Ecuador during COVID-19
Our trip to Ecuador during COVID-19 was very special; the planned 3 weeks turned out differently than expected. Read on to find out why.
The Trip
Our trip to Ecuador during COVID-19 began like any flight these days, with a mask. Because COVID was still causing problems worldwide in January 2021 and I wanted to meet my in-laws, we decided to go ahead with the trip. In hindsight, this decision was somewhat less successful than hoped.
Day 1 – Ecuador in COVID-19 Times
After a long KLM flight, we arrived in Quito. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time there because we only had a few hours for the layover. But the view from the plane was amazing. The mountains and volcanoes around Quito, and Quito itself, are definitely still on my bucket list. After a few hours’ layover, we flew on to Guayaquil. The view there was also incredible.
Finally, I was in my fiancé’s birthplace. When we arrived at the hotel in the early evening and had rested a bit, I found out my mother-in-law was visiting her sister nearby. We quickly freshened up and took the opportunity to meet my mother-in-law in person for the first time. What a wonderful mother my fiancé has. I instantly had a new friend. We were also immediately taken care of with snacks and drinks. Even though I don’t speak Spanish and she doesn’t speak English or Dutch, we were able to communicate well with some gestures and translation from my fiancé, and had an unforgettable evening.
Day 2 – Iguana Park
That day, we slept in and woke up to the lovely subtropical temperatures of Guayaquil. We stayed at The Park Hotel with a view of Iguana Park. Unfortunately, the park was closed due to COVID, but that didn’t make it any less impressive in the evening with all the lights. The Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral is also a must-see.
We used this half-cloudy, half-sunny day to explore the city. My fiancé, having grown up there, showed me the best local spots. Everyone stared at me a tall white man while almost no tourists were around. That was a bit of a shock for the locals. For me, it was also a very special experience; I’m used to seeing tourists everywhere, but this time most places were unusually quiet.
A few places were advised against visiting because, with no tourists, there was no police presence. So we only saw the famous Las Peñas hill with its 444-step staircase from the Uber. However, we enjoyed walking along the boulevard of Port Santa Ana.
Port Santa Ana
In the area around Port Santa Ana, you can walk along the boulevard. There’s also a small park, Estatua A Julio Jaramillo, full of birds. We also walked to La Planchada. The street we took was filled with beautiful and authentic buildings. Unfortunately, we didn’t go to Escalinata Santo Domingo de Guzmán as it wasn’t safe without security due to COVID. Nevertheless, we had a great time and saw beautiful sights.
Day 3 – Cuenca
On Day 3, we planned our next steps. We decided to go to Cuenca the following day and invited my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. After daydreaming about the photos and stories of Cuenca, we rented a van and booked a hotel. Later, we went into the city with my fiancé’s friends and took the Aerovía cable car to Estación Aerovía Durán.
Monumento al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
The Jesus Monument is located at a viewpoint on Cerro del Carmen. The photo beside it was taken from the cable car.
After a peaceful day with a sense of satisfaction, we walked around the city a bit more and went to bed early.
Day 4 – Change of Plans
On Day 4, a Wednesday, we got up early to go to Cuenca. During breakfast, I checked the press conference about COVID in the Netherlands, which mentioned a flight ban starting Saturday for all flights from South America. That was a shock, and we hadn’t expected it. The big question was: what would it mean for me? Would I still be able to return to the Netherlands? After breakfast, I contacted the embassy and KLM, but neither could provide information about what was going to happen.
KLM could only tell me that there were 2 flights to Amsterdam left on Saturday. Rebooking would cost between €1000 and €1500, almost double the original ticket. Why? Everyone suddenly wanted to return, and prices skyrocketed. So we decided to wait for news and stay near the airport. This meant canceling the trip to Cuenca and scheduling a PCR test in case it was the last chance to return.
Going Local
After recovering from the shock, we had a nice lunch at a local restaurant. We also visited Malecón 2000, with a beautiful view of the Babahayo River and Santay Island. After that, we explored the city with its beautiful architecture and authentic buildings.
Day 5 – Family
This day was very special. We again tried to get information about flights for Saturday, but there was still no news. The media reported that KLM threatened to cancel all flights because staff could be stranded abroad. This eventually worked out for me, although we didn’t know that at the time. Since it seemed more urgent that I needed to get home, I took a PCR test that day — better to have it than risk not being able to leave.
Despite everything, we had a wonderful lunch with the family at Chili’s in Riocentro Norte and explored the shops.
The Ticket
Because of the short notice, I called the embassy again — still no information. KLM finally informed me that my booked return flight to Amsterdam was “being canceled,” meaning it could be rebooked at no cost. Unfortunately, flights were fully booked, and no direct flight was available, so I had to return via Panama and Paris. Because of responsibilities in the Netherlands, I couldn’t risk being stranded, so I booked the alternative route.
Last Evening
Since I was flying the next day, it was our last evening. I would return alone because my fiancé had to spend 90 days outside the EU before returning. We enjoyed dinner at Plaza Lagos in Samborondón, a romantic place to end an amazing trip.
We enjoyed a delicious meal at Plaza Lagos in Samborondón. What a romantic place to end such an amazing trip. If you’re ever in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Day 6 – Departure
The last day arrived. Luckily, I had done a PCR test, but we only received the result one hour before departure. As expected, it was negative, and I could travel home. After breakfast with my mother-in-law, we packed and headed to the airport.
Then the three of us headed to the airport. I was waved off by my fiancé and mother-in-law. So sweet of my mother-in-law to come especially to see me one last time. Despite everything, the trip to Ecuador during COVID-19 was a success. The purpose of the trip was to meet my fiancé’s family. That goal was achieved, and what a lovely family I got to know.
Return Trip to Amsterdam
Boarding the plane marked the official end of our Ecuador trip during COVID-19. I still had to get home safely. The flight would land after the ban went into effect, so it was tense.
After landing safely in Panama with Copa Airlines, I received an email from Air France, which I would use to fly from Panama to Paris. It provided information about the flight ban and explained that a rapid test was needed before departure. I hadn’t done it because KLM and government websites said it wasn’t necessary. Air France staff confirmed the same.
Rules Are Rules
After some sleep on the plane, I arrived in Paris. With a transfer time of 1h15min, the airport was challenging, especially moving from Terminal 1 to 3. I worried about the rapid test. In Panama, I had enough time to do it, but what if Paris required it? I rushed to the gate. With 50 minutes left, I was refused entry for lack of a rapid test.
Chaos
No time to argue, and nobody could direct me to a test. By chance, someone mentioned a test site across the terminal — a 15-minute walk. After quick calculations, it seemed doable if I ran. With 35 minutes to spare, I ran while calling KLM. At the test site, there was a long line. The flight seemed to be leaving without me. But perseverance pays off — the plane wasn’t gone yet. People needing flights were taken out of the line.
The Test
After filling a form, I joined the fast track. I had 25 minutes to reach the gate. People in the normal line were helped first, even some after me. With 15 minutes left, I was finally helped. The test result arrived in 5 minutes. I was also in touch with KLM — the agent was very helpful. With 10 minutes left, I ran to the gate while on the phone with KLM. I arrived just in time for baggage control. A line of 10 minutes stood in front. I would have missed the plane.
KLM
After catching my breath, I explained to the KLM agent that I was stranded at baggage control. Luckily, KLM was understanding and rebooked me for another flight that same day, still within the 4-hour validity of the rapid test. Nothing else could go wrong, thankfully. At the gate, others without a valid test were turned away. Eventually, I landed in Amsterdam on Day 7, over 35 hours after starting my journey.
Zig-Zag Policy?
Three days after returning, the government changed the rule that caused my flight cancellation. Airline staff no longer needed testing, and flights resumed. Later, it became clear that the flight ban applied to anyone not residing in the Netherlands.
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