The Northern Highlands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 145

Hostal Irina , Modesto Jaramillo 5-09 andMorales, /fax [phone],

[e-mail], costs just a few dollars per night. Located a
couple of blocks from Poncho Plaza, Irina is definitely a backpackers'
hangout, with low ceilings and a variety of shared and private rooms
sleeping from one to three people. The rush of village activity can be
enjoyed from a sideline seat at the adjacent restaurant. Water is hot
24 hours a day, and there's Internet access. $

For a much more tranquil and spacious setting, try the Hotel-
Riveria Sucre , at G Moreno 3-14,

6-920-241, also under $5 per
night. Away from the main market activity, this converted colonial
home offers rooms on two levels and surrounds a covered patio on one
side and an extended garden courtyard on the other. The common
game room with topics and a Ping-Pong table offers a well-needed
break from a rough day of hummingbird watching in the courtyard.
The garden is a great place to chat with fellow budget travelers.
About the only thing to watch out for is the neighbor's rooster, which
tends to crow at the crack of dawn. $

Also inexpensive are two renovated colonial houses - Dona Esther ,
on Montalvo 4-44, 6-920-739, which also has a great restaurant,

and the Valle del Amanecer , at Roca andQuiroga,

6-920-990, rec-
ommended for its nice setting and friendly atmosphere. The former is
nicer, but both are great budget choices and can help to arrange tours
or point you in the right direction. $

Hostal Aya Huma , secluded near the village of Peguche in the hills
above Otavalo,

6-922-663, fax 922-664, [e-mail], is
one of the better accommodations in the area. A nice 40-minute walk
from town or a short bike or taxi ride, Aya Huma is a great little
mountain retreat surrounded by handicraft villages. The people are
friendly and the rooms, though small, are quaint, with private or
shared baths and hot water. The restaurant serves tastymeals, vege-
tarian options and has live music on weekends. $

Hotel El Indio Inn , at Calle Bolívar 904, 6-922-922, fax 920-325,

is a very clean and relatively modern facility, yet is still quite afford-
able. Centrally located, it offers a friendly staff and restaurant on the
premises. Not to be confusedwith the less-expensive hotel of the same
name, El Indio provides spacious, comfortable rooms surrounding an
interior courtyard. This is good value if you don't mind a nontradi-
tional atmosphere, catering more to the modern Ecuadorian family.
Watch out onweekends, though, as it can become a bit noisy here. $

6-920-750, www.
alishungu.com, [e-mail], offers the best deal within

Hotel Ali Shungu , Miguel Egas and Quito,