Archive for August 2015

If one dreams of living a life of simplicity and relaxation, there is no better place than the seaside. It’s where the warm sun bronzes your skin, the surf soothes you, and the delights and bounty of the Pacific become fresh and outstanding meals.

If you’re planning to take the leap and experience the beach life in Ecuador – home to some of the best oceanfront real estate in the world – renting a beach home is the way to go.

Bring along family and friends, escape with your sweetie, or simply claim it as your special retreat – you can do what you want when you rent a beach home in Ecuador.

Where to rent

Puerto Lopez in the Manabi province

This small fishing village is also one of the best beach towns in Ecuador offering:

• A variety of homestays
• Rooms
• Apartments
• Cabanas for rent, most of which are located near the town’s pristine shores

The party and surf mecca that is Montañita

Located along the famed Ruta del Sol or Route of the Sun in Ecuador’s South Pacific Coast, the town offers:

• Private beachfront villas
• Cozy apartmenta with great sea views

Other famous beach towns in Ecuador include Playas, Manta, and Canoa, so keep those names in mind as you scour the Ecuadorian coast for the perfect beach rental.

Search online

Searching a beach home rental in Ecuador is also made easier by sites like Airbnb, VRBO
and TripAdvisor’s FlipKey, which are full of suggestions on beach rentals, complete with details and reviews.

Still need more options?

Contact me at 099-180-9897 or 210-0007 for more in-depth information about beach home rentals in Ecuador. You can also drop me a line at info@livethelifeinecuador.com and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Filed under: Ecuador Real Estate Blog by LiveTheLifeinEcuador
No Comments »

If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Ecuador, here are some of the best hotels and accommodations in Cuenca, Quito and Riobamba:

Hotel Casa del Águila
Mariscal Sucre 13-56 y Juan Montalvo, Cuenca
Phone: + 593-7-283-6498

This 19th century Colonial-style mansion turned boutique hotel is tucked away in the historic heart of Cuenca and is one of the highest-rated hotels in the region. Intimate, serene and secluded, it is just a short walk away from the main square.

The hotel is equipped with WiFi and serves breakfast and brunch. Check out their official website at http://hotelcasadelaguila.com/.

Mansion Alcázar
Bolívar 12-55 y Tarqui, Simón Bolívar, Cuenca
Phone: +593-7-282-3889

Located in historic Cuenca, Mansion Alcázar is a restored colonial mansion converted into a boutique hotel. Boasting rooms with luxurious interiors and elegant furniture, the hotel is considered one of the most beautiful places to stay in the city.

Mansion Alcázar is also home to Le Bar and Casa Alonso Restaurant, which serves some of finest gourmet cuisine in town.

Learn more at the hotel’s official website.

Casa Gangotena
Bolivar Oe6-41 y Cuenca, Quito
Phone: +593-2400-8000

Casa Gangotena in Quito is a boutique hotel overlooking Plaza San Francisco. Once a historic mansion, the hotel features 31 elegant and beautifully appointed rooms, a glassed-in patio, a luxurious dining room, a flower garden, and a terrace with panoramic views of the city.

If you’re interested in staying at Casa Gangotena or would like to find out more about the hotel, visit their website here.

Hosteria La Andaluza
Panamericana Norte, Km. 16, Riobamba
Phone: +593-3294-9370

Hosteria La Andaluza is a restored hacienda with a view of the Chimborazo, a majestic (and inactive) volcano. Breathtaking views of vast open spaces and lush landscape surround this one-of-a-kind hotel—the perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature.

The hotel’s beautifully appointed rooms and lounge areas are homage to a bygone era, with their gorgeous antiques and classic interior decorations.

Find out more about the hotel by visiting their official site.

If you need help looking for a place to stay in Ecuador, we at LIVETHELIFE will be happy to help you find your perfect place. Simply get in touch with us using any of the contact details listed on the site.

Filed under: Ecuador Real Estate Blog by LiveTheLifeinEcuador
No Comments »

The beautiful colonial city of Cuenca is one of those places you’ll never forget after your first visit. The city has a dreamlike, old-world character, with cobblestone streets and magnificent historical structures influenced by a mix of different cultures. Combine that with ideal weather, picture-perfect public squares and parks, incredible shops and restaurants, and you get one of the best cities in Latin America.

Cuenca as seen from the west

Cuenca is truly one of Ecuador’s greatest attractions, as well as one of the top choices for those planning to relocate to the country. The city features many beautiful, well-designed homes that are tailor made for any type of lifestyle.

You can find many homes within Cuenca, while a great selection of properties is also located in the city’s surrounding area, just a few minutes away from its historical center.

Condos

Condos in Cuenca are a great choice for homebuyers who want to enjoy incredible views of the city.

These properties are typically:

• Fully-furnished
• Provided with 24-hour security
• Come with a state-of-the-art gym, swimming pool, and other quality amenities

Many condos are situated close to the city’s top attractions, so you have a wide range of great locations to choose from.

Historic Homes

Those in search of historic homes in Cuenca will have a ton of superb options to choose from. The most desirable historic homes can be found in the city’s historic El Centro area, where residents are steps away from the district’s many offerings, which include flower markets, boutique stores, restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, churches, museums, and more.

Many historic homes come with elegant, luxurious features like:

• French doors
• Hardwood floors
• Large windows
• Custom kitchens
• Spacious living rooms
• Rare antiques

These living spaces are very fitting for such a scenic city.

If you’re searching for the perfect home in Cuenca, you can take a look at some of the available properties on this page.  Our goal at LIVETHELIFE is to help you find the perfect home in Ecuador, so please feel free to get in touch with us using any of the contact details listed on this site.

Filed under: Ecuador Real Estate Blog by LiveTheLifeinEcuador
No Comments »

In 2013 and 2014, Ecuador’s property market slowed down, which resulted in a surplus of housing options. The drop in prices succeeded in attracting homebuyers from all over.

Let’s check in on Ecuador’s economy to see how it impacts the real estate market.

A growing economy

Ecuador’s property market might have cooled down following a 5-year boom, but the economy continues to grow, thanks to remittances, imports, household consumption, investment, and, to some extent, the country’s own oil sector.

Last year, Ecuador recorded one of its highest growth rates – 3.5% in the last quarter of 2014, and 3.8% for the whole year.

Contributing to the growth were:

• Remittances from abroad at 6.2% percent year-on-year
• Investments at 3.7%
• Household consumption up by 3.9%
• The expansion of the country’s oil sector at 2.2%, and non-petroleum oil sector up by 4.3%

Compared to the past two years, last year’s growth in the oil sector is minimal, thanks to the global decline in crude oil. Nonetheless, the Ecuadorian economy managed well in 2014.

What’s in store for 2015?

Ecuador is the smallest member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and relies heavily on oil and mining.

The continued global decline in crude oil may continue to affect the Ecuadorian economy, eating into gains. Still, economists believe the economy will inch forward this year at a rate of 1.9%.

According to Deloitte, 2015 might also bring an increase in the price of goods. As stated in their recently released Latin America Economic Outlook, “the forecast is for price increases of around 3.9 percent, although authorities have advised that estimates will be revised to take account of changes in the price of oil.”

An economy expected to slow down and an uptick in prices will certainly have an impact on the Ecuadorian real estate market. If you’re interested in purchasing a property, it’s best to do it now while property prices remain relatively low. To know more about your real estate options, drop us a line at info@livethelifeinecuador.com.

Filed under: Ecuador Real Estate Blog by LiveTheLifeinEcuador
No Comments »