Ecuador's rocky coastline makes coast-hopping an inefficient and even dangerous means of transport for the visitor. Several navigable rivers flow eastwards into the Amazon basin. Dugout canoes, which carry up to about 25 people, are widely used as a means of transport in roadless areas, particularly in the Oriente jungles and in the northwest coastal regions. Landslides caused by heavy rain frequently disrupt train services. Always check for further details on arrival in the country.
Traffic drives on the right.
The Government and PetroEcuador are developing highways into the Oriente. The roads between Quito and Guayaquil and between Quito, Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba are completely paved. A road connects Quito, Otavalo, Ibarra and Tulcan, the frontier with Colombia. Tickets should be bought in advance to secure a seat. Buses generally tend to be crowded and fairly uncomfortable.