[SUZAN HASKINS]

Where in Ecuador are you planning to live? Sometimes it’s easiest to hire a facilitator or attorney in that area. Let us know and we’ll offer some suggestions.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Also avoid the coast during Semana Santa, the week before Easter. It will be far too crowded to be enjoyable. (That’s my opinion, any how.) Carnaval (the week leading up to Fat Tuesday/Ash Wednesday) is also celebrated in Ecuador, although not in a huge scale. But you might find the beaches a bit crowded that prior weekend as well.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

And in Manta, many expats use the service of law firm Moreno di Donato.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Hi Mike, where in Ecuador will you live? You’ll want a facilitator in that area. If you let us know, we can better help you.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

I do not believe medical marijuana is legal in Ecuador. As many countries have done, the government has decriminalized possession of small amounts.

I am not aware of any proposed changes to marijuana policies in Ecuador, although I have not done any recent research on this. You might try Google to see what you can find.

If this is of extreme importance to you, you might want to consider Uruguay which has very liberal laws in this regard.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Also, if it were me, I’d want to be sure any appliance could be serviced in Ecuador. For instance, because of the size space we had, we bought a small stackable energy-efficient Teka washer/dryer. We recently had problems with it and learned that not only is it no longer being sold in Ecuador but we would have to import parts from the UK where these are made and they’re outrageously expensive. (I think it’s a problem with the company more than anything… apparently they’re not doing too well.) Luckily, repair guys in Ecuador, including one of our gringo neighbors, are very resourceful. They managed to fix it, although they had to remove the selector knob so now it has a gaping hole there and we have to turn it off manually. But it works.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Just to add to what Wendy said, in Ecuador there is currently a big push by the government to move from gas stoves to electric induction stoves. I think it depends where you will live if this affects you. In a brand-new building, for instance, you might not be able to get a propane line, etc.

Here is an article that explains it: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Ecuador-Pushing-for-Switch-from-Gas-to-Induction-Cooktops-20150128-0035.html

For almost certain, over the next few years the government plans to slowly reduce gas subsidies.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

And if by any chance you get to Canoa (about 30 minutes north) check in at the Surf Shack and ask for Pete Stromberg. He no longer owns the Surf Shack but he is well-established in Canoa and can give you the lowdown about that nice little beach town.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Hi Larry, do you plan to go to Ecuador’s deep jungle? If not and if you don’t plan to seek out drugs, you most likely won’t encounter any problems. I’ve been many times to tourist ares of Ecuador’s rainforest and Amazon areas (some of my favorite, best-memory excursions) but I have never been into the deep jungle provinces near the Colombia border where there might be issues with drug trafficking. And I really would have no reason to go to these places.

I have never even been offered illegal drugs in Ecuador nor have I really seen any indication of any major drug use problems, even in the major cities.

I am not naive and not saying there aren’t places where drug use is going on. That seems to be a fact of life anywhere in the world today. But it’s not something you see widespread evidence of or should be fearful about in Ecuador.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

I don’t think Ecuador will move away from the dollar. The president has pretty well said as much. He might like to, but he can’t. And the digital currency… well, let’s see how that pans out.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

What about Pay Pal, Robert?

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Ok, I found some info for you. A friend who has lived in Quito for 30 years says, “Yes, for sure there are services with adults with Downs Syndrome. You can tell them that with the govt´s Manuela Espejo program there is lots more attention and services for the disabled in Ecuador now. Two organizations are Fundacion El Triangulo in Quito ((593) 2 2 481 076 / 09 8 300 742) and Fundación Huiracocha Tutiven in Cuenca.”

Fundacion Traingulo has a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fundacion-El-Triangulo/242746502486772?hc_location=ufi

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Hi there, I will ask some of my Quito contacts and see if they know of anything…

[SUZAN HASKINS]

HI Andre, I would suggest you contact Mike Sager (redwulf3@juno.com) — he also lives in Guayaquil. He is in real estate and I think he built his home there and he is building further projects along the coast. He’s a good guy and will help you out with some suggestions.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Your “count”… (90 days out of the country in the first 2 years)… doesn’t start until you get your visa. I got mine in Houston, so “where” you get it isn’t much of a deal-breaker. And the visa really doesn’t take that long to get if you have your proper paperwork. So if you apply in Ecuador (or anywhere else), you should have it in a matter of days.

[Author]

Posts