Trip to Ecuador in January
My partner 30f and I 33m are planning to go to Quito for a wedding in January, and hoping to travel around while we're there for about 2.5 weeks.
We're looking at doing Quito> Cuenca> Montañita> Quito> Home
We're Canadian, and speak minimal Spanish, but will be learning as much as we can before our trip.
Keeping in mind that the wedding will take up a few days, we will have about 2 weeks of travel, so we're wondering a few things:
-How should we pack? Reading about clearer mornings, but downfalls in the afternoons, given it's the rainy season.
-Will Montañita be worth visiting, considering it's the rainy season? We have been known to tear up a dance floor or two, but definitely wouldn't classify ourselves as 'partiers'. (Apologies for the implication that Montañita is just beaches and nightclubs)
-Are there places or routes we might be missing out on? For example, we would love to visit the amazon, but wont really be going to the eastern side of the country on this route.
-How many days should we spend in Quito?
-Is it viable/safe to rent a car while doing some of the legs? I'm an experienced and confident driver, but mainly on Canadian roads with English signs
-What would be your "Must Do's" along our current route?
-Bonus Points for any advice or recommendations on Indigenous-owned, or at minimum, Indigenous-centred tourism or sites. We want to travel respectfully, and support local communities, as best we can!
Any general advice or recommendations is greatly appreciated!!!