As Bitcoin pushes well past the 2017 all-time high of $20,000, several expats have reached out to ask whether Bitcoin can be legally used and traded in Ecuador. The short answer is that trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is not prohibited in Ecuador. However, this doesn't give Bitcoin the complete green light. The government has […]

Editor's note: This is part of our Expat Story series where we dive into journies of other expats to learn about practical information on life in Ecuador. Have your own story to share? Let us know by reaching out to us. Chris moved to Ecuador from Canada 3 years ago. Like many expats, he was […]

Now that many countries are considering offering 'digital nomad visas' or 'remote work visas', it's time to ask ourselves whether any of these are actually worthwhile for digital nomads.  Why are countries starting to offer digital nomad visas?  It's clear that many countries that started offering digital nomad visas in 2020 have done so as […]

Cuenca is blessed with several fantastic hot spring options. Our two favorites are Piedra de Agua and Termas Pumamaqui. Whilst both are great, they are very different offerings. We love being able to choose the experience that best resonates with us each time we want a relaxing soak. Hopefully, you'll also be able to use […]

Our family recently spent a lovely morning enjoying one of Cuenca's best horse riding tours. We regularly go to Centro Equestre Bellavista for classes, but this was the first time we've had the opportunity to go for an extended 2-hour horse ride through the mountains and valleys surrounding the property. And, we loved it. The […]

One of our favorite cafes in the El Vergel area of Cuenca is La Gata. We classify it as traditional Ecuadorian comfort food, but with some modern twists that make their dishes stand out. In fact, we'd go so far as to say this little cafe wouldn't be out of place if they set up […]

Fast Facts Where 15-45 minutes from Cuenca Cost Private tours around $25/hr, one-day group tours around $80/day. Schools $5-$10/lesson Ages 4+ What to bring Warm clothes, enclosed shoes, water, sunscreen, tips for guides How to book Varies by provider. We've included links for each. Why we love horse riding in Cuenca Cuenca is a great […]

I remember my first guaguas de pan y colada morada experience. It was in the neighborhood of Nayon in Quito. Several shops, especially the bakeries, were all selling these colorful breads that were shaped and dressed like baby dolls. These baby-shaped, sweet buns were always accompanied by a thick, purple fruit drink. Only later did […]

We had a lot of fun creating this quiz about Ecuador. I even managed to stump Michelle a few times which brought a big smile to my face. Got any good Ecuador trivia questions? We'd love to see them in the comments below - and if ok with you we'd potentially add them to the […]

Fruits and vegetables are abundant and cheap in most Ecuadorian cities. The low cost is a key input into the overall cost of living in Ecuador and you should pay considerably less than in your home country.  However, there is a big difference between the cost of fruits and vegetables in local markets vs the […]