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Hello Peter, once response so far. Contact Al in Manta and he will see if he can help you: info@mantaexpatsonline.com.

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There are a ton of programs out there, but I am a fan of the Warren Hardy method. You can order his online course here: http://www.ilbookstore.com/Warren-Hardy-Spanish-the-Ultimate-Experience.html or you can take one of his classes in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — much recommended if you have the time: http://www.WarrenHardy.com. Another to look at is Rosetta Stone…

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HI Dean, I’ll bet it is just the lot that is for sale for 49k, and/or if it has an existing house it will need work. Two places to get more info about Vilcabamba, though. Email bernie@huilcorealestate.com and see his website at http://www.huilcorealestate.com — he knows a lot about what’s going on in Vilcabamba. And email info@pathfinderinternational.net.

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HI Andrea, I think you meant to say that the water is NOT suitable to drink there? From what I am told, water from Bahia to Pedernales (and perhaps beyond) is trucked in. It is not potable, so yes, you’ll need to drink bottled water. In 12 years living in Latin America, we’ve gotten used to this and no longer give it a second thought. We have a big 20-liter bottle that is cheerfully delivered every Friday, or as needed, for $3.50. We use tap water for cooking, as boiling it removes any bacteria… we soak our produce in tap water, adding a couple of drops of a Kil-ol, a grapefruit-seed extract disenfectant that is sold in Super-Maxi and many other places. I will say that we also drink the tap water in Cotacachi with no ill effects… but just in case, and because I know they put chemicals in the water, I feel better drinking the bottled water. If I lived in a place where they trucked in the water, I might also use that for cooking and soaking veggies… I wouldn’t trust that as much as I do our mountain water.

As for places I (and other expats, it seem) personally like along the coast, one is Olon. It’s about 45 minutes from Salinas (literally 5 minutes from the fun little beach town of Montanita) and it’s where the topography goes from dry to vegetated. Very wide pretty beach and a nice little town. Several people from Cuenca also have beach homes here, as it is only about a 6-hour drive from Cuenca. I also like Crucita and San Clemente, which are about 40 to 60 minutes north of Manta. I like these more for the expat community that’s growing there than for anything else. And I really like Canoa, as well. (I guess you can tell that I prefer the small towns? That’s why Salinas doesn’t altogether trip my trigger. Who wants to deal with rowdy beach partiers?)

I hope I answered some questions. Please post any more you may have.

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We have open air mercados here in Ecuador — like a farmer’s market. Each town… and in the cities, each neighborhood, has a specific market day. There are also trucks that traverse the streets selling stuff. And we have sources for dairy products, even the raw and non-pasteurized stuff that’s banned in the U.S.

Now, you can’t be guaranteed that everything from these sources is organic. However, in the town where I live — as just about anywhere else — once you connect to local life, you’ll find the organic farms and produce markets. Yes, there are freezers in Ecuador and you can certainly buy one for your home. So many varieties of so many unique things grow here, you will love it.

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I’ve also just learned there is a Facebook group called Sewing in Ecuador — wow!

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Susan, I will see what I can find out for you… In fact, I just posted your question on a Facebook group I belong to, called Expat Women of Ecuador. If you’re on Facebook, you may want to join that group. Most of the women live in Cuenca. Meanwhile, I will let you know if I get a response.

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HI Greg, it sounds like you’ve checked out all the likely suspects. And those places you mention are the most advanced expat destinations in Ecuador to date. The only places it seems you haven’t explored are Salinas and Banos. Salinas has a fairly well organized expat community, but it may not be enough for you. I am personally interested in exploring Banos (2.5 hours southeast of Quito and at a much lower elevation… I loved my previous visits there and I know there are expats living there, but again, I don’t think it will quite fit your bill as far as a large enough cultural or social environment.

I wish the perfect place were out there. If so, I’d be there myself. 🙂

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I will ask the tech guys… and don’t worry, ask any question you like.

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The humidity is totally tolerable most of the year, in my opinion, although friends who live there say the worst months are November through April.

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I think those are monthly estimates… but I will take a look, thank you!

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I have sent emails to about 8 people and I’m sure one of them will have an answer… stay tuned!

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Hi Stephen, I am neither for nor against gun ownership, and in Ecuador, especially, my opinions don’t matter. 🙂 But yes, I believe you can buy a gun here and obtain a permit for it.

But you should know that the laws in Latin America about gun ownership are FAR more stringent than they are in the U.S. and if gun ownership is critically important to you, you might want to reconsider a move here. The only country I know of where you can import firearms is Nicaragua… and I think even they are getting stricter. (And don’t just take my word for it… if you’re interested in learning more about Nicaragua laws, let me know and I will put you in touch with someone who can help.)

To dig farther into Ecuador law, though, I’d suggest you drop a note to either attorney Roberto Moreno: roberto@morenodidonato.com or attorney Santiago Andrade: santiago1397@gmail.com. They can give you the full scoop on how to get a gun permit in Ecuador. One final word of caution: if you use a gun for protection and you were to shoot someone on your property, you’d best be darn sure that he is well inside your home and is armed… just the way things are here.

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Manta or Salinas are where you will find the best charter options. I’ll see if I can find some recommendations for you.

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Here are some suggestions I’ve seen others make (I’ve not stayed at any of these personally):

EXCELLENT accommodation with Cameron Kayce…e-mail CameronKayce@yahoo.com…she’s a friendly, welcoming American with a beautiful Ecuadorian B & B home and a TON of local information and suggestions to make your stay memorable, about 15 mts walk from El Centro, quiet neighbourhood, excellent prices.

Sorry, don’t have websites for these — try Google:

La Cigale – $17. I understand can be noisy until midnight on weekends, though. It’s sadi to be comfy and clean with good internet, good location, and a pretty good restaurant downstairs.

Hostal Hogar Cuencana on Hermano Miguel at Calle Larga…clean, basic room with shared bath…$12…

Casa Barranco @ $34. Much better WiFi than Cigale. Ask for room in back with balcony. Nice view of nuevo ciudad.

$18 La Orquidea on Borreo between Gran Colombia and Bolivar.

$12 Hostel Santa Fe on Borreo between Juan Jaramillo and Honorato Vasquez

$57: Hotel Inca Real on General Torres between Bolivar and Sucre. I Have stayed here, very nice.)

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