Macas travel guide

Air

The small modern airport is within walking distance, at Cuenca y Amazonas. Flights to Quito with TAME (office at the airport, T07-270 1162) or Saereo (T07-270 1236), US$75; enquire locally as schedules often change. Servicio Aereo Misional, at the airport, T07-270 0142, serves small communities in the jungle. No scheduled routes and they are normally not permitted to carry tourists, but can charter aircraft for special projects and emergencies.

Servicio Aereo Regional, C Tarqui by the runway, T07-270 2433, charters light

aircraft by the hour.

Bus

All buses leave from the small Terminal Terrestre near the market. To Riobamba through Parque Nacional Sangay, 10 a day, US$5, 5 hrs. There are 2 different routes to Cuenca, one through Méndez and Paute, 9 daily, 8 hrs; the other through Limón and Gualceo, 2 daily, 9 hrs. Both cost US$8.50, and are rough and subject to landslides after heavy rain.

No direct buses to Loja or Zamora, you must change in Gualaquiza, US$8, 9 hrs.

Two buses a day to San José de Morona, US$8.50, 9 hrs. To Sucúa, every hour, US$0.50, 30 mins.

Banks

For ATMs: Banco del Austro, Soasti y Domingo Comín; Banco Pichincha, Soasti y 10 de Agosto. Nowhere to change TCs.

Internet

US$1/hr.

Laundry

Punto Limpio, Bolívar y Soasti, daily 0800-2000, US$4 a load.

Post office

9 de Octubre y Domingo Comín, next to the park.