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Not really. A guy here in Cuenca has just started offering such a service, but generally “let the buyer beware” is the prevailing attitude.

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I’ve spent the night in the Quito airport when the time between a late night arrival and an early flight the next morning didn’t justify schlepping our stuff to a hostal to flop for a few hours. It’s no picnic, brother–you’re either doing the “head bob” in a chair or laying on a hard floor. But it was a few hours in a lifetime so what the heck, we survived.

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The van services have been on shaky ground for some time because of ongoing complaints from the bus companies about stealing their passengers. Sometimes the police are pulling the vans over and making all the passengers get out. Yikes! Here’s a link to the bus companies: http://www.ecuadorschedules.com/. They’re safe, cheap, and comfortable. If you go this route be sure and book an “executive” bus–they are more modern and arrive quicker. Both the van companies and the bus terminal are right next to the airport. Safe travels!

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Cuenca has one 9 hole private course not open to locals without an invitation by a member. It’s my understanding the initial membership is $8K & monthly dues are $100+.

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I maintain a US address and have my Social Security check direct deposited into an account there. But I also have an Ecuadorian account with Banco Bolivariano as well as a credit card secured with a CD. With timely payments the card will be unsecured when the CD matures after a year.

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Sorry, I don’t.

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Melanie, remind me closer to the time you’re in Cuenca and I’ll refer you to places where you’ll meet all the expats you want.

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Don’t bother bringing a big pile of $1’s & $5’s–just a few will be enough to cover initial expenditures. And forget about the cashier’s check idea. ATM’s here dispense $10’s and/or $20’s, we all use them, and you need not worry about safety issues. Let your bank know where you’ll be traveling before you leave so they don’t freeze your account when your debit card activity begins in EC.

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Like many things in life, a question like this all boils down to budget and personal preference. Otorango Apartments are too spartan for my taste and not particularly well located. Given that they are ranked in the Top 10 on TripAdvisor obviously a lot of folks do not agree with me.

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Y-a-keel (the G is silent). I found the Malecon and the Guayaquil Historical Park to be quite nice. Here’s a complete list of “to do’s” there: http://www.dreamkapture.com/sightseing.htm.

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A group of folks meets on the public courts at the Colosseum every Tuesday & Thursday AM at 8. Check this link for more info: http://www.facebook.com/tennisincuenca.

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It’s too early to engage a facilitator for visa/shipping furnishings. You could hire someone to show you around, but if you’re going to be here a whole month I recommend you go out there on your own and get lost a few times. Maybe I’m “old school,” but it seems to me that over dependence on paid help can take all the adventure out of becoming an expat.

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I have never tipped a taxi driver, and I generally leave a 10% tip at restaurants if it hasn’t already been added to the bill (give it directly to the waiter–many owners don’t pass tips along to their employees). Wendy’s right–tips aren’t really expected for almuerzos. Regarding flights, they are rarely full but if you already know your itinerary why wouldn’t you purchase the ticket ahead of time and be done with it? A Panama hat for $300 would be a damn nice one, my friend–unless you want a lifetime souvenir they can be had for as little as 8 bucks.

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Melanie, this is one of those topics with no “right” answer. I didn’t, nor did hardly any of the expats I know.

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Or Ciao.

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