Hostal Dinos

Sigchos is a quiet little community and a starting point for the trail, so this isn’t a party hostel or a spa hotel. We arrived late without booking, but they found room for us. There were only three guests that evening, and breakfast was included. Afterward, Dino drove us to the trailhead. He was so kind and went out of his way to welcome us. People kept waving to him in the street to say hello. I wish I knew more Spanish so I could understand him better. There’s hot water in the showers, and a room for two was about $24. It’s a family-run place with an authentic Ecuadorian restaurant downstairs.

We heard the town’s Saturday night party clearly from our room, which was the only problem. Before we started the Quilotoa Loop, my girlfriend and I stayed with the husband-and-wife team who run the place. They’re warm and generous, and seem to know everyone in town. When we arrived, the husband offered to take us up to the angel statue above town for a great city view, then pointed out where we’d need to walk the next morning to start our trek.

A private room with its own bathroom was $10, and it was clean and brightly decorated. There’s a restaurant downstairs, run by the same very friendly family as the Hostal. Probably the best value I found during my month in Ecuador.

A family-run hostel with friendly people and several kinds of rooms. It’s a great starting point for the Quilatoa loop.