Nightclubs and bars in Ecuador

I’m sure Ecuador’s big cities have some great nightlife and I guess when I was younger I might have succumbed but now older and wiser I choose to enjoy early morning for taking photos in nature’s best light. Then again, maybe that’s why I’ve been traveling in South American since 1999 and never had one problem. I’m generally in my room by nine or ten at the very latest. But for those who can’t help but dance, Quito’s New Town has its share of clubs and they’ll find them without my help. I do enjoy a beer or local cocktail now and again but for my money I’d rather see a great sunrise like this one on Sincholagua.

Dress Code: I did have a few drinks in both Quito and Cuenca and those tips will appear on those pages. In general, South American's are better dressers than their North American counterparts. Of course, backpackers are always forgiven but try and wear the best you have even if you still look like a ragamuffin next to the locals. ;)

If you're like me and like to check e-mail while you're traveling, Papaya.net, located in them middle of Mariscal Sucre across the street from the Magic Bean, is the best place in town. They have a ton of computers, it's dirt cheap, and they have good food and drinks. At night, the place is often packed with travelers and the music is great. Outside of the nightclubs, this is the place to see and be seen.

Banos is a great town. It is a launching place for excursions into the Amazon basin. I didn't do that, but I did go rafting on the river....highly recommended.

There are very fun bars with lots of friendly people. Great music! It was my birthday, so I was fairly well lubricated....here is a pic, wish I could remember the name of the club ( I think it was Macombos - note the sign in the pic), they played GREAT music. House music with wooden flutes mixed in...sounds werid, but was great to do the white-man-overbite to. They served some blue drink that seemed to only be consumable when it was on fire...

Banos was the best place to buy Ecuadoran clothes...

Wandering along the streets of Cuenca by night is just terrific. The city is so gorgeous with all the churches and monuments enlighted! If your hotel or restaurant has a terrace, don't miss this tremendous spectacle.

My best experiences having parties with locals were Banos and Cuenca (we met really friendly and crazy people).
But Quito and Guayaquil's nightlike is well reknown, with a lot of nightclubs, but I cannot tell personally.

According to my limited experience, the best night spots to have fun with other travelers are Cuenca, Banos and Montanita. These towns are very touristic but quite small so you easily meet other tourists eager to have fun with others.

Do not hesitate to enter small local cafes without tourists. That's one of the best way to meet people and have parties with them.
That's what we experienced, once again in Cuenca, with crazy but lovely locals!

Ecuador is probably not the country you would think about for crazy nights. But believe me or not, this is not so bad at all.
First of all because people are friendly and once they have admitted you (provided you show a minimum of respect and humour that should not be an issue), you can spend the whole night chatting and drinking.
Second because you meet a lot of long travelers, whith whom you can have big parties as well.