Where’s Best to Live in Guayaquil?

Another good question. I have spent many months of my life happily living in Guayaquil. The city doesn’t look like much at first but it can really grow on you!

Now, you do have to pay special attention to where you live in Guayaquil, there are certainly some rough areas!

The rich locals prefer to live just outside of town, across the bridge in a yuppy area called Samborondon… urgh… Not my thing. If I wanted that I’d just stay in the States.

But I also want to be safe, so for me, the areas that still have character and life yet are still safe are the middle class areas of Sauces (kind of near the airport) and Urdesa (near the Mall San Marino).

Urdesa is a little quieter, both are very well located and close to everything… shopping, entertainment, sports.

I don’t recommend you live in the south of the city, or the city center near “Las Penas” or the beautiful boardwalk, “El Malecon”. During the day they are beautiful and reminiscent of Lisbon, Portugal…but at night the area gets a little shady.

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Where’s the Best Area to Live in Quito?

Great question! Quito is kind of shaped like a straw, long and narrow. You can actually see from one side of the city to the other along the width, but to go from the northern end of the city to the southern end can take an hour or two (especially during rush hour)!

I’d recommend foreigners to live around or near the Carolina Park/ QuiCentro Shopping area in the north of the city, just south of the airport. I don’t recommend living in the bohemian backpacker area “El Mariscal” because although beautiful during the day, at night it can be a bit rough around the edges. That also goes for the colonial “el centro” area.

I don’t recommend living very high up the hillsides because the public transport doesn’t go there, you will need a car.

And I don’t recommend living in the valleys around Quito unless you like peace and quiet, I prefer city life.

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What are a Few Things You Wish You Brought, or Left Home, Once Arriving in Ecuador?

Good question. I wish I had brought a digital camera, lap top and more books…I wish I had left home medicines (widely available and cheaper in Ecuador), basics like towel, socks, etc (also easily available), furniture (very beautiful pieces available locally).

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The Trend-Setters of Ecuador to Watch

This week on the Ecuador Insider’s Newsletter I’m going to uncover how to discover trends in Ecuador before anyone else can, be sure to sign up within the next day if you want to see this report, it will go out at 5am on Sunday morning!

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Money, ATM’s, Carrying Cash in Ecuador

How should I carry cash in Ecuador?

Good question. Don’t bring traveler’s checks! They are a pain to cash, no one takes them and if you do find a bank that cashes them they will cut out a hefty fee!

It’s better to come down with a few hundred dollars cash in hand and an ATM card from your US bank, connected to the “Cirrus” network with a Visa logo. You can inquire in your bank if your card is connected to the network or not, if it is, you will be able to withdraw money from any ATM with the visa logo in Ecuador (not all but many have it).

You will have to pay a small fee to the machine ($1-2) and an additional fee to your US bank ($2-3). So that’s why getting an account in Ecuador is the best bet for long term living in Ecuador.

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