[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

I’m obviously not Suzan, but yes it is.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

That’s a totally personal decision. Neither my wife or I got any before moving here three years ago.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Cuenca is the only place where it is OK to drink the tap water.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Search the posts on Gringo Tree. There are lots of references to worship options in Cuenca there.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

And, Don, please remember in the example Suzan gave regarding maids that  folks talk to each other. If I’m paying my maid too much and she tells her friend who’s also a maid and she tells——. See what I mean? I’ll argue with a taxi driver over 50 cents because I know what the proper fare should be. It is imperative that all of us expats remember we are guests in whatever country we find ourselves and show respect for the culture.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Robert, scroll up about 7 comments on this thread for your answer.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Money is a non-issue here. If you’re coming to visit bring several hundred dollars in 20’s, 10’s, & 5’s and pull additional funds from ATM’s.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

We always stay at the Hotel CityPlaza:  http://www.hotelcityplaza.com.ec/eng/index.php?english. They pick you up at the airport, it’s near the Malecon, the rooms are spacious, and you should find it in your price range.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Who writes this malarkey? Small denomination bills and coins are all that are used here. I suggest you ditch that source of “information” immediately.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Actually, most people do nothing.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

A condo would be preferable from all points of view–clean and modern for guests, easier to maintain and secure for the owner.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

You don’t want to use a credit card at ATM’s. You’ll pay cash advance fees out the wazoo. Get a Visa debit card tied to your checking account.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

You’re going to have a helluva time finding a newish one bedroom apartment–Ecuadorians have big families, so that’s not a popular choice. Are you talking about furnished or unfurnished? And when you say “including travel,” that budget # can be all over the map depending on where you’re going and how often. All that being said, plan on around $400 for a 2 BR unfurnished & add $100 for furnished. You can spend more or less depending on location, amenities—and luck!

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Email me at cuenca@internationalliving.com and I’ll send it to you myself.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Sorry, forgot to answer your biking question. There are several clubs that meet in the evenings to bike around Cuenca, and I see lots of folks riding around on the weekends. Bikes are not used much for basic transportation here.

[Author]

Posts