26 December 2012
Puerto Lopez can grow on you. At first I didn’t like it but now I’m coming around, renowned for its whale watching during the July-October months, Puerto Lopez actually has a bit more than that. The food is excellent and the trips to the ‘poor mans Galapagos’, Isla de la Plata leave from here. Another [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
25 December 2012
Same has arguably one of the most beautiful palm laden beaches in all of Ecuador, and its pricey too with resorts and expensive guesthouses for the local rich. Where to stay? My pick is La Terraza complete with a restaurant and rooms with sea-views, its hard to beat the value here with prices starting at [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
25 December 2012
Manglaralto is the town just south of Montanita, in fact you can walk there along the beach in about 25 minutes. No noise, about 3 roads parallel to the ocean, just like a coastal Ecuadorian town should be. The roosters in the morning are the biggest annoyance. Theres not much surf here or other things [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
25 December 2012
Sua ia the way a laid back fishing village should be, or at least exactly how you picture it I’m sure. I’d stop if relaxation is your main goal. Where to stay? Hostal Chagra Rama is my pick with weathered yet safe rooms starting at $9 per person. Follow @dombuonamici
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
25 December 2012
Atacames is rumored to have the ‘whitest’ sand in all of Ecuador, but I’d say it also has one of the widest, biggest beaches in Ecuador as well. A party town with an Afro-caribbean flavor in Ecuador, this is where the folks from Quito come to party from June through September. Things to do? - [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
24 December 2012
Not much to see or do in PortoViejo but it is a main connection hub between the north and south coast so chances are you may find yourself stuck there sooner or later. My value pick is the Hotel New York on the cnr of Olmedo y Francisco de Moreira with simple, clean rooms and [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
24 December 2012
Gualaquiza is a small town of around 15,000 people in the Southern Amazon region of Ecuador. The people are friendly and the backdrop is beautiful as the area is surrounded by lush rainforest. What to do? Visit the bike shop Ciclos on Orellana 4-35 and rent a bike and enjoy the excellent 3 hour bike [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
23 December 2012
Every time I come to this city I’m awed by the character and bravado of this small coastal city. The hilly streets leading down to the ocean are always full of something interesting to see, the locals are friendly, and the foreigners are scarce. The beach isn’t so nice but the food along the boardwalk [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
23 December 2012
It’s nice to be treated special just for being a foreigner in Ecuador. In fact, for those that know about the program, foreigners don’t even have to pay the sales tax on items made in Ecuador. It’s true, the Ecuador government is now refunding foreign “tourists” the sales tax they paid on items made-in-Ecuador and [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Investor News/Analysis
23 December 2012
Macas is an interesting mix of old and new with new buildings jutting up from crumbling streets. Most choose to go to northern jungle towns like Tena, but for those who like off the beaten track destinations Macas wont disappoint. -Kayak the Upano River with class III rapids through one of the local outfitters. - [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
22 December 2012
When you say “Esmeraldas” most people think “dangerous”, maybe due to the proximity of Colombia, maybe some other racially-charged reason. But in my opinion, Esmeraldas doesn’t deserve the bad hype and is an excellent place to visit. The locals are VERY friendly to the few foreign outsiders that visit and the food is to die [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
22 December 2012
Puyo is one of those towns people go to to get a taste of the Amazon without really going neck deep in it. The backdrop is interesting with the Napo River on one side and towering volcanos in the distance while the Amazon flattens out on the other side. What to do? -Bike the 65 [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
22 December 2012
In Cojimies, you may feel like you are the only foreigner around, in fact, you probably will be. But The beach is pearly white and one of Ecuador’s widest, tours to the nearby Island of Love (Isla del Amor) can also be arranged and this is the only place in Ecuador I’ve seen forests of [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
21 December 2012
Until December 23 there is a flight special on Tame to the Galapagos roundtrip from Guayaquil for a total of $176 for anyone with an Ecuadorian Cedula… you can be a foreigner, you just need to be a legal resident of Ecuador with a cedula to qualify. You must travel before the end of March [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Expat Lifestyle
21 December 2012
Few people outside surfers knew about Mompiche, a little, lush green cove with great waves (lefts) until Ecuador’s first all-inclusive luxury resort went in, De Cameron. Its retained its low-key vibe but prices have risen since the resort finished in 2009. Where to stay on a budget? Id stay at my budget pick, the DMCA [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
21 December 2012
Tena reminds me of my time traveling Laos. An ideal tropical, jungle area full of fun, interesting travelers chatting it up over a cold beer after a days worth of heavy duty adventuring. Many come to Tena to try the world-class white water rafting and kayaking. Class III and IV rapids abound, guides can be [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
20 December 2012
Ayangue reminds me of the Galapagos, both above the water and below it. It’s a tiny cove with a small, sleepy town and a handful of dive operators. That’s it, but its nice. What to do? - Try the seafood at one of the many huts along the beach. - Swim and snorkel in the [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
20 December 2012
Coca is one of those small towns that don’t really leave an impression on you, one way or the other. It has a nice river boardwalk and the locals are friendly to visitors, but most still pass right on by. It is the main jumping off point to the Yasuni National Park and other river [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
20 December 2012
Muisne has a unique ‘backwater’ feel, a run-down town, a tropical island, an enormously wide beach, at times completely deserted. Muisne has a feeling all its own and is best for explorers wanting to get far off the beaten track. Take a Mangrove tour with Fundecol.org. Where to stay? My value pick whenever I’m in [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
20 December 2012
Lago Agrio is a sketchy border town most tourists dont venture. It is however the main jumping off point to the Cuyabeno Jungle Wildlife reserve, a unique flooded rainforest. Also, a visit to nearby Dureno can give you a taste of what primary rainforest is like. Where to stay? My pick is Hotel Selva Real [...]
Posted in Ecuador for Investors, Ecuador Travel Guides
