Hostal Pucara Loja

I've been staying here for almost a year. The neighborhood works well for me, with restaurants, laundry, and shops nearby. After spending my first week in Loja at a hotel I found online, I tried this place for a week. The hospitable people offered me a month-to-month rental, so I can leave whenever I like, keep few belongings, and get my room cleaned regularly. There can be noise from people coming and going, which is a downside if you need quiet. I'm retired, so I just take naps when I need them. The courtyard parking is a plus if you have a vehicle. The vehicle gate is locked from 9:30 pm to 7:30 am, but staff open it for guests with a phone call.

The hostal is a few blocks from Mercado Central, a good spot for breakfast, and only a block from the taxi cooperative Once de Mayo. In my opinion, it's the easiest and fastest way to get to Vilcabamba. Rides cost $2.5 from the cooperative's Loja headquarters. Taxis run throughout the day and leave once they're full, usually with 3-4 people. I really enjoyed my stay: the rooms were clean, the atmosphere calm, the staff great, and the location convenient. It's also near an office for Cooperative tra.

The beds were comfortable, the WiFi worked great, and the staff were friendly. Everything was exceptionally clean, and it was the best value I found in Ecuador.

Right in the center of Loja and easy to find, this is the most affordable hotel in town. The rooms are simple but clean, with hot showers, a towel, and soap provided.