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SUZAN HASKINS
ParticipantCotacachi is sunny most of the time – -at least it seems that way to me. During the rainy season (Jan. to April or so) we do have quite a few rainy days. I love those so it doesn’t bother me a bit. And it doesn’t rain every day, of course. The sunniest stretch of beach is said to be Playas.
ParticipantHi Mark, in Ecuador you can go with either Claro or Movistar cell service. We have Claro and it’s fine. My experience is that internet will cost about $60 a month. I’m not sure where in Ecuador you are thinking of settling but in general you will find Internet in the larger cities to be less expensive.
ParticipantHi Colleen, go to this link on your Ecuador Insider website: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/travel-itineraries/
Scroll down on the left to the travel itinerary section and click on the links there and you’ll find some recommendations for hostels, etc. I’ve not used airbnb but I have used vrbo.com many times to rent apartments in Quito. I’ll find links to the apartments/homes we have rented and post them here…
ParticipantI think you are thinking about the Kookaburra and I believe the Australian couple who owned it have now sold it. And If you are looking for hostels in Cuenca, Edd can answer that for you. In Quito, I LOVE Hotel Andino: http://www.andinohotel.com
ParticipantI can comment on Cotacachi, where I live.
1. Totally depends on your lifestyle. If you cook at home and go out to eat only once or twice a week — and don’t drink wine or spirits when you do — it is quite easy to live on $1,000 a month minus your rent. Some people live happily on that amount including rent. Budget for my husband and I is about $1500/month — we own our home, we like to cook but we also like to drink wine. Meals in nice restaurants cost about $5 each. Local style restaurants, you can eat for $2.50.
2. We now have a local supermarket that covers all basic needs. And a local vendor who carries those gringo-preferred items (ranch dressing, Kraft mayo, Pace salsa, etc.) I try not to ever buy this stuff as I’m not trying to replicate my life back home. A major and modern supermarket chain called SuperMaxi is in the nearby town of Ibarra, a 45-cent bus ride and about 25 minutes away.
3. Prices are going up, unfortunately but you can still get a good buy…3 bed/2 bath condo for $70,000 and up.
4. Demand is higher than supply, hence the rising costs. (Rents are about $650/month for a very nice and well furnished place. Less if you don’t care about all the bells and whistles (flat-screen TVs, Washer/dryer, etc.)
5. Love it! It is quiet and peaceful here, the people are friendly. This is small town living, though – -the sidewalks roll up at 9 pm.ParticipantGreat idea, Jonathan. I don’t know any expats there but if I hear of any, I will let you know!
ParticipantYes, some say the “sunniest” beach is Playas — but the southern coast tends to be more arid while the northern coast is greener (more rain an humidity). BUt I am uncertain of the difference in water temps although the Humboldt is a factor. That’s why the coast of Ecuador, despite being on the equator, is not beastly hot. It gets hot at times, yes, but no more so than other coastal locations farther north or south.
ParticipantI think the refinery will be built about 30 minutes south of Manta. And I’ve not heard that killer fish are much of a problem here. 🙂
Other than that, I can’t be very helpful with answers to your other questions. Anyone out there have any input?
ParticipantI found Catacocha in the Loja province — maybe I’ll get the chance to check it out next time I am there. If you’d like, you may email Diana who lives in Loja (the city) at diana.jesuroga@facebook.com.
ParticipantOk, that’s one I have not heard of…I’ll have to look it up. But I don’t know anyone there.
ParticipantHi John, I recommend you contact attorney Santiago Andrade and ask him to verify: santiago1397@gmail.com. He is happy to answer questions.
ParticipantKevin, I think I answered this in another post…
ParticipantJonathan is correct. If you bargain (and you can do that even on marked prices in shops) you can ask for a discount (un descuento, por favor) and they will offer you a lower price and tell you that’s for “efectivo” or the cash price. You can bargain from there, of course, but you’re bargaining for the cash price. Beyond the large hotels and fancy restaurants and the mall/chain stores you’ll have a hard time using credit cards. So dust off those ATM cards. I think I said it elsewhere in this forum, but we use Capital One — they do not charge an ATM transaction fee. That said, when I have used my credit card in Ecuador or elsewhere I have never had a problem.
ParticipantI live in Cotacachi and can help answer questions for you, if you like? Also, there are LOTS of expats in Cotacachi — what kinds of folks are you looking to communicate with…interests, etc.? Let me get permission from someone I know in Loja.
To extend your visa, you’ll need to go to an immigration office…I do not believe there is one in Loja, but I will ask.
ParticipantI live in Ecuador (Cotacachi) and so does Edd (in Cuenca) — best beach spots that match your desires are probably somewhere near Salinas and/or Manta…even Bahia de Caraquez. I’ll get you an email address for a friend of mine who lives in Crucita — he’s happy to answer questions.
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