Posts:
By Dani Blum Early clues suggest that this flu season could be particularly brutal. And while national Covid rates currently appear to be low, researchers expect the virus to circulate more widely in the coming months as people gather for the holidays. If you feel ill...
By Jancee Dunn Before she stopped drinking alcohol eight years ago, Cecily Mak drank daily to “soften the edges of life.” She couldn’t socialize without a “boozy assist.” Mak, the author of “Undimmed,” an upcoming book about rethinking alcohol use, told me that many...
For medical tourists and long-term expats in Cuenca, the search for the "best dentist" often begins with a name. While finding a highly skilled individual is important, the reality of modern specialized dentistry—particularly for complex procedures like dental...
By Rachel Fairbank Even if you are a long-time smoker, there are some surprising, and even immediate, benefits to quitting. Every year, half a million Americans die from smoking-related causes, while an estimated 16 million Americans are living with smoking-related...
By Sanjay Mishra You know the feeling. You slurp that diet soda relishing the sweet taste without the guilt or calories associated with sugar. But a new study suggests that these artificial sweeteners may not be as harmless as once thought; they may even increase the...
By Gretchen Reynolds Maria Branyas Morera’s life was simple. She enjoyed yogurt, gardening, sleep, books, walks, friends, playing the piano and dogs. But her lifespan was remarkable — and also inscrutable. When she died last year, aged 117 and still in relatively good...
One of the most frequent questions for expats moving to Ecuador—aside from where to find the best cup of coffee—is how to navigate the healthcare system. Since health insurance is now a legal requirement for residency visas, the decision is no longer just about "if,"...
To follow the news about Ecuador from abroad is to experience a masterclass in cognitive dissonance. One headline blares, "State of Emergency Declared as Violence Surges." The next, often on the same day, glows, "World's Best Retirement Haven Offers Unbeatable Quality...
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, "most affordable" can mean two different things: the cheapest option today, or the option that costs the least over your lifetime. Let's break down the options from "most affordable" (cheapest upfront) to "best value"...
In January 2024, Ecuador was thrust into the international spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The headlines were terrifying. José Adolfo Macías Villamar, the notorious gang leader known as "Fito," vanished from his prison cell. In what was clearly a coordinated and...
The "best" country for dental work depends entirely on what you need. The world of dental tourism is highly specialized, with different countries building reputations for different types of care. Before you book a flight, it's essential to understand the financial...
It is the first question every prospective expat asks, and, more pointedly, the first one their concerned family members ask: "But is Ecuador safe?" This question is almost always followed by a link to an alarming headline. And in 2024 and 2025, those headlines have...
The new variant, called A/H3N2 K, which was first identified in Australia and New Zealand in August, has now been detected in over 30 countries. “Current epidemiological data do not indicate a major increase in disease severity, although this genetic shift marks a...
By Daryl Austin If you’ve ever blamed a lousy night’s rest on stress, room temperature, or your mattress, you might be overlooking the smallest — and arguably most influential — piece of your sleep setup: your pillow. It may look like a basic rectangle of fluff, but...
When you are researching a life-changing procedure like All-on-4, it is easy to use the words "best" and "cheapest" interchangeably. But in the world of medical tourism, they are often opposites. The "cheapest" country is a race to the bottom. It's about finding the...
No place is perfect, not even Cuenca. Any publication, blog, or YouTube channel that sells you a problem-free, sun-drenched paradise of $2 lunches and perfect weather is doing you a profound disservice. To truly thrive as an expat, you must go in with your eyes open,...
If you've experienced the "sticker shock" of a $5,000+ quote for a single dental implant , your next question is obvious: "What is a cheaper alternative?" Yes, there are two primary alternatives to implants that are cheaper upfront. But it's critical to understand the...
By Anahad O’Connor As you get older, your body will invariably begin to shed muscle. This age-related decline in muscle mass starts at about age 30 and accelerates after you turn 60. It can cause a loss of strength, endurance and mobility. Severe muscle loss in older...
For US, Canadian, and European expats, one of Ecuador's most attractive, stabilizing, and profoundly comforting features has nothing to do with snow-capped mountains or 16th-century cathedrals. It has everything to do with the cash in your wallet. Since the year 2000,...
If you are missing a single tooth, your dentist will almost certainly present you with two main options: a traditional dental bridge or a dental implant. The choice is not always easy. In the US, a bridge is often slightly cheaper and faster, while an implant is a...
