Category: Ecuador Q&A

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Budget airline arrives in Ecuador, brings lower prices to USA: Get RT Miami-Quito under $400

VivaColombia is a budget airline based out of Colombia that just made getting to the US from Ecuador and vice versa a whole lot cheaper.

And not just once in a blue moon, pretty much anytime you want to go in 2015 you can find a roundtrip flight QUITO to USA (MIAMI) for around $400 with my below method.

I noticed chatting to guests at my hotel near the Quito airport, as of last month, April 2015, VivaColombia has upped its frequency of flights to a few a day (which has lowered the price) from Quito to Bogota.

So first, buy a Quito to Bogota round trip with Viva which is going for around $185 taxes included.

That´s cheap!

Then, use Spirit Air, another personally-preferred budget carrier, to get roundtrip from Bogota to Miami which I´m seeing start around $249 taxes included.

That´s $434 taxes included, roundtrip, everything.

This is currently the cheapest way I´ve seen to get from North America to Ecuador in 2015.

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The best driving routes, and driving times in Ecuador

This week I had the pleasure to interview someone that knows the roads of Ecuador better than ANYONE I know.

Jack Abercrombie, an American expat from Atlanta who has lived in Ecuador for over 7 years now and has a heavy-duty truck he uses to help expats move heavy loads of belongings within Ecuador.

With all the new roads in Ecuador, his tips are far better than any GPS I’ve seen.
Enter Jack.
Hey Jack, help us out, what’s the best way to get from the Quito Airport or better yet, my place, Quito Airport Suites which is just a few minutes from the UIO Quito airport, to Otavalo?
OTAVALO & COTACACHI

Sure Dom, Exit Tababela onto the roundabout and head towards the airport on the new airport road called the ‘Conector Alpachaca’ until just before the airport and take a left at the mini-roundabout there onto the other new road ‘ruta colloa’ , then watch for the signs to Otavalo after a few kilometers and veer right and up the panamerican highway all the way up.  Don’t go the way through Quinche, lots of traffic, dangerous curves!  AVG DRIVING TIME 2 HRS.

To get to Cotacachi just pass Otavalo and continue up the Panamerican a few more minutes until you see a sign COTACACHI and a turn off to the right which will veer left and go over an overpass.  Continue 10 more minutes, ABOUT 15 minutes from Otavalo.

MINDO

Whats the best way to get to Mindo from the Quito Airport Suites?


Take the new airport road called the ‘Conector Alpachaca’ until just before the airport and take a left at the mini-roundabout there onto the other new road ‘ruta colloa’ until CARCELEN in North Quito and continue you see an overpass and veer right (dont go under it) until the Condado SHopping Mall roundabout, make a right go north on Manuel Cordoba Galarza past Mitad del Mundo the road changes to E28 and hangs left and you ll be in Mindo in 1.5 hrs.  TOTAL DRIVING TIME 2 HRS.

THE NORTH COAST: PEDERNALES, BAHIA, ESMERALDAS

So do you recommend this route to get to the coast?  Pedernames and Esmeraldas?

Yes!  Beats the Santo Domingo route as that road has frequent wash outs and land slides and closures.  Plus they just completed the new road to Pedernales.

Get to Mindo.  Then pass it and continue westbound on E28… past Los Bancos veer left at gas station , stay on E28 to La Concordia, follow signs to La Independencia RUTA LAS VILLEGAS, get to 382 turn right, go north on 15 for Esmeraldas or south to catch the road to Pedernales, look for the roundabout and signs for PEDERNALES.

Once you hit Pedernales head south along the coastal road to get to Canoa or Bahia de Caraquez.  DRIVINGTIME 8-9 HRS FOR EITHER PEDERNALES OR ESMERALDAS.

THE CENTRAL COAST: MANTA, CRUCITA, SAN CLEMENTE

To get from the Quito Airport Suites to Manta and Manta area (Crucita, San Clemente)?

Exit Tababela on to main highway to the right towards Quito, (take E35 south) until PIFO roundabout. Go on  top of offramp to Baeza (or left on 28C), then after a few short kilometers take a right on E35 to SANGOLQUI until big hummingbird roundabout Tambillo E35 bypass Quito and go to E20 Aloag, follow the Santo Domingo signs South E25 bypass around Santo Domingo, tie back to 382 west , eat in Nuevo Israel, then continue until El Carmen bare left on E38 Chone follow signs to Tosagua 383 to Rocafuerte, road turns into E15 hang right follow signs to Manta.  Thats it, easy!  DRIVING TIME 9 – 9.5 hrs.

THE AMAZON: TENA

The Quito Airport Suites to Tena?  

Exit Tababela on to main highway to the right towards Quito, (take E35 south) until PIFO roundabout. Go on  top of offramp to Baeza (or left on 28C), pass Papallacta, Baeza then road forks E45 troncal amazonica take right going south, pass Archidona and hit Tena.  DRIVING TIME 2 HRS 45 MIN.

The mid-Sierras: BANOS and AMBATO


The Quito Airport Suites  to Banos/Ambato?


Whatever you do, SKIP GOING THROUGH INNER-CITY QUITO!  Exit Tababela on to main highway to the right towards Quito, (take E35 south) until PIFO roundabout. Go on  top of offramp to Baeza (or left on 28C), then after a few short kilometers take a right on E35 to SANGOLQUI until big hummingbird roundabout Tambillo E35 bypass Quito and go to towards E20 Aloag on  AUTOPISTA GRAL RUMINAHUI back to E35 troncal de la sierra… (take the new bypass around Latacunga)… then follow route 493 which enters Ambato… for Banos take the  2 paso lateral to the left until E30 pass Pelileo.  Follow the signs.  TRAVEL TIME 3 HRS 30 mINS.

QUITO AIRPORT TO CUENCA

From the QUito Airport Suites to Cuenca?  


Follow the same route to Ambato as stated above and just continue south on the E35.  That’s the best route.  DRIVING TIME 10 HRS.

QUITO AIRPORT TO GUAYAQUIL

From the Quito Airport Suites to Guayaquil?

Follow the same route as to Manta UNTIL Santo Domingo, then make a left and go south on E25 to Quevedo … AVOID THE RIOBAMBA ROUTE AND THE LATACUNGA TO COAST ROAD lots of fog and rain.  continue to Babahoyo and then Duran then you’ll pop out at Guayaquil after 9-10 HOURS.


GUAYAQUIL to CUENCA

How about getting from Guayaquil to Cuenca?   Take the highway across the Samborondon bridge through Duran to 40A to route 25 to 582 through the Cajas national park, there are other ways to get there but they are not reliable.  DRIVING TIME 4hrs.

From Cuenca to Loja?

Take the one and only highway that connects the two, DRIVING TIME 4-5 HRS.

From Loja to Guayaquil?  

SKIP going through Machala as there is a reason to avoid the roads in this area if possible (security concerns).  Go back through Cuenca and down to Guayaquil.  DRIVING TIME 9-10 HRS.

From Guayaquil to the coast(Salinas, Montanita)?  

Its actually easier to navigate Guayaquil than most gringos make it out to be. Just get to the Mall del Sol in the Garzota part of town.  Then follow the AV. Juan Tanca Morenga north on out of town and follow the signs to LA COSTA.  Once on the coastal highway its a straight shot to Santa Elena, where you’d turn right to go up the coast to Montanita or head straight and veer left to go to Salinas.  DRIVING TIME 2 HRS to Salinas, 3 HRS to Montanita.

Hey Jack, tell us more about yourself and the services you provide?
Sure, as Dom said before, I help expats with heavy loads get from point A to point B in Ecuador.  My truck is designed for heavy loads while most Ecuadorians cars are NOT making them unsafe on with the loads on the slick Ecuadorian highways. In Atlanta I was a Union sheet metal worker and heavy equipment sales, contact me at Journeymanjack.com@gmail.com or call my local phone at 0988066508 (593988066508 from USA) … USA phone 7708287913…

 

 

 

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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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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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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.
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