Housitehostels.com is a great way to find awesome deals on hostels in Quito. Booking through their site you get an automatic mark-down on all rates that is applied the moment you pick your room. There are also a number of specials such as “name your price” and request a “free night” that are offered from time to time.

Housite only advertises for its own hostels, so while there are only 3 options for Quito, you can bet that they are good places to stay. Each hostel is geared towards a specific crowd, providing you with the same quality of service, cleanliness and safety, but a variety of atmospheres depending on what kind of trip you are looking for.

Each hostel also has a variety of fun extra events such as BBQs, Pub Quizzes, Scavengers Hunts and specials at local bars that are hosted and sponsored by Housite Hostels. When you book you also get a discount card for free drinks, appetizers and Internet usage that total $35.00, no additional purchase necessary. Discounts are also available on other services.

The three hostels run by Housite Hostels in Quito are Andino hostel, Bar strip hostel and Canela Street hostel. For more information about these three places to stay or to make a reservation visit www.housitehostels.com.

Quito is probably the most popular city in Ecuador in terms of tourism, and with good reason. Set in one of the best climates in the world to live in, and on the doorstep to the mountains and jungle of Ecuador, this city makes the perfect launch-pad for a trek to the interior. Plus, with the mix of easy going locals and fun loving foreigners, a night out in Quito is one not quickly forgotten.

With all the tourists in and out of Quito there is a wide variety of lodging available in the city. Since the most popular kind of traveler to pass through here is of the backpacker genre you will find a whole slew of hostels in Quito. Because there are so many hostels you can find anything from a basic place with dorm style rooms, a shared bathroom and a bed that you supply the sheets for to places that could be confused for hotels.

One of Quito’s preferred hostels is Hostal Alcalá. Chances are if you have done any research in Ecuador guidebooks on hostels in Quito you have heard of this one. For more than a decade it has consistently received positive reviews. Rooms are comfortable, the staff is friendly and the location on a side street in Quito’s main tourist district makes it particularly attractive. Additional amenities such as a kitchen and laundry facilities, cable TV, airport pick-up, secure parking and hot water add to the hostel’s appeal.

Another highlight of a stay at Hotel Alcalá is its famous buffet breakfast. This fantastic spread regularly features delicious fresh fruits and fruit juices, eggs, toast, pancakes, cereal, oats, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. It is available from 7–10 am daily and is included in the room price.

Regular rates run from $18 for one person to $45 for 5 people, but right now there are special rates for March, April and May, the off season.

Go online to www.alcalahostal.com for more information or call (593) 2 2227 396 for more information.

To be honest, there really isn’t a bad time to visit Ecuador, depending on where you want to go and what you want to do. Quito, for example, is spring-like all year round, although its rainy season is from May to September, making it, and the rest of the highlands, more enjoyable from June to August.

The Amazon and the eastern slopes of the Andes are quite the opposite. The wet season there runs from June to August, making the best time to explore the jungle from late August to February. Along the coast January to April seem to be the best time to visit, especially the Galapagos.

The main tourist season runs from mid-December to January, right around the holidays, and picks up again over the summer months.

To take a look at Ecuador’s current weather click here.

Dining out in Ecuador is one of the best parts of visiting the country! Depending on what region you are visiting and what budget you are traveling on will dictate what you enjoy for your noontime meal or late night snack. Most comedors, or restaurants, serve a plate of the day, which includes soup, the main course (meat, rice or potatoes) a drink, and dessert. These platos del dia usually only cost about 1 dollar.

Roadside stands, only for the brave of heart and iron stomached, serve typical fried treats, such as empanadas and fritadas. At a fritada stand the vendor will carve up a slab of pork right there on the spot, pound it out and deep fry the whole thing. Sounds gross, but it’s actually pretty good.

Don’t pass up the delicious seafood served throughout the country, the ceviche in particular, along the coast and in the northern Manabi, is fantastic. As always, take care when eating fresh fruits and vegetables; oftentimes they are washed with unclean water and can have some pretty nasty aftereffects.

In Ecuador equal treatment is given to local and foreign investors, so across the board you receive the same rights of entry as Ecuadorian citizens. Almost all sectors are open to investors, and profits and capital can be repatriated without restriction.

• Foreigners have the same legal rights to own property anywhere in Ecuador.

• You do not need to have any special visa to purchase property in Ecuador; the Tourist Visa that you purchase upon entrance is all you need to invest in real estate. Make sure you know how long your tourist visa is valid for – click here for additional visa information.

• Investing in real estate, be it a house, an apartment of land, opens the door to getting a resident visa, allowing you to enter and leave the country  just as a local does.

Do your research by actually coming to Ecuador and scoping out any property you want to invest in. Ask around regarding the area, and find a realiable lawyer who has specific experience in helping foreigners purchase real estate.

Immigration authorities in Ecuador are getting stricter when it comes to the 90 day tourist visa. In the past, if you wished to extend your visa, all you had to do was leave the country for a day, and then upon reentry you were granted another 90 days, making for a total of 180 days in Ecuador on a tourist visa.

Recently, things have changed.

Many immigration authorities are now counting the number of days you have already spent in Ecuador and giving you the number of days needed to equal the alloted 90 days as a tourist.

So, if you would like to stay in Ecuador for more than just 90 days, what do you do? Immigration lawyer Robert Moreno explains on EcuadorLiving.com:

Usually non Ecuadorians have been able to stay in Ecuador as a tourist for 90 days. After they used these first 90 days, they used to get 90 days more as a tourist if they requested an extension at an immigration office prior of expiry of the first 90 days.

Several months ago immigration changed its policy. Now instead of renewing a tourist visa for 90 days they grant a 180 day Commercial Acts Visa.

In a way this new procedure makes it more convenient (though more expensive) to stay for longer periods.

If a non Ecuadorian wants to stay in Ecuador in any one year for more than 90 days with a tourist visa, they can still apply to the immigration authorities for an extension.  If they leave Ecuador in their first stay of the year before reaching 90 days, BUT anticipate returning in that same year, and that return stay will take them beyond 90 days total in that year, before leaving, they should petition the immigration authorities either prior to leaving the first time, or before returning to Ecuador via a local consulate office near our overseas home (USA, Canada, England etc).

These changes in immigration policy are actually changes in strictness of enforcement of the procedures, not the procedures themselves.

The easiest approach though is for those wishing to stay more than 90 days a year in Ecuador to go to an Ecuador consul and apply for the Commercial Acts Visa, good 180 days travel in a calendar year.  This allows a total of 180 days stay in Ecuador without any extension beyond the 90 day maximum under a tourist visa.

The fee for the Commercial Act Visa is $230 per person.  Given the growing restrictions and/or increased enforcement on the tourist visa and extensions beyond 90 days, this is a good  option for those who want to maximize their time in Ecuador but who do not with to apply for a full resident visa.

If you want more information you can contact Robert Moreno of Moreno di Donato Law Firm:

Avenida M3 y Calle 24, Edificio Fortaleza oficina 3, Manta, Ecuador

Tel. +593 (5) 261-3764; Fax +593 (2) 261-3460

Diego de Almagro N34-12 y Avenida de los Shyris, Edificio Torrenova  6to piso, Quito, Ecuador

Tel. +593 (2) 256-8207; +593 (9) 970-8798 (mobile); Fax: +593 (2) 256-8208

E-mail: roberto@morenodidonato.com

Renting an apartment in Ecuador is a good solution for those staying for several months or more. Once you arrive in Ecuador it is easy to locate furnished apartment or house rentals while staying at a local hotel or hostel. If you want to get a head start on finding a place to stay in Quito check out what EcuadorExplorer.com has to say on the topic:

Renting a one bedroom furnished apartment for a period of less than one year or more with the following facilities:
Area: 65 m2.
Living and dining room furniture
Complete bedding
Fully furnished Kitchen
Handicap accessible Bathroom
Private telephone
Parking space
Is located in a secure building with a 12 hour guard from monday to friday and 24 hour guard on weekends. Close to Word Trade Center.
Price: $ 450 (This price does not included electricity and telephone expenses).
For more information please contact carmencordova@hotmail.com, ccordova@hospitaldelosvalles.com

Fully furnished and recently renovated apartments in colonial Quito - Terra Firma Properties specializes in the historic area of Colonial Quito and offers apartments to rent for foreigners for as short as two nights for up to one year. Our units are safe and offer the charm of Colonial Quito. We have apartments and colonial homes to rent and some amenities such as parking, fireplaces, Satellite TV and charming neighbourhood settings. For more information please go to www.colonialecuador.com

Family Salazar Delgado Apartments.- Fully furnished apartments in the heart of the tourist sector of Quito, at 9 de Octubre and Veintimilla. Our beautiful, comfortable, and fully furnished apartments (including electric appliances) will make feel at home in Quito. Offering three bedroom apartments with private bathrooms, dining room, living room with fireplace, common bathroom, parking space, and more. For more information please contact us at info@majesticquito.com

Need to learn Spanish quickly? Try an immersion program, like the one offered byMariana Gonzalez. Mariana has been teaching Spanish as a foreign language for over 10 years in Europe and Latin America. Not only are her credentials amazing, she is incredible teacher.

The classes are based on the method of total immersion, where right from the start you hear the language and then begin to speak it. As the classes develop, grammar, pronunciation, grammar excercises and conversation topics are introduced. Conversation topics can cover a wide variety of themes such as politics, economics, education, travel, culture and of course themes relating to Ecuadorian life and culture. There would also be an emphasis on idiomatic expressions and pronunciation excercises, and a lot of focus on conversation, using oral and written excercices to enhance these skills.

All materials are provided, and Mariana uses a variety of teaching tools, which keep things interesting!

Classes are held either at a Spanish school in Quito, at Mariana’s house, or at a location of choice by the student. Generaly classes are held from 8:30 am – 6:30 pm.

Class options are listed here. You can choose from Spanish lessons only, Spanish lessons and a homestay, or Spanish lessons offered directly from the home of Mariana and her famliy. All classes are 1–3 weeks in duration, however personalized classes that are longer can be arranged. More than 4 weeks of classes furnishes a 10% discount.

Prices are reasonable, the teaching is top notch, and Mariana also provides connections for volunteering in Ecuador, trips to the Galapagos, as well as salsa classes!

Classes are at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so no matter what level your Spanish is at, you can improve today!

You can reach Mariana via phone at 593–2–2349355, or by a contact form on her web-site.

Now is the time to purchase tickets to Ecuador. Fares across the board are lower than ever and here’s why:

This month LAN Ecuador and Aero Galapagos are having a competition from both JFK in New York and MIA in Miami to Quito. Reduced fares from these two companies is causing other airlines to drop prices in order to compete.

LAN is one of the most trusted and recommended flights for those coming into Ecuador. They provide excellent service and have a great reputation. Having flown with them multiple times I personally have had no problems with the company.

Aero Galapagos is a new airline that just received permission to provide flights to and from Ecuador. In the past they have focused on internal flights, and have a good reputation for being a reliable company in this regard. If the way they handle themselves in Ecuador is any indication of how they handle international flights, we will have one more quality airline to choose from.

Flights from Miami and New York into Quito are at all time lows! Check www.lan.com and www.aerogal.com.ec for more information.

Today I am going to share a special report from Gary Scott, an expert on pretty much everything Ecuador and everything investment as well.

In a recent article, entitled Ecuador Beach Acreage, Gary highlights the investment potential of areas north of Manta and Bahia. He writes:

“Bahía is a Pacific coastal city located on a peninsula about an hour and 15 minutes north of Manta and is bordered by the Chone River. This river creates the opportunity.  The estuary has always stopped the traffic flow.”

Bahia is one of nicest resort areas due to its natural beauty and cleanliness, as well as easy access from Quito, Manta, and Guayaquil. The problem is the estuary makes it hard to access north of this town from Manta.

From Gary’s article:

“There are also two very important reasons why this area north of Bahia real estate may now rise.

First, a new highway is being built between Quito and the coast. This construction is taking much longer than it should and costing way more than budget..but eventually it will be complete and one more concrete freeway will be able to whisk from Quito to Bahia.

Second, some day there will be a bridge across the Chone. Bahia sits on an isthmus between the Pacific Ocean and the huge estuary of the Chone River. If you are traveling from the south up the coast in a northwards direction, you are stopped at the Chone. The drive onwards moves down the Chone for a couple of hours just to get back to the coast north of the estuary north.”

For more on the investment potential in this region of Ecuador read the full article here.

Make sure you also check out the real estate tours Gary and his wife Merri run.