Getting Around Quevedo
Quevedo is a busy inland city in Ecuador's lowlands, and for most visitors it works as a practical stopover or a base for reaching the coast and the highlands rather than a place with an elaborate urban transit system. The good news is that getting around is simple and cheap: the city is compact enough to cross on foot in its central areas, taxis are plentiful, and long-distance buses connect Quevedo to major destinations in both directions.
On Foot
Walking is a realistic option for moving around the main part of Quevedo. The city centre is laid out on a manageable scale, so once you're in the middle of town you can generally reach shops, markets, restaurants and your accommodation on foot without needing to arrange transport. For anything beyond the central area, or when you're carrying luggage or it's raining hard, a taxi is the easier choice.
Buses and Long-Distance Coach Travel
If you can speak at least a limited amount of Spanish, the best way to get around Ecuador is by bus, and Quevedo sits on some of the country's key intercity routes. This makes coach travel the most useful transport option for a visitor arriving in or leaving the city.
- Quito and Guayaquil: Transportes Ecuador is well known for being a safe and comfortable bus company. Its buses run between Quito and Guayaquil almost around the clock, and all of them stop in Quevedo — though only very briefly, so be ready to get on or off quickly.
- To the coast: Quevedo is also a gateway to the Pacific coast. Buses run from the city to Manta and to Puerto Viejo, giving you a direct link between the interior and the beach.
Because the Quito–Guayaquil services pause in Quevedo only for a moment, it pays to confirm your stop with the driver or an assistant when you board, and to have your bags within easy reach as you approach the city.
Taxis
Taxis are everywhere in Quevedo and drivers are eager to give you a lift, which makes them the most convenient way to cover short hops around town or to reach the bus terminal with luggage.
- Within the main city, a ride from anywhere to anywhere is treated as costing about $1 — an unwritten local rule that both drivers and passengers follow.
- Don't let a driver charge you more than that for a trip inside the city. Agreeing the fare before you set off, or simply handing over the expected amount, keeps things straightforward.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Quevedo has no metro, tram or passenger rail network of its own, so there are no train or metro tickets to buy and no lines to navigate within the city. Visitors should plan on buses, taxis and walking instead. (Note that the "Quevedo" metro station on Line 2 of the Madrid Metro is in Spain and has nothing to do with the Ecuadorian city.)
Arriving from the Airport
Quevedo does not have its own commercial airport, so the practical way to reach the city by air is to fly into one of Ecuador's main international gateways and continue overland. The most natural connections are through Quito or Guayaquil, both of which are served by the long-distance buses described above.
- From Quito or Guayaquil, take a Transportes Ecuador coach toward the other city; these services run almost 24/7 and all stop in Quevedo.
- Remember that the stop in Quevedo is very brief, so keep your belongings with you and be ready to disembark as soon as the bus pulls in.
Practical Tips
- Learn at least a little Spanish — it makes bus travel around Ecuador, including Quevedo, considerably easier.
- Budget roughly $1 for a taxi ride anywhere within the main city.
- Use the long-distance bus network for trips to Quito, Guayaquil, Manta and Puerto Viejo rather than expecting local rail or metro service.
- If you're continuing to the coast, buses to Manta and Puerto Viejo leave from Quevedo, making the city a convenient springboard to the beach.