Ecuador Travel and Living Guide

Ecuador Travel & Expat Guides

Best Way to Learn Spanish: Beginners Guide [Immersion, Books, Classes]

Looking for the best way to learn Spanish? This guide will help you learn about the primary ways to learn Spanish, and help you choose the one that's best for you. In this guide, you’ll also get the resources and Spanish basics to learn Spanish for beginners. Author is English-speaking Canadian ...
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Ecuadorian Food: Guide to Ecuador’s Traditional Dishes, Typical Drinks, Fruit…

Curious about what Ecuadorian food is like? You're going to be surprised by the variety of flavors and foods in Ecuador. In this guide, you'll learn about traditional dishes (like cuy and secos), chicha (yes, it actually contains fermented saliva), and drinks, fruits and other typical, local dishes. Ecuadorian Food ...
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Living in Ecuador: All About Life in Ecuador (Cuenca, Salinas, Quito, Loja, etc)

Are you thinking about living in Ecuador? Does it have what you need? And what part of Ecuador will you live in? In this huge guide to our very best Ecuador expat content, you'll learn what it's like to live in Ecuador, the best areas to live in, and how ...
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Cuenca Ecuador: The Complete Guide to Living and Traveling in Cuenca

Cuenca Ecuador is a top destination for travelers & expats. Learn all about food, culture, attractions, travel, retirement and living in Cuenca, Ecuador. Cuenca Ecuador: Complete Guide Cuenca Ecuador is located in the Andes mountains at an elevation of 8500 feet. The city is famous for its architecture, climate and ...
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Ecuador Real Estate Guide

If you are planning on living in Ecuador you are going to need a place to live. While some new expats jump right in and buy a property (sometimes sight-unseen) most take a more relaxed approach and rent for a while. There are some definite joys to renting... While Ecuador ...
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32 Ecuador Expats Talk About Living in Ecuador

Thinking about a move to Ecuador? Meet 32 Ecuador expats and learn about what life is like in Ecuador as an expat. Ecuador Expat Journeys While every expat's Ecuador relocation is unique, you can learn a lot from each experience. Each expat interview offers insight into what you can expect during ...
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Latest Posts

13 Best Travel Umbrellas for Rainy Cities (Compact, Windproof) 7 Factor Guide

Don't forget your umbrella! Travel puts us in new climates and seasons. The best travel umbrella will help you stay dry during your trip. In this post, you'll get 7 factors to consider, plus 6 types of travel umbrellas and ...
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43 Galapagos Penguin Facts: Tropical Guide (Spheniscus mendiculus)

Tropical penguins? Yes! In this post, you'll learn 43 Galapagos penguin facts, including adaptations to keep cool, habits and habitats, when and where to see them, and more. Plus lots of photos and videos of this amazing warm water penguin ...
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35 Squirrel Monkey Facts: All 5 Saimiri Species (Plus 8 Subspecies)

Is there anything cuter than a squirrel monkey? In this post, you'll learn 35 squirrel monkey facts, including diet, range, all 5 species, and a couple of gross habits. We also cover specifics about baby squirrel monkeys, communication, and differences ...
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25 Waved Albatross Facts: Largest Galapagos Bird (It has 8ft Wingspan!)

The waved albatross is the largest bird in the Galapagos Islands. In this post, you'll learn 25 facts about the waved albatross, including diet, wingspan, mating habits (including a special mating dance), range and more. Plus lots of photos and ...
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43 Blue-footed Booby Facts: Dancing, Dive Bombing Clowns (Sula nebouxii)

The blue-footed booby has become the unofficial mascot of the Galapagos Islands. In this post, you'll learn 43 blue-footed booby facts, including dancing and mating rituals, diet, dive bombing feeding habits, range and more. Plus tons of photos and videos ...
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25 Red-footed Booby Facts: Color Morphs, Tree Clinging Webbed Feet… (Sula sula)

Red footed boobies are one of the most unique birds that you'll find in the Galapagos Islands. In this post, you'll learn 25 red-footed booby facts about color morphs, three subspecies, unique features, range, size, and more. Plus lots of ...
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26 Nazca Booby Facts: Galapagos Islands Largest Booby (Sula granti)

Nazca boobies are the largest of the booby birds in the Galapagos Islands. In this post, you'll learn 26 Nazca booby facts - from range, diet, mating rituals, and obligate siblicide (yes, it's as scary as it sounds). Plus lots ...
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9 Best Luggage Scales for International Travelers (Buyers Guide) Digital, Manual, Electronic

We've all been there. Balancing our huge bag on the bathroom scale and trying to see the weight. Then frantically moving stuff between bags at the airport to meet their weight limits. In this post, you'll learn how to weigh ...
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28 Swallow-tailed Gull Facts: World’s Only Fully Nocturnal Gull and Seabird

Curious to learn about these nocturnal seabirds with night vision? In this post, you'll learn 28 facts about the swallow-tailed gull, found primarily in the Galapagos Islands. We include diet, size, mating, range, and how they manage to hunt at ...
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13 Best Dry Bags for Adventurers (Waterproof Bags for Galapagos and Amazon Treks)

Trying to find the best waterproof dry bag? In this post, you'll learn how to choose the best dry bag for your adventure. Plus our picks for the best dry bags - including waterproof barrel roll-top, large barrel, backpacks, phone ...
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22 Galapagos Hawk Facts: Diet, Range, Size, Population… (Buteo galapagoensis)

In this guide, you'll learn 22 facts about the Galapagos hawk. They include diet, range, size, endangered status, mating habits and more. Curious about which islands the Galapagos hawks live on? And if they are hard to photograph? I cover ...
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21 Best Anti-Theft Backpacks and Locks (And Other Paranoid Travel Gear)

So you're heading out on your big trip and are concerned about theft? In this post, you'll learn about the best anti-theft backpacks and locks that'll reduce the odds of losing your gear to a pickpocket. We cover all the ...
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34 King Vulture Facts: World’s Most Colorful Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)

Have you heard about Ecuador's king vulture? In this post, you'll learn 34 king vulture facts, including diet, size, wingspan, habitat, unique features and more. Plus lots of photos of the world's most colorful vulture. Travel tip: If you’re traveling ...
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29 Vampire Fish Facts: Meet Amazon’s Payara (Hydrolycus Scomberoides)

Curious about the mysterious vampire fish? In this post, you'll learn 29 vampire fish facts, including diet, size, habitat, and more (you'll also see some pretty great photos). The vampire fish (also known as payara fish) live in the Amazon ...
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45 Emerald Tree Boa Facts (Guide to Both Species) Diet, Habitat, Babies, Photos, Pets

Interested in the emerald tree boa? In this post, you'll learn 45 emerald tree boa facts - about both species. Including their diet, range, giving birth (yes - with a video!), and much more. Plus lots of photos. Safety tip: ...
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36 Harpy Eagle Facts: World’s Most Powerful Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

Looking for details about the magnificent harpy eagle? In this post, you'll find 36 harpy eagle facts, including size, strength, talons, range and more. Plus tons of photos and videos. As you go eagle spotting, don't forget a pair of binoculars ...
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Reader’s Favorites

12 Best Sun Protection Hats [Buyers Guide] Men, Women, Kids in Ecuador

It's no secret that the equatorial sun is harsh. In this guide, you'll learn about the UV index in Ecuador and how to choose the best sun protection hats. We also answer commonly asked questions about sun protection. And we ...
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22 Ecuador Beaches & Beach Towns [Ultimate Guide] Maps, Photos, Videos

Looking for a great beach in Ecuador? In this post, we'll cover 22 Ecuador beaches worth visiting. Plus details on the best beach towns in the country. We begin the post with our picks for the 3 best beaches in Ecuador ...
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12 Rainy Day Activities in Cuenca Ecuador

So it's raining in Cuenca, Ecuador. (This happens kinda often.) What is there to do in a wet and cloudy Cuenca? 12 Rainy Day Activities in Cuenca Ecuador Here are our twelve favorite things to do in Cuenca - on a ...
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19 Galapagos Islands Animals [Travelers Guide] Facts, Photos, Videos…

Planning a trip to the Galapagos? Here are 19 amazing Galapagos Islands animals to watch for on your next trip! This traveler's guide to the animals of the Galapagos will whet your appetite for adventure. For me, one of the ...
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What’s it Like to Live in Cuenca Ecuador?

What's it like to live in Cuenca Ecuador? That question could have many answers. The response could differ greatly depending on who you ask, where they are from and what mood they are in at the time. Curious about where to ...
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The Best Book to Learn Spanish (Reader’s Choice 2019)

What is the best book to learn Spanish? Choosing the best book can help accelerate your learning process. In this post, you'll read about 11 books for learning Spanish - and which one is our readers top choice in 2019. But first, ...
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29 Ecuador Currency Facts: USD, Sacagawea Coin, Tipping, History

Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency. In this post, you'll learn about Ecuador currency including pesos, francos, Sacagawea coins, and the dollarization in 2000. Plus, we cover how to handle your money in Ecuador, how to avoid ...
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Ecuador Amazon: 8 Things to Know Before Visiting the Amazon Rainforest

Are you thinking about visiting the Ecuador Amazon? In this post, we'll cover 8 things you should know before you visit Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest. You'll learn about yellow fever risk, the climate, accommodations, safety, and more. Many people travel to ...
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Tortuga Bay, Galapagos: 9 Things to Know Before You Visit (Climate, Location, Safety, Map…)

Santa Cruz Island is home to Tortuga Bay, one of the top attractions in the Galapagos Islands. It's the perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and seeing some amazing Galapagos wildlife. In this post, I'll share 9 things to know before you ...
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How to Choose the Best Camera for Travel [Buyers Guide] Tips, Factors, Gear

In this post, you'll learn how to choose the best camera for travel - for activities like cruises, hiking, wildlife trekking, and snorkeling. You'll learn about the 6 type of cameras for travel photography and 7 factors to consider when ...
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9 Best Compact Binoculars for Hikers and Birders (Buyers Guide)

Looking for the best binoculars for your trip? Here are the 9 best compact binoculars for hikers, birders, and adventurers. Our buying guide covers 10 factors to consider before you buy compact binoculars for your adventure. Choose the Best Binoculars for ...
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What is Ecuador Famous For? 16 Fameworthy People, Places, Foods…

So, what is Ecuador famous for? In this post you'll find out what makes Ecuador famous - the people, places, and things that have put Ecuador on the map. What is Ecuador Famous For? The list of what makes Ecuador ...
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Best Place to Live in Ecuador? Mountains vs Coast

Are you trying to decide the best place to live in Ecuador? In this guest post by expat Deborah Hughes, you'll learn about Ecuador's mountains and coast. Deborah and Ash (her daughter) blog at 4000miles.com to chronicle their family's life in Ecuador ...
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17 Interesting Facts About Quito Ecuador

Looking for Quito Ecuador facts? In this post, you'll learn 17 interesting facts about Quito Ecuador. We're going to learn about volcanoes, location, sister cities, airport, seasons, altitude sickness, and a lot more! Read more about the top 6 Quito Ecuador ...
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Otavalo Tour: 11 Things to Know When Visiting Otavalo Market, Ecuador

In this post, you'll take an Otavalo tour that'll show you the highlights and everything you need to know as you plan your actual trip to the Otavalo Market. One of the top things to do in Ecuador's Andes mountains ...
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Cuy in Ecuador: How to Eat Guinea Pig

Cuy is a traditional dish - a delicacy - in Ecuador. And yes, cuy are guinea pigs. In this post, I share my experience visiting a cuy farm and eating fresh roasted cuy. I also share my thoughts on adapting to ...
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Welcome to GringosAbroad!

Hi! We’re Bryan and Dena – and we are the editors of GringosAbroad. What started as a small blog to document our life abroad has grown to become the largest English language blog about Ecuador.

We blog about travel, living, and real estate in Ecuador. While we cover all areas around the country, we have special focus on the city of Cuenca and surrounding regions. We have also produced the ultimate guide to Ecuador beaches and Galapagos animals. To help you get to know more about other areas, we have a special feature of Ecuador expat interviews.

Because Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country, we had to learn the language. We’ve written a lot about learning Spanish, including the best book (chosen by our readers), realities of total immersion and the books and courses we used to learn Spanish.

Happy travels!