Carpooling in Ecuador

Hello everyone,

In order to move around in Ecuador, you will have to spend time on the road; for your work commute, to drop your children off at school or for everyday trips. Carpooling could be the right option for you. We would like to know your views on carpooling as a means of transport, and whether it is a practical and cost-effective option.

Is carpooling and cost-sharing common practice in Ecuador? What about the regulations in force?

For which types of journey does carpooling seem more suitable in Ecuador? How much is the cost of a carpool trip?

Is there an app or other means available to connect people looking to carpool? How do you find other carpoolers?

If you are carpooling in Ecuador, what precautions should you take to travel safely?

According to you, what are the advantages and disadvantages of carpooling?

Thank you for sharing your experience,
Diksha

I live in Puerto Lopez, and have been travelling by Bus.
There are ExPat Communities, like South of Manta, who
get together and take a Bus to Manta. It may benefit them.

I can walk anyplace in Puerto Lopez, or take a 50 cent tuk tuk.
But, am doing some farming in Jipijjapa, so bought a 250cc chinese
Harley new. It would be hard to line any of my schedual up, as a
retired guy, with other ExPats.

Cheers:
Bruce B.

i want to buy a VESPA...think that would be comfortable on those cobblestone streets & gravel roads???

is there a uber service?

can the tuk tuks ever crash or rip you off? or is it exceptional service?

debra in calgary, alberta, moving to MANTA TO RETIRE/or snowbird

Sure seems safe enough to me, if you don't feel uncomfortable with lots of cars and little motorcycles all around you. Probably the majority of vehicle traffic, or half of it is little motorcycles. Manta is nice, the traffic moves quite well most times.

Here's a site which puts in perspective the deaths by motor vehicle for each country, as well as other causes of death.

For motor vehicles Ecuador ranks #74 in the world (higher number rank is better, fewer deaths) with an age adjusted value of 21.22 deaths per 100,000 population, 4.63% of all deaths.

https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/ecu … -accidents

The USA ranks #127 in the world with a rate of 10.04 deaths per 100,000 population, 1.52% of total deaths, less than half the deaths in Ecuador.

https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/uni … -accidents

Colombia ranks #89 with 18.82 motor vehicle deaths per 100,000, 4.28% of all deaths.

https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/col … -accidents

The United Kingdom ranks at #180 in the world with only 2.58 motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 people, 0.39% of all deaths.

https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/uni … -accidents

Canada ranks at #160 in the world with a motor vehicle death rate of 5.26 per 100,000, 0.99% of all deaths.

https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/can … -accidents

I was surprised to see that Colombia does better than Ecuador where motor vehicle deaths are concerned, since they drive so crazily there!