La Chiva de mi Pueblo
Ecuador
At a glance
The 'chivas' used to be the traditional buses used on the coast of Ecuador. Nowadays, they have become party venues in Quito as well as in Guayaquil. Although they emerged at first for Quito's city celebrations in December, today you can hire a chiva at any time of the year. They are built especially for the purpose, with all the safety precautions necessary.
La Chiva de mi Pueblo has 10 vehicles, 9 with a 45-passenger capacity and one 'chivita', a small 14-passenger chiva, serving mainly Quito and Guayaquil. But they can also travel to any city in the country upon request.
Two style options are available:
The Chivatk (or Chivateca) is a moving disco. It has a dance floor and a panoramic balcony, and is equipped with lights, sound system, smoke, and other disco accessories, as well as a DJ/ entertainer to make sure the event runs smoothly.
The second option is the Traditional Chiva. On this one, passengers can sit, or enjoy the views from the panoramic balcony in the back, while a 'village band' ('banda de pueblo') plays traditional Ecuadorian music on the roof of the vehicle.
In both cases, the program includes a two-hour drive on a predetermined route through the downtown and the modern city, or on a route chosen by the passengers, with a stop for photos, more dancing and fun. Additional time can be requested for a fee. One or two hosts take care of the tour and are responsible for the smooth running of the event. An alcoholic beverage ('canelazos' in Quito, screwdrivers in Guayaquil) or soft drinks are included, as well as whistles and other noise-making artifacts.
Additional services, like typical Ecuadorian fireworks, can be requested.
La Chiva de mi Pueblo has been around since 1997 and offers a trustworthy and safe service. A great option for any celebration; birthdays, hen or stag parties, end of year, graduations or anything else you feel is worth celebrating.
