Are you planning to retire in Ecuador?
Are you planning to check out Ecuador to stay here long time either as a professional or as a retiree?
Are you planning to do an immersion cultural or linguistic program in Ecuador?
Are you planning to come as a volunteer to Ecuador?
Are you planning to study in Ecuador?
If you are moving here for a long time, rent a place and make it as your home. Consider getting a car, this will give you a lot of freedom, flexibility and safety. Remember, there are a lot of places that you really need a car like going grocery (markets). Start from Facebook market place because many owners publish there directly. Although, there are companies that specialized for expats real state. In facebook there are many groups of expats, get yourself advice by them. Some people are pretty helpful and nice. Others just look for a way to take their anger against the country.
-Bring things that you need like you vitamins, sunblock, medicine, small things that here are very expensive.
-Bring your snacks or condiments you use for your food. Some of them we might not have them.
-Bring regular clothes, don't bring your best outfit. Is better be safe and comfortable; don't forget to bring your shoes and sport gear is also expensive, bring those. At the end of your trip you can even donate it and fill up your bag with local gifts, such as warm stuff made from wool and alpaca, you can get them here, great quality and good price.
-any kind of technology is expensive here, cameras, ipads, laptops. You can find any brands here but you'll be paying 25% to 50% more here.
-try to use Über but if you need to take a cab, take the yellow ones with orange plate. Once you are here ask for a Coperativa de taxis number to a local, everyone have some trustable ones.
-Bring some medicine for your stomach, but if you read this before, please, take some natural yogourt for a week or so to make your stomach strong.
-Transport is a bit crowded and stinky, be always aware to have your bags in your front.
-Please use sunscreen all the time, even on dark days, we are in the equatorial line.
-Tip people as you want, but we don't have this custom here.
-Find always a local friend, and get this phone number so you can text him for any doubt, questions you have.
-Whatever price you checked for a service before coming, I am sure there's plenty of cheaper options here. Locals are happy to help and to recommend things, I promise.
-if you are staying here for long and don't have dental insurance in your country, you can have that done here, cheaper and good quality. Same with plastic surgeries.
-no matter what your opinions about it is, most shops won't let you in if you are not wearing a mask.
-There's no Public post service by the moment, you'll have to send stuff through American ones, and its expensive. You can also contact people in this group and check if anyone is traveling.
-There's no Amazon, no Ebay. You can get stuff through courier companies. That means you will buy something, send to Miami PObox and then they will tell how much for that and send it to Ecuador. It takes time and money, but sometimes even woth those extra payments is cheaper than to buy it here in Ecuador.
-Believe the Google reviews of restaurants from Google maps.
-If you want to compare prices you can Google Supermaxi, El Comisariato to have an idea of prices for groceries, toiletries and general stuff.
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To better survive, please get a week worth of lesson in Spanish. We can teach a survival course. The elemental vocabulary, phrases and idioms. Contact us at immersionspanishschool@gmail.com
Finally, we suggest these favorite places.
First days, anywhere inside Quito to get used to the altitude. You could do City Local Tour (equator (Mitad del Mundo + Rumicucho + Teleférico + Basilica + Quito Colonial + Cena en Itchimbia, Viernes Calientes en la Ronda, etc.) Regional tour (Mindo-cloud forest/Otavalo-mercado indigena/Papallacta-hotsprings/Cotopaxi-mountain /Quitolotoa- hiking to the lake)
Amazon tour: (Tena/Misahualli/Pedernales/Baños) Highland tour:Quito to Cuenca or Guayaquil Insular Region: Galapagos (5 days minimum) (San Cristobal /Santa Cruz /Isabela). Crime like any other city, you need to be careful with your belongings. In regards to the COVID, always wear a mask. Most things are open, now. Regards
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