Ecuador Expat Info
We share Ecuador Expat Info, tips, experiences and services for people who are considering a move to Ecuador and for those who already live here.
Ecuador Expat Info VLOG
KITESURFING CAPITAL of SOUTH AMERICA (and EXPATS LOVE IT! 😍) (6/4/2021) - We've heard a LOT about this popular expat destination since we moved to Ecuador. Several of our viewers have either moved there already, or are planning a move there, so we wanted to go check it out for ourselves.
The REAL Reasons Why We Left Olón (Plus, Manta Ecuador Dentist) (5/27/2021) - In this "day-in-the-life" video, we share the real reasons why we left Olón and moved to Manta, Ecuador.
A REAL Day in Manta Ecuador (May 2021) (5/13/2021) - Daisy hasn't been feeling well for a few weeks. The vet clinic in Olón said she needed an ultrasound, but they didn't have that equipment so we took her to the Manta Pets Veterinary Clinic after we moved here.
Back in Manta Ecuador (Setting the Record Straight!) (5/6/2021) - We're back in Manta Ecuador for this day-in-the-life video, sharing a walk around the Mercado Central area and a visit to Todo Criollo, a speciality spice and bulk-buy store.
Condos for RENT in Manta Ecuador on the Beach (2021) (4/8/2021) - In our last video from Manta, Ecuador, we showed you condos for sale on or near the beach. In this video, we'll show you a few condos for RENT on or near the beach.
Manta Ecuador Affordable Luxury Condos FOR SALE (2021) (3/25/2021) - Magic mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Now we know!
A DELUXE Penthouse in the SKY (Manta Ecuador – March 2021) (3/18/2021) - Our week in Manta ended with a HUGE surprise and a deluxe penthouse in the sky!
How To Get the MOST Out of Your Exploratory Trip to Ecuador (3/11/2021) - If you're like Amelia, you will probably want to visit Ecuador BEFORE moving here. In this video, we give you 10 tips to get the most out of your exploratory trip to Ecuador to help you prepare for your trip and get the most out of your first expat experience.
Things that are STRANGE to Expats, but NORMAL to Ecuadorians! (2/25/2021) - Even after living in Ecuador for more than 3 years, some customs and traditions STILL make us feel a little culture shock!
Should YOU Leave the United States (or YOUR home country) in 2021? (2/18/2021) - Please join us on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 2PM Eastern for our 50,000 Subscriber Live Stream Celebration right here on YouTube!
What SURPRISED us about Ayangue Ecuador + Is it a good place for expats? (2021) (2/2/2021) - Following our visit to Ayampe about 30 minutes north of Olón, several of our viewers asked us to show Ayangue, which is about 30 minutes south of Olón.
PORTUGAL vs. ECUADOR: A Peek Into EXPAT LIFE in Porto Portugal (2021) (1/23/2021) - We teamed up with Josh and Kalie from @Expats Everywhere in Porto, Portugal to create TWO must see videos!
THIS is why we LOVE being EXPATS from the United States (and IMMIGRANTS in ECUADOR) (12/26/2020) - You've been asking to see a video featuring our new eBikes so we took them for a spin along La Ruta Ciclística heading northeast out of Olón. We also talk about the top 10 reasons WHY we love being expats from the United States (and immigrants in Ecuador).
We LOVE Ecuador! But no place is perfect. Here are a few bad things about living in Ecuador (12/17/2020) - Ecuador is a beautiful country and the people are AMAZING! But no place is perfect and if you're considering a move to Ecuador, you deserve to have all the information. So in this episode, we reluctantly discuss the DARK SIDE of Ecuador.
Manta Ecuador: NOT what we EXPECTED (from this POPULAR EXPAT CITY) (12/10/2020) - We were REALLY impressed with Manta and we're already planning our next trip back to film more of the city. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Ecuador, and it's very popular with expats. If you want to live by the beach, but you prefer a modern city with all the amenities, this might be the perfect spot for you.
9 things that AMAZED us about AYAMPE ECUADOR (12/1/2020) - This video has been several weeks in the making. We went to Ayampe Ecuador just 30 minutes north of Olón a few weeks ago to film a walk-and-talk, but it was too windy to talk so we decided to capture the natural beauty of Ayampe and narrate it later.
Can you get ELECTRIC BIKES in ECUADOR? YES! And the COST might SHOCK you! (ElectroBike Guayaquil) (11/24/2020) - During the pandemic, when the taxis and buses weren't running, we were forced to walk 2 miles to Montañita to get cash from the ATM and groceries from Tía. That prompted a frequently asked question, "Can you buy e-Bikes in Ecuador and how much do they cost?"
Is Cuenca STILL The Best Place in Ecuador to Start Your Expat Life Abroad? (11/16/2020) - Since we left Cuenca and moved to the small rural beach town of Olón Ecuador back in February 2020, lots of people have asked us if we still recommend Cuenca as the best place to start as an expat in Ecuador. In this video, we take a walk down memory lane while we attempt to answer the question, Is Cuenca Still The Best Place in Ecuador to Start Your Expat Life Abroad?
Ecuador Cost of Living for Two American Expats (2020) (10/25/2020) - This is our annual cost of living update for Olón Ecuador. We kept track of every expense we incurred in September 2020 and compiled them into this video and a REALLY long blog post.
Our Hike Up Santa Ana Hill in Guayaquil Ecuador + US Passport Renewal Process in Ecuador (Oct 2020) (10/15/2020) - Cerro Santa Ana or Santa Ana Hill in Guayaquil is the original site of Ecuador's largest city and a popular tourist attraction. We hiked up the 444 steps to the church and lighthouse, and share the incredible views of Guayaquil in this video.
Guayaquil’s Beautiful Malecón 2000 + Seminario Iguana Park & 200 Year Independence Exhibit (2020) (10/8/2020) - We went back to Guayaquil to pick-up my repaired laptop and to renew Amelia's passport, so we took a few extra days to enjoy the city and see some tourist attractions.
Things We Got WRONG About Ecuador & EXcetera (According to Our Viewers) (10/1/2020) - Is it WINTER? Or is it SUMMER? Do we dress like tourists? Is Amelia's tattoo a TRAMP STAMP? We discuss all this and MORE in today's video!
Expats in Ecuador from Queens NYC: A Truly Unconventional, Heartwarming & Inspiring Story! (9/24/2020) - We have the great honor of sharing the inspirational and unconventional expat story of Luis and Kimberly from Soluna Sanctuary & Tea House.
Ecuador: 10 Things That SHOCKED US the MOST (as Expats from the United States) (9/17/2020) - In this episode, we take a long walk in the countryside east of Olón while we share the top 10 things that shocked us most about Ecuador as expats from the United States.
Samborondón Guayaquil Ecuador + COVID Quarantine Update (9/3/2020) - We went back to Guayaquil last weekend to get my laptop, but it wasn't ready yet. I had to login to my computer so they could verify it with Apple for the battery recall/warranty replacement.
Remote Working: The Good, The Bad & The UGLY!!! Plus a few tips to improve your work from home life. (8/31/2020) - I have worked from home for 15 out of the past 25 years and Amelia has been a remote worker for the last 10 years.
The REAL Cost of MOVING to ECUADOR from the United States (or elsewhere) (8/27/2020) - If your goal is to live abroad in Ecuador, you need to have enough money saved up to make your dream a reality.
10 Things We Miss About the United States as Expats in Ecuador + Bohemian Montañita Ecuador (8/20/2020) - A lot of people accused us of bashing the USA with our Why We Left The United States video so we wanted to share some of the things that make the USA amazing!
Guayaquil Ecuador: It’s a LOT Different! (COVID Update Aug 2020 + ¡Ahora con Subtítulos en Español!) (8/13/2020) - This was our first time back in Guayaquil since before the pandemic began and it has changed A LOT.
Our 7 BIGGEST Mistakes when we LEFT the United States (and moved to ECUADOR) (7/30/2020) - A lot of YOUR recent comments have voiced the same concerns we had BEFORE and DURING our move from the United States to Ecuador.
How to Move Abroad from the United States and Live the Expat Dream (10 Crucial Steps) (7/23/2020) - We’re often asked about where to start when moving abroad from the United States to another country like Ecuador.
Ecuador Long Term Rentals: Beachfront Living in Olón Ecuador (2020) (7/16/2020) - We've been living in Ecuador for almost 3 years, and we still get asked if our home has indoor plumbing, running water or dirt floors. We're happy to report that the myth is not reality. While some of the more rustic, locals oriented homes do still have dirt floors, the vast majority of Ecuadorians and expats live in places that would fit anywhere in the US or the developed world.
Top 10 Reasons Why We Chose Ecuador (over Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Portugal, etc.) (7/9/2020) - We considered several other countries before we chose Ecuador as our expat home away from home. In this video, we share the main reasons why we didn't choose Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Uruguay, Portugal, New Zealand or Australia.
THE REAL REASONS WE LEFT THE UNITED STATES (and why we can’t move back) (6/25/2020) - Our only regret is not leaving the United States SOONER! 
Things have CHANGED in Montañita + Hard-to-find items at El Pueblo Market (& Quarantine Update) (6/18/2020) - This was our first time in the main area of Montañita for 3 months, since before the quarantine began.
How could we be so UNPREPARED?! And is MINIMALIST PREPPER an OXYMORON? (5/21/2020) - When the pandemic and quarantine hit, we found ourselves completely unprepared for product scarcity and lack of transportation.
Did we make a HUGE mistake moving to a rural beach town in Ecuador? (A Response Video) (5/13/2020) - We received a LOT of concerned comments on our previous video about our fears living in a small beach town in the country in Ecuador during the coronavirus pandemic so we respond to some of them in this video.
How WE Got Pickpocketed on a SHORT Bus Ride in Ecuador! (2/29/2020) - We were taking a short 50 cent bus ride from Olón to Montañita Ecuador when our pocket got picked and we lost an iPhone worth several hundred dollars.
Olón Ecuador Condo Tour & Cost + Drama on the Beach w/ Mini (our new drone) (2/11/2020) - We give you a room-by-room tour of our condo in Olón Ecuador and share the cost of rent. We also share our first drone footage of Olón and the beautiful coast of Ecuador!
Moving Supplies in Cuenca Ecuador (1/28/2020) - We had a busy day of errands getting ready for our move from Cuenca to Olón Ecuador just north of Montañita on the south central coast. After my weekly massage, we started with lunch at Yúa Resto Bar and then went to Juan Marcet for moving supplies.
Shocking Experience w/ Eye Exam & Glasses in Cuenca Ecuador at SOi Opticas (2020) (1/14/2020) - Our first eye exam and glasses purchase in Cuenca Ecuador at SOi Opticas was efficient, affordable and enjoyable. Being able to see is NOT overrated!
Over the DESERT and through the JUNGLE from Cuenca to Machala Ecuador to apply for my VISA (2020) (1/11/2020) - We're working with Maite Duran from GringoVisas to get our Permanent Residency Visa for Ecuador. She prefers going to the government office in Machala to file the visa applications so we made the trek from Cuenca to Machala Ecuador on Thursday to file our paperwork.
Weather In Cuenca Ecuador + Best Time to Visit & What Clothes to Bring (2020) (1/7/2020) - We get LOTS of questions about the weather in Cuenca Ecuador, as well as the best time to visit Cuenca and what types of clothes to bring to Cuenca. Hopefully this video will help answer some of those questions.
Cuenca vs the Ecuador Coast Comparison: Cost of Living, Conveniences, Climate, Culture & Critters (12/18/2019) - In this video, we compare the cost of living, conveniences, climate, critters and culture between Cuenca, Salinas and the Montañita area.
Tour of Gran Colombia Suites Apartment Hotel in Cuenca Ecuador (2019) (11/26/2019) - We were so happy when Isabel from Gran Colombia Suites reached out to us. She likes watching our channel and wanted to know if we would enjoy a couple of nights at the apartment hotel she manages in El Centro. Since we had never stayed in El Centro before, we jumped at the opportunity!
Dental Tourism in Cuenca Ecuador + the Surprisingly Low Cost of a Crown (11/15/2019) - Dental tourism is a growing trend due to the outrageous cost of healthcare in the US and other developed nations. The quality and cost of my new crown from a highly qualified dentist in Cuenca Ecuador will shock you.
Salinas Ecuador Cost of Living 2019 (w/ REAL Prices) (11/12/2019) - This Salinas Ecuador Cost of Living 2019 video covers rental costs, living expenses, real prices for a variety of things, as well as some other common costs of living in Salinas. If you're thinking about moving to Ecuador, check out our Ecuador Expat Info page for more videos and detailed blog posts...
How to Avoid & Treat Altitude Sickness in Cuenca Ecuador (11/8/2019) - Here are a few suggestions for prevention and treatment of altitude sickness when visiting high altitude cities like Cuenca Ecuador.
Getting from Cuenca to Salinas Ecuador (by land) (10/26/2019) - We're visiting Salinas Ecuador for the very first time! After our trip to Quito was cancelled due to the paro (strike), we decided to come to visit Salinas. While Cuenca is known as the "Athens of Ecuador," Salinas is known as the "Miami of Ecuador." Over the next few days, we'll show you why that is so stay tuned!
Piedra de Agua – Cuenca Ecuador – Baños Azuay (10/24/2019) - After we finished the grueling process of filming and editing our last video, we decided to take a break and visit the Piedra de Agua spa/hot springs in Baños outside Cuenca Ecuador. 