| Loja OrientationOn this page:Orientation | Transportation | Where
to Stay |
Orientation
Loja is Ecuador's southern
most province and shares a border with Peru. By bus, Loja is 16
hours south of Quito and 9 hours east of Guayaquil. Two rivers,
the Zamora on the east and Malacatos on the west, border the city
making it easy to navigate. City buses are frequent and efficient
and run north and south along Loja's watery perimeters but you are
likely to discover that your own kicks will get you there faster.
Loja is small and compact and therefore is best seen on foot. Any
questions? Friendly Lojanos will enthusiastically assist you if
you get lost. Some have even been known to personally escort confused
travelers to their destination.
Transportation
Buses
The buses will get you around
town cheaply. Neighborhoods and streets serviced are posted in bus
windows. If you are unsure, just ask the driver or fare collector
if the bus is headed where you want to go.
Taxis
Taxis in Loja are easy to
come by and have a set fare within the city. Ask a local what the
taxistas are charging because there are no meters.
Airport
La Toma airport is about
40 minutes west of Loja and has daily flights to Quito and Guayaquil
with TAME. Taxis will shuttle you to and from the airport for a
minimal fee.
Terminal Terrestre
The clean and recently updated
bus terminal has buses headed to destinations throughout the country.
There is also an information booth, a cafeteria, many small shops,
internet/fax access, and a pharmacy. The Terminal is located at
the north end of the city at the intersection of Cuxibamba and Isidro
Ayora Street.
Where
to Stay
There is an abundance of
hostels and hotels in Loja, ranging from simple to elegant. The
best thing about accommodations in Loja is that even the fanciest
hotels are affordable.
The Hotel Libertador (Colón
and Bolívar) is arguably the nicest hotel in Loja and is
surprisingly inexpensive. In addition to nice rooms, a convenient
city center location, pool, sauna, laundry service, and a good restaurant,
the manager is helpful in arranging excursions throughout the Province.
A few other good places
to stay are:
- Hotel Londres (Sucre
Street and 10 de Agosto)
- Hotel Ramses (Colón
and Bolívar)
- Hotel Acapulco (Sucre
and 10 de Agosto)
- Hostal Aguilera (Sucre
and Emiliano Ortega)
On this page: Orientation
| Transportation | Where
to Stay |
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