Santo Domingo de los Colorados
Introduction
Santo Domingo de los Colorados, usually shortened to Santo Domingo, is the seat of both the canton and the province that share its name, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. It is one of Ecuador's larger cities and serves as a commercial and industrial hub for the surrounding area.
Getting there
Santo Domingo de los Colorados is reached by road, with several buses running to Quito every hour. The journey takes around three hours.
Getting around
Santo Domingo de los Colorados is a city you navigate by road. There is no rail, metro, or tram network, so any long-distance travel into or out of the city is by road, and getting around within it is entirely road-based — on foot, by bus, and by taxi.
Buses are the standard public transport option inside the city and the main way to reach it and continue onward. There are several buses hourly to Quito, a trip of roughly three hours, and intercity services also connect the city with lowland destinations such as Quevedo, Chone, and Quinindé. As is typical in Ecuadorian cities, you pay your fare on board in cash, so keep small change handy; if you are unsure which bus to take, ask at your accommodation or at the bus terminal, since routes and fares can change. Taxis are convenient for short trips, for carrying luggage, and for reaching your hotel from the bus terminal — agree on the fare or confirm the meter before you set off, and have small notes available. Ride-hailing apps are widely used in Ecuador and can be a useful alternative where coverage is available, letting you see the fare in advance.
The city centre is compact enough that walking works well for short errands and for exploring the immediate area, including the substantial statue of the Tsáchila — the local indigenous group whose custom of dyeing their hair with achiote extract gives the city its name — which stands near the town centre. Be prepared for warm, humid conditions: Santo Domingo has a tropical rainforest climate, with very warm average daytime temperatures and warm nights, and the wettest months run from January to May. Rain can be heavy and the city floods easily during those months, so carry a rain jacket or umbrella and consider a taxi when the weather turns. There is no commercial airport here, so there is no airport-to-city transfer to arrange; most visitors arrive overland, most commonly by bus from Quito. During the extremely wet months, roads between Quito and coastal cities such as Esmeraldas and Manta are often washed out and require frequent repair work, which can delay or disrupt overland travel — allow extra time and check road conditions before you set out.
Where to stay
Santo Domingo de los Colorados has a handful of established hotels rather than a wide spread of accommodation, so it pays to book ahead if you're arriving on a busy weekend. The city's hotels cluster along the main avenues, putting you within easy reach of the centre and its transport links. For a comfortable, full-service stay, look to Hotel Zaracay on Av Quito, an upscale option with an outdoor pool, spa, gym, and a restaurant and bar, plus wifi and air conditioning in the rooms. Hotel Puerta Del Sol, on Av. 29 de Mayo between Cuenca and Loja, is a solid mid-range choice offering wifi, cable TV, air conditioning, and free coffee. Bryss Hotel on Avenida Abraham Calazacón Lansa pele is another option worth considering. Given the warm, humid climate, air conditioning is a welcome feature in any of these.Food & drink
The source material for Santo Domingo de los Colorados contains no information on where or what to eat and drink, so this section cannot be written without inventing details.What to see and do
There is no sourced information available for what to see and do in Santo Domingo de los Colorados, so this section cannot be written without inventing details.When to go
Santo Domingo de los Colorados has a tropical rainforest climate, so you can expect warm temperatures year-round. The key decision is when to visit relative to the extremely wet season, which runs from January to May. Those months bring extremely heavy rain and frequent flooding, and roads between Quito and coastal cities such as Esmeraldas and Manta are often washed out and require frequent repair. Travel during this period can be disrupted by the wet conditions.
The rest of the year is drier than the January-to-May peak, though the climate remains a tropical rainforest one and temperatures stay warm. This is generally the easier time to travel, as flooding and road washouts are less likely than in the wet season.
Three days in Santo Domingo de los Colorados
Day one: Base yourself in Santo Domingo and get your bearings in the city centre. Settle into a hotel on or near Av Quito, such as Hotel Zaracay, Hotel Puerta Del Sol or Bryss Hotel, then walk Avenida Abraham Calazacón to see how the city works as a trading hub between the coast and the highlands. Buses run from here to Quevedo, Chone, Quinindé, Esmeraldas, Manta, Quito, Cuenca and Loja, so use the afternoon to sort onward transport. In the evening, eat where the locals do and rest early.
- Hotel Zaracay, Av Quito
- Hotel Puerta Del Sol, Av Quito
- Bryss Hotel, Avenida Abraham Calazacón
Day two: Head out to spend time with the Tsáchilas, the indigenous people known as Colorados for the red dye they traditionally wear in their hair. This is the reason to come to Santo Domingo rather than pass through. Arrange your visit through a local operator, and be respectful: these are living communities, not a show. Ask before taking photographs. Back in the city, eat Ecuadorian food and turn in early.
Day three: Take a ride out of the city to see the lowland countryside that surrounds Santo Domingo, then return for a last look at the centre. If you are continuing, buses and taxis make the next leg straightforward. Rain is possible at any time of year, with January to May the wettest stretch, so keep a light rain jacket with you. The climate stays warm and humid, so pack accordingly and drink plenty of water.