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Colorado
  7/14/2019 10:23 EST

We are an elderly retired couple looking for a possible change of living and Ecuador is one of our options to check out. We would like some advise from those of you now living in Ecuador. For instance we would like to spend some time in two different parts of the country. The Andes (Cuenca/Banos) and along the ocean (Playas/Bahia de Caraquez) to see which area would be the best fit for us. So any thoughts from any of you would be well appreciated. From what I have found out so far is we will fly into Quito and we will take a bus from there to wherever. A little help please.

FrankNichols
  7/14/2019 10:46 EST

Cuenca is a long (exciting?) bus ride from Quito. On my various trips there I have done that once, that was enough.

I suggest staying over night in Quito and flying to Guayaquil the next day, then taking a bus from there. (There may be flights from Quito To Cuenca now, availability changes occasionally)

Frank

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kmarch
  7/14/2019 10:50 EST

You need to do a lot more research on your own -
But my simple recommendation would be to come for about a month.
Plan on 10 days in Banos, 10 days in Cuenca, and 10 days in Playas/Bahia de Caraquez. You'll want to get some guide recommedations in advance to have a local show you around for at least part of the time you are in each area.

kmarch
  7/14/2019 10:54 EST

There are currently no flights between Cuenca and Guayaquil.
There are Flights between Quito and Cuenca and between Quito and Guayaquil.

FrankNichols
  7/14/2019 10:54 EST

Excellent advice, a month, and I would add more than one trip.

We have been multiple times, and each time learn more. During the first trip everything is NEW, and you can get a first impression. The second trip you have a better idea what to look for, etc.

I also would add Vilcabamba to the list.

kmarch
  7/14/2019 11:00 EST

Vilcabamba is a nice option. A tiny town that has been having a hard time shaking off some violent crime stories over recent years. Tourism is down. The economy is in a little trouble.

Make a list of checkboxes of things that are important to you in a potential new home and see how many get checked off in each possible location.

You say your are "elderly" so look for things like Access to Healthcare (Vilcabamba doesn't have that) access to culture, nature, drinkable water, shopping and market options, a suppportive expat community, cheap plentiful public transportaion, high-speed internet access, stuff like that.

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Penguin007
  7/14/2019 11:42 EST

How exciting, Colorado! I totally understand your ideas for checking out the country. I am originally from Chicago. I only wanted coastal properties. I came to Ecuador in June of 2009...cannot believe it has been 10 years. I flew into Guayaquil and then drove from there to Bahia. From there I came all along the coast to Salinas. I was here a month and bought a condo in Salinas...which I love. Happy to answer any questions you may have about anything. Safe travels and enjoy the adventure!!
Kimberly
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Penguin007
  7/14/2019 11:42 EST

How exciting, Colorado! I totally understand your ideas for checking out the country. I am originally from Chicago. I only wanted coastal properties. I came to Ecuador in June of 2009...cannot believe it has been 10 years. I flew into Guayaquil and then drove from there to Bahia. From there I came all along the coast to Salinas. I was here a month and bought a condo in Salinas...which I love. Happy to answer any questions you may have about anything. Safe travels and enjoy the adventure!!
Kimberly
312.985.7703
098.621.2688
[email protected]

ronwatral
  7/14/2019 11:43 EST

As long as you're visiting Playas, I suggest you add Salinas to you trip...not that far away.

tjfritz62
  7/14/2019 12:46 EST

In Vilcabamba they have a New Senior Resident Center (nursing home) for Elderly. The cost was about $1000 per month all included this past year. I went to check it out, as an after surgery option. It is nice, clean, and modern.

tjfritz62
  7/14/2019 12:57 EST

We have always found it better to fly into Guayaquil and then you can either fly or use a mini bus to go to Cuenca (You should also check out the Loja and Vilcabamaba area) and buses up the coast to Bahia De Caraquez.

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Royboy
  7/14/2019 13:31 EST

You could consider renting a condo for a few months in Cuenca and then rent another condo in Salinas or Manta for a few months. By then you will surely know where you want to stay more permanently. I suggest those three cities for their exceptional health care and expat comunities.

Ed

kmoriarty45
  7/14/2019 13:44 EST

I think that you might want to look at flying into Guayaquil rather than Quito if you are interested in exploring the coast and also visiting Cuenca, since the bus rides are shorter than traveling from Quito.

It's about 3 1/2 hours by bus from Guayaquil to Cuenca and about 1 1/2 hrs. from Guayaquil to Playas.


From Quito to Playas is over 7 hrs. drive and Quito to Cuenca is 7 1/2 drive time and closer to 9 hours by bus.


From Quito to Baños is about 3 1/2 hrs. with a stop in Ambato ( 2 1/2 hrs. from Quito). From Guayaquil it's about 5 hours to Ambato and another hour to Baños. While Baños is a must-see, I recommend using Ambato as a base to explore that particular area of the Sierras.


I hope this helps.

gyuris
  7/14/2019 16:28 EST

TAME has regular flights from Quito to Cuenca and back.

icemeister
  7/14/2019 17:10 EST

Tame isn't currently flying GYE > Cuenca non-stop according to their website.

When the did, they would often cancel flights. I had two tickets for a flight from CUE to GYE which was cancelled the night before. I had to scramble to get rebooked on Latam which was filling up fast. Then they said I would have to return to Cuenca to get my refund.

After that experience I will never book with Tame again.

Charlie B

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