Celebrate the New Year in Quito

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Celebrate the New Year in Quito

December 30th, 2009 | Ecuador - Family Friendly, Ecuador - Gringo Favorite, Ecuador - Nightlife, Ecuador - Places to Eat, Ecuador - Travel Tips | No Comments »

While the place to ring in the New Year in Quito is definitely on the streets, if you are in the mood to get dinner before you head down to party with the masses, check out La Ronda, one of the few restaurants open on December 31st.

At first glance it may look a bit touristy, and while it does cater to visitors, the traditiaonal Ecuadorian food hardly gets complaints from anyone, foreigner or native! The service is great, the food is well prepared and the drinks are good.

La Ronda is sure to be a popular choice for tomorrow night, so call ahead and see what seating is like, or make a reservation. If Read more

Customized Tours from Happy Gringo

December 24th, 2009 | Ecuador - Best Shopping, Ecuador - Business, Ecuador - Gringo Favorite, Ecuador - Gringo Owned Business, Ecuador - Travel Tips, The Best of Ecuador | No Comments »

The Ecuador Gringo is a fan of Happy Gringo Travel, and that’s not just because I’m a happy gringo too. Happy Gringo is dedicated to planning the perfect trip to fit your needs, and they are genuinely happy to do it.

Tours include trips to the Galapagos, into the jungle and the cloudforest, as well as a whole host of day trips. The trips highlight Ecuador and provide tourists with glimpses into the everyday life of Ecuadorians. Tours are designed to have a more real-to-life flair than your traditional mainstream tours, which make them a favorite among travelers who want to experience the real Ecuador, but can’t make the travel plans on their own.

All the guides are Read more

Relax in the Thermal Waters Outside Qutio

December 21st, 2009 | Ecuador - Best Shopping, Ecuador - Family Friendly, Ecuador - Gringo Favorite, Ecuador - Must See or Do, Ecuador - Travel Tips | 3 Comments »

A little water never hurt anyone, right? In fact, if you are looking to destress you may want to try finding ‘salutem per aqua’ which is Latin for ‘health through water’ but more commonly called a SPA.

Ecuador is home to several active volcanos, with make for excellent thermal waters spouting naturally from hot springs, that are high in temperature and rich in minerals. These thermal waters have been channeled by a number of SPAs across the country, compounding their health benefits with other relaxation services.

The Termas de Papallacta are located just about an hour outside of Quito and the Ecuadorian Medical Federation has actually certified these thermal waters as having medicinal properties. Health benefits are guaranteed Read more

Drinks and Burgers at Bungalow 6

December 17th, 2009 | Ecuador - Adults Only, Ecuador - Adventure, Ecuador - Gringo Favorite, Ecuador - Must See or Do, Ecuador - Nightlife | 1 Comment »

The weekend is right around the corner and without a doubt you are looking for something fun to do tomorrow night. Well, if you find yourself in Quito, then head on down to the every popular Mariscal neighborhood and check out Bungalow 6.

From the outside Bungalow 6 looks like your standard night club crowded into the eight blocks that make up the night scene of Quito. However, on the inside you’ll find it has more to offer than your average dance club.

The main floor is dedicated to dancing, of course. On busy nights, which come every weekend and Wednesdays, when ladies drink free from 7–10, the dance floor can get Read more

The South American Explorers Club – Travel Advice in Quito

December 15th, 2009 | Ecuador - Business, Ecuador - Family Friendly, Ecuador - Gringo Favorite, Ecuador - Gringo Owned Business, Ecuador - Relocation, Ecuador - Travel Tips | No Comments »

For those coming to Ecuador who plan to use Quito as a central base of operations for excursions throughout the country, or those checking out the city to see if they would like to retire here permanently, you may want to consider getting a membership to the South American Explorers Club.

A standard single membership costs $60 (for a pair it’s 90) and includes access to all the clubhouses (located throughout South America), their respective libraries, a book exchange, storage and mail services, wireless internet, access to their members only web-site, discounts with language schools, tours, hotels, travel advice and trip planning. YOu also get the quarterly magazine and the monthly e-newsletter, as well as tons of information about Read more

Safety Tips for Travel in Ecuador

December 12th, 2009 | Ecuador - Business, Ecuador - Relocation, Ecuador - Travel Tips | 1 Comment »

Large cities around the world always have a bit a crime, and the cities in Ecuador are no different. Guayaquil, the capital, is definitely more dangerous than Quito, which is probably the most popular expat destination in Ecuador, and Cuenca, a spot growing in popularity, is safer than Cuenca! The authorities are starting to do a better job in certain districts to provide a bit more safety, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you don’t become a target for petty crime.

Don’t walk at night alone, and avoid badly lit areas.
Be suspicious of anyone who comes extremely close to you. (Personal space is less important in Ecuador, but don’t let your guard

Drinks and Futbol and Football at an Irish Pub in Quito

December 8th, 2009 | Ecuador - Adults Only, Ecuador - Gringo Favorite, Ecuador - Places to Eat, Ecuador - Travel Tips | No Comments »

As foreigners living abroad sometimes we need just need a little taste of home. That’s where places like Finn McCool’s come into play, if you’re Irish that is!

Finn McCool’s is a favorite among foreigners, and is the only Irish pub in all of Quito, possibly in the entire country of Ecuador! Even if you aren’t Irish you will surely appreciate the selection of beers, including imports you’ll have trouble finding in other bars.

As you would expect with an Irish bar, its selection of beer is more important than its selection of good eats, but thankfully Finn McCool’s comes out on top in that department as well. Shepherd’s Pie… Fish and Chips… need I say more?

Happy Read more