Expat Diary: Life in Ecuador During the COVID-19 Pandemic
I’m proud of our President Moreno as he reacted early and instituted a total quarantine on the country starting on March 17 before cases got out of hand.
Donna Stiteler
House Hunting in Cotacachi, Ecuador
Almost everyone who has searched for good real estate deals knows the formula “location, location, location,” but for those coming to Cotacachi, the mantra is more “affordability, affordability, affordability.”
A Full Life Living on Social Security of $1,000 a Month in Cotacachi
Cotacachi is in the northern Andes mountains, just 45 minutes north of the country’s capital, Quito. Visitors enjoy magnificent mountain views while relishing spring-like weather year-round because of its proximity to the equator.
A Typical Week in My Beautiful Andes Mountain Town
After five years of living in Cuenca, Ecuador, I’m still in-love with this UNESCO heritage site. The town is stunningly beautiful with its 15th-century Spanish colonial and 16th-century French republican architecture. I can easily live off of $1,700 a month, and I don’t have to work...
How I Fulfilled a Lifelong Dream After 54 Years
When I was around 10 years old, I used to walk to a nearby clover-filled field, lay down, look up at the blue sky, and dream about my future as a writer living in some exotic location. It only took me 54 years, but now I am doing just that...
Things to Know About Safety in Cuenca, Ecuador
Is Cuenca safe? In a word, sí. I haven’t had problems here in Cuenca. I have four dogs, including a shepherd—and pretty much no one (even gringos) want to come in my house. Not sure if that’s a tip or a warning.
A Happy Musician Rediscovers his Passion in Cuenca
With a pastor father who used music to inspire, an actress mother who was a stand-in for Joanne Woodward and sang in the theater, and a brother who founded folk-punk favorite Violent Femmes, Glenn Gano’s DNA has music running through it...
No More Stress: Living Healthy and Happy in Cotacachi
The McNallys have come a long way from working long hours and risking their health, and have traded a busy, stressful life to take time to lead a healthy lifestyle. They credit their move to giving them a place where they can regain their health, have fun exploring...
Is it Safe to Live in Cotacachi?
If you’re looking for a small town with lots to offer, Cotacachi is the place to be. Just ask any of the several hundred expats in town and they’ll tell you all about the great benefits of life in this little mountain village. The first wave of expats ventured to Cotacachi...
The Many Benefits of Living in Cuenca, Ecuador
Let's start with the obvious here. Cuenca is awesomely stunning. Known for its 15th- and 16th-century Spanish-colonial architecture it's a historic gem. No wonder it's a UNESCO World Heritage city.