Jennifer
Of course it is a good idea. Last year I did the trip by bus and it cost me peanuts, I saw the countryside and I was relaxed because someone else was doing the driving. In fact over a month I did all of Ecuador this way and will do it again some day.
I travelled with only a shoulder bag for luggage and simply hopped on a bus and travelled to the next town, strolled into town, booked a reasonable looking hotel and checked out the town, including restaurants, beaches,real estate etc.
When I had seen enough I got on another bus to another town and did it all again
Travelling by plane is fine if you want to get from A to B fast but you see only the departure lounge and arrival lounge.
Eddie Lacinski
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