[LAWRENCE SCHULTZ]

Peggy,

Having visited Panama City twice and spending three weeks in Salinas, Ecuador I can perhaps give you a little insight into these places and your desires for a place to live.  In Panama City you will find many of the things you ask for.  My memory of costs were that it was reasonable.  We went to a modern shopping mall with a multi-plex cinema with English speaking moves.  The cost for a popcorn and soft drink was $3 total.  If you want beach living and yet be near a major city then Coronado might be nice as it is only about 1 hour from Panama City.  Driving in Panama City is totally nuts.  Salinas, Ecuador has some amenities but not what you are use to.  The coast of Ecuador is not going to be very sophisticated.  It seems like you want the amenities of the U.S. but at a much lower price.  I think you can have one or the other but probably not both.  I think the gist of what all the ex pats are reporting is that life is different in these places, but not necessarily worse.  My impression is that a type A personality is probably not going to be all that happy in these places.  I have loved everyplace I have explored in Latin America.  Been to Nicaragua twice.  Loved it.  Panama twice, loved it.  Ecuador once for three weeks and am dying to go back.  My trip to Ecuador was cut short by an intestinal infection which taught me to be more careful about the type of restaurants I go to but I am dying to see the places I intended to see but had to miss.  Vilcabamba was slow, but great.  I really want to see Cuenca, Cotacacci, Otavalo and explore the coast more.

 

[LAWRENCE SCHULTZ]

I had a good experience renting a condo in the Phoenix building which is one block off the ocean.  David Smith owned the complex and he was very helpful not only in renting one of the units in his building but in helping with questions about Salinas.

[LAWRENCE SCHULTZ]

Although I did not get to meet Amy when I was in Salinas a few years ago (as I came down with an intestinal illness) I can tell you that in my contacts with her both in Florida where she came from and in Ecuador she seems to be a very nice and competent person to deal with.

[LAWRENCE SCHULTZ]

Danica, this has nothing to do with where to find food but it does have something to do with food.  My wife and I planned to spend five weeks in Salinas, Ecuador.  We rented a fantastically beautiful condo one block off the ocean but had to leave after three weeks because I came down with a terrible intestinal problem which was probably the result of eating at some local oceanside dive.  I wonder about the safety of eating foods at places other than upscale hotel restaurants?

[Author]

Posts