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Stuff that's difficult to get in Ecuador?

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ecuaart
  3/24/2010 13:44 EST

Making my shopping list and checking it thirty times...what is difficult to find or too expensive as compared to the USA? Wondering about the following: printer cartridges, decent makeup, sugar substitute or stevia.

remoore2001
  10/29/2014 17:05 EST

My wife says the cost of make up is ridiculous. Up to 4 times as the same thing in the states. Printer cartridges are also expensive. Don't use sugar or subs so don't really know

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Peregrino
  10/29/2014 20:58 EST

Preservative-free eye drops

GringoinQuito
  10/29/2014 22:45 EST

Hay mucho stevia en los mercados.

EcuaGringo
  10/29/2014 23:00 EST

I could name a multitude of things you cannot get in ecuador but CRAWFISH was a staple for me but NOT in Ecuador ;-)

Rebe
  10/30/2014 11:41 EST

Imported makeup can be expensive but I have managed to get some US face/eye lotions at the same price as in the states. Ecuadorian make up is not expensive. If you have a favorite brand, stock up. Spices! The ones here are old and tasteless, including black pepper. If you garden, bring seeds (it is legal as long as they are packaged). This would be easier to address if you indicated some specific things that you would miss if you could not find them here.

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Rebe
  10/30/2014 11:44 EST

I forgot, some printer cartridges are not available her so buy them before you leave. It seems in the states that thumb drives are much cheaper than here and you can get them on sale. Just about anything electronic is cheaper in the states than in Ecuador. This included hairdryers and other grooming products(and they are made better).

greenmountain
  10/30/2014 11:53 EST

When you say seeds as long as they are packaged----does that mean NEW (as in bought) packages, or can we bring seeds that WE saved and packaged in small sealed plastic bags? Thanks.

Rebe
  10/30/2014 12:12 EST

The seed packets that you buy from USA companies are legal as long as they are sealed. Seeds that you have collected are technically illegal. Also, bulbs and roots are illegal even if purchased from a reputable company. You can purchase seeds here, but not specific varieties that you can find in the states. If you use Sluggo-snail/slug bait, you should bring that since it is not available in Ecuador.

rodreego
  10/30/2014 15:33 EST

Stevia is readily available. as is all the synthetic crap. Printer cartridges? Well, what everyone does here is hook up with refillable cartridges, buy the ink in bulk and refill yourself. You can purchase a "kit" that will hook up to your printer online and bring it with you (less the ink for weight) and you'll save a ton. Real soft cotton bedsheets are hard to find but the sies here differ from there. The more thrift store bluejeans you can bring the better. CLIPON sunglasses are rare here. But you'll be surprised at how little you'll feel deprived.

Gears2014
  10/30/2014 17:01 EST

Common sense in Ecuador is rare. Not sure what it costs I've only had glimpses of it.

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OceanHideaway
  10/30/2014 18:32 EST

If there is something you cannot live without and it is small and packable, bring a 3 month supply.

It will help you adjust until you can either find it here or find a decent substitute.

On the make up question... Bring what you use now but be ready to try some new stuff: We are in Latin America, land of some of the most elegant women, and they wear makeup. Check out YanBal cosmetics, a staple here (find them online too) And ...the ladies room and salon... practice your Spaish and make friends...ask the most elegant ladis where they get their make up nad of course what salon they use. They will be flattered and they will share.

withoutego
  10/30/2014 21:25 EST

Metal reamers (a tool)

CoffeeSnob
  10/31/2014 08:17 EST

I found Loja had a lot to offer. I didn't need a reamer, but I think you could find one there. They had a lot of metal working tools it seemed.

iguanab1
  10/31/2014 10:06 EST

CoffeeSnob, what are the stores in Loja where you have been able to find the items that might not be available in smaller towns?

CoffeeSnob
  10/31/2014 10:34 EST

We found a lot of hardware type stores around the Plaza Simon Boliver. You will find many stores congregate together, for example auto parts stores selling many similar items are on the same street side by side. Check out Calle Quito and 18th de Noviembre, 18th Noviembre and Calle Imbabura. Based on the tools I found, I would imagine you can find almost anything you want. There is a good store on the corner of Imbabura and 18th de Noviembre. It does take some looking and a lot of walking and if your Spanish is not so good like mine then it will be a bit of challenge. But there seemed to be a great selection of everything in that area of town. I can't give you names though, I just don't remember or didn't notice. I would imagine you might find a reamer on Calle Quito or Calle Manuel Monteros and 18th de Noviembre. And if you have good Spanish, ask the people at the tienda's, I found most in Loja to be very nice people.

iguanab1
  10/31/2014 11:04 EST

In truth, I have no idea what a "reamer" is. However, I am in the process of moving to Vilcabamba and figure that Loja will be my first "go to" place. After that, I guess Cuenca will come next. But, it's a new place and discovering places to shop will be part of the adventure. Thanks for your reply, CoffeeSnob.

Number13
  10/31/2014 11:09 EST

I realized afterward you weren't the one looking for a reamer. We lived in the Vilcabamba area for about a year. Really nice weather, Loja has almost everything you could need. In retrospect, we would have skipped our year in Cuenca and just lived in Vilcabamba for 2 years or simply have settled on the coast. Cuenca is an interesting place, but I would never live there again, it's great to visit though.

windshadow
  11/1/2014 05:39 EST

I haven't been able to find US size 13 or 14 shoes and boots. Even custom made.

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