Our New Hometown

Many people have asked about where we are living in Ecuador.  I'll share a little info today.  We chose the coastal town of Manglaralto, Ecuador for a few reasons.

We really wanted to live on the beach!  If we were going to make all the effort of moving to another country, we wanted to see the ocean.  Real estate is so much cheaper in Ecuador, that with even my small teacher pension, we could rent or purchase someplace nice.  Manglaralto is right in the middle between the arid coastal region and the jungle coastal region. After spending Wednesday walking up and down the beach and knocking on doors, we were able to find a great house to rent for our budget. We'll be moving in a week.  

This is our rental "home away from home". We stayed here when we came down in June as well. If you'd like a wonderful suite on the beach, I can help you contact our hosts, Bob and Rox.

This is our new home.  We will be moving in a week right down the beach from our present suite.  

This is the beach.  As you can tell, it is an overcrowded tourist area. The beaches in Ecuador are all public access.  Each morning and evening the fishermen bring in their boats and the whole town helps to haul in the nets to collect the day's catch. Sea turtles are now coming up to lay their eggs, which will hatch some time around Christmas

Manglaralto is not too big or too small, it's just right for us!  We are within walking distance to Montanita, which is a popular tourist town.  Surfers and young world travelers come to Montanita for the excellent surfing and cheap hostels.  It has a very cool vibe, and lots of good restaurants and bars. We can walk there in about thirty minutes or take a taxi for $1.50.  We are also one hour (by bus) from a shopping mall should we need any big items and two hours from Guayaquil, a major city.

Bill tried a street vendors empanada.  He loved it!

We are slowing learning our way around Manglaralto.  We have found the bus stop, bike repair, hardware store, local expat bar, and beach restaurant.  We have learned where to get great whole grain fresh bread, the freshest chicken, and our favorite produce stand.  Every vendor has been kind to us, even through our terrible Spanish.  The town feels very safe and family oriented and everyone has a smile and a "buenos dias" as we walk by. Thanks to the expat friends we have met here, and the great advice we have received from them, this place is already starting to feel like home.