Questions before we start our three month visit on 11/24/2014

rperry38 wrote:

Arriving Quito...How do make contact with the expat groups (if we need advice and/or assistance) in the various cities as we travel around the country?

Pre-trip, online, visit South American Explorers, saexplorers.org...and Internations, internations.org ....

cccmedia, Quito

rperry38 wrote:

Are there any cities/areas that we should avoid

Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil.  It's hot, humid, not at the beach, 510 express kidnappings in a 10.5 month period (Jan.-Nov. 2012).

No need to get close to the Colombian border where the troublemaking "pandillas" have historically been active.

Lowland areas not right at the beach.  This close to the Equator, they can be scorchers, with no cooling-breese relief.

rperry38 wrote:

Will we be able to purchase our over-the-counter vitamins, supplements and medications there, or do we need to bring a three month supply with us?  Are any, or most of the items that are available there, US brand names?

Over-the-counter vitamins and supplements are widely available in a city such as here in Quito.  The brand names normally are different from what you know in the U.S. but locally available products should be fine for you.

This next "consejo" may not be for you, 38, if you need only over-the-counter items but may be of use to extended-stay visitors who take prescription medications.  Many meds prescribed by U.S. doctors are available over the counter in EC with no prescription, but some are not.

I advise bringing that 3-month-plus supply of any prescription medications.  Do you really want to go through everything involved in getting a referral in a strange town or city, possibly hunting for a specialist who can write a "receta especial," (a special prescription required for certain medicines commonly prescribed in the United States), and then locating what you need in pharmacies that typically are not nearly as well-stocked as U.S. pharmacies.   Even if you find all the medicines, they likely will not have the full quantity you need for your extended stay in Ecuador, so there you are going all over the city looking for more meds or going to pharmacies in other towns and cities.  You have better ways to spend your time in this fine country.

Prescription medications in Ecuador are typically available under the less-expensive generic names, sometimes with names not used back home.

cccmedia, USA passport holder, resident of Quito

rperry38 wrote:

I am informed that "cash is king" in Ecuador and that you pay more for everything if you use credit cards, and/or ATMs.  Is that true?... 
I am not really crazy about carrying enough cash for most of the three months, but what other options are there, other than paying 5% more for everything?

If you attempt to bring most or all the cash you're gonna need, you have a massive security problem.  And if there was a robbery, it could ruin your trip.

My advice:  bring the amount of cash you are comfortable holding, decide now to pay five percent at ATMs and at places that accept your cards, and then forget about it.  Enjoy the peace of mind which, IMO, is worth five percent when you're overseas.  You can console yourself with the knowledge that Ecuador uses the dollar, so you shouldn't be losing points on currency exchange.

And do bring two cards.  You don't want to be dealing with the nightmare scenario of having something go wrong and not being able to use your lone card to get cash or lodgings.

Back in the day, travelers checks were an option, sometimes at one percent.  But for whatever reason the banks cut back on offering and honoring TC's and I wouldn't bet on cashing or using them in most of Ecuador anymore.

One of your credit cards should be Capital One, for they charge no foreign transaction fees.  I am sure there are others.  There will also be places that do not accept American Express, best to bring Master Cards or Visas.

#38 wrote:  "I have read that we should not use buses at night.  It that correct?"

You're probably interested in city-to-city buses.

You'll want to travel during daylight hours on these buses.  But not primarily because of the remote chance that armed bandidos will blockade the road, board your bus and stage a robbery.

Ponder these three scenarios:

Scenario #1:  Intercity roads in EC are not built and maintained up to the quality of U.S. Interstate standards.  Consider whether you would trust a (possibly inexperienced) bus driver to negotiate substandard patches and windy turns during hours of reduced visibility and precipitation.

Scenario #2:  Do you have large amounts of debris falling on your roadways in South Carolina due to earthquakes or volcanic eruptions....Didn't think so. This year, there was an earthquake centered 14 miles from the capital.  Roads to the new Quito airport were blocked for extended periods.  Wouldn't you want to deal with such delays during daylight hours, not when you were hoping to get to your next city during night travel seeking a good night's sleep....

Scenario #3:  Let's say your luggage doesn't all fit in the overhead (not recommended anyway) or under your seat, so you put some of it in the cargo hold in the bus exterior.  The bus makes some stops en route to your destination and other passengers remove their bags;  when you get to your stop, one of your bags is missing.  The attempt at such a theft is less likely during daylight hours and more likely to be noticed.

As for intracity buses, I have made hundreds of trips here in Quito at night, on the Trole, the Ecovia line and the blue buses.  There has never been a security problem of any type.

More pickpockets are active on the city buses during the daytime.  With the overcrowding on some routes in the busy daylight hours, they can bump their target more readily and thus get access unnoticed to your cash or "cartera."

Actually, on the most overused bus line, the Trole, nighttime (say after 8 or 8:30 p.m. weekdays) may be the only dependable time when the straphangers are not packed in like sardines.  If Yogi Berra had retired here and not in New Jersey, he would have said:  "Nobody uses the Trole anymore.  It's too crowded."

cccmedia, Quito

Thanks.  I took a quick look at the sites.  Seems to be some good info there.  Appreciate your input.

Ron

CCC,

I hope that you don't mind if I just use your first name.

Anyway, thanks for your feed back. 

At this point I am mostly concerned with the trip from Quito to Cuenca at the end of our first week in country.  I would want to take a day bus anyway to allow us to take in the sights and the people; that is much better than looking at the tops of clouds when flying down there.    (I do appreciate the point you made about the checked luggage, and will make it a point to monitor baggage off loading at intermediate stops.)  I understand that there are several bus runs down there each day so we will catch an early run.

I am always aware of the possibility of pickpocket activity when I travel in lower income areas.  The locals frequently think all Americans are rich so we are more likely to be targeted (I learned that in Korea when I lost all my travellers checks),  Since then I spread my money around in different pockets and if I'm carrying large bills I wear a money belt under my shirt.
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We do have two credit cards and a debit card so we should be all right in that regard.  I am sure ATMs are available in the larger cities and we will probably use cash when ATMs are not available.  We won't be making any major purchases anyway; other than apartment rental we will only have our daily living expenses.

In planning the trip I did acquire a three month supply of my prescription meds.  I was mostly inquiring about the availability of supplements and vitamins that we have been taking for some time.  I think most of them are pretty common in the big cities.  We just need to learn to read the Spanish labels to get the correct product.

Again, thanks for your advice.

Ron

rperry38 wrote:

In planning the trip I did acquire a three month supply of my prescription meds.  I was mostly inquiring about the availability of supplements and vitamins that we have been taking for some time.  I think most of them are pretty common in the big cities.  We just need to learn to read the Spanish labels to get the correct product.

Again, thanks for your advice.

Ron, I just checked the vitamin and supplement bottles I recently bought here in Quito.  All the labels are in English.  The brands are different from the ones I knew in the U.S. -- "Mason Natural" and "Only Natural," for instance -- but there's no need to read any labels in espanol.

cccmedia, Quito

rperry38 wrote:

I am always aware of the possibility of pickpocket activity when I travel in lower income areas.  The locals frequently think all Americans are rich so we are more likely to be targeted (I learned that in Korea when I lost all my travellers checks),  Since then I spread my money around in different pockets and if I'm carrying large bills I wear a money belt under my shirt.

Ron, the strategy you shared is a crucial piece of information that all visitors to Ecuador should follow constantly.

Five years ago, without realising it, I wandered into an area in the south of Quito that my travel guide books had warned was dangerous -- Loja Street area.  I was carrying a bag that did not contain any valuables but was the type of bag that could have appeared to contain a computer.

In broad daylight (4:30 p.m.) and steps from 15 seniors relaxing around the 24 de Mayo park benches, four young delincuentes put me on the ground, stole the bag, rummaged through my pockets and stole the cash inside them.  They got $55.  (There were no weapons involved.)

However, in line with your practice, I had most of my cash stashed secretly elsewhere on my person and the "pandilla" boys didn't get that:   $500.

There was massive construction going on in that area and the four malditos were able to scatter to the winds before a policeman arrived a minute later.  Today that construction is complete, a large new police station has been completed there and a large rec center nearby.  I consider that area to be many times safer than before.

I never carry that type of "computer bag" anymore, and have not encountered any such trouble again since moving permanently to the capital a year and a half ago.

cccmedia, Quito

That is good to know.  Thanks for passing it on.

Ron

Rperry 38,
We too will be going to Ecuador for three months, Mid Jan to Mid April,
We rented a condo for three months, mostly because the cost was so much less for longer term at least around Manta, and will be travelling from there easily as Ecuador is quite small.
We spent some time in Ecuador about a year ago and from all our travels in the last 15 years or so, 20+countries, several continents, we have to say Ecuadorians are the most wonderful and nicest people we have ever met. Of course, some Spanish is needed, as English is not  common.
Re: meds, google to find your medication names in  Ecuador, just in case.
There is several expats blogs and great way to keep contact with people and meet them, all expats we met were very helpful.
Some people travel all the time on buses and have no problem, we would not travel at night, just because it is not the most comfortable, but never felt unsafe while in Ecuador.

rperry38 wrote:

I am informed that "cash is king" in Ecuador and that you pay more for everything if you use credit cards, and/or ATMs  Is that true?

You pay more for everything if you use credit cards in ANY country. That is one of the ways credit card companies make their money. You might not see the cost as it is built in to the cost of what you are purchasing but I can assure you it is there. Sometimes you can even get charged more in monetary conversion. In this particular Ecuador-case you will not have to face that cost.

As to ATMs, I pay no ATM fees (using my US-based bank account). I am from Canada. If I use my debit card on my Canadian account I am charged $5 on each transaction. But on my US account I do not get charged any transaction fee. Unfortunately, I get nailed on conversion.

When we came to EC for 3 months last year, we only brought cash for 3 months, about $7k, that took care of hotel expenses, food and transportations. Otherwise, every transaction on a visa was going to cost additional 3,5%.
Plenty of vitamins, medications in pharmacies. I recently needed something and the meds were from Austria and Germany, also, anything made in Colombia is of excellent quality- who knew?
On hotels: check out a boutique hotel called carolinamontecarlo.com . It is in Quito, excellent safe location, super clean and only costs $65 for 2 persons per night. That is where my daughter will be staying during her visit in Feb.2015. There is a hotel galore in Quito, but that one is the best value. Good luck!

marian777 wrote:

When we came to EC for 3 months last year, we only brought cash for 3 months, about $7k, that took care of hotel expenses, food and transportations. Otherwise, every transaction on a visa was going to cost additional 3,5%....
On hotels: check out a boutique hotel called carolinamontecarlo.com . It is in Quito, excellent safe location, super clean and only costs $65 for 2 persons per night.!

This 7K strategy apparently worked for Marian last year.

But listen up, other readers, you're creating a massive security problem if you're carrying (or even parking in a supposedly safe room strongbox) large amounts of cash in EC cities.

3.5 percent is a pretty good rate, especially when security and peace of mind are factored in.  I recommend using the ATM's and chalk up any incidental fees to ordinary travel expenses.  For USA visitors, you're getting a break on currency exchange, anyway, since EC is on the dollar.

If you want to counteract the card fee, stay at a hotel that's not costing you $65 a night.

Before I moved here, I used to stay at the Hotel Ambassador (9 de Octubre y Colon in Quito) on many trips and paid between $17 and $25 a night at those times based on weekly stays.  It has a restaurant, wi-fi in the lobby, easy access to buses and taxis and was easy walking distance to Gringolandia and the many restaurants, shops and other businesses on 10 de Agosto and Avenida Colon.

cccmedia in Quito

I never heard of hotel you were mentioning, so I looked it up.
The very 1st review left for the place, on Sep.17 2014, gives it a 2 star rating and mentions that it is a hotel  for "backpackers and people on a tight budget". That is an unsafe place to stay in the first place.
For somebody on their first trip to Ecuador with only one week stay in Quito, I do not think THAT type of a hotel is a place to recommend. Also, sperry 38 do not look like people who would feel comfortable among backpackers  and a place that is rated #98 among 106 by Tripadvisor.
My personal opinion.

marian777 wrote:

When we came to EC for 3 months last year, we only brought cash for 3 months, about $7k, that took care of hotel expenses, food and transportations. Otherwise, every transaction on a visa was going to cost additional 3,5%.
!

My Capital One Visa charges no foreign transaction fees.  What's in your wallet?

marian777 wrote:

I never heard of hotel you were mentioning, so I looked it up.
The very 1st review left for the place, on Sep.17 2014, gives it a 2 star rating and mentions that it is a hotel  for "backpackers and people on a tight budget". That is an unsafe place to stay in the first place.
For somebody on their first trip to Ecuador with only one week stay in Quito, I do not think THAT type of a hotel is a place to recommend.

First off, Marian, my comments about saving money on hotels were specifically directed not to you or 38, but to "other readers" in general.  I am sure that if you came to Ecuador for three months last year and paid anything like $65 a night -- close to $6,000 if extrapolated for that period -- you personally would not find the Ambassador fancy enough to meet  your standards.

You then based your opinion of the hotel on an online review, possibly from someone who is Spanish-challenged and may have encountered a backpacker or two.  In my experience, there always was a wide range of middle class Ecuadorian customers among the Ambassador guests, especially business people and families on vacation here in the capital.
Not everybody needs to pay extra to have someone fluent in English posted at the front desk 24 hours a day.

Yes, if somebody is coming to Quito for a first time for just a week, a fancier hotel is likely indicated.  I was speaking in light of the three-month period that had been mentioned and was considering costs as well as other factors. 

I stayed at the Ambassador on five or six trips as recently as 2013, and your unsubstantiated and unwitnessed claim that it is "unsafe" is not what I experienced.  I found it safe and secure and that is one reason why I kept coming back.

Not everybody has a $6,000 lodging budget for their extended EC stay, so I stand by my decision to share my experience: that Hotel Ambassador is well located, comfortable and budget-friendly.

Expat.com readers can decide for themselves whether it's worth their while to stay in middle-class hotels and save $3,500 on an extended trip.

cccmedia in Quito

First, the bus rides were questioned. I found the bus in Ecuador to be very nice. Even at night I felt safe and secure in my things. However, I did not have an i-Pad or any ridiculously expensive things with me. I had nothing to steal except the wallet in my pocket which I kept secure in my cargo pocket (pickpockets usually don't think to look there). But I did have an English girl tell me she had had things stolen on the bus. Gringos tend to think that if they sleep with their bag in their lap that they will feel it if anyone tries to take it. But the problem is that they don't take the bag. They use a razor to cut into the fabric and then dig around for your i-Phone while you sleep. The bus is dark and everyone is sleeping so no one else notices. Either don't take expensive gadgets or don't go to sleep on the bus. I bought a cheapo cell phone and added minutes to it when I got to Quito. If someone took it or if I got drunk and lost it, I was only out $40 bucks.

Second, about security, don't put your bags under your seat in a bus station. There's a common scam where someone distracts you with a question and his buddy will drag it from under your chair. You'll not notice until later. I always hooked my bag strap around my foot so if someone messed with it, I'd know. I don't want to belabor the point of security. Ecuador has many wonderful, honest people. I felt VERY safe in Ecuador. But like anywhere where there's lots of poverty, one should take precautions with their things.

Third, I don't know what hotel you're using, but I stayed exclusively at hostels and didn't have any issues with security whatsoever. These places cost $7 or $8 a night and all my stuff was fine. If you're paying $65 a night then that's sort of a swanky hotel in Ecuador. Use common sense like you would in Memphis or D.C. or Atlanta then you'll be fine.

I wouldn't travel with large stacks of cash. There's no need. Just get money out at the ATM's as you go. Travelling with large sums of money anywhere in the world is asking for heartbreak. And carry small bills. Trying to break a $20 will usually cause headaches. If you see a supermarket, go inside and buy something to get change for your 20's. The supermarkets have change; the little shops won't.

And I see that your embarkation is tomorrow. Good luck and happy travels!

ATM's are easily available in Cuenca and Quito.  I pay cash for most things but have used a credit card at the SuperMaxi (grocery store) and in hotels and some restaurants without penalty. (My bank credit card does not have a transaction fee
Bring a supply of medications with you.  Some things are easy to find and some things are impossible. If you are only coming for 3 months, i would say Avoid the hassle and bring what you need (including things like Tums).
Cuenca has a real estate company that specializes in short term rentals . Cuenca Condos.   Also try Gringo Post.com. many hostels in Cuenca are safe, comfortable and inexpensive.
I can't comment on the bus for long trips as I haven't had the need yet.
You will spot Gringos and most don't mind answering questions or sharing information in a coffee shop or restaurant.  Gringotree.com also carries ads for gringo nights at various places.
Best of luck.  Enjoy your trip!

When you use a credit card most businesses apply an extra charge up front. You might not even be aware of it. Another thing that can occur is that the credit card company may charge more in conversion fees than if you use your debit card. But I guess if you are from the US this would not be an issue here in Ecuador.

If you decide you wish to visit Loja feel free to contact me through this forum or through my website LojaWelcomeCenter.com. Would love to meet you and get you in contact with other expats who live here and the surrounding area.

Have fun on your journey.

Ken

P.S. For those who wish to learn more about money matters I have written about some things to consider when bringing money in or getting money out of Ecuador. You can find it here: lojawelcomecenter.com/daily-life-in-loja-ecuador.html#money

MrKMW wrote:

For those who wish to learn more about money matters I have written about some things to consider when bringing money in or getting money out of Ecuador. You can find it here: lojawelcomecenter.com/daily-life-in-loja-ecuador.html#money

A good read concerning money in Ecuador

MrKMW wrote:

For those who wish to learn more about money matters I have written about some things to consider when bringing money in or getting money out of Ecuador. You can find it here: lojawelcomecenter.com/daily-life-in-loja-ecuador.html#money

Ken does Expat.com readers a favor by giving them access to his sobering commentary on bringing money into Ecuador.

He points out that wiring large amounts of money to EC is not the solution it once may have been for U.S. Expats:

The U.S. Government is requiring that U.S. banks grill their customers as to why they are sending money out of the country, to Ecuador. 

Also, under the (U.S.) Tax Compliance Act called FATCA, if an EC bank is not in FATCA compliance, 30 percent of your wire amount can be withheld.  Then it's up to YOU to get it back through the IRS.
(source:  Loja Welcome Center)

Ken also warns readers to avoid putting large amounts of money into a bank account connected to any debit card and to put it in a savings account instead.

For more guidance -- and to learn about the problem with getting money OUT of Ecuador -- visit the Loja Welcome Center at the web page indicated above.

cccmedia wrote:

MrKMW wrote:

The U.S. Government is requiring that U.S. banks grill their customers as to why they are sending money out of the country, to Ecuador. 

Also, under the (U.S.) Tax Compliance Act called FATCA, if an EC bank is not in FATCA compliance, 30 percent of your wire amount can be withheld.  Then it's up to YOU to get it back through the IRS.
(source:  Loja Welcome Center)

I have a US account as a Canadian citizen and have transferred large sums of money in the last 6 months without any problem at all. Maybe this problem has to do with a different bank than I use or maybe it is because I am not a US citizen.