International Living Ecuador

14/11/2022

If you are a horseback riding enthusiast, then Ecuador offers lots of opportunities to ride through scenic mountain trails and explore some of the most outstanding views in the areas surrounding Cuenca, Ecuador. Some friends of mine went on a day trek with Horse Trekking Ecuador (https://www.horsetrekkingecuador.com/) organized by Kim Curls, for a 2-hour ride which started at Rancho San Juan, a beautiful 10-hectare ranch, located 20 minutes from the city of Cuenca where they met their horses. Their ride was in the Tarqui area, starting at Rancho San Juan and riding through the surrounding countryside along a shady dirt road, with stunning views, an easy terrain, well-behaved horses at a pace which suited their riding ability. The ride was followed by lunch at the ranch, a typical Ecuadorian almuerzo with a choice of either pulled pork or chicken, rice, salad, and potatoes. Rancho San Juan (https://www.facebook.com/ranchosanjuancuenca/) is a mountainous lodge and resort with accommodations for up to 16 people, a kitchen and dining area, a large green area for sports, a forest for hiking and firepits to enjoy the mountain air. Kim not only offers day trips, but also six-day stays filled with horseback riding mixed with days exploring Cuenca, a UNESCO heritage site with beautiful Spanish Colonial and French Republican architecture, which also is home to more than 10,000 expats.

08/11/2022

For all you dog lovers. Cuenca, Ecuador treasures their dogs and I walk with them most days on the river trail that runs in back of my house. Running and cycling events are common here, but on Saturday there was a 5K benefiting Cuenca's various animal rescue groups. Thousands of people turned out to enjoy the booths filled with dog toys and equipment and dogs up for adoption. Many dogs participated in the run with the race winner pictured here is surrounded by rescue dogs.

07/10/2022

Okay pickleball lovers, come play in Ecuador. We have around 8 courts located throughout the city and it's growing as more people join us to play. We are in the process of refinishing the courts and there's about 40 people who play throughout the day and lessons several times a week. I'm an 'intermediate beginner' which means I still hit a lot of home runs while playing, but here's the good news: We have only two rules. Anyone who is rude, plays too competitively with people who are learning, or isn't a good sport gets the boot. The second rule is you only pay $5 a month to play. No wonder expats in Ecuador lose an average of 20 pounds when moving here and get healthy. You can play pretty much any time during the day as the weather is temperate.

03/10/2022

17/08/2022

Yes we saw WHALES!!! I'm in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador, which is known for its whale watching tours. We took a 45 minute boat out in the Pacific Ocean and were greeted by whales. It's mating season and the males wave their huge fins to attract females then hurl themselves out of the water to impress. We saw a momma whale and her baby swimming together. Watching the whales breach near us showed me the magnificent of these giant mammals. And long after I'm gone the whales will still be breaching up the coast of South America. Nature is so replenishing for me. Donna Stiteler.

22/04/2022

Easter in Cuenca, Ecuador is a magical religious experience where you see massive celebrations during Holy Week. I went to Palm Sunday where thousands of Ecuadorians went to service in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, known for its three baby blue domes in downtown Cuenca. As a child, I thought Easter was the celebration of the coming of the Easter Bunny. But in Ecuador I've experienced the true meaning of Holy Week, which is inspiring and sometimes a bit bazaar… See more

30/03/2022

Whether your idea of paradise is a sunny Mediterranean beach or the freshness of a high-altitude town, four seasons, or eternal spring, our climate category is designed to help you discover your ideal-weather haven.

Read why the countries below made our top five list, and discover the 2022 titleholder of the best in the climate category.

The countries that claim the best weather and climate in the world all offer a variety of options to retirees—from hot beach areas to moderate...

28/03/2022

"After learning these important lessons, my wife and I now share a moment of gratitude before sitting down to a meal. It is the ideal prelude to a dining experience where you can visualize all of the steps from plant to plate, farm to fork, and sea to spoon. If nothing else, the international experiences that reconnect you to your food make for great mealtime conversations."

In the 10 years that I have lived overseas, I have been fortunate to learn many lessons about the origins of food and the way it is prepared.

24/03/2022

Here are 15 islands, scattered around the globe that make for an affordable retirement.

Here we’ve hand-picked 15 islands, scattered around the globe that make for an affordable retirement. All are locales where you can find privacy, peace...

23/03/2022

The Retirement Index is the most comprehensive and in-depth survey of its kind. It’s the best way we know of to sift through the wealth of opportunity the world offers, bring some order, and help you pinpoint the best destination for you.

If you’re considering retirement abroad, you need information, and you need lots of it. This list of the world's best places to retire in 2022 will give you all the information...

16/03/2022

"We suggest you check out the 2022 Retirement Index from International Living, an annual list of destinations where a retired couple can live comfortably on as little as $2,000 a month."

Dazzling beaches, world-class cities, and $9 healthcare—what's not to love?

15/03/2022

"Moving overseas so I could retire early still feels like some secret that “they” don’t want people to know. I’m not sure why it isn’t the norm rather than the exception.

In retrospect, I feel stupid that it took me around two years of thinking before I made the move. I think that the main thing that was holding me back was simply that moving overseas to enable an early retirement was ‘simply not done.’"

While many people dream about retiring early to enjoy life, far less actually manage to pull it off. Early Retirement can be done by...

10/03/2022

From the snow-clad slopes of the Andes mountains down to the Pacific coast, Ecuador also packs in a range of landscapes and lifestyles. Picturesque mountain towns; vibrant beach communities; colonial gems packed with historic architecture, to bustling and sophisticated big cities. There really is something for everybody. That variety extends to the property market too, with real estate options to fit every budget.

There really is something for everybody. That variety extends to the property market too, with real estate options to fit every budget.

09/03/2022

Freedom, flexibility, and the income to enjoy it. What if you could enjoy the good life anywhere in the world you wanted to be...and get paid while you’re there? Let us show you how to instantly gain the flexibility of a completely portable side income that allows you to earn anywhere there's an internet connection…but with no need to build a website or learn any complex technical stuff. If you like the idea of having a sideline income that goes with you wherever in the world you want to be—this is perfect for you. Fund Your Freedom Workshop—Live and In Person Details here: https://bit.ly/3HSSMHU —register by March 9 to save. Hear from host, Winton Churchill, from our recent conference, below.

08/03/2022

If you’re an expat, or if you’re considering becoming one, now’s the time to ask yourself an important question: How do U.S. taxes work for people who spend part or all of the year abroad?

How the U.S. Taxes Expats The U.S. tax system is almost unique in the world as it taxes based on citizenship. Being taxed based on citizenship

03/03/2022

Record numbers of people of have resigned from the traditional workforce. Having worked from home for most of two years now, they’re not willing to go back into offices or sacrifice the personal time they’ve come to value. Baby boomers, and those on either side of that generation, are now highly sought after.

Record numbers of people of have resigned from the traditional workforce. Having worked from home for most of two years now...

01/03/2022

"The pandemic may have temporarily pumped the brakes on our plans, but we remained steadfast in our desire to travel, enjoy, and learn."

Our plan was to visit countries for one to three months, learn about the cultures, and then move on. We both work remotely, so we thought...

25/02/2022

Whatever your skills, talents, or areas of expertise...from white collar to blue collar...online freelancers—especially those 50+—are in demand. See how, in just a few hours each week, they earn $2,000 a month or more. More information, here: https://bit.ly/3HSSMHU