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Grand opening – New Gaes hearing center on Ordóñez Lasso.
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new GAES Hearing Center on Ordóñez Lasso, Cuenca. To celebrate this important moment, we are offering completely free hearing services for the entire community.
During our opening month, you’ll be able to access free audiometry tests (hearing evaluations), free hearing aid trials, and free personalized consultations with our licensed professionals. If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing or simply want to take care of your auditory health, this is a great opportunity to get checked at no cost and with no obligation.
Our team is fully bilingual, and we are happy to welcome both local residents and international community members. We are committed to making your experience as comfortable and accessible as possible. At GAES, we believe your hearing health is an essential part of your overall well-being. Taking care of it today can make a meaningful difference in your quality of life.
We look forward to welcoming you to our new location in Ordóñez Lasso.
GAES Ordoñez Lasso
https://maps.app.goo.gl/euxvXpa8BuqJRdWk6
WhatsApp: 098 033 9934
City: Cuenca
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Pool health insurance plans are designed to offer stable premiums and comprehensive coverage by spreading risk across a large group of people. However, there are times when these plans do not perform as expected, leading brokers to seek better solutions for their clients. One of the primary reasons a pool health insurance plan might not work as anticipated is the occurrence of higher-than-expected claims vs low premiums. When the number or cost of claims exceeds projections, it can strain the financial resources of the pool. This situation can lead to increased premiums or reduced benefits, making the plan less attractive for policyholders. Still, the most important concern is that the plan could not be renewed with the same company. So, you lose a year of the two waiting periods for preexisting conditions. If too many high-cost members join the pool, it can become unbalanced, leading to higher costs and premiums for everyone. Inadequate management of the pool can manifest in various ways, such as poor claims processing, insufficient customer service, or failure to maintain a balanced risk pool. When an insurer does not manage the pool effectively, it can lead to dissatisfaction among policyholders and the plan’s eventual failure to meet its objectives. Switching Companies is a tool that the broker finds cannot meet the needs of the pool, brokers may recommend switching to a different provider. This decision ensures clients receive the best possible coverage and service. Brokers must keep their clients informed about the reasons for any changes in their insurance plans. When a pool plan underperforms, they should evaluate alternative plans that offer better stability and coverage.
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Rather than know and resolve to the fact that just you can no longer afford to do your needed Dental Work in the US, there is a superb saving grace option looking at you in the mouth. Coming to Cuenca, Ecuador, enables you to have the best of both worlds in easily affording your Dental Needs being taken care of in perfect English, plus also receiving an amazing vacation on top of it.
Get a FREE ($0.00) review of your X-Rays sent from your US Dentist and receive a clearly explained “Dental Treatment Plan” (again in perfect English) in hours to a day or so.
Contact Adam (your American Administrator) in English at the “Smilehealth Ecuador Dental Clinic” via WhatsApp at +593 98 392 9606 to explain what’s gone awry or missing with your mouth, as he responds 7 days per week, usually in minutes, whether it’s day, night, a weekend, or even an EC/US holiday!
WhatsApp: +593 98 392 9606
Email: info@smilehealthecuador.com
Address: Medimagen Building, Av. Pumapungo & Av. Paseo de los Cañaris (2nd floor), right here in Cuenca!
Website: www.smilehealthecuador.com
Adam Elliot Altholtz ("Smilehealth Ecuador Dental Clinic")
Adam Elliot Altholtz serves as the Administrator & Patient Coordinator of the “Smilehealth Ecuador Dental Clinic” in Cuenca, Ecuador, and for purposes of discussing your Dental needs or questions, is available via email at info@smilehealthecuador.com and via the Dental Clinic’s fully comprehensive and detailed website smilehealthecuador.com for you to visit at any time of day or night. Plus, you can reach Adam directly by WhatsApp at +593 98 392 9606 or by his US phone number of 1‐(941)‐227‐0114, and the Dental Clinic’s Ecuador phone number for local Expats residing in Cuenca is 07‐410‐8745. See Adam’s articles.
Finally, Adam, as your fellow Expat and friendly Administrator of this Expat-serving Dental Clinic in Cuenca, is always glad to make 100% FREE ($0.00) recommendations to Expats (REGARDLESS of whether they're a patient of the Dental Clinic) for the best and most qualified ENGLISH-SPEAKING Professionals in Cuenca, in paying it forward to assist you with planning your best possible trip and maybe even the rest of your life in beautiful Ecuador!
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What an opportunity! Take advantage now of a great home on the beach in Ecuador. Fresh seafood an excellent walking beach a pool and comes completely furnished too all at a very affordable price. This house was built to North American standards. All plugs are grounded. PVC double pane insulated windows. It even comes with a beach car.
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This is a nice opportunity to buy and own a nice eco-lodge situated on an upper Amazon basin (950 meters over the sea), and scattered in our reserve (sanctuary of birds and butterflies), with an unbeatable view over the “Sangay” National Park, Sangay, Altares, Chimborazo Tungurahua Volcanoes, and “Pastaza and Puyo” Rivers.
The eco-lodge has 25 rooms for simple, double and triple occupancy plus 48 hectares (160 acres) of virgin rainforest, 30 Km from Puyo city, km 14 route to Pomona town, Pastaza Province, Ecuador South America.
Please see our web page: www.altosdelpastazalodge.com where you can see our videos y photo gallery that show our eco lodge and reserve
Those with a genuine interest in this Ecuador Amazon Eco-lodge and unique profit and environmental opportunity should contact for terms and price at boaltosdelpastazareservelo@gmail.com WhatsApp +593-984184069
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If you are filing for a Temporary/Permanent visa, I offer a 100% money back guarantee. That’s right. If I don’t get you your visa, you pay nothing. My name is Isabel Mosquera. I am an Ecuadorian, who studied and lived in Canada for many years. I have been a Visa Facilitator for over 7 years and have assisted more than two hundred and fifty Expats in obtaining their Visas, Temporary and Permanent, Cedulas, Translations, Health Insurance, housing and much more. These services are available as one fee package or individually. I own a car, so transportation is always included at no extra charge. I have always gotten my clients their Visas, even under the most difficult of circumstances, such as unreadable fingerprints for FBI reports. Have you moved to Ecuador without the required documents? Don’t worry, I can help. I offer free consultations, either by telephone, email or in person. I am at the Immigration office on a very regular basis, so I am knowledgeable about all recent changes in the law and am happy to share my knowledge with you. I will be happy to provide you with references.
I look forward to serving you.
Isabel Mosquera
0999603663
Contact information:
More images and booking directly through AirBnb at: airbnb.com/h/la-casita-cuenca
Enjoy our private 2-bedroom “casita” in a secure, gated community. You get a full kitchen, secure parking, and access to a large, beautiful shared yard.
The space
Escape to our charming and private 2-bedroom “casita” (little house), securely tucked away inside a quiet, gated community. This cozy guesthouse is your perfect home base, offering the privacy of a separate building with access to a beautiful, expansive garden.
It’s the ideal spot for a solo traveler, a couple, or a couple with one child.
This standalone guesthouse is fully self-contained:
Two Bedrooms: One bedroom features a comfortable double bed, and the second bedroom has a twin bed.
Full Kitchen & Dining: Prepare your own meals in the kitchen, equipped with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. Enjoy your food at the spacious wooden dining table.
Full Bathroom: A clean, functional bathroom with a shower. (Important Layout Note: The bathroom is an ensuite, and you must walk through the main (double) bedroom to access it. For this reason, the casita is perfect for a family or couple, but may not be ideal for friends or travelers who require separate bathroom privacy.)
Cozy Vibe: With its warm wood furnishings and quiet setting, the casita feels like your own private cottage.
Guest access
Our property is a small, private compound with three houses, all located within a secure gated community.
Contact information:
There is a new visa category for persons working online. It gives the opportunity to foreigners who have a job under a sponsor relationship or business owners.
For more information, contact Dra. Lina Ulloa at:
Email: uz.asesoresecuador@gmail.com,
Address: Av. Jose Peralta 1-19 and Av. 12 de Abril, Acropolis Building, 3rd Floor, office 312.
Telephone numbers: (07) 410-3588 or 098-420-5336
Contact information:
Casa Aguacolla is holding a small, intentionally paced San Pedro ceremony on January 31 in Sigsig (approximately 90 minutes from Cuenca). This is a San Pedro ceremony specifically for expats and globally rooted adults
The ceremony is led by Tayta Iván within traditional Andean lineage-based practice, with English-language support and orientation from Colleen.
This is an English-speaking ceremonial container designed for expats and globally rooted people navigating life between cultures, systems, and identities. The focus is on clarity, grounding, and integration — not intensity or spectacle.
The day unfolds slowly and includes:
-Traditional San Pedro ceremony
-A meditative walk in nature (uneven Andean terrain; baseline comfort with walking and altitude is important)
-Temazcal (sweat lodge)
-Overnight lodging at our ceremony space
-A simple breakfast the following morning
This is a full-day ceremonial arc with overnight stay.
Transportation coordination support from Cuenca is available.
This offering emphasizes preparation, consent, physical awareness, and how insights are carried back into real-world life after ceremony.
Participation begins with orientation and conversation.
This container is intentionally small and will be finalized shortly.
This container may not be a fit for people seeking a recreational, touristic, or high-intensity experience.
We will also hold traditional, Spanish-dominant community ceremonies regularly and additional offerings later in the year.
If you feel drawn to this ceremony before the container closes, or would like to inquire about similar or future opportunities, you’re welcome to reach out.
Held with care, intention, and respect for the medicine and each participant’s life.
Contact information:
Sponsored by CCN Spanish School
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Playing chess offers numerous cognitive, emotional, and social benefits, enhancing skills such as memory, problem-solving, and concentration.
Come, enjoy and meet new friends!
Fridays and Sundays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Opening soon!!!
Contact information:
When a foreign citizen uses a real estate property as support for his/her temporary visa, this property immediately acquires a prohibition to sell or transfer also known as “prohibition to alienate”, this figure assures that this property will continue to serve as support for as long as the person holds the temporary visa. However, once the foreign citizen has obtained the permanent visa, he/she can request the lifting of the prohibition of alienation to sell, donate, assign or transfer the real estate in any way he/she wishes, since this prohibition will only be in force until the permanent visa is obtained.
In order to carry out the process of lifting the prohibition of alienation it will be necessary to have a “certificate of encumbrances” issued by the property registry of the city, which will later be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility so that they, as an authorized Institution, review this request and once it is admitted, order by means of an official letter addressed to the property registrar, the lifting of such prohibition.
If you find yourself in need of selling a real estate property with a prohibition of alienation and you need legal assistance, contact Ulloa Zamora & Delgado Legal Solutions, where you will be assisted by attorney Lina Ulloa, a lawyer with a doctorate in law and specialist in immigration law and real estate.
Email: uz.asesoresecuador@gmail.com
Telephones: 0984205336, 0998672687, 4103588.
Contact information:
After that first “reality check,” most expats ask: “Okay, so how do I actually handle this system long-term?”
Here is the unfiltered truth: The IESS is a tool for your routine, not a safety net for your life. If you’re thinking about the IESS for a surgery or a major medical procedure, you’re playing a dangerous game. We’re talking about a system that, as of late 2025, has over 13,300 surgeries on its waitlist, with people waiting months—sometimes years—just to get into an operating room.
And it’s not just the wait. Hospital reports and news outlets like Primicias have highlighted a chronic medicine shortage that often hits 40% or more, meaning even if you get the surgery, the hospital might not have the basic supplies or painkillers you need for recovery. That’s not a system you trust with a scalpel; that’s a system you use for an X-ray when you’re not in a hurry.
So, how do you play it smart? You use it for the basics.
The IESS is “fine” for your annual blood work, routine check-ups, or getting a prescription for standard meds—assuming they have them in stock that day. It’s for the stuff that doesn’t keep you up at night. But the second things get serious, or if you need a specialist who actually has the tools to treat you? You go private. Period. You don’t wait in limbo while the bureaucracy figures out its budget.
The only real “heavy” value the IESS provides is for catastrophic conditions—things like HIV, Cancer, or Hemophilia—simply because the State is legally obligated to cover those astronomical costs. But even then, it’s a constant battle against stock shortages and paperwork.
In hindsight, the expats who are most satisfied with their healthcare in Ecuador are the pragmatists. They keep their IESS contribution active for the routine “maintenance” and the legal backup for rare diseases, but they keep a private plan (or a very healthy emergency fund) for anything that involves a hospital bed.
Living with IESS isn’t about blind faith. It’s about knowing exactly where the system breaks—and making sure you’re nowhere near it when it does.
Click here to see Part 1: https://cuencahighlife.com/classifieds/iess-in-ecuador-the-safety-net-vs-the-reality-check/
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THE REGULATION OF THE HUMAN MOBILITY LAW, which we have waited so long for, is only expected to be published in the Official Registry so that it becomes effective.
The last paragraph of Article 84 of the Regulation establishes that “For purposes of continuity of permanence, the foreign person may not leave the country for more than ninety (90) days during the entire period of validity of the temporary residence visa”
For more information, contact Dra. Lina Ulloa at:
Email:uz.asesoresecuador@gmail.com
Address: Av. Jose Peralta 1-19 and Av. 12 de Abril, Acropolis Building, 3rd Floor, office 312.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS: (07) 410-3588/098-420-5336
Contact information:
An Amparo visa is granted to dependents as an extension of somebody who already holds a temporary or permanent visa. These visas are also called “Amparo” (Dependent) visas.
In the new provisions of the law for visas of ´´Amparo´´ under marriage it is necessary that the marriage be registered in Ecuador.
For more information, contact:
Dra. Lina Ulloa
Immigration, Civil and Constitutional Lawyer
Email: uz.asesoresecuador@gmail.com
Address: Av. Jose Peralta 1-19 and Av. 12 de Abril, Acropolis Building, 3rd Floor, office 312.
Telephone numbers: (07) 410-3588 or 098-420-5336
Contact information:
Among those of us living in Ecuador, the IESS is often talked about as the ultimate safety net. There’s a common assumption that while we can handle everyday checkups privately, the public system will be there to catch us when things get heavy—major surgeries, long hospital stays, or treatments that would otherwise wipe out our savings.
And the truth is, sometimes it works exactly like that.
We all know someone who went through a complex procedure or a serious emergency at an IESS hospital and came out relieved, well-cared for, and without a massive bill. In those moments, the system does exactly what it’s built for. The medical teams are highly skilled, the care is substantial, and families avoid financial ruin.
But we have to be honest: that’s only one side of the coin.
Many others hit a “reality check” the moment hospital-level care is required. You’ll hear about urgent surgeries being pushed back, “no beds available,” or a specific surgical supply that’s suddenly out of stock. As the days pass, families are often told that if they buy certain medications or materials themselves, things might finally start moving.
For an expat, this is a tough pill to swallow. On paper, you’re covered. In reality, timing is everything, and waiting isn’t always an option. Many end up switching to private care—not because they want to pay twice, but because they feel they have no other choice.
In our community, both stories circulate: the flawless surgery and the stressful delay that forced someone back into the private sector. Both stories are real.
The bottom line? The IESS can be a powerful financial shield for major medical issues, but it isn’t always predictable.
In Part 2, we’ll dive into how these realities shape the way many of us choose to balance public and private healthcare here in Ecuador.
Click here to see Part 2: https://cuencahighlife.com/classifieds/living-with-iess-part-2-use-it-for-the-small-stuff-run-for-the-big-stuff/
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Casa Aguacolla — Artes Curativas is opening a New Year San Pedro (Aguacolla/Huachuma) ceremony on January 31, created specifically for expats and globally rooted people living between cultures, systems, and identities.
This ceremony is held slowly and intentionally.
Life abroad often brings freedom, perspective, and expansion — alongside fragmentation, fatigue, and long-term uncertainty. Many expats carry these layers quietly while continuing to function across work, language, relationships, and responsibility.
San Pedro is approached here as a medicine of clarity, orientation, and coherence — a way of meeting oneself honestly within the life one is already living. The day unfolds with time for grounding, rest, reflection, and gentle movement, allowing insight to arise without being rushed or directed.
The ceremony includes San Pedro, a meditative walk in nature on uneven Andean terrain, a Temazcal (sweat lodge), tea and light snacks after ceremony, overnight lodging, and breakfast the following morning. A baseline comfort with walking outdoors and altitude is important.
This is not about escape or intensity. It is about presence, discernment, and learning how to move forward with greater steadiness and care.
Date: January 31, 2026, 11:00am start
Energy exchange: $220 (all-inclusive)
Location: Sigsig, Azuay (≈90 minutes from Cuenca)
Language: English (bilingual Spanish/English ceremony)
Participation begins with orientation and conversation.
Held with care, intention, and respect for the medicine and each participant’s life.
Contact information:
All foreigners who require APOSTILLE OF ECUADORIAN DOCUMENTS at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility are informed that now the apostille process can be requested online, payment must be made at Ban Ecuador in cash and the receipt payment and the original or translated document must be delivered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility in the city of Azogues.
Once this process is completed, the apostille will be sent to your registered email address.
For further information, please contact Dr. Lina Ulloa Lina Ulloa or Atty. Jose Zamora at the following email addresses:
Contact information:
What happens to your donations of clothing and household items at Hogar de Esperanza? First and foremost, your donations are provided directly to individuals and families in our community who are most in need. We carefully ensure that each item reaches someone for whom it will make a meaningful difference.
Any additional items that remain after these direct donations are sold in our Esperanza Thrift Shop. All proceeds from sales at the thrift shop go directly back into supporting Hogar de Esperanza’s vital programs and services, continuing our mission to assist those facing poverty, illness, and other challenging situations.
Are you moving soon—whether across town, to another city, or perhaps returning to your home country? Do you have items left over after your moving sale or belongings you simply can’t take with you? Let us help you turn these extra items into powerful support for those in need.
We gladly accept all types of donations. You can drop off your items at the Expat Services Center, located at 9-78 Juan Montalvo, between Bolivar and Gran Colombia, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
We also offer convenient pick-up services for your donations. To schedule a pick-up or inquire further, please contact us—we’re here to make it easy for you to make a difference.
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At Red Tag Moving Company we are professional local movers who are punctual, conscious of your budget having very competitive pricing and always fully accountable.
We have been relocating and packing for customers since 2015 employing the exact same crew from day one! We are all fluent in English and our testimonials speak for themselves. Check out our countless referrals on GP or on our FB page, Red Tag Services Cuenca.
We believe our expertise is what makes us the best moving company in Cuenca as we have been voted the Best Local Movers seven years and running.
We have solid and verifiable experience with packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, disassembling and reassembling furniture, maneuvering very heavy and bulky objects in and out of tight spaces and moving them up and down many flights of stairs. We have relocated the entire contents of not just homes and apartments but from countless offices, restaurants and businesses too.
Just need a few things moved? No job to small as we do a ton of pick up and deliveries!
Have things you don’t want to move but want to sell?
Let me do a Red Tag moving sale for you or incorporate your items into my other Red Tag estate sales and consider all your items SOLD!
Local moves only in Cuenca and close surrounding areas only.
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Permanent visas easy. Additionally, we provide services for visa transfers, citizenship, document translations and obtaining required documents from the USA.
We are dedicated to simplifying the expatriate experience for expatriates looking to relocate to Cuenca.
Our mission at Easy Visas-Cuenca is to provide unparalleled assistance and guidance to expatriates navigating the complex process of relocating to Cuenca.
We aim to streamline the visa application process, alleviate bureaucratic burdens, and offer personalized support to ensure a seamless transition for our clients.
Our commitment stems from our personal experiences, and those of others, of the challenges and uncertainties that accompany international relocation.
We focus on streamlining the visa application process, reducing the bureaucratic burdens on our clients, and offering total, professional and personalized support.
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