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I have some simmering on the stove right now. Yum!
Hi Bobby! When are you coming back??
As for how important it is to have your passport… you should always have your cedula (offical residency card) on you when you get it. Until then you can carry a notarized (here in Ecuador, by a notario) version of your passport with you. That said, I’ve never done that…
We’ve chose not to have a car in Ecuador, but we have rented them on occasion and never been stopped. Ecuador is like all of Latin America, though. As a foreigner, you can usually talk your way out of any traffic stop. Or… if you committed a crime and they have you dead to rights, you might offer to pay a “fine” on the spot. No more than $10 or $20 will get you back on the road. I have to say, though, that we’ve been stopped only a few times (maybe 3) in the last five years or so. That’s in Mexico. It’s always been our fault — not having a seat belt on or making an illegal turn. And we’ve always talked our way out of it. If you act like you speak no Spanish, they get frustrated and wave you on. Sometimes they tell you they need to take your license — which is how they get you to pay your fine. You have to go to the cop shop the next day and pay to get it back. I always say “fine, take it.” That’s also usually when they wave me on my way.
By the way, there has been a lot of rain and flooding on the coast recently. I don’t know when you are coming but if it is in the next two weeks you might want to check on the conditions along the coast.
From Manta to Jama, I’d guess about two hours or just a bit more. From Manta to Salinas, I think about 4 hours maybe…
Good for you, Diane! How did you find your rental?
Chada, here you go:
For those of you traveling into Ecuador via the new Quito airport (which opens Feb. 20), there are a couple of options I’ve learned about for accommodation near the airport. While I wholeheartedly recommend spending time in Quito (you’ll find Quito hotel recommendations in the travel section on this website) I realize some of you may have early morning connecting flights to Cuenca, Manta, Loja, Galapagos, etc.
I am not endorsing these places as I have not stayed in any of them yet, but you can try:
http://www.hosteriasanjose.com
http://www.rincondepuembo.com/ (This one looks as if it may be the closest to the airport.
I’ve also heard that a place called La Marmite may have some rooms — I can only find a website for their restaurant. You can email them for information at marmite@uio.satnet.net.Great answer, Lawrence, thanks! Peggy, I suggest you not cut Panama City from your list. And I think Coronado may be a perfect match for you. It’s a little over an hour to the city where you will find all the amenities you are looking for. You won’t find these anywhere on the beach in Ecuador.
March 8, 2013 at 2:48 pm in reply to: Can someone with a none violent criminal history move to Equador #508793Agree with Edd — seek legal counsel on that one. Email attorney Santiago Andrade: santiago1397@gmail.com — he is very good about answering questions.
I think the beach at Playas has some calm areas. And you’ll find many hidden coves along the coast… Olon and Puerto Lopez come to mind.
Hi Chad, I posted in this forum about this a couple of weeks ago — let me go back and find the info and copy it for you here…
Edd, where and when are “Gringo Nights” in Cuenca?
I love Quito. If I were looking, I would consider it, for many reasons, including health care and access to the new international airport.
You can check the bulletin board at the South American Explorer’s Club when you get here. In advance, you can check Quito Craigslist and VRBO.com. I recently had a woman in Quito email me about an apartment she has for rent there. I have no idea where it is or what it is like. Her email is Maria Gabriela Troya: mgtroya@gmail.com.
Here is a link: http://classifieds.internationalliving.com/ads/apartment-for-rent-in-quito-spectacular-view-for-a-short-period-of-time-days-or-weeks/
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