What to bring to Ecuador? And what NOT to.

This week I´m checking in from Miami, FL.

First time I´ve been in the USA for a bit over three years since moving full-time to Ecuador.

And now, it´s quite clear to me what is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper or easier to find in the USA compared to Ecuador.

What to bring with you to Ecuador?

1. Laptops. In countries like the USA, lap top computers are not just cheaper than in Ecuador, but the variety is much greater. For instance, want something specific like an i7 processor? Best buy in USA and bring to Ecuador. Maximum 2 allowed per person.

2. Cell phones. There are very strict import regulations in Ecuador on cell phones thus jacking up the local prices. Best bring from USA. You can bring a maximum 2 down per person per trip.

3. Apple products. Apple computers, iphones, ipads and anything else Apple is best brought from USA.

4. Footwear. Name-brand shoes like Nike tennis shoes can be double the price of the same shoe found in USA. Moral of the story, bring down! summer walking sandals are often MUCH less expensive in USA, too. Bring, the local Ecuadorians already know this! Speaking of summer walking, Ecuador Summer is one of the hottest in the World, make sure to visit riverfronttimes.com and learn more about portable air conditioner units.

5. Cosmetic products like specific facial creams, make-up. Again, these products can be hard to find or double the price in Ecuador.

6. Lingerie. The good, name-brand stuff, even Victoria Secret, can be double or triple the price in Ecuador.

7. Name-brand jeans. Levi, Tommy, all that can be triple the price in Ecuador, and even still, when buying in Ecuador you are never quite sure if what you´re buying is REALLY authentic. Know what I mean?

8. Designer sun-glasses. Much cheaper in USA. But the cheapies for $8 that break in a few weeks can be found in Ecuador.

9. Projectors, DVD players, other specialty electronics. These type of products can be hard to find or simply double the price in Ecuador.

10. Video game systems, i.e. XBox 360, PlayStation. Often these systems can be over double the price of similar systems found in USA, plus, the games are much cheaper if bought in USA. Personally, Id buy both the system and games cheap in a pawn shop in USA, then bring down.

11. Musical equipment. A Keyboard in Fry´s of Las Vegas costs $99, the same keyboard is over double the price in Ecuador. Nuff said.

12. Fishing, hiking and other extreme sports equipment. Its not the price here, its that these type of specialty items are simply hard to find in Ecuador. Best to bring.

13. Security equipment. Systems like security cameras and other specialty home or personal security equipment are best brought from the Security Info.

14. Baking equipment. Specialty items like cookie-cutter molds, mixers and other items related to baking can be non-existent or far more expensive in Ecuador.

15. Designer jackets, leather, pleather, etc. More variety and cheaper in USA.

16. Specific food spices and sauces. For instance, stadium-mustard with that unique flavor is hard to find in Ecuador.

17. Liquor. Things like Tequila and many other liquors can be much cheaper in USA compared to Ecuador, but you can only bring up to 3 liters per traveler according to this recent article from the Ecuador customs (Aduana).

18. Big-screen TVs. MUCH cheaper in USA, a 32 or 40 inch TV is often half the price in USA at a place like Walmart compared to Ecuador. While a 32 inch, flat-screen LED Sony in Ecuador starts around $440, the same TV or similar can be found in USA for around half that or less! But according to the Ecuador customs, you can only bring ONE TV up to 24 inches tax-free per traveler unless you´re bringing one down in your one-time-only tax-exempt shipment from USA after attaining residency in Ecuador.

What NOT to bring to Ecuador?

Almost as important as what to bring is what NOT to bring, in my hotel near the airport in Quito I meet a lot of foreigners everyday that haul things to Ecuador unnecessarily due to the fact that they are readily available or cheaper in Ecuador.

Like…

1. Sheets, pillows and bed linens. One set of sheets for a double bed in Ecuador start around $18 and are of good quality.

2. Towels. Dont bring towels, they are cheap and plentiful in Ecuador.

3. Furniture. Ecuador has some very nice and reasonably priced furniture. Most are happy acquiring here.

4. Sweaters, hats. Also plentiful and reasonably priced in Ecuador. Alpaca is the norm.

5. Belts, wallets, other leather objects. Also cheap and readily available in Ecuador.

6. Designer lamps, lighting. Ecuador also has some beautiful designs not available in USA.

7. Jewerly. Ecuador has some very nice, unique gold, silver and other options available at reasonable prices.

8. Peanut butter. It´s a myth peanut butter is hard to find in Ecuador. Actually in any big box store like Supermaxi you can find it.
Now, how to find the best-priced properties in Ecuador? For that and more subscribe to my weekly Ecuador Insiders Newsletter below, you can unsubscribe at any time:

Why I just bought in Cayo, Ecuador? The next big thing?

This week I closed on my newest Ecuador property.

Four 330m2(3552ft2) lots, together, with an oceanview a short walk from the beach in Puerto Cayo. The lots are flat and have road access, water, internet and electricity nearby (which matters!).

The plan…

…build a townhouse on each and resell. I’ll send updates on how it goes.

But for now, why’d I choose Puerto Cayo?

Just like I liked Manglaralto (a small town near Montanita) when I bought a property there 2 years ago, and then watched it explode with development, foreign investment and a subsequent surge in prices… I like Puerto Cayo entering 2015.

It’s got one of the most spectacular oceanviews of nearby cliffs and offshore islands of the whole coast of Ecuador. And rare for Ecuador, the ocean on a clear day can have a turquoise color due to the multi-color rocks beneath.

The beach has surfing, an activity that attracts foreign interest and gives people something to do. It´s something Manglaralto doesn’t have, but nearby Montanita does.

I like the proximity to the city of Manta (population about 200,000) which is about an hour away, with decent shopping, big box stores and the nearest airport.

I like that its in the Manabi province on the central part of the coast, compared to Santa Elena, the province on the southernmost part of the coast, where the locals have a serious litter problem.

I love the seafood options people have in the oceanfront cabanas near town, and that the town is relatively safe, I know folks who live there that sometimes leave their doors unlocked.

I like the fact it is a sleepy town instead of a party town like Montanita or Crucita.

I also like that there are already a good amount of foreigners and foreign investment in the area, but that you can still find cheap land if you know how to look, like I explain in my full guide.

Foreigners attract more foreigners.

In short, I think the place could explode in the short term.

What do I NOT like about Puerto Cayo?

Most would still consider Puerto Cayo a bit remote.

It is.

It still lacks a lot of things like things to do, shopping, etc.

Also, there’s not many taxis in this town for some reason, and the distances can be far to walk.

Basic services can be iffy. Not all lots have easy access to the city water system and the Internet, meaning you should inquire first! Not to mention that it’d also be hard to get hold of a maid to cook and clean, in which case it’d be beneficial to learn from websites like ChooseVacuum on how to keep the house immaculate.

In this area, beachfront land prices have already jumped in the last couple years due to foreign investment, the cheapest I found in my search was around $60-80 per meter. 3-4 years ago the prices started around $20-30 per meter in this area for beachfront.

But you can still find inexpensive oceanview lots a short walk from the beach for around the price I found mine at. Thats the opportunity. Foreigners love a view and Puerto Cayo has it, and at a good value for now. But the place is poised for some serious possible appreciation in the short-term (1-3 years).

So get in while you can.

NEW! OCEANVIEW HOUSE FOR SALE FROM $145k

Enjoy the best oceanview of the whole Ecuador coastline right from your porch of the islands off Puerto Cayo!

The house is a short 3 minute walk from the beach and a short walk to the center of a sleepy, safe fishing village with AMAZING seafood!

Rise in the morning and slide open your sliding glass doors and bask in the 180 degree oceanview from your porch.

Also, enjoy the safety and comfort of a small gated subdivide without all the politics of a large one.

Entertain your loved ones during a BBQ from your deck as you whale watch and entertain your closest friends and family. This beach house, built to North American standards is the place for you, all for under $1000 per square meter which is much less than the new construction residences in nearby Manta!

Year built: New! 2015
View: 180 degree oceanview
Lot size: 337.5 m2 (33750ft2)
Roof: Spanish-colonial style clay tiles
Availability: 1 finished house available only, 3 pre-construction

Construction size: one story 190m2 (1900ft2)
Distance to beach: 500 meters
Bedrooms: 3
Bath: 2
Patio/deck: covered (27m2 or 270ft2)
Garage: covered, one car.

Property type: Stand alone home in small (4-5 units) gated community.
Landscaping: Desert landscaping
Master bath: His and hers sink, bath-tub. (9m2 or 99ft2)
Bedrooms: Finished wide closets with extra large windows with screens. (22m2 or 240ft2). Replacement Windows Installation offers a wide variety of window installation and replacement options to fit almost any Colorado residential or commercial need. You can visit website for more about the window replacement service.

Water pressure: House comes with installed pump and pressure tank, plug and play. Pumps are a standard installation in modern homes. they’re generally installed in basements and cellars to assist the fast flushing of water through a sump hole. Sump holes are places where water that goes to the basement or cellar seeps to urge out of the house. But sometimes, the speed of water entering the basement is quicker than the speed of the water getting out. The pumps are installed to quicken the speed of outgoing water, thus preventing floods. Most pumps are installed to pump water to a direction where they will not be causing damage. In some localities where flooding may be a normal occurrence, they’re installed in such how that they drive water towards rain drains or wells.

There are many sorts of sump pumps within the market today, and what you select depends on your preference, needs and budget. they’re usually classified consistent with their capacity. For homes that have relatively low rates of flooding, a pump with alittle motor will already do, while homes that have high rates of food, big sump pumps are ideal. Water will accumulate very quickly if floods have high rates then your suction pump got to have a capacity large enough to match or maybe exceed this rate by even a touch . You can also check out backup sump pump review, to know more which pump is suitable for you.

City water: yes!
Sewage: Septic
City electric: yes!
Internet/Telephone ready.

Open kitchen with island, air extractor, and granite countertops.

Porcelen flooring
Spanish tile roofs
Screens for windows

Very desirable area for rentals… great possible return on investment! Duplexes in nearby vacinity are going for over $250,000 with no oceanview.

Finished! Move-in ready. Only 1 finished house available, could go quick!

For the finished house asking $159,000. For $145,000 get the same house on adjacent lot if you buy pre-construction!

For more details or a showing call 0988899774(Ecuador) or write us below and we will respond within 1 business day:

[contact-form 20 “Cayo house for sale”]

Now, how to find the best-priced properties in Ecuador? For that and more subscribe to my weekly Ecuador Insiders Newsletter below, you can unsubscribe at any time:

How I lost 37 pounds in 1 month the Ecuadorian way

When most people move to Ecuador, myself included, they lose weight.

Its not that they get hit by a never-ending case of Montezuma’s revenge, but the food down here is simply more natural, you know, not so genetically altered as in ‘the developed world’.

But recently, primarily due to working the night shift at my hotel near the airport in Quito, I started to ballon up.

Your friends notice, and start to razz you.

You feel down.

So I decided to do something about it. But a lot of the info and diets I found online were not for someone that lives in a small Ecuadorian town like me. Good luck finding Quinoa and Chia and other wierd stuff in the tienda on the corner.

I had to find something that would work in Ecuador.

My journey started with a brief chat with a nutritionist from the States that stayed in my hotel.

He said, “there’s a lot of conflicting info online and people don’t know what to eat to lose weight. Just focus on three things…

1. Eat less (Mass can neither be created nor destroyed, want less eat less.)
2. Don’t eat processed food (anything that comes in a shiny rapper.)
3. Eat lots of fruits and veggies (they fill you up but are mostly water.)”

So I combined that with a little bit of a low-carb diet plus a twist of a Paleo diet. I do agree with the Paleo diet in that a lot of what we put in our bodies our bodies were not meant to ingest.

Think how did the cave-men eat.

That’s a good start.

So I cut out the pasta, potatos, rice and bread from my diet. I also cut out the sugar, refined sugars, dairy and other foods in the ‘grains’ category. We are, in fact, the only animals who drink milk after infancy.

And I focused on eating foods high in protein and natural fats, like fruits, veggies, fish, meat, poultry, nuts, avocados, olive oil.

Thankfully, fruits and vegetables are plentiful and CHEAP in a place like Ecuador. If you make that the focus of your diet, you could spend literally cents on the dollar to eat everyday.

So, to prove to myself I could do it, I went the first 24 hours without eating anything. One full day. And I was fine.

That proved to myself that we really don’t need as much food as we think we do.

Then I settled on a diet full of Ecuadorian recipes like…

Breakfast- Veggie omelet with fresh squeezed OJ (no bread).

Lunch- Chicken-stuffed avocado (veggies and chicken mixed with a hint of sour cream then placed in an avocado) or Chicken con palmito (Chiken baked with diced Amazonian palm heart), or Grilled Andean-Trout with veggies. Or maybe I’d have a Ceviche (Ecuadorian-style fish soup minced in lime juice with tomato and onion), or a Corvina fish (not farm raised, but from the ocean) cooked in garlic (al ajillo) or Encocado (cooked in coconut curry Esmeraldas-style).

Dinner – Something light like a vegetable soup, an apple or two, or maybe a salad with a bit of tuna.

Rinse and repeat.

The good news for me is I found exercise not all that important to lose weight, it helps, but more its the diet that matters.

I’m not a professional or anything so what I mention here should be taken with a grain of salt and cross-checked with your local expert, but I can only say what worked for me, in Ecuador, and I can say I lost 37 pounds in about a month dropping from 177 lbs to about 140 lbs.

And let me tell you, if you’ve never done it, losing 37 pounds makes you feel great, like superman or something! Totally worth it.

Now, how to find the best-priced properties in Ecuador? For that and more subscribe to my weekly Ecuador Insiders Newsletter below, you can unsubscribe at any time:

Why I Really Moved To Ecuador

Oh, man.

I’ve been avoiding this question ever since I started this blog a few years back.

Yet, this is the first thing people ask me, how did a guy from Cleveland, Ohio end up in Ecuador?

Lie every time.

OK, maybe not “lie” but I always give a very vague, “blow off” answer like, “came to visit, liked it”.

I think many expats have reasons for moving abroad which aren’t exactly “bragging material”.

My reason was probably a lot different than yours, too.

So, do you want the long or short answer?

The short answer goes back to why I moved abroad in the first place… the women.

At age 22 when I left the USA for good… going out, partying, dancing, drinking, and dating primarily occupied my mind.

Of course, as I’ve gotten older my reasons for living abroad do and have changed, I’m not proud of that original reason, but in high school I got no love, man. Picture a young guy dressed for a party walking through sand dunes in the desert. Definitely graduated high school a virgin. It was rough.

College was better, though.

But my dating life really took off when I graduated and moved abroad. It pays to be different than the local norm, what can I say?

But the long answer of why i moved abroad and also chose Ecuador is more complex.

I was invited to Ecuador initially by an Ecuadorian friend I had made living in Madrid, Spain. He picked me up from the airport and we went to a friends house where a national soccer game was on and I just meshed right in with his group of friends. I was 22. And MAN Ecuadorians that age know how to party!

From day one I was already enamored with the fun-loving, welcoming Ecuadorian people.

Then I left Ecuador and lived in other countries in Latin America and Asia, but I kept coming back to Ecuador to visit.

Then, I read something online while living in the Philippines about how to sell e-books online for cash, so i wrote one on Ecuador real estate, where I saw potential (back in 2008-09).

And it sold.

And because of it I started a blog on Ecuador while not even living there, just based off my past visiting experiences. And it grew until one day I was sitting in China in 2011 thinking, what am I doing here? Let’s go back to Ecuador and grow this thing… Ecuador was just beginning to be touted as the NUMBER 1 retirement destination in the world by many international publications.

So I came back.

This last time you could say the reason was this blog, then with an Ecuadorian friend I started a business in Guayaquil, bought some property, sold it, bought some more. Then, started a business on my own in Quito.

Snow-balled from there.

So my reasons for moving to Ecuador changed over time, which will probably happen to you.

Now, the reason I STAYED here primarily was for my blog and as I see it more opportunity than the USA offers me.

Before I left the USA, my only real job in the USA was as a telemarketer for a mortgage company in Oceanside, CA for about one month and a half, now a days is easier to get a mortgage, with the help of tips from sites as Top 10 TN that help people getting their own mortgages. And more to know more about mortgage from MortgageRight. I hated it. You see, i majored in something vague and the only opportunities I saw for myself in the USA were sales, real estate agent, sell insurance or financial advising. Moreira Team we shop your loan with over 22 different lenders and banks to make sure we deliver on our promise to get you the best deal.

To me, all that just looked like that phone I had to stare at when i tele-marketed. Putting on a tie everyday and pushing the iron-coffin to work everyday in rush hour wasn’t for me.

Down here I’m the star quarterback!

Literally, as the leader of an American Football club in Medellin, Colombia (before I lived in Ecuador) I discovered guys in soccer countries mostly throw like girls. They never developed that skill-set, and I was the de-facto quarterback with the rifle arm (compared to them). In the USA I was never the quarterback.

And of course, I met someone special. But I also LOVE the food, the mild warm climate, the laid-back people, and of course the low cost of living. I like the foreigners that travel here too, usually the more adventurous ones compared to the fanny-pack-wearing-Cancun-resort-types.

I don’t think moving here just cause it’s “cheaper” is a good reason in and of itself. But hey, not like my initial reason was any better!

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8 steps to convert any property into a successful AirBnb rental in Ecuador

This week I had the pleasure of acquiring a new condo in Guayaquil I plan to rent to short-stay clients, for this I got the best information and services online on how to manage a rental, check out their website to find more about this. It had been vacant for over 4 years and covered in filth. In 2009, the NSW State Government introduced the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP, in an effort to increase the number of Secondary Dwellings across Sydney, by simplifying the approval process. To achieve this target, they created a list of specific criteria which needs to be met for each dwelling, and if the design meets each of these criteria, then a Private Certifier has the authority to approve the development within 14 days of lodgement, without needing to lodge a DA through your local council. Granny Flat Solutions expert team is constantly researching and updating our current knowledge database to keep up with the ever-changing regulations.

The power was cut and the AC didn’t work (important in Guayaquil). Neither did the hot water.

But the one bedroom suite did have the basics, a bed, mattress, a couple of high end sleeping pillows, TV, and sofa. The blanket was not the most comfortable, though, for I’ve read many weighted blanket reviews before and honestly feel that the blanket for this bed could be better.

So literally, about 3 days and $400 later I was ready to rock. With websites like AirBnb you can turn any unused space (like a bedroom, or a vacant unit) into a money maker if you follow these steps.

1. Hire a professional to deep-clean the place and get the grime and mold out of the bathroom. In Ecuador this means find someone who can clean real good and pay them the day rate $15-25.; Also make sure to make a small renovation on your bathroom, shower door direct always have discounted accesories.

2. After verifying the basic services are up like water and electric, focus your energy on three more ALL renters will require… Hot water, WiFi, and AC (on the coast). Cable TV is a nice extra but not necessary. Do not forget the air filter, as I recently read on this website that the better the air filter condition of the house was the less chances were there of people falling sick due to out biological pollutants. This week I hired the Internet plan on Wednesday and they were installing on Thursday.

3. Change the door locks. I suggest a keyless smart lock on the exterior door, one you can grant and deny access with on the click of a button starting available for around $100 at places like Target or Best Buy. As for the interior doors, make sure they are all keyless bathroom-style door knobs, to make the house look better, using advice from the best denver interior designers which you can find online. It will happen, trust me. And with any tiny screw driver like one you leave in a hidden location in the unit they can open the door. No key needed.

4. Put signs everywhere. If you’ve ever stayed in one of my rentals you know I love to sign things up. Sign up the suite indicating the WiFI code, hot water direction, how to call a taxi and anything else pertinent to their stay (so they don’t have to bother you). Make it easy for them.

5. Accent color. Like in my case with white walls everything was white and black in the suite so I just added one accent color (red). Red sofa cushions, red (fake) roses, red bed cover, etc. And for very little money I gave the suite some pop. Best not to have many bright colors. Just one for some pop. No need to be a major in interior design for this one, since you can just add new paint or a mural from a muraledesign service online. Well wood deck paint are good to use for paint furniture. But if you have access to someone with design background ask for assistance!

6. Include basic necessities. I’m always surprised scouting my competition on AirBnb how many forget to put the basics like toilet paper causing bed reviews. Think like a hotel. People need toilet paper (try to put an extra one), towels, hand towels, and soap as well as hand soap. That’s about it really. Start people off right and they’ll love you for it.

7. Must secure private space. A space where only you and your cleaner/manager can access, this way you can store things like extra toilet paper, sheets and things you don’t want your guests to have full access to. Can be as simple as putting a lock on one cabinet door.

8. Broken signs. Maybe you have a washer and dryer you don’t want your one night guests to use. I’ve found it useful to put “BROKEN- DO NOT USE” signs on things you don’t want your guests to use. They won’t want to risk their clothes or whatever and will respect it. And if you have a guest staying longer term you can tell them to simply ignore the signs and use it.

OK, now you’re ready in 3 days or less to post your unit in Ecuador on Airbnb.com and start making money! Check out this link to my new unit for rent near the airport and Mall del Sol in Guayaquil here.

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