Quito has always collected its fair share of foreign traffic, but Guayquil, the economic portal of Ecuador and the ever-bitter rival to Quito, is quickly becoming a hub to tourists and expats alike.
Football, the Liberation of Ecuador, and Other Points of Confusion
This last weekend marked the latest feriado(holiday) in Ecuador. Those fun-filled weekends when the pastier people from the sierra can make their way to the beach and eat ceviche under the sun…. I am mostly confused as to why there should be three celebrations of Independence. Being from North Americans I am used to my independence holiday wrapped up with a nice bow and only served up once a year.
Kick Back and Relax in Canoa
After scaling Ecuador’s volcanoes or hacking your way through its jungle, you’re going to need a place to kick back and unwind. Canoa, located on the country’s central coast, is the perfect place to do it.
Practically unknown just a decade ago, Canoa has emerged as a low-key tourist destination. The obvious draws here are the long, wide, clean beach that stretches for several kilometers, and the surfing breaks. Canoa has emerged as one of the premier surfing destinations in Ecuador, and it draws a lot of local and foreign enthusiasts, especially during the local summer- December through April. The beach has a number of breaks for beginners, too, and there are plenty of instructors who are happy to Read more
Quito’s Historic Center
The Ecuador Gringo has teamed up with a few other awesome expats to bring you more travel tips. Here is a guest post from N.H.Rosen:
There are few places in Latin America as atmospheric as Quito’s Centro Histórico. The city’s colonial core is the largest and best-preserved collection of colonial architecture in the New World, and it is still the beating heart of Quito. The neighborhood was declared the first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and after visiting its narrow, hilly streets and regal plazas, you’ll understand why.
Any visit to the Centro Histórico, indeed any visit to Quito, should begin at the Plaza Grande. This is the city’s central square, and it is flanked by the city’s cathedral and Read more
Don Carbon—A Vision for Restaurants in Montanita
Before me sat an empty plate, practically licked clean, where once rested a fine piece of steak, sausage, slices of grilled potato, freshly-made artisan bread….In my post-binge state I was seriously considering the hammock slung from a nearby beam while from the stereo emerged Anthony K’s melodic chant from some Chili Peppers song.
The battle for Ecuador: taking back the land one Communa at a time
New winds are blowing across Ecuador. Conquest and occupation has shamefully marred the history of the Americas since the conquistadors came bearing gifts of bullets …Amongst the 80% of Ayangue illegally possessed, six of the seven pristine beaches within the communa of Ayangua are closed off to the public. Our destination was Playa Portete the focus of the gathering movement to take back Ayangue’s land.
Election update Ecuador….
The vote’s not quite in yet. But the question is pretty loud and clear. Will the people side with Correa on this one? Ten Constitutional amendments came up for vote last Saturday Ecuador called the people to vote on some pretty controversial laws.
Montanita’s best view and best service—Hotel La Barranca
Sitting on the balcony of Montanita’s best hotel I watched as the sky rapidly tranquilized the days harsh glare. Purples and lavas were coalescing and mellowing the evening. The tiny silhouettes of surfers could be seen catching their final waves in the ocean below. Hotel La Barranca
Emergency on the go, where to go?
Hey, it happens. That’s why we plan for the worst and live our lives to the best. Anywhere in the world one runs the risk of getting hurt or getting robbed, and Ecuador is no exception. Robberies are common and people slip and fall in the shower statistically as much as back home. So, ever the boy scout that I was, I shout out my warning to you high atop my hilltop: “Be Prepared!” Have insurance and have a plan of where to go should you need to use it. And so in continuing my series on Overseas insurance plans, I want to round it out with a review what to do and where to go should you have Read more
Why not a bit of Pizza with your Sushi?
Night gathers on Montanita. The glow from restaurants and bars punctuates the growing darkness all around. Energy and activity. Glowing centers of ambiance draw in the bronzed vacationers and locals alike. I’ve been sitting on Por Q No’s corner watching the crowds climb into Montanita’s growing swirl of general shenanigans. Some slow their pace to check out the interior and menu of PQN and enter, others carry on towards the pueblo’s main strip of bars and restaurants. I find myself quite nicely stuck in this little corner, acutely askew from all the throbbing going on down in the strip. Por Q No isn’t the place you go to see and be seen. It’s a place to hang out and Read more
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