Health Safety

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 include our top picks for the best sun protection hats. How to Choose the Best [...]

How will you handle medical costs while living abroad? Do you need travel or expat health insurance? In this guest post by Moti Bashkin of Buenavida, you’ll learn how to choose between the two. Bonus: we include a decision flow chart to help you decide between travel or expat medical insurance. Jump to bio. Travel or Expat [...]

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 the Ecuadorian Amazon to see the animals, so before we get started let’s watch a [...]

If you’re planning to move to (or even visit) Ecuador, you’ve probably heard about the new health insurance requirements. Do you need to buy health insurance in Ecuador? Here’s what you need to know. Update (April 16, 2018): Beginning May 1, 2018, all travelers will have to produce proof of health insurance as an entry [...]

Why aren’t eggs in Ecuador refrigerated? In this post, you’ll learn how to store eggs in Ecuador and the rest of Latin America. Why Aren’t Eggs in Ecuador Refrigerated? The short answer is that Eggs aren’t refrigerated in Ecuador because it isn’t necessary. In this post, you’ll learn why it’s different in Ecuador compared to the United [...]

So, what do people in Ecuador eat? In this post. you’ll learn about 15 typical dishes in Ecuador. What Do People In Ecuador Eat? My Favorite 15 There are so many wonderful things about Ecuador – the scenery, the people and the culture. A big part of Ecuadorian culture is their food, passed down for [...]

The sun in Ecuador is strong all year round. And because there is no winter (well, at least no ice, snow, and wind chill) we are outside a lot. We need to be very careful to avoid sunburn. When we first arrived in Ecuador, I wore the famed Panama hat (actually made here.) While they [...]

How’s the drinking water in Cuenca? Do you drink it? Is it safe? In this post, we share the lab results of tests we ran on Cuenca’s water – straight from the tap and after sterilization with a SteriPEN. We share specifics about what we found and how well the UV light works. Read about [...]

On Tuesday, August 12 2014, an American expat couple experienced a home invasion, robbery and the wife was kidnapped and taken from Vilcabamba to Cuenca. It has been covered in both of Cuenca’s local papers: El Tiempo (Police catch alleged kidnapping gang) and El Mercurio (Investigating the kidnapping of an American woman). Earlier this afternoon, [...]