How to get to
Vilcabamba, Ecuador

The magic is in the details. Here's how to meet Vilcabamba for yourself

Where to stay
in Vilcabamba

Things to do in Vilcabamba

Best restaurants
in Vilcabamba

Curious about this sacred valley?
Let me show you around.

1. Fly to Quito, Ecuador

The first leg of your trip that you will want to book is to the Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO) in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

The two airlines to consider booking your flights through are LATAM and Avianca airlines. And a direct flight from Miami to Quito is usually about $300 round trip... do with that information what you will.

Depending on how you plan your travel, you'll likely need to stay a night in Quito when you arrive. And depending on the kind of experience you want, comfy and convenient or immersive and budget-friendly, I've got two great options to recommend.

If you're looking for a hotel, something simple and close to the airport, I recommend the Holiday Inn Quito Airport. Your stay includes a free shuttle to and from the airport, a continental breakfast, and overall it's super easy and reliable. Last I checked, rooms are around $150/night.

BUT... If you're up for something a little more unique, and a lot more budget-friendly, I highly recommend The Secret Garden Hostel Quito. It's about an hour taxi ride from the airport (and $25), but so worth the trip. When you book, ask them about their airport transportation and they'll help you arrange it. Or you can grab any of the yellow taxis waiting outside of the airport and give them the address of the hostel.


2. Fly to Loja, Ecuador

The next leg of your journey will be a flight from Quito to Loja (LOJ). You'll fly into the Cuidad de Catamayo Airport, which is the closest airport to Vilcabamba.

There's only one airline that offers this route: Aeroregional. It's a short, smooth flight, about 50 minutes, and costs $90.

There are usually only two flights per day to chose from, one in the early morning or one mid afternoon. I personally recommend the morning flight if you'd like to get to Vilcabamba earlier in the day and settle in before sunset. But if you need a little more time to rest, explore, or enjoy a slower morning in Quito, the evening flight might be the better fit for you.

Once you land in Catamayo, the real adventure begins. You're almost to Vilcabamba, just one more beautiful step to go.

3. Drive to Vilcabamba, Ecuador

Once you land at Ciudad de Catamayo Airport, you'll need to have arranged transportation ahead of time. Taxi's do not wait outside the terminal, so having a ride lined up is essential. The drive to Vilcabamba takes about an hour, winding up into and through the southern Andes. It's a journey full of dramatic mountain views, towering rock structures, and tiny roadside towns that feel like stepping back in time. The deeper into the mountains you go the quieter it gets, until you descend into the Valley of Longevity, Vilcabamba. It's a peaceful and scenic drive, and will be over before you can pick your jaw up off the taxi floor from gawking at the views.

I have three trusted local drivers I love, use daily, and recommend:

Jose - kind, dependable, and fluent in both English and Spanish
Pablo - Jose's son, also bilingual, kind and extremely knowledgeable about the area
Byron - only speaks Spanish, but he's one of my favorites! Warm hearted, helpful, honest, and always happy to help you practice your Spanish along the way.

(From the United States)