Hi,
- There is a direct bus Quito-Lima
- You save a lot of money by taking a bus to Huaquillas (border with Peru), use local transport to Tumbes and continue your journey there. Be careful: Huaquillas is known for its pickpockets. Be very wary of anyone approaching you, and only take official taxi cabs. Best cross with a group; there's usually many gringos on the busses to Huaquillas
- The quickest route runs via Guayaquil and the Panamericana coastal highway: 24 hours approx. Fairly boring route, and Guayaquil is not a recommendable destination: dirty and unsafe in some spots. If you have time, it's much more worthwhile to take the Andean route via Cuenca, cross into Peru at Macarà/Suyo and continue via Chiclayo. From there, you can either take the Panamericana or continue through the Andes. All unbelievably beautiful. Mind you, this would take considerably longer
- The roads themselves are generally safe. The border should be your main concern, as should any bus terminal in any larger city in South America. Then again, nothing worse is likely happen than having your purse snatched
- Delays are common, but the condition of the Panamericana is generally good. Alternatives should only be pursued if you can afford to loose a few days waiting for a bad connection, being stuck in the mud, etc
- Planes are bad. One should not use them
- Don't worry about your personal safety: you'll be fine as long as you don't do anything blatantly stupid. But really, if this is a concern for you or your parents, I'd recommend looking for another travel destination (outside SA)
I quite disagree on two pints.
1-I found Guayaquil to be a fascinating fun destination, people are friendly and welcoming, food is cheap/very tasty and accommodation/entertainment options abound for all budgets.
2-Flying domestic airlines in South America isn't expensive and planes aren't in any way dangerous-routes abound and flying saves a lot of boredom.
I didn't say flying was dangerous: it's just bad, for obvious reasons that I have pointed out ad nauseam in this forum
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