When we first started to seriously consider moving to Ecuador one of the many questions that came up had to do with banking. Of course, ATM cards and credit cards work fine here, but what if a card got lost or stolen? What if our U.S. bank card expired between trips to the U.S.? How…
One of the questions we get asked the most is: What’s the Cost of Living in Ecuador? Well that’s a tough question. Whats the cost of living in United States? Some people may do well with $1000/month and others “scrape by” on $4000/month. So cost of living is subjective. While some people might find (and…
Planning a trip to the Dutch Caribbean islands? You might want to learn a few Papiamento phrases. In this post, you’ll get key Papiamento phrases (123 word list) and get the resources you need to improve your skills. How to Speak Papiamento: Word List / Resources The first words you’ll probably hear when you arrive…
Ecuador is for hiking and jungle exploring – right? Who goes to Ecuador for the beach? That’s what Mexico and Aruba and the D.R. is for, isn’t it? Check out this new video – and let us know what you think. This guide is a work in progress. We’ll be updating this in the coming…
The attraction for many gringos, of traveling and living in a foreign country, is the thrill of traditional open markets. When we first arrived here, we heard everything from: “everything is so cheap” and “its such nice / fresh / beautiful / unique products here” to “don’t go there – you’ll get robbed or mugged”…
Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency. In this post, you’ll learn about Ecuador’s currency including pesos, francos, Sacagawea coins, and the dollarization in 2000. Plus, we cover how to handle your money in Ecuador, how to avoid counterfeit bills, tipping, and ATMs. 29 Facts about Ecuador Currency Facts Named for its geographical…
While it isn’t hard to call Ecuador, it is probably different than you’re used to. In this post, you’ll learn how to make a local call in Ecuador. And how to call Ecuador from another country. The phone system is very simple in Ecuador. Just follow these simple directions, and you’ll have no problems when…
Today, we’re going to visit Mall del Rio in Cuenca, Ecuador. The largest mall in the city, Mall del Rio, will have you wondering if you even left your hometown. This probably isn’t what you thought would be in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains. A large multi-screen theater, bowling alley, huge food court, and over 220 other…
For many travelers, the main reason for being in Cuenca is to learn Spanish. Noted by many as one of the better areas to learn Spanish – in part because of the locals slower pace of speaking (especially when compared to other Latin American countries) Cuenca is a hub for foreigners studying Spanish. How to…
Our journey started long before we ever set foot on the soil of Ecuador. For about two years we did research and preparation. First we had to decide which country we would be moving to. We moved to Ecuador in July 2009. This is our story. Here are some of the expat books we read…