendly and sociable vibe – especially in the backyard, where many mingle over a drink or a game of pool.

About the author

A dyed-in-the-wool Londoner now firmly rooted among the cobbled streets of old town Palma de Mallorca, left a piece of himself in Mexico some time in the last millennium and had a previous existence touring the world with a band you've probably never heard of.

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