This is the beach at Tortuga Bay on the Galapagos Islands…on a "busy" holiday weekend.
Dear International Living Reader,
More expats moved to Ecuador in 2005 than the previous four years put together (I’ve lived here since 2001). A common complaint from these new arrivals is that the inexpensive properties are hard to find. I reply: You simply have to know where to look. Take a look at a few examples:
The Galapagos Islands are the jewel of Ecuador, with their warm, emerald, tropical waters and wide, white-sand beaches. Most visitors to the Galapagos are whisked directly from the airplane to the boat dock, to tour the islands, and therefore miss places like the port town of Puerto Ayora, with its fine restaurants, palm-lined cobble-stoned streets, and magnificent harbor views. This is my favorite part of the Galapagos (and the town is within walking distance of the beach pictured above). I found a clean, newly refurbished three-bedroom home for sale here, within an easy walk to both the harbor and the Darwin research center. The asking price was just $125,000. If you’d like to learn more, contact the owner, Arlene, directly at mommyduck@hotmail.com. Remember that only 3% of the land in the Galapagos is available for private ownership, so the opportunity to buy a piece of it is rare.
In Vilcabamba, which enjoys Ecuador’s best weather, stunning views, and most laid-back rural lifestyle, there’s very little on the market. I know of a large, six-bedroom house two blocks from the picturesque town square, set around a nice courtyard. It can be used as two apartments, or a single home. (I believe these are the only apartments in the village set up to North American standards, and I know that the rental demand has been high for them.) The asking price is $118,000, and you can write to the owner directly at agrossenba@hotmail.com for more details.
Also in Vilcabamba, the famous Jardin Escondido hotel and restaurant will soon be for sale. It’s a half-block from the square. Newly remodeled around a peaceful tropical courtyard, it has 13 guest rooms, a new swimming pool, and a large Jacuzzi. Its Mexican restaurant is probably the best in Ecuador. It’s a good business for those who want to move overseas, but aren’t ready to retire…and it’s already in the guidebooks. The asking price is $350,000 and you can contact the owner, Marco Quintana, directly for more details at quintacontenta@yahoo.com.
If you’re looking for a remote getaway…or perhaps an eco-project…I found a magnificent property that might suit. On the Amazon side of the country, not far from the town of Puyo, is a huge 563-acre property with two rivers, a lake, two waterfalls, and primary forest. The asking price is only $127,000. Call Klever Vertezoto at tel. + (593) 2222-2941. You can see photos at http://www.ecuadorenventa.com.
How about something near Cuenca? Kathy Gonzalez has a property with stunning mountain views just 25 minutes from town. It’s a respectable 8 acres, and comes with two houses. Write to her directly at kathy@cuencarealestate.com or check out the photos at http://www.cuencarealestate.com/. The asking price is only $35,000.
Finally, I wanted to let you know that my friend and neighbor, David Morrill, will be the new International Living correspondent in Ecuador (while I set off on a full travel schedule as Roving Latin America Editor). David–who has worked as a syndicated columnist, author, and book reviewer–has owned a home here for a couple of years now, and his wife Creston and their teenage daughter Helen arrived with their resident visas just this week. You’ll hear from David about the life and opportunities in Ecuador once they get settled in.
Lee Harrison
Roving Latin America Editor, International Living
P.S. My next stop? I’m planning an extended trip to Honduras, to check out the values reputed to exist on the mainland coast, as well as what’s available in the mountains and cities of the interior. After that, it’s on to coastal Chile.
If you want all the details about living, buying property, or doing business in Ecuador, join us on May 25 in Quito for the Live and Prosper in Ecuador Conference. You’ll come away with all the contacts and information you’ll need to get started on your new life abroad. Full details available soon, but to get on the advance list, write to conferences@internationalliving.com.
P.P.S. I don’t receive any compensation from the property owners mentioned above. I recommend them simply because I believe they offer a good value.
