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9 Ecuador Airbnb Tips and Tricks: How to Find a Place in Ecuador

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Ecuador, this post will help. When you choose an Ecuador Airbnb over a local rental agent, you get a wider selection and (usually) at a significantly lower cost.

Ecuador Airbnb

Tips For Renting an Ecuador Airbnb Unit

In this post, you’ll learn about Airbnb in Ecuador and why this is a great option for accommodations across the country. You’ll also learn some tips and tricks to make your stay more successful.

When you stay in an Ecuador Airbnb unit, you can save money and live more like a local.

To get started, let’s learn about what Airbnb is and how it works. Already know about Airbnb? Jump straight to the 9 Airbnb tips and tricks.

Read more about living in Ecuador.


What is Airbnb?

Airbnb is a hospitality service in an online marketplace. Hosts can rent out a room, home, or apartment to guests.

Airbnb does not own the accommodations listed on their site, they take a small percentage of commissions from hosts and guests using their service.

There are hundreds of Airbnb units in each major city in Ecuador.

Airbnb tips and tricks
Are you afraid to rent from a stranger? If so, you can read reviews left by others who have stayed in the location you’re considering. This can build trust and increase the chance that you’ll be happy with your rental.

For this reason it’s best to only rent an Ecuador Airbnb unit that has great reviews and are listed by a Superhost.

While each city has hundreds of units, the selection is less if you choose only from the Superhost units. Here’s a list of how many Airbnb units are listed by a Superhost in Ecuador:

  • Cuenca Airbnb units: 81
  • Guayaquil Airbnb units: 77
  • Quito Airbnb units: 232
  • Cotacachi and Otavalo Airbnb units: 20
  • Salinas to Manta Airbnb units: 69
  • Galapagos Islands Airbnb units: 69
  • Banos Airbnb units: 15
  • Vilcabamba Airbnb units: 20

The following image shows a few of the reviews on a property listed by a “Superhost”.

Superhost Reviews: Ecuador Airbnb Units

Ecuador Airbnb reviews

How Does an Ecuador Airbnb Unit Work?

Like other Airbnb locations, user profiles (verified through social media) are available so that the host and guest can learn about each other before doing business together. It’s free to register and set up an account.

There are photos of the accommodations and a description (including a map) of where they are located. Many hosts also include additional information about what you can do in the area and how much things (like transportation) cost.

Street in Cuenca Ecuador
You can make a secure online payment for your stay which is processed 24 hours after check-in.

Arrangements are made with the host (usually at the rental or somewhere nearby) to hand over the keys and have a little tour of the rental.

In the following video, you’ll learn more about Airbnb and how it works.

About Airbnb: How it Works

Read more about Ecuador travel.


Finding an Ecuador Airbnb Unit

At the time of writing this post there were over 300 listings available on Cuenca Ecuador Airbnb.

Everything from shared (and private) rooms starting at $12 a night, to entire 3 and 4 bedroom homes ranging in price, but all under $100 per night. There are hotel and B&B rooms listed as well.

Cuenca Ecuador Airbnb
One of the things you may really like about Airbnb is that you can often find accommodations where there are no hotels or when all the hotels are booked (like during holidays in Ecuador).

Here are some tips and tricks to help you have a successful stay at an Airbnb unit. Prefer watching? There is a video after the list.


9 Airbnb Tips and Tricks

  1. Confirm address: Make sure that the address and description on the site match the current property. What’s the best way to get there from the airport? Ask about the approximate taxi rate, best road to enter, etc. Or what bus route is best? Is it safe to travel public transport to the home?
  2. Checking in: Who will meet you there or where will the key be left? Double check these details to avoid being left on the sidewalk with no one to let you in. Make sure you get a phone number / email address of the local contact person. This is important for little details like getting the wifi password.
  3. Read the house rules: Check these details on the profile before arriving. Rules can involve things like noise, heat, plants, windows, pets, wifi, and finicky dishwashers.
  4. Ask the host about using the kitchen: In Ecuador, most stoves and ovens are gas – and while many have automatic ignition, some might need a match. A few safety tips might save your eyebrows… What about garbage disposal? This little detail gets more important the longer you stay in the same place. Make sure the host shows you where the garbage goes.
  5. Double-check that you know how to use the keys – before the host leaves. It will take just a minute – and it might just save you some headaches later. Which key goes to which lock? There might be multiple locks in the door – and you only have a key to one of them. Write down any entry codes for security systems.
  6. Check for existing damage to the unit. A tear on the sofa, broken tile, wall scratches could be blamed on you if they aren’t mentioned at check-in.
  7. Use the host as your guide. Ask for attractions and dining recommendations – they live in Ecuador and will be able to give you some great insight into what’s nearby that shouldn’t be missed.
  8. Coordinate Check-out: Let them know when you’ll be leaving. Find out who you’ll be meeting. Take a minute to do clean the kitchen and take out the trash. This will affect your reference and make it a better experience for you and the host.
  9. Make sure you communicate with your host during the stay if something goes sideways. If you break something, let your host know right away. This will eliminate surprises at checkout.

While looking for a place to stay in Ecuador on Airbnb, you can filter your search in a number of ways. One that may be helpful if you don’t speak Spanish very well is by clicking on the “more filters” tab and checking the box for your language under “Host Language”. Last time I checked there were 7 languages available.

Read more about learning Spanish.


Is an Ecuador Airbnb Unit Cheaper Than a Hotel?

There are many price points on Airbnb listings. You have the option of renting a room, apartment, or an entire house. It’s easy to find cheap accommodations across the county through Airbnb. And many hosts offer discounts for extended stays.

calle larga bridge, cuenca ecuador
It can take a little time to sort out all the details – but you might be able to rent a 3 or 4 bedroom home on Airbnb for less than the price of a hostel (with a shared kitchen and bathroom).

It pays to compare prices!


Will You Try Airbnb?

Will you check out Airbnb listings next time you’re looking for accommodations in Ecuador?

If you do choose to stay in an Airbnb (or if you already have) let us know about your experience by commenting on this post.

And if you have an Airbnb listing in Ecuador, feel free to let our community know by commenting below (don’t forget to include your link).

Read more about Ecuador real estate, and Ecuador expats.

Adriana Bloom

Friday 22nd of November 2019

Hi, I just purchased this beautiful condo in the center of Cuenca (2.5 blocks from Parque Calderon and one block from Calle Larga. The previous owner did a wonderful job at renovating the place and keeping the rustic antique look. She also had such great success renting it due to the location and views as well as amenities (there is an elevator right to the door). Check it out and feel free to reach out if there are any questions.

Joanna

Monday 2nd of April 2018

Hi there, I have a small guest house for rent in the Cotopaxi province. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20860234

Steve K

Sunday 1st of October 2017

We recently spent two months in Cuenca, and used AirBnB to rent a condo. As far as we were concerned, this was the ONLY way to go! With AirBnB, they have a map of Cuenca, and we were able to select the area of town where we wanted to stay, as we had been to Cuenca before and knew the area. Being a retired couple, we wanted a quiet area away from El Centro, but with easy access to the bus system. We found a place that was excellent for us, on the west side, up the hill from "Gringoland". The cost was about $33 per day, but we had an excellent kitchen, internet, TV, and two bedrooms. We really like to cook most of our own meals. There's no comparison to a hotel if you're staying for more than a few days. Rent a condo, house or apartment on AirBnB or VRBO, if you're staying for more than 3 days. We do a lot of traveling now that we're retired and only stay in hotels for when we're on the road and only plan to spend a night or two at the same location.

Bryan Haines

Monday 2nd of October 2017

Hey Steve - thanks for sharing your experience!

Robert

Sunday 1st of October 2017

This site is great and Bryan and Dena you guys do a wonderful service to travelers and ex-pats. I arrived in Zamora the end of May and it is getting near time to move on again once my visa application for renewal is completed. I cannot thank you guys enough for your website and blog. When entering the unknown it can be incredibly confusing and even overwhelming. People like you guys mke it so much easier and to feel confident when making choices. I will be here regularly in the next month to see where I am going next and I look forward to all I will learn. Thaks again!

Bryan Haines

Monday 2nd of October 2017

I'm go glad to hear it. Congrats on nearing the end of your paperwork - and all the best on your next move!

Sharon Kay

Saturday 30th of September 2017

Brian, It was you and Dena who helped sway me to move to Cuenca over four years ago. Am hoping you and your beautiful family are doing well these days. It's well known here in Cuenca that hotel prices are overly high. For some reason Cuenca hotel rates are far higher than our neighboring countries, Colombia and Peru. Having said that, I'd highly recommend to your audience an AirBnB Host, Debra Lynn, LaGringa, who is from the USA and manages at least four AirBnB properties that are priced fairly based on real and current market conditions, not on greed. The Cuenca realestate and Tourist accommodations market is overbuilt which in turn allows visitors a cheaper and better 'Renter's' value outside the very high Hotel rates. For example: I priced a well known Cuenca hotel I'd consider Three Star at best. Their rate per night was $345. In the USA, that same hotel would be $130 per night. AirBnB is a far better value. I make no money with my recommendation. I believe people should be fully informed. Continued success in all your endeavors, Brian!

Bryan Haines

Saturday 30th of September 2017

Thanks for your recommendation Sharon - and for your thoughtful comments on the hotel market in Cuenca. Please feel free to share links to Debra's listings - our readers would like to see them. Thanks!