Adventure Riders love talking about bucket list trips and South America is a destination that often comes up near the top of the list. It’s a region with a rich history, incredible cuisine and unbelievable landscapes that all come together to make it an ideal destination for an Adventure Motorcycle tour.

More often than not though, conversations about touring South America end with “maybe someday” and no plans are made. The excuses start rolling about how it’s too far, too expensive or requires too much planning and time off.

Well a South America motorcycle tour may be easier to achieve than you think, especially if you choose Ecuador as your entry point. Ecuador is a peaceful democratic nation with a diversity of landscapes that encapsulate every type of terrain available in South America — from pristine beaches to the Amazon jungle, rain forests and the high Andes mountains — and you can travel to them all with relative ease on a motorcycle.

Dollars Go a Long Way in Ecuador

One of the best things about Ecuador though is that it’s cheap! Ecuador’s official currency is the US dollar and a dollar goes a lot further in Ecuador than it does in the states. A decent hotel costs about $10 per person, a three-course meal with a drink is around $3 and a gallon of regular gas costs about $1.50.

Getting to the country isn’t so bad either. Flights from Los Angeles, Houston, Miami or New York can range from $500 to $600 round trip, and it’s only a four- to five-hour flight from Miami or Houston if you fly nonstop.

Don’t have time to plan a South American motorcycle tour? Using a tour company can make things a lot easier. One company we discovered with a range of affordable tour options is Ecuador’s top Motorcycle tour company, Ecuador Freedom. With their local knowledge, they can set you up with top hotels and restaurants for your trip and provide you with an itinerary that takes you to see some of the best Ecuador has to offer.

Go Self-Guided, Go Off-Road

A tour that is perfect for Adventure Riders on a budget is Ecuador Freedom’s “Offroad Ecuador Self Guided GPS Tour.” It’s a four-day 575-mile off-road adventure that takes you deep into Ecuador’s back country on dirt roads, allowing you to immerse yourself in the region’s unspoiled natural treasures. It’s a tour for those that like to get far away from the tourist crowds and visit places most people rarely see.

Just because it’s an off-road tour doesn’t mean you have to rough it though. Ecuador Freedom makes all your reservations and payments with the top hotels (three to five stars) along the route and give you an itinerary to follow with recommended stops for your trip. You choose from ten different models of well-maintained dual sport motorcycles that include, DRs, KLRs, Triumphs, Huskys, BMWs and KTMs. All the bikes in their fleet are equipped with luggage systems, pre-programmed GPS, tools, spares, first aid kit, emergency cell phone and 24-hour roadside assistance. They can even set you up with gear.

And since it is a “Self Guided” tour, you get to ride at your own pace and be more spontaneous. You also don’t have to plan your trip around a scheduled tour date. Just reserve your self-guided tour when it’s convenient for you to travel.

The four-day Offroad Ecuador Self Guided GPS Tour starts at $990 with Hotels, taxes and several meals included in the price. In addition, if you invite your riding buddies, your group will save $50 for each additional person that joins you.

No More Excuses

Conceivably, you could fly in to Ecuador on a Tuesday morning and return home on Sunday night, only missing four days of work. If you figure in all your costs for the trip, including a flight, fuel costs, taxi to and from the airport, meals and miscellaneous tolls and entrance fees, a bucket list trip like this one can be achieved on a total budget of around $1,650.

Check out the Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental and Tours website. With a wide range of affordable motorcycle tours, both self-guided and guided, they make it easy to scratch South America off your bucket list.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.