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Archive for February 2016

2016 is still a good year for buying real estate in Ecuador

LiveTheLifeinEcuador  | February 29, 2016

View of Cuenca, Ecuador

View of Cuenca, Ecuador

2016 looms as another good year for Ecuador’s real estate market.

That’s because this country in South America is again on the list of International Living Magazine’s “Best Places to Retire.”

Ecuador placed second to Panama, which scored 93.5 points, or a mere 1.1 points away from the Latin American country’s 92.4 rating.

An extraordinary place to live

The numbers, so International Living Magazine says, is much more accurate this year, because it is based on a more comprehensive study.

Researchers didn’t just rely on graphs and digits. They also caught up with more expatriates and got them to share their experiences about living in Ecuador.

Ecuador scored high in 10 categories, including Buying and Renting, Benefits and Discounts, and Climate, where it earned the most number of points .

Top two cities

The capital city of Quito, laidback Cuenca and the town of Cotacachi are considered among Ecuador’s best places to live in.

Captivating beachfront homes and affordable agricultural lands are easy to find.

The country teems with beautiful places and smiling people ready to help you in any way they can.

Scenic

Where else can you find scenic mountains with snow-capped peaks, beaches, jungles, and diverse islands all in one charmingly compact area?

Some of the most breathtaking nature spots are just a leisurely walk away from wherever you happen to be.

Sunny weather ideal for outdoor sports, simply limbering up, and other healthy activities are a source of joy the whole year round.

Those who go for affordable living have many reasons to choose Ecuador. Budget-friendly beautiful homes with scenic views greet you at every turn.

Now’s the best time cash in on Ecuador’s booming real estate market.

To get you started, explore this site and see a wide array of prime property listings as well as guides and materials..

Estates in the following destinations will win your heart:

Ecuador’s cultural heart and soul is rich in architectural wonders, beautiful churches and colonial style piazzas. Modern amenities make this city an amazing blend of tradition and innovation.
Housing options include:

✔Condo units with a spectacular city and mountain views

✔3-story homes

✔Garden homes in a gated community

✔Spacious single-family homes on prime riverside lots

Check out more real estate in Cuenca.

Ecuador’s elite live in this paradise filled with sculpted landscapes and other for natural wonders. No wonder outstanding restaurants and entertainment, quality water, power and telephone facilities and a highway are found here. Don’t let its powerful residents and modern amenities deceive you, though. Homes in this peaceful place are easy on the pocket.
Real estate options include:

✔Vacation homes and estates

✔3-bedroom single family homes with acreage

✔Land with irrigation

Check out more real estate in Yunguilla Valley.

This little town, with its lush open areas and magnificent mountain slopes, is best known for its bucolic appeal. Residents enjoy peace and quiet in this haven, where stress is unknown and the living is easy.
Real estate options include:

✔Vacation homes and estates

✔3-bedroom single family homes with acreage

✔Land with irrigation

Check out more real estate in Lentag:

Pack your bags now and check out these wonderful places to stay in.

Getting around in Ecuador

LiveTheLifeinEcuador  | February 25, 2016

Get out of the comfort zone of your place in Ecuador and experience the outside world.

By bus

One of the cheapest ways of getting around Ecuador is to take the local bus, which also offers you a slice of local life.

Larger cities like Quito offer an extensive bus service that will take you to your desired destination. In Quito, for example, the “trolebus,” a trolley-like bus that runs on separate tracks, will take you around the city. Other types of buses in Ecuador include the busetas (22-seater and the fastest choice) and the autobus, its more comfortable and air-conditioned sister. For long distance travel, take the autobus de lujoor luxury bus, which leaves regularly, day and night. Just don’t forget to book your ticket before your trip.

By train

In contrast to Ecuador’s extensive bus services, train travel in the country is very limited. The most functional train that you can take is from Quito to El Boliche, but if you’re feeling adventurous, take the route called the “Devil’s Nose,” which will take you from Riobamba to Sibambe. You can also take the train and travel in the northern highlands via the Ibarra to Primer Paso route.

Although train travel in Ecuador is limited, train rides in this tropical paradise are a real treat.

Getting Around

By taxi

In most Ecuadorian towns, you’ll find yellow taxis that will take you to your desired destination. Most of these cabs operate on a fixed-fare system, though, while Quito has metered taxis. Fare usually costs around $1 – not bad, but don’t be afraid to haggle especially if you’re traveling longer distances.

By air

If you want to avoid Ecuador’s serpentine road network, take an airplane – it’s quick, convenient, and rather inexpensive. Up above on a clear day, you can enjoy unobstructed views of volcanoes and rainforests. Domestic carriers in the country include Icaro, VIP, Aerogal, and TAME. Meanwhile, local charters and small-scale companies operate on the coast and in the Oriente region.

If you want to know more about transportation in Ecuador, even to the roads less travelled, check out this great article by Rough Guides.

If you ever need assistance in travelling around Ecuador, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@livethelifeinecuador.com. We provide airport transfers as well as auto purchases. See you in paradise!

Medical Services in Ecuador

LiveTheLifeinEcuador  | February 22, 2016

Ecuador is fast becoming known for its booming medicinal tourism, and for good reason. Here, you can avail quality health care for a fraction of the price you pay back in the United States.

High-quality and low cost

Whether you’re in the big city of Quito or Cuenca, or in a small village somewhere in the Yunguilla Valley, Ecuador ha a collection of clean and modern medical facilities that offer quality health care. Staff are well-trained and most of the doctors received education from the United States and Europe’s medical centers.

Expect the medical practitioners in the country to be well-trained. Some doctors in Ecuador even received training from renowned American and European medical centers.

A visit to a general practitioner can cost somewhere around $25 and $30, while a visit to a specialist can cost around $30-$40. As for ambulatory procedures, no need to shell out extra cash as such services are inexpensive.

Pharmacists in Ecuador are fully qualified to give away medical advice for minor ailments for free. As for generic medicine, such kinds in Ecuador cost much less than in the United States. No need for a prescription as most of the medications that require such paperwork in the U.S. can easily be bought over the counter in Ecuador.

Notable hospitals in Ecuador

  • Hospital Alcivar in Guayaquil – Known as the oldest continual hospital in Ecuador, Hospital Alcivar originated as a small clinic and developed into one of the country’s most modern and largest medical facilities.
  • Hospital Metropolitano de Ecuador in Quito – Inarguably the most famous hospital in Ecuador, Hospital Metropolitano was founded in 1985 and is considered the most technologically and procedurally advanced medical facility in the country. People flock to Hospital Metropolitano as it is most known for performing difficult types of surgeries. It enjoys a collaborative relationship with American institutions like Mount Sinai Hospital and Mayo Clinic.
  • Hospital Universitario del Rio in Cuenca – the newest medical facility in Cuenca, Universitario del Rio offers state-of-the-art technology and attentive care. It was opened in 2009 and is fast becoming one of the most respected teaching hospitals in the international medical community.

There is still so much more to discuss about health care in Ecuador. For additional reading, you can check out our blog posts about medicinal tourism in the country here and here.

If you have any questions, email me at info@livethelifeinecuador.com. Once again, see you in paradise!

Food and Water in Ecuador

LiveTheLifeinEcuador  | February 17, 2016

Fresh organic tomatoes in Ecuador

Fresh organic tomatoes in Ecuador

There are many things that make life in Ecuador amazing. One of them is the easy access to fresh and organic produce, and abundant clean water.

Ecuador currently devotes 56,303 hectares of farmland on organic crops like wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, fruit, coffee, and mushrooms, among others. In fact, according to the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Ecuador has successfully implemented international standards and regulations on organic farming.

The Biocentro Agroecologico, located just three kilometers south of the historic district of El Centro, is the country’s largest certified organic market.

With Ecuador’s agricultural industry ranging from massive farms and ranches to backyard gardens and cooperatives, anyone has access to fresh and locally sourced produce.

When it comes to water, Ecuador’s more urban areas are equipped with water filtration systems.Tap water is accessible via the public grid in 72 % of the homes, according to a 2010 national census.

The government is also racing to close the gap between urban and rural areas when it comes to providing clean water. A multimillion-dollar project is underway to improve access to drinking water in over 100 municipalities.

But, just as you would take precautions when traveling to any foreign country, tourists and visitors are better off drinking bottled water. While the local tap water may be perfectly safe and potable, it’s always best to err on the side of caution – especially if you have a sensitive constitution or you haven’t developed the immunity locals have over certain pathogens.

Safe water in Ecuador

As with all new destinations, making sure that the water youdrink is safe is fairly easy to do.

Buying bottled water or boiling tap water is a given.

But what else can you do to make sure you remain safe?

Here are a few tips:

  • Avoid iced drinks if you can, unless you’re sure the ice is made from purified water.
  • Avoid fruit and veg washed in tap water
  • For longer-staying visitors, or those wishing to become permanent residents, see a doctor every six months to make sure you’re free of water-borne contaminants
  • Have purified drinking water delivered to your home

Eating healthy in Ecuador

It’s easy to get fresh produce like fruit, veg, meat, and dairy products in Ecuador.

Supermarkets and grocery stores are, of course, a primary source of high-quality produce. They are found everywhere and the prices are reasonable.

Locals, however, shop at the local farmer’s market, the best place to spot good deals on fresh finds.

As is true in most places, local markets are often a showcase of the town’s choicest wares and produce. They’re usually sold at a fraction of supermarket prices and come in a wider variety than what’s available in grocery stores. In smaller neighborhoods, the local farmer’s market is just a short walk away.

Buying from farmer’s markets also stimulates the local economy because it cuts the middleman. It also fosters community when locals come out to support their own.

In Ecuador, the sheer variety of local produce is amazing. You’ll find everything from staples like bananas,lettuce, pineapples, tomatoes, and avocados to more unusual fare like soursop, zapallo, and dragon fruit.

In Ecuador, getting healthy is not a problem. In fact, getting healthy has never been this easy or delicious.

Want to know more about Ecuador and the opportunities available to you? If you’re in the US, call 239-848-5876. For all other areas, check out the other numbers you find on this page.

Live the life offers Agrotourism in Ecuador

LiveTheLifeinEcuador  | February 15, 2016

fruit stand in one of ecuador's local markets

IMG_1249Ecuador is one of the most environmentally diverse countries in the entire world, making it a very desirable location for agriculture. The country’s rich and varied soil combined with the humid tropical climate creates excellent conditions which allow a wide range of tropical fruit, cacao, coffee, and other unique crops to thrive.

LIVETHELIFE offers agrotourism travel plans that allow you to experience and discover Ecuador’s rich agriculture. These tours will take you to from the lowland coastal plains to the Andean highlands, allowing you to travel off-grid, stay on a farm, and learn more about Ecuadorian culture like never before.

Here are a few of the locations you’ll get to explore on an agriculture tour:

Guayllabamba Valley

Located around one hour north of Quito, Guayllabamba Valley is known for its abundance of fruit trees that bear fruits such as avocados and chirimoyas. Tourists can also visit the area’s many bromelia plantations and organic farms.

Cotopaxi

Lake Quilotoa and the Zumbahua highlands are fertile areas where crops such as broad beans, barley, and potatoes are cultivated and harvested. In addition to getting a closer look at farm life, tourists can also see the unique native art created by the indigenous communities.

Bolivar

The village of Salinas is popular for producing local products that include chocolate, cheese, dry mushrooms, body oil, and natural essences. Learn first-hand how these products are harvested, all while savoring the town’s panoramic mountain views.

Chimborazo Province

This area gives tourists the chance to see alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas in their natural habitat. Visit the Jambikiwa Foundation and observe how the local community grows and harvests medicinal plants, or tour the many countryside plantations around the city of Riobamba.

If you’d like to join an agriculture tour of Ecuador, LIVETTHELIFE will be more than happy to assist you. Get in touch with Torrin Brauch at 239-848-5876 (US) or 097-994-7640 (Ecuador). You can also send him an email at torrin@livethelifeinecuador.com