The Ecuador Insider

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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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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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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Well, the official word is you can’t…only “normal” household pets can be brought to Ecuador…BUT I’d check with a customs agent just to be sure…maybe your specific pet could still come down without problems…

You can locate customs agents in their tiny offices around the airports in Quito and Guayaquil. Or you can ask your airline…before you fly, they may know the regulations for Ecuador, and can usually tell you the process of how to retrieve your pet upon arrival. To read more on this topic check out my post on how to bring pets to Ecuador here.

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