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Products We Love: Our Favorite Gear for Travelers and Expats

During the past eleven years, we’ve bought, tested, broken and loved more than 100 products and services. Some travel products are exceptional – others aren’t even worth talking about – let alone buying.

In this article, we share 40+ products and services that we use as expats. Please share your favorite products in the comment section below.

load balance internet

How to Load Balance Two Connections (Get Better Internet Abroad)

Stable internet is always a concern. While the internet would go out once in a while in Canada, it was ...
bon bini meaning

123 Papiamento Phrases: How to Speak Papiamento (Word List and Resources)

Planning a trip to the Dutch Caribbean islands? You might want to learn a few Papiamento phrases. In this post, ...
US taxes for expats in Ecuador

Expat Taxes: Who Pays What to Whom? Tax & Residency Issues (USA, Canada)

Learn about expat taxes for Americans and Canadians living abroad. Post is by 2 tax professionals, a CPA and an ...
How to become an online teacher

How to Become an Online Teacher (and Travel Indefinitely)

Want to travel the world but still need to work? Here's how to become an online teacher - and where ...
How to Make Money While Traveling

How to Make Money While Traveling: Blogging, Web Design, Photography

In this post, you'll learn how we became location independent. And how to make money while traveling and living abroad ...
10 Reasons to live abroad

Top 10 Reasons to Live Abroad: Guide for Future Expats

Considering a move abroad? In this post, Dan Thompson will share 10 reasons to live abroad. Dan is an expat ...
Books about Ecuador

29 Best Books About Ecuador: Travel, Expat, Maps, History

As we planned our move to Ecuador we bought a lot of books. Not just books to learn Spanish or ...
Books about moving abroad

17 Best Expat Books About Moving Abroad (Family, Retire, Work Abroad, Travel Blogging…)

Thinking about a move abroad? In this post, you'll learn about the best books about moving abroad. When we relocated ...
Google translate Spanish and English

Are You Google Translating Spanish to English? (Video)

Chances are if you are living or traveling in a Spanish speaking country you will use Google Translate at some ...
Expat travel insurance for Ecuador

5 Best Travel Insurance Options (For Expats and Travelers)

How do I choose good travel insurance? This is a question we get asked all the time. Which provider is ...
expat-scouting-trip

16 Things to Do on Your Expat Scouting Trip

Are you planning on taking a scouting trip before you move? Have you traveled internationally? If not, there will be ...
complete-antiparasite-treatment

Being a Bad Host: Treating Parasites and Amoebas

Are you concerned about parasites and amoebas? When we first moved, we were too. And since then we've been sick ...
What to say in graduation card

What to Write in a Graduation Card (78 Messages, Wishes, Quotes, and Congratulations)

Picking the gift can be the easy part. What should you write in the graduation card? In this post, you'll ...
what to write in a retirement card

What to Write in a Retirement Card (72 Wishes, Quotes, Sentiments and Messages)

So you picked you the best retirement gift and now it's time to write the card. In this post, you'll ...
how to weigh luggage without a scale

How to Weigh Luggage Without a Scale (Travelers Guide) 7 Ways

We've all been there. Frantically moving stuff between bags at the airport to meet their weight limits. Learn how to ...
airlines-cheaper-flights

Get Cheaper Flights with this Trick: Beat the Airlines

In this post, you'll learn how to get cheaper flights by beating the airlines at their own game. And yes ...

Products we love

Disclaimer: We are affiliates for some of these companies. This means that we will receive a small payment if you purchase the product or service. These products have been chosen because we actually love them – we have used every one of these items – and continue to depend on many of them. 

So there you have it. These are our favorite products and services for both planning a relocation – and for successful life abroad.

Please share your favorite products in the comment section below.

Maggie Martin

Friday 6th of April 2018

I am really interested in relocating part-time at first to Ecuador. I am Canadian and have been to Ecuador twice (husband once). I was thinking of Cuenca or Loja. In order for my husband to be happy he will need to be able to play Bridge. I know there is Bridge in Cuenca but have been unable to find out any info about Bridge in Loja. Can you help me please. Thanks, Maggie

JENNA

Wednesday 18th of November 2015

I WILL BE LEAVING FOR CUENCA NEXT TUESDAY FOR A SEVEN DAY STAY. I'M ACTUALLY EXPLORING RETIRING TO ECUADOR. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO START. ANY ASVICE AS TO HOW TO BEGIN MY EXPLORATION?

Dr. Michael M. Rosenblatt

Monday 12th of October 2015

I realize that toilets in Ecuador are standard sit-down models. However, for your expats who travel to Asia, especially China/Vietnam, they may not be so fortunate when "stuck" in an area where there are few Westerners. "Squatting is not an option" for most Westerners. Many retired travelers have knee and hip problems and have no ability to squat when doing #2. This can be dreadful if you have diarrhea or other similar emergency need. This is NOT funny. It can be awful and embarrassing. Fortunately there is a web site that can help you with this serious issue. I'm sorry but there is also apparently an x-rated site that has close to this same name. I know of travelers who will NOT go to Asia because of the toilets being a hole in the ground. Please check this website to learn how to do #2 in an Asian toilet WITHOUT bending down or squatting. All you need to bring with you are disposable, bio-degradable gallon bags and some toilet paper and steri-wipes. I also recommend P-mates disposable urine directors for females so they don't have to sit. Click here to see how "Westerners" can use Asian restrooms that only have a hole in the floor. sanjosemike

John

Monday 20th of April 2015

Hello, I just started reading your blog and I have to say that it is one of the best by far. I am in Pennsylvania and getting ready to start all the paperwork for my work visa. I don't have to go to work while living there but, I think it is a good way to meet people and to become familiar with the customs. I wanted to know if you would suggest an attorney to take care of all of my paperwork for my visa. I did contact one and she charges $1100.00 USD for all of the paperwork and if you are not in Ecuador then she adds $200.00 more to that. Not complaining about the fee but, I wanted to check to see what you may have done. I am looking at rental places as I can find them on line. I want to bring my dog with me when I move as well, I can't leave her, she is like a child of mine. I have had her for over 8 years now. If you know if an easy way to take care of her transportation I would appreciate that as well. I am so glad that I came across your site and begin to read it. Thanks for all the information.

Jerry Anderson

Saturday 6th of September 2014

Hi Bryan, I've been following your blog for quite a while as one of the sources for information on a part time move to Ecuador. Like others, I have done a lot of searching for the most direct routes to avoid layovers and in some cases overnight stays. From southern California, the best route I've found so far is Avianca's route which goes from LAX, a short layover in San Salvador, then on to Guayquil. We have found their prices to be competitive and the service very good in comparison with the major American lines which require us to go to Houston, Miami or Atlanta and will often require a very long layover or an overnight stay to connect with the outgoing flight to GYE or UIO. Hope this helps. Thanks for all your work and information - you provide a great service to those of us seriously considering a move to EC. Thanks again, Jerry Anderson