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SUZAN HASKINS
ParticipantThere will be a donation bin at the conference if you’d like to bring it there. I don’t think customs should have a problem, but I can’t say for sure. If you want, you can email customs facilitator, Sandra Baquero: Sandy_Baquero@hotmail.com and ask. She’ll also be at the conference. If you’re going to Guayaquil/Salinas first and want to offload the stuff there, email my friend Leigh Frost who lives in Olon. She can make a recommendation for you. Leigh Frost: leigh@ecuafriendly.com.
ParticipantHi John, we have no problem driving in Ecuador, although getting out of the cities can be a bit harrowing. And while I’m sure you wouldn’t, do don’t drive at night — the roads aren’t as well-lit as we are used to and in the mountains you’ll have fog at night which will make it difficult to see. All the major rental companies are in Ecuador. There is also one called Simon — Google it. I’ve not used it, but you might get a better rate.
An option is to hire a driver (expect to pay about $10 an hour with the understanding that he’ll have to return to Quito, for instance, if he drives you from there to Cuenca). Or if you travel light, you can take the buses.
ParticipantLinda, yes it is about 90 minutes into the city itself. If you are going to tour Quito and stay there for a few days, I’d suggest you go ahead and go into the city. If you have another flight to another location in the country the next morning, yes there are a couple of hotels near the airport. My husband has stayed at Quito Airport Suites and he says it is very basic, but good enough. Website: http://airporthotelquito.com/
I’ve stayed at the Posada Mirolindo and adored it: http://www.posadamirolindo.com/index.en.html
Others you might try:
• Hosteria San Jose: http://www.hosteriasanjose.com.
• Hosteria Rincon de Puembo: http://www.rincondepuembo.com.ParticipantDarel, I am glad you enjoyed your trip. Ecuador is, indeed, a beautiful country.
ParticipantI’ve never heard of IVA being charged on a real estate purchase.
ParticipantHI David, I’m sorry but this is beyond my expertise. You might be able to do some google searching and come up with something, though.
ParticipantI do not use one. Doesn’t Apple have them built in to their products?
ParticipantHi Bill, as you might imagine, you’ll find all varieties of rental apartments. Some with furniture and some with none. Those with none will typically not even include a stove or refrigerator… sometime not even a hot water heater. Those with furniture can be sparsely furnished or have absolutely everything you need, and of top quality. I’m not sure how much premium you’ll pay for a well-furnished place… and you don’t say where you’ll be looking… I’ve never seen any furniture rental places in Ecuador, but buying custom-made pieces from local craftsmen can be inexpensive.
ParticipantHi Richard, it sounds like you are doing all the right research. But don’t assume that because a city in Ecuador is the same size as one in the U.S. that they will have the same type or quality of medical facilities…or anything else. 🙂 (I’m sure you are not assuming that, but just want to make sure.)
Larry Smith (lsmith9287@gmail.com) may be able to help you with a rental in Cotacachi. And you’ll meet expats at the conference who live in Banos — they say there is not much to fear from the volcano.
ParticipantOral, thanks for this. Sarah and her crew will be at the Fast Track Ecuador conference and will be offering tours before and after that event.
ParticipantHi Rich, so glad you’ll be back with us this year. From what you say, I think your only real options are Cuenca, Cotacachi and Quito. You’ll find great medical care in both Cuenca and Quito. Cotacachi doesn’t have great medical care in town itself, but about 30 minutes away in Ibarra you can find decent care and could be stabilized in case of emergency and then transported to Quito, about two hours away. I also love Banos, but it is a three-hour drive from Quito — is that too far for you?
ParticipantYes, the Spanish school is close enough to walk from Andino (at least I would) but if you opt for a taxi it should be no more than $1 or $2. You can use the ATMs on the street safely, especially during daytime, but do be vigilant of your surroundings. I would buy a pocket translator before you come via Amazon or Best Buy, etc. But even without one, I think you will be fine. Oswaldo’s family owns the Hotel Sebastian in Mariscal, just a few blocks from the Andino. (I’ve forgotten exactly where his office is but I know it’s not far.) The Sebastian is also a nice hotel, probably in the $60 range. My friends in Crucita know Las Dunas… I’ll see if I can find out more.
ParticipantEdward, one more thing: be sure to call your bank before you leave and tell them you’ll be using your ATM card in Ecuador. Also, my capital one card doesn’t work at all the ATMs in Quito, for some reason. But I’ve had very good luck at the Banco Internacional and Banco Austro ATMs. And I have another bank card from another US bank that works every single time, no matter where. So my point is: if for some reason your card does not work, try another machine… or another card if you have one. (We changed to Capital One because they do not charge any foreign ATM transaction fees. My other card charges ridiculous fees so I only use it in emergencies.)
ParticipantEdward, many of the ATMS also offer a choice for English, but should be fairly understandable in any case. (cuenta ahorra is savings account… can’t remember what they use for checking account — might be cuenta corriente.) But a few tries and you’ll get it. (Maybe pick up one of those cheap pocket translators if you are worried. You should be able to get one for $10 or $20.)
Andino is perfectly situated between Mariscal and La Floresta… about a 4-5 block walk down hill to Plaza Foch and a 3-block walk uphill to the Swissotel.
Where are you renting in Crucita? I have friends who live there and can inquire about the place if you like.
ParticipantYes, love the Guayasamin house and museum!
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