Category: Ecuador for Investors

Latacunga, a hidden gem tucked deep the Andes

latacunga
The main plaza in Latacunga, Ecuador.

“Snow on the Equator?” I thought scratching my head.

Wow, ok, there it is.

Referring to the massive, snow-capped mountain that resembled the Matterhorn that stood before me.

A true “Matterhorn” in Ecuador.

But this one is named “Cotopaxi”.

At 19,300 ft it’s one of the tallest active volcanos on earth.

And you can climb it without needing to be an expert (with a guide).

Or bike down it in groups that leave from Quito daily which drive you up to the snow line and then lead you on an all day bike descent as you pass from one micro-eco-system to another.

A few brave souls even ski it.

And it’s near a town a few hours south of Quito called Latacunga, where I’m writing from this week.

Latacunga is a small town nestled deep in the Andes Mountains with an old colonial center and surrounded by lush, green farms.

It’s truly a hidden gem ideal for you if you’re looking for a small, cooler mountain town in which to have a small farm or maybe restore an old colonial.

It’s gotten no international press like other, similar places in Ecuador like relatively nearby Cotacachi, Otavalo or Vilcabamba and currently there are very few permanent foreign residents.

Prices are still cheap with country town homes on the outskirts starting around $30k.

Nearby Broccoli and Strawberry farms start around $8-15k a hectare (1 hectare = 2.5 acres).

And I couldn’t help notice, myself being in the hospitality industry, that the few hotels in town are full.

But who can be surprised with one of the top draws in Ecuador nearby, Cotopaxi, as well as Quillotoa, a volcano with a turquoise-colored lake in the crater you can hike down to without even needing a guide.

And the also nearby, locally-famous Andean Market of Saquisili.

Which is a more authentic version of the Otavalo indigenous market hundreds of tourists are shuttled to daily.

I’d stay in Villa de Tacunga, a boutique hotel in the old-colonial style with an excellent restaurant (try the Trout for $5!)  Singles start around $45, and doubles $60.

For smaller budgets I’d try the Hostel Tiana, also in the city center with singles starting around $15, and doubles $25.

If you don’t eat in the restaurant in the Hotel Villa de Tacunga, try the one in the nearby Hotel Rodelu, the Filet Mignon ($10) is a good choice.

Even if colder climates aren’t where you’re looking to live as an expat, Latacunga and this area of Ecuador is a must-see on any trip itinerary to this country!

To be the first to know of properties under $50k for sale, as soon as they hit the market, please sign up for my weekly, Ecuador Insider’s Newsletter below (You can unsubscribe at ANY time):

First Name
* Email
* = Required Field

Free 10 Day Spanish Course for Beginners

ecuador-real-estate

Learn Spanish by Email…FREE!

Learn to speak Spanish, get around, property hunt and more in just 10 days.  1 email a day, 30 minutes of study, speak Spanish…


First Name
* Email
* = Required Field

8 Essential Ecuadorean Real Estate Spanish Phrases

party-guayaquil

No doubt it.

If you speak a few words of Spanish, it could be a lot easier to find a decent property buy in Ecuador.

Most locals have about as much grasp of English as we do of Spanish (that is, very little).

Here’s what you need to know before you look for property:

“Cuánto pide?” = How much are you asking?

“Cuantos metros cuadrados?” = How many meters squared (is the lot)?

“Tiene escritura?” = Does the property have proper title? (Sometimes it doesn’t in Ecuador but people are still trying to sell it.)

“Puedo ver los predios?” = Can I see copies of (the latest) tax payments?

“Cuantos años tiene la construcción?” = How old is the construction?

“Cuantos dormitorios tiene? ” = How many bedrooms does the place have?

“Hay los servicios basicos y via de acceso?” = Are there water, electricity and road access (to the lot)?

“Ya pues, cuanto es lo ultimo?” = Alright already, what’s the lowest price you’ll accept?

se vende – vendo – venta de = For Sale
se arrienda – alquilo – se alquila = For Rent
departamento (condo), casa (house), terreno (lot)

To really enjoy yourself in Ecuador, and get around successfully, you’ll need at least a basic conversational Spanish ability.

To be the first to know of other properties for sale, as soon as they hit the market, please sign up for my weekly, Ecuador Insider’s Newsletter below (You can unsubscribe at ANY time):

First Name
* Email
* = Required Field

$7,000. Punta Blanca Lot for sale near the beach

-$7,000. Punta Blanca Lot for sale near the beach 250m2 (2690 ft2), near the beach.

My take: This lot near the beach in a posh area of the southern coast would be ideal for someone looking to buy and build in a dryer area with little humidity and fewer mosquitos. But you’d still need a car to live here.

ecuador-real-estate

For more on this property and to be notified of similar properties for sale as soon as they hit the market, sign up for my Weekly Ecuador Insider´s Newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time:

First Name
* Email
* = Required Field

5 Keys to the Eco-Lodge Business in Ecuador

eco-lodge ecuador

“How do they do it?” My friend, a travel agent in Cuenca, asked in Spanish.

“What do you mean?” I said.

“How do foreigners come to Ecuador and make money from the mountainside?” She continued.

She was referring to how some foreigners come to Ecuador and buy a large lot in the middle of literally no where, I’m talking deep wilderness here, for VERY cheap, often for just a couple thousand dollars per hectare.

Land none of the locals care much about.

Then they put up some very inexpensive ‘local-style” cabins made of bamboo and wood then they turn around and rent them for hundreds of dollars a night.

It’s the Eco-lodge business.

And it’s big money.

And you can’t put one just anywhere, but you can in the Amazon region of Ecuador.

Come on, it IS the Amazon… and Ecuador has it.

Besides, after the Galapagos, the second coolest place to visit in Ecuador, although overlooked by most, is the Amazon Rainforest.

Where else can you see pink river dolphins, silk farms, witch-doctors and thousands of types of orchids and birds.

In fact, most find the Amazon to be far cooler, less humid and with far fewer mosquitos than they thought.

In my opinion, it actually has less mosquitos than many of the greener parts of the coast of Ecuador.

An example of one, and the best known Eco-lodge in Ecuador is Kapawi.

Here are 5 keys to the Eco-Lodge business based on my experience working with them:


5. Get friendly with the natives in the area, what tourists who visit eco-lodges most look for is an interaction with the locals. Hire them, keep an open door policy, be generous with them. You have to spend some time with them and learn what motivates them, it might not be money. Arrange tour visits with your guests to visit their communities.

4. Package deals. Don’t try to sell by the night, sell packaged deals, 3 nights, 4 nights, tours with lodging, etc. If you try to sell by the night the nightly rate might scare even those with the loosest of budgets. Include everything except the flight in.

3. Get cozy with the travel agencies in Quito. I know cause I worked for one, but most of the business eco-lodges get is from the dozens and dozens of Quito travel agencies that sell locally and internationally, approach them, offer them a free fun trip, and most importantly offer them a generous commission to sell your lodge. I’m talking 15%, 20%, even 25% here.

2. Establish your logistics beforehand. The high-end tourist market won’t want to board a bus for more than 3 hours, so check on the locations of the nearest airports and nearby road conditions beforehand.

1. Go after the Galapagos crowd. Many travelers that go to the Galapagos love the idea of starting or finishing their trip with a short jaunt to the Amazon, why not kill two birds with one stone seeing both in one trip? Get friendly with some of the yatchs and travel agencies that sell the Galapagos and see if they’d consider including your lodge in their tour offering.

How should you specifically go about finding the best property deals ideal for an Eco-Lodge?

For that, please sign up for my weekly, Ecuador Insider’s Newsletter below (You can unsubscribe at ANY time):

First Name
* Email
* = Required Field