FBI check now needed to live in Ecuador, really?

I didn´t believe it when I heard it.

In fact, even though it´s not my main business in Ecuador, I´ve helped over a dozen people get their residency visas to live here in Ecuador.

And the last couple I helped just 3 months ago in mid-December.

The last several I´ve helped it just took one day.  So I just charged a daily fee ($150).

One day.  In and out, file submitted.  Approved in two weeks.  Come pick up visa, get cedula (Ecuador ID card).  Stay in Ecuador as long as they want.

It really is that simple.

But now, as of 2015, I confirmed in the Quito immigration office talking to the officials a few days ago in March, it´s just got a bit harder.

Specifically harder for Americans, or people from the States, who want to live in Ecuador.

Americans now need a state-wide police check AND a federal FBI level check, which sometimes can take months to attain.

Before, a simple police check from your local town would suffice.

Easy… actually it was WAY too easy.

And easy to game the system if you know what I mean, so maybe this change is ultimately good for Ecuador but for us people applying to live here it just got a bit more complicated.

So why just for Americans?

Well, the new requirement officially states, people from countries with a federal government need both the state check AND federal police check, but really, as one friend who does this for a living tells me, they are only applying this new visa requirement to Americans and Canadians (for now).
Better time than ever to consider getting a second passport!

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Rejected by the cartel in Ecuador

“This isn’t exactly how I pictured it would be.” I thought to myself, as I sat on an uncomfy couch in an office with all white undecorated walls.  The receptionist seemed to be going through the motions of her job.

I expected a scene with hot women in bikinis serving cocktails while men in all white suits sat around a pool smoking cigars, and of course dudes with machine guns in the corner.

Finally, a young guy came out and waved me into the next office.

I sat down, waited some more.

And in came another guy, also young, younger than I expected and in casual attire.

“So why do you want to join our organization?” He asked pointedly.

“Well, it just seems profitable.” I continued.  “I mean, to have a monopoly on a certain business type within a certain area.”

“You know, once you’re in there’s no way out.” He said.

“Yea, I figured as much.” I said.

“So how much?” I asked.

He said, “$2500 a month rent plus 30% of all sales.”

“Top line, not after taking out expenses.”

“And you need someone there 24 hrs a day.  And they have to be certified persons only.” He finished.

Wow, I thought, no way I can make money like that.

I said thanks for the interview and excused myself.  I could tell they weren’t all that interested in me, and nor was I in the opportunity.

You see, I was interviewing for a space in the new Quito airport based off a proposal I had sent prior about putting a lugagge storage center.

I referred to the airport administration people as a ‘cartel’, cause to me it kind of felt like one, and I felt on the outside although they are not a ‘cartel’ as you or Hollywood would probably define it.

Sure enough, they took my proposal of a luggage storage center/locker area and gave it to someone else, probably one of their cronies at a discounted price, and they’ll be opening any day now.

You see, things sometimes work different in Ecuador.  People aren’t always motivated by money.  Sometimes its more of a who-you-know or even rich people putting trophy businesses that don’t actually make money, but serve as a place to stash their cash.

I know, it’s wierd.

But they can’t stop me from getting into the business in a different way, a way that would have scared the sh!t out of me if I would have opened paying the high rent in the airport.  From my hotel near the airport, for several months now successfully, I’ve been offering bag storage pick up and drop off service for a fee of $5 per pick up(total) and $1 per bag per day for storage.

You see, paying the airport rent, they are probably going to charge around what they do in the Guayaquil airport, $7 per day per bag, and more for bigger pieces like surf boards.

Of course, there will be people who will pay it for the convenience if leaving bags for 1 or 2 days, but for storage 3 days or longer as long as I provide a reliable service I think I have them beat if I can offer the same thing for less than half the price.

But hey, you know, there’s a reason for everything and this newsletter is not just about my successes as an expat and entrepreneur in Ecuador, but also my failures.
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No TVs, no problem in Ecuador

“I can’t believe that just happened, man!” My friend mumbled, still fuming from his experience upon arrival to the Quito airport.

“I just had to pay $250 in import tax for this TV I brought that doesn’t even cost that much in the States.” He continued.

“It comes out to about the same as just buying one here, and I wouldn’t have had to lug it around all day!”

I know.

It’s stupid.

Ecuador doesn’t even let you bring ONE TV over 25 inches with you from abroad, even if its for personal use.

With just about anything else, even cell phones and computers, they’ll let you bring one or two on your person as you travel to Ecuador as they’re deemed for personal use.

But not TVs.

Obviously, they’re trying to protect the raging Ecuadorian industry of TV production.  (Insert sarcasm here.)

Thankfully, technology is always one step ahead.

And on my last trip back to the US about 2 weeks ago, I found a viable option.

It was my second to last day in the States, and as I walked through a Kohl’s store with my mom in Montana, I noticed something interesting.

Originally meant for gamers, I saw these new-age, ultra-cheap home projectors that you can plug directly into your Direct TV cable box, your XBox or DVD player that then project on any surface, but preferibly a white wall, a picture up to about 120 inches. Check out this guide from BuyDLP.com on the best projectors for reasonable prices.

And the resolution is surprisingly crisp.

Obviously not High-def.

But good.

And they only cost $55 as of the last week of December, 2014.  And if you sign up for a Kohls card, you get 30% off.  Total spent, $38.50.

They are not common in Ecuador, and upon arrival to Ecuador I quickly checked with a few of the biggest electronics stores to see if they carried them.

Nope.  Not yet.  But I think they could be BIG in Ecuador in the very-near future.

Especially if import restrictions continue to tighten on TVs.

What I really like about these are that they are more portable than a normal TV, and for someone with a property on the Ecuador coast… I feel more comfortable leaving this in there when I’m not there for long periods of time then an expensive TV (huge target for thieves).

Here’s one example of one for sale on Amazon complete with USB port for projecting images from a computer or smart phone as well as the HDMI and 3 pronged outlet cords for projecting TV programming from your cable box.

Here’s one example of one I found on Amazon… http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MAH0CTU?psc=1 

In fact, can’t say I don’t practice what I preach… I’m in the market for about 10 of them right now.

So, if you’d like to bring one down with you let me know!

You could bring one or two down with you hassle-free for sure as they would surely be deemed for personal use.

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The biggest mistake new expats make before they even get to Ecuador

“Oh, man. What did i get myself into?” I said to myself as I arrived to my new craigslist rental I found online which ended up being on the wrong side of the river in a ghetto of Santo Domingo, in the DR.  

That was the scene for me a few years ago when moving to the Dominican Republic, since moving in the states is more easy with services as St Petersburg moving companies that help with this.  

But I see it all the time.  

The BIGGEST mistake new expats make is they often find a long term rental (and begin paying it) before they even move to Ecuador.  

I’ve seen some even pay a rental for over a year before arrival.  

Big mistake!

Often, they will arrive and for one reason or another not like it wasting all money already paid and losing their security deposit.

It’s hard to grasp how it would be living somewhere long-term by a few online photos or even a short visit.

So I say WAIT until you get to a new country to find a long-term place to live.  If you make a bad choice in hotels who cares?  It’s just for a few nights.  

Tomorrow I’ll give you an even better alternative.  

Hasta pronto, if you liked this you’d love my Insider’s newsletter on living and investing in Ecuador,

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My 2015 Ecuador bucket list: Must dos no one knows about

I’m embarrassed.

Embarrassed that I’ve lived in Ecuador for three years now and still haven’t done or seen much of what Ecuador has to offer.

So naturally, one of my New Years resolutions is going to be to actively start doing the things I want to do in Ecuador.

This is actually an open invitation so if you’d like to join me on one of these just let me know.  Some of whats on the list was on my list last year, but I didn’t get around to it.  This year I will!

1. Stay at the hotel in Papallacta that pumps volcanically heated water right into each room making for a great bath.  Afterward have a trout lunch.

2. Hike, or attempt to hike Cotopaxi, a 19,300 ft volcano just 50 miles from Quito.

3. Explore the largely undiscovered beaches of the Esmeraldas province and in the meantime surf the pristine waters of Mompiche.

4. Have a drink, dance and hang out for a night with the artists/hippies and see if they will show me how to make some of their jewelry along the infamous cocktail alley of Montanita.

5. Hitch-hike up the coast from Montanita.  I’ve heard its easy in Ecuador.

6. See the most remote area of Ecuador, the Yasuni, in the Amazon region before they start their planned drilling, besdies its my best chance to see big Amazonian game like jaguars, anacondas and pumas.  Another less intense option would be to fly to the city of Coca and go in canoe alng the Rio Napo to an  Eco-lodge.

7. Take the train through the high Andes from Ibarra to Salinas (a different Salinas than the one on the coast).

8. Hike arguably the most beautiful area of Ecuador from the Lagunas de Atillo to the largest waterfall in Ecuador, the San Rafael Falls and the Volcano Reventador area.

9. Visit the Saquisili (near Latacunga) thursday market for an interesting more authentic (less touristy) look into indigeous highland life.

10. Go silver bargaining along the main plaza in Chordeleg (near Cuenca) where silversmiths flex their creative muscles.

11. Try hand-gliding for the first time off the cliffs of Crucita or Canoa on the coast.

12. Bike down the entire Ecuador coast from Esmeraldas to Salinas.  Hope I get to do this one.

13. Watch the Tungurahua Volcano erupt at night from the look out over Banos.  Tours can be arranged in one of the many agencies in Baños. Cost $20 per person.

14. Observe the amazing Pink river dolphins as they frollic in the unique flooded rainforest of Cuyabeño in northern Ecuador.  Tours can be arranged once on the ground out of Quito or Lago Agrio.  Anacondas, monkeys and sloths are also possible to be seen.  Canoe Tours start from $40 per person.  

15.  Scuba dive in the crystalline waters of Galapagos off Wolfe Island where its common to see schools of hundreds of Hammerheads and dozens of whale sharks.  2 Dives start from around $130.  Best arranged once on the ground in Santa Cruz Island near the port in Puerto Ayora with local dive shops.

16.  Snorkel with the worlds smallest penguin, gigantic manta rays, big marine iguanas and (friendly) reef sharks off las Tintoreras on the picturesque snow-white sands and turqoise waters off Floreana Island in the Galapagos.  Day tours to Isabela arranged in Santa Cruz start around $65/person.

17.  Eat two buckets of the locally-famous garlic crab at one of the best crabhouses (Manny’s Crangrejal) in Guayaquil, a city known for its numerous crabhouses.  Near San Marino Mall any taxi will know where it is.  $12.

18. Hunt for fossils along the banks of the Nangaritza River, the only river that connects the Amazon to the Pacific Ocean, high in the Condor Mountain Ridge (Cordillera del Condor).  For more try lindoecuadortours.com  $25-50 /person.

19. Deep-sea fish for Marlin and Whale-watch in August off the calm shores of Salinas.  Trips can be arranged in one of the several agencies along the boardwalk.  Cost: Whalewatching from $20 per person, deep sea fishing price varies depending on amount of people.

20. Visit a coffee farm near Ibarra and learn the whole process from harvest to belly.

21.  Hummingbird watch and observe thousands of butterflies at a butterfly farm in the cloud rainforests of Mindo.  Tours can be arranged once in Mindo. Start from $20/person.

22. Trout fish in one of the surreal apline lakes in the barren Cajas National Park near Cuenca.  Tours can be arranged with Terra Diversa in Cuenca.

23. Go way off the beaten path and discover the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) of Ecuador’s Amazon.  Extreme adventure available through local guides only out of Nangaritza.  Cost: Highly negotiable.

24. Pamper myself with a the natural mud bath in the mud pools in the dry rainforest of Machalilla National Park and spend the night playing volleyball with the local indigenous and later sleeping in one of their tiki huts.  From Puerto Lopez hire a motorcycle taxi and pay a few bucks from them to take you to the indigenous community of Aguas Blancas in the park.  Cost: $10 for the day tour to the mud baths and $10/person for the night.

25. View thousands of Orchid species and hummingbirds along the well-kept trails of the Podocarpus National Park easily reached in a $4 taxi ride from the town of Zamora.  Free entrance to park.

26. Get a taste of ancient Incan life by hiking the 10km trek from El Tambo to Ingapirca, ancient Incan ruins and effectively Ecuador’s own “Machu Picchu”.  You can also take a train, taxi or bus which can be arranged out of Canar.  Ruins Entrance fee $6.

27. Get certified as a glider plane pilot in Santo Domingo through a one month course with a local flight instructor.  They say if you can fly a plane without an engine you can fly a plane with one.  Course starts around $1300. 2015 prices yet to be released.

28.Learn to kite surf with an instructor against the strangly barren cliff landscapes of Santa Marianita near Manta.  Classes can be arranged on site.  Prices vary.

29. Zip-line through a Banana plantation in Machala and learn all the ins and outs of the interesting business with CristyViajes.  Tours start around $20 per person.

30. Fish for Pirana in Laguna Pañacocha, a beautiful black wáter lake backed by cloud forests.  To get there, hire a local canoe where the Rio Panacayu meets the Rio Napo, to get there you’ll need to take a Nuevo Rocafuerte Canoe hired in the town of Coca.  Price varies depending on season.

31. Visit a Chocolate factory in Mindo.

32. Hike the Quillotoa Volcano and witness the majestic, stunning turquoise-colored lake in the volcano’s crater.  Can be done solo by taking a bus from Latacunga and getting off near the base.  Cost: $4 bus fare from Latacunga.

33. Mingle with sexy locals dressed to the tilt during the 2 hour river-boat cruise on the all-you-can-drink boat ‘Morgans’ which leaves every night from the boardwalk (Malecon) of Guayaquil. $15 per person includes all you can drink.

34. White-water raft and try kayaking for the first time in the lazy to fierce rivers around the city of Tena where the activities have made the town famous.

35. Explore the rarely-visited beaches north of Esmeraldas while at night dancing salsa to afro-latino beats after eating the local delicacy of Shrimp cooked in spiced coconut milk (encocado de camaron).  I’m sure I’ll feel like I’m in the Caribbean.  Cost: $5-6.

36. Just for fun one day try panning for gold in Yantzaza with the locals in the southern Ecuador Amazon.
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