Community Posts
1. At KFC a person has finally become first in line when an older gentleman quietly steps up beside them. What is about to happen, why, and what is the proper response?
2. Why do Expats often have to go shopping for a fridge? Where are the best places to go? What four things should one check before buying one? What’s the safest way to pay for a fridge?
3. At an American style grocery store a stocker is sitting on the ground stocking the bottom shelf. Before asking him / her a question, what will be required?
4. For those who decide to move here, what are some things that would be best done in the States and how might they save the Expat thousands of dollars, time, and headaches?
5. For those wanting a Visa, a Driver’s License, a Car, and a license plate. Which of the following is best for each item: Company, Lawyer, Handler, Facilitator, or do it oneself?
Score:
0. Strongly recommend going to www.MasDespacio.com
1. Probably best to go to www.MasDespacio.com
2. Consider going to www.MasDespacio.com
3. 50/50
4. You might be ok without www.MasDespacio.com
5. I need to talk to you about being a content provider. Please go to www.MasDespacio.com and click Support.
Stay tuned for Quiz #3.
Contact information:
Congratulations Cuenca! You Made the Match!
Watch our Review of the FAAN Shelter Campaign on YouTube and see the Community of Volunteers and Donors who have been working to make Cuenca known as the City that Cares.
You can see the pups too of course.
Our Celebration at Kolo’s Restaurant was FAAN-tastic on Saturday and made even better with the surprise announcement that our Mystery Donor says we did so well, he wants us to “Go for It! and he’ll quadruple donations to add $10,000 toward the land purchase this week”
So we have just seven days Cuenca to raise $1,925 for this special celebratory match that will bring us one step closer to our dream of a permanent, safe, sanctuary for our animals.
If we make it, we will have raised $68,575 toward phase one and the land purchase.
Well Done Animal Lovers, Well Done!
Create a Beautiful Week!
The FAAN-atics
You can donate to the celebration match at FAANecuador.org and/or Volunteer with Us!
Special Hugs to Frank and Kolo Restaurant, Duo NoAN, Photographer, Janet Engelhard our FAAN-atic Volunteers, and FAAN Hero, Jose Gomez
Contact information:
One of the most important things to consider when deciding whether to get private health insurance is to have a clear understanding of what a pre-existing condition is and how it affects coverage. Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available AFTER 24 months from the start of the Health Insurance Policy, and each pre-existing condition has coverage up to $8,500. It’s also important to know that pre-existing conditions do not affect the cost of insurance or cause any client to be denied coverage.
A pre-existing condition is any disease, surgery, or condition that the applicant knows about, whether it occurred recently or more than 20 years ago. The length of time the condition has been present is not relevant. Pre-existing conditions can include illnesses such as hypertension, thyroid disorders, and high cholesterol, as well as more serious conditions such as cancer, surgeries resulting from accidents, kidney stones, and even appendicitis.
Here are two examples of what would be considered pre-existing conditions and what would not:
• If someone has had a mole near their right ear since birth and it has not caused any discomfort or grown before purchasing insurance, it is not considered a pre-existing condition.
• If someone has a mole near their right ear and has a history of skin cancer or begins experiencing discomfort before purchasing insurance, it is considered a pre-existing condition.
Determining whether a condition is considered pre-existing or not can be difficult, but clients can rely on their treating physicians to provide reports that explain the onset of symptoms, among other things. These reports are presented to medical auditors of health insurance companies to confirm or rule out pre-existing conditions. It’s recommended that clients declare any diagnosed illnesses or conditions they are aware of so that the insurance company can determine whether or not it is considered pre-existing based on the medical auditors’ evaluations.
Contact information:
We only need $4,137 to meet FAAN’s Community Match Challenge to double a $20,000 donation by March 15th and we just know that animal lovers in Ecuador and around the world will make that happen and even go beyond our dream.
At FAAN, we’re dreaming big for animal welfare to build the first, modern shelter in South America and make Cuenca proud of our care, love, and respect for all animals.
Big dreams do and can become reality. One of our donors inspired us by sending the FAAN volunteer team this video of Big Dog Ranch in Alabama.
So our ask of you is to dream big with us, become a matchmaker by March 15th, and join the FAAN-attics who believe dreams do come true. FAANEcuador.org
Tour the Big Dog Ranch and Dream with Us:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1mhusPXFxQ&t=286s&ab_channel=BigDogRanchRescue
Contact information:
Presentation & Private Readings for Your Pet to Benefit FAAN!
Join FAAN (Familia Amor Animal Foundation) in our first in a series of Animal Wellness Education programs and a very special presentation to benefit FAAN’s Matching Grant Program!
Wednesday, March 8th, 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Kolo Restaurant, Cuenca
Eden Cross, Expert Animal Communicator will explain how she helps animals and people by giving animals a voice.
Eden has been featured in extensive media for her gift of being able to tell you what your pet is thinking just by looking at a picture of him or her.
This is a free event with donations accepted for FAAN’s matching grant program.
Separate from this presentation, Eden has given FAAN a special gift to help us meet the match of double donations through March 15th. WOW! Eden is donating her $85.00 pet reading fee for FAAN’s new shelter and will do a private reading of your pet. Attendance at the presentation is not required and you can live anywhere in the world to have this special pet reading of your best friend while supporting the creation of Ecuador’s most modern and sustainable shelter.
Eden will just need a photograph, the name of your pet, and 2-3 specific questions with your donation received by March 8th. Write us at info@faanecuador.org for details and or/register for the event and/or pet reading on our Events Page.
So Help us Help the Dogs of Ecuador and Get to Know what Your Pet is Really Thinking.
Contact information:
Months ago, an expat client who had recently arrived in Cuenca suffered an accident just a few days after signing his health insurance policy. He fell and broke his nose, and instead of calling me, his insurance agent, he called a taxi to take him to the hospital. After being seen by a doctor and a specialist who ordered x-rays, he paid and left without knowing the test results.
Three days later, the client called me to inform me that he was upset because the doctor had not called him to discuss the results and any necessary surgery. I was confused as to why the doctor would need to call him, but upon speaking to the client again, I realized that he did not understand how the medical system in Ecuador worked. I explained in detail how the system operates and how to proceed if he has another accident or incident.
The good news is that BMI, covered the cost of the nose reconstruction, medication and lab work, since it was an accident and had immediate coverage. The lesson learned from this situation is that expats in Ecuador should know that the medical process is completely different than what they are used to.
My advice to expats is to call their insurance agent if they need any help related to healthcare. At least that is how I work. It is my job to be with them and help them while they focus on getting better.
Contact information:
Cuenca Expat Insurance is a health insurance broker agency that has been serving expats living in Ecuador for the past four years. We specialize in providing a wide range of insurance services, with a focus on health insurance. Our agency has grown significantly in the past year, now serving over 500 clients.
Health insurance is by far the most popular service that we offer. We have paid out almost 95% of all health insurance claims submitted to us in the past year. We understand that health insurance can be a complex and confusing subject, and we are dedicated to making the process as simple and straightforward as possible for our clients.
We work closely with BMI insurance, among others. It is important to know that the company that you are with has strong financial reports year to year. BMI publishes theirs online making it easy for you to find: https://www.bmicos.com/ecuador/estados-financieros-ecuador/)
In addition to health insurance, we also offer a range of other insurance services, including life insurance, travel insurance, and property insurance. We are constantly expanding our services to meet the changing needs of our clients and to ensure that we are providing the best possible service.
Cuenca Expat Insurance by Millennial Brokers is a leading health insurance broker agency that is committed to providing high-quality service and support to expats living in Ecuador.
Click here to learn more about us: https://cuencaexpatinsurance.com/
Contact information:
FAAN (Familia Amor Animal Foundation) is pleased to recognize our FAAN Community Matchmakers who are donating to the building of a new home for our FAAN Dogs who are facing eviction from their temporary shelter.
A generous donor says he’ll double every donation received through March 15th. This means $25 becomes $50, a gift of $100 becomes $200 and a generous gift of $1,000 is $2,000 for the shelter.
PS: Send us a picture with your pet as we profile animal lovers/Matchmakers who are making a difference to improve animal welfare and Make Cuenca Proud!
Visit us at FAANEcuador.org and learn about our mission and the project and how you can join our building team as a “Matchmaker”
Contact information:
As 2023 begins, it is a good time to review your health insurance coverage and make any necessary changes. With the start of a new year, you may have new health needs or goals that your current insurance policy does not cover. It is important to take the time to review your policy and make sure it meets your needs. Additionally, the new year is a good time to enroll in a health insurance plan if you do not currently have one. Don’t wait until you are faced with a medical emergency to realize the importance of having insurance. Make sure you are protected and prepared for any potential health issues in the new year by reviewing and potentially updating your health insurance. I have written an overview for new expats, and all expats who have lived here longer, about the need to have good private health insurance in Ecuador.
As an expat living in Ecuador, it is important to consider the role that health insurance plays. Even though Ecuador does have a public healthcare system, it is limited in terms of availability of medicine, supplies and quality of care. Although medical care in Ecuador may be less expensive than in some other countries, it is still important to be protected and have access to quality medical care in the event of unexpected illness or injury.
However, living in Ecuador can change and improve your lifestyle tremendously. It can certainly increase the chances of living a healthy life, but it is not a guaranteed. There are many other factors that can impact an individual’s health, such as genetics, environmental factors, and access to healthcare. There are silent illnesses, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and heart disease, that can often go undetected until they become more serious and lead to serious complications. These conditions can be life-threatening if not properly managed, making it important to have access to quality healthcare and medical treatment. Health insurance can help cover the costs of treatment for these silent illnesses and ensure that expats have access to the necessary medical care.
Health insurance can help cover the costs of medical treatment and ensure that expats have access to quality healthcare while living in Ecuador. It can also provide peace of mind knowing that you are financially prepared in the event of an unexpected medical emergency.
The quality of private health insurance in Ecuador varies. Some private insurance providers offer comprehensive coverage with access to a wide network of healthcare providers and facilities. These policies may have higher premiums but offer more protection in the event of unexpected illness or injury. Other private insurance policies may have lower premiums but more limited coverage, such as only covering certain types of treatment or requiring higher out-of-pocket costs. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any private health insurance policy before purchasing to ensure that it meets your needs and provides adequate protection.
It is very important to have an insurance agent when purchasing health insurance in Ecuador. An agent can be a helpful resource in understanding the different options available and determining the best policy for your needs. Find one who speaks your native language may be helpful if you are not fluent in Spanish or have difficulty understanding the terms and conditions of different insurance policies.
Besides, the availability of English-speaking doctors in Ecuador may vary depending on the location and specialty. In larger cities or more tourist-oriented areas, it may be more common to find doctors who speak English. If you are an expat living in Ecuador and do not speak Spanish fluently, your agent should help you research and find doctors who speak English or who have staff members who can assist by translating.
Overall, it is highly recommended for expats living in Ecuador to have health insurance to protect their health and financial wellbeing. It is also important to consider other factors that may impact your health, such as genetics and environmental factors, and to make healthy lifestyle choices to improve your chances of living a healthy life. It is important to carefully research and compare different private health insurance options before making a decision to ensure that it meets your needs and provides adequate protection. It may also be helpful to work with an insurance agent or find doctors who speak your native language to ensure effective communication during the process of purchasing and using health insurance in Ecuador.
Click here to learn more: https://cuencaexpatinsurance.com/health-insurance/
Contact information:
What is the point of hiring someone to process your visa if you have to go with them and waste your whole morning at the government offices?
At Expat Community EC we include in our package a power of attorney that authorizes us to carry out the visa and cedula process for you. This way we guarantee that your visa and your ID are not a headache for you.
The only thing you have to do is go to the Civil Registry for your fingerprints and the photo for your Ecuador ID
25% discount on retiree visas
Visit our website: http://www.expatcommunityec.com
Contact information:
You’ve got no choice now, as or if that little issue has now become a big one. In that case, you’re going to Mediation/Arbitration, or even Court to settle this one.
It doesn’t matter which legal venue, as just you need to make sure that the best lawyer in the room is that of your own! You need Attorney Sara Chaca. Plus, see BOTH of Attorney Sara’s “CuencaHighLife” published articles on this specific theme and directly associated legal matters right here!: https://cuencahighlife.com/ecuador-legal-cases-ecuadorian-court-matters-case-filings-appeals-and-the-like/ AND https://cuencahighlife.com/ecuadorian-mediation-and-alternative-dispute-resolution-in-ecuador/
Email Sara today for free answers to your questions. Or schedule a complimentary phone consult or office visit. Remember, Attorney Sara Chaca is here to help you get the most out of your life in Ecuador.
Website: www.ecuadorvisas.com
Email: sara@ecuadorvisas.com
Phone: 099-296-2065 (Ecuador) OR 1-800-655-1581 (USA)
Physical Address: Calle Larga 6-16 & Hermano Miguel (2 story office building with balcony that shows directly above it the words “Ecuador Visas”)
Contact information:
You used your Bank CD to get your Residency Visa, or maybe even for some other purpose. Many expats do, and for varying reasons as you might imagine. But now it’s time to renew it or undo it, and you’re not sure if you want to, or how to do so at that, including whether you have to get your Visa backed by something else or cancelled before you do (all kinds of variables to think about in any situation)!
That’s okay though, as Attorney Sara Chaca knows how to protect your investment and your Residency status, plus the details and know-how with respect to the necessary timing and way to do so without getting caught up in bureaucracy or problems as a result of any such failure to get it done on time or in the right way.
Email Sara today for free answers to your questions. Or schedule a complimentary office visit or phone consult with her. Remember, Attorney Sara Chaca is here to help you get the most out of your life in Ecuador.
Website: www.ecuadorvisas.com
Email: sara@ecuadorvisas.com
Phone: 099-296-2065 (Ecuador) OR 1-800-655-1581 (USA)
Physical Address: Calle Larga 6-16 & Hermano Miguel (2 story office building with balcony that shows directly above it the words “Ecuador Visas”)
Contact information:
Naturally, your Facilitator or Lawyer won’t admit that they are/were in error, or worse that they told you something which just isn’t or can’t be so (say nothing of refunding the monies you paid them!).
Attorney Sara Chaca of “Ecuador Visas” is able to discuss the issue with you via email, video call or even in person if convenient (ALWAYS in English of course), so as to serve as the remedy for your Visa & Legal woes. ONLY you need send an email to sara@ecuadorvisas.com to advise briefly what ales you and who is responsible for that pain, per her quickly responding back to you via email (she has a LESS than 24 hour email return policy and often really much closer to 24 minutes).
The time is now to get you and your situation FIXED and done RIGHT, especially BEFORE any new Covid-19 requirements, restrictions or rules further complicate your Visa & Legal matter(s).
Email Address: sara@ecuadorvisas.com
WhatApp: +593 99 296 2065
Phones: 099-296-2065 / 07-410-4087 (Ecuador) OR 1-800-655-1581 (USA Toll-Free)
Physical Address: Calle Larga 6-16 & Hermano Miguel (2 story office building with balcony that shows directly above it the words of “Ecuador Visas”)
Website: www.ecuadorvisas.com
Contact information:
Yes indeed, Attorney Sara Chaca (“Ecuador Visas”) and her fully English speaking staff is ‘Paying it Forward’ by providing a 100% TOTALLY FREE ($0.00) 2 hours of Spanish Lessons for EACH Expat as “ONE-on-ONE” Private Lessons provided to EACH INDIVIDUAL EXPAT (or IF preferable can be together for any couple/family) on a daily basis from Monday to Friday (every non-holiday business day), located at their office of Calle Larga 6-16 & Hermano Miguel.
Email Attorney Sara Chaca at sara@ecuadorvisas.com so as to sign up for this first ever of its kind TOTALLY FREE SERVICE TO ALL EXPATS (NO DONATIONS & NO TIPS permitted under any circumstances whatsoever)!!
Email Address: sara@ecuadorvisas.com
WhatApp: +593 99 296 2065
Phones: 099-296-2065 / 07-410-4087 (Ecuador) OR 1-800-655-1581 (USA Toll-Free)
Physical Address: Calle Larga 6-16 & Hermano Miguel (2 story office building with balcony that shows directly above it the words of “Ecuador Visas”)
Website: www.ecuadorvisas.com
Contact information:
“Find Health in Ecuador Dental Clinic” CARES about your overall health, with special emphasis on your teeth, which is why as stated above, we’re now providing the following benefits to ALL Dental Vacationers who travel to Cuenca to get their (your) Dental Work done right!:
YOUR UPCOMING “DENTAL VACATION PACKAGE” FULLY INCLUDES:
- Private English-speaking Taxi Pickup holding a White Sign with your Printed Name on it at Guayaquil Airport (GYE) going straight to your Airbnb or Hotel in Cuenca.
- Cuenca Airbnb/Hotel stay with breakfast each day (*Ask for details)
- English-speaking Dentists & Staff
- All Dental Costs plus any/all Surgeon fees too
- All Laboratory costs and/or as per any Revisions needed
- All-On Comprehensive Evaluation of your full Dental/Oral Health
- FREE Dental Cleaning & Teeth Whitening
- All Panoramic & Periapical X-Rays
- All 3-D Dental Tomographies (TAC)
- All type Medications/Dental Supplies
- All Occlusal Guards IF needed
- All Post-Operative Care as well as EVERY Follow-Up visit
- FREE ($0 Cost) Day in “Volcanic Spa of Cuenca”: Pool, Dry & Wet Saunas, Thermal Baths & Therapeutic Full Body Mud Mask
Just email your most recent Dental X-Rays to the ‘Find Health in Ecuador Dental Clinic’ (home of Dr. Andres Pacheco as “Dr. No Pain”) TODAY to info@findhealthinecuador.com and we’ll IMMEDIATELY prepare for and send you a plain language English “Dental Treatment Plan” providing you with several relevant options for purposes of planning your Dental Vacation to Cuenca, and of course note that we ALWAYS respond via email in minutes to hours at most and even do so on ALL holidays/weekends!!
Email Address: info@findhealthinecuador.com
WhatsApp: +593 98 392 9606
Phones: 098-392-9606 / 07-410-8745 (Ecuador) OR 1-941-227-0114 (USA)
Physical Address: Edificio Medimagen (Second Floor), Av. Pumapungo & Av. Paseo de los Cañaris, Cuenca, Ecuador 010105
Website: www.findhealthinecuador.com
Contact information:
Just email us your most recent Dental Quotation for new Dental Work ahead received from ANY other Dentist in Cuenca, or if you prefer just send your Dental X-Rays to the ‘Find Health in Ecuador Dental Clinic’ (home of Dr. Andres Pacheco as “Dr. No Pain”) TODAY to info@findhealthinecuador.com and we’ll IMMEDIATELY prepare for and send you a plain language English “Dental Treatment Plan” providing you with several relevant options for purposes of advancing with your Dental Work in Cuenca, and of course note that we ALWAYS respond via email in minutes to hours at most and even do so on ALL holidays/weekends!!
Email Address: info@findhealthinecuador.com
WhatsApp: +593 98 392 9606
Phones: 098-392-9606 / 07-410-8745 (Ecuador) OR 1-941-227-0114 (USA)
Physical Address: Edificio Medimagen (Second Floor), Av. Pumapungo & Av. Paseo de los Cañaris, Cuenca, Ecuador 010105
Website: www.findhealthinecuador.com
Contact information:
Just email us your most recent Dental Quotation for new Dental Work ahead received from ANY other Dentist in Cuenca, or if you prefer just send your Dental X-Rays to the ‘Find Health in Ecuador Dental Clinic’ (home of Dr. Andres Pacheco as “Dr. No Pain”) TODAY to info@findhealthinecuador.com and we’ll IMMEDIATELY prepare for and send you a plain language English “Dental Treatment Plan” providing you with several relevant options for purposes of advancing with your Dental Work in Cuenca, and of course note that we ALWAYS respond via email in minutes to hours at most and even do so on ALL holidays/weekends!!
Email Address: info@findhealthinecuador.com
WhatsApp: +593 98 392 9606
Phones: 098-392-9606 / 07-410-8745 (Ecuador) OR 1-941-227-0114 (USA)
Physical Address: Edificio Medimagen (Second Floor), Av. Pumapungo & Av. Paseo de los Cañaris, Cuenca, Ecuador 010105
Website: www.findhealthinecuador.com
Contact information:
There’s never been a better time to cease being a Renter so as to eliminate your monthly “Rent Receipts” and move onto being your own Landlord, by purchasing your Landlords’ Apartment or House where you currently already reside!!
Email Attorney Sara Chaca at sara@ecuadorvisas.com so as to request a COMPLIMENTARY ($0.00 cost) video call, in person meeting or even just to receive information about her handling your any type Real Estate Closing for you to without any issues or problems, buy your landlord’s Apartment or House, so as to no longer pay them each month and instead you start being able to earn the monthly/yearly appreciation ahead!!!
P.S. Here’s Attorney Sara Chaca’s article on “CuencaHighLife” all about Real Estate Closings: https://cuencahighlife.com/buying-property-in-ecuador-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
Email Attorney Sara Chaca at sara@ecuadorvisas.com so as to request a COMPLIMENTARY ($0.00 cost) video call, in person meeting or even just to receive information about moving to Ecuador”!!!
Email Address: sara@ecuadorvisas.com
WhatApp: +593 99 296 2065
Phones: 099-296-2065 / 07-410-4087 (Ecuador) OR 1-800-655-1581 (USA Toll-Free)
Physical Address: Calle Larga 6-16 & Hermano Miguel (2 story office building with balcony that shows directly above it the words of “Ecuador Visas”)
Website: www.ecuadorvisas.com
Contact information:
With the historic climactic, economic and political messes worldwide, plus even higher levels of danger to ‘life and limb’ that’s currently happening on a daily up in the US specifically, including most of Europe too as well per such uncertainty across the entire globe, there’s NEVER been a more APT time to move to Cuenca, as how referenced in the title above, moving to Cuenca ELIMINATES ALL the monthly costs of Natural Gas/Oil to Cool/Heat homes (the temperature in Cuenca virtually NEVER goes above 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day or virtually EVER below 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night!), besides of course the also obviously DRASTIC overall lower cost of food, rent, plus entertainment & trips around this beautiful country!!
FYI, here’s a first link to the comprehensive “Ecuador Relocation Guide” that Attorney Sara Chaca wrote for purposes of anyone to be able to make their move to Ecuador, in addition to her article on the “10 Things to Know Before Moving to Ecuador” (respectively shown in link #2 and #3 below) which have each been published for your viewing pleasure on “CuencaHighLife”:
- https://cuencahighlife.com/ecuador-relocation-guide/
- https://cuencahighlife.com/ten-things-to-know-before-moving-to-ecuador-part-1/
- https://cuencahighlife.com/ten-things-to-know-before-moving-to-ecuador-part-2/
Email Attorney Sara Chaca at sara@ecuadorvisas.com so as to request a COMPLIMENTARY ($0.00 cost) video call, in person meeting or even just to receive information about moving to Ecuador”!!!
Website: www.ecuadorvisas.com
Email: sara@ecuadorvisas.com
Phone: 099-296-2065 (Ecuador) OR 1-800-655-1581 (USA)
Physical Address: Calle Larga 6-16 & Hermano Miguel (2 story office building with balcony that shows directly above it the words “Ecuador Visas”)
Contact information:
With the historic climactic, economic and political messes worldwide, plus even higher levels of danger to ‘life and limb’ that’s currently happening on a daily up in the US specifically, most of Europe too as well as so very much uncertainty across the entire rest of the globe, there’s NEVER been a more APT time to apply for your Ecuadorian Citizenship in order for you to finally receive your new, shiny and worthwhile Ecuadorian Passport (enables travel to all of South America on ONLY your Ecuadorian Cédula AND Americans can travel to Cuba)!!
FYI, here’s a link to the article Attorney Sara Chaca wrote about applying for Ecuadorian Citizenship, which is also published on ‘Cuenca High Life’ and presently has well in excess of 5,000+ views by your fellow Expats: https://cuencahighlife.com/ecuadorian-citizenship-and-naturalization-heres-the-deal/
Email Attorney Sara Chaca at sara@ecuadorvisas.com so as to request a COMPLIMENTARY ($0.00 cost) video call, in person meeting or even just to receive information about you getting your “Second Passport”!!!
Email Address: sara@ecuadorvisas.com
WhatApp: +593 99 296 2065
Phones: 099-296-2065 / 07-410-4087 (Ecuador) OR 1-800-655-1581 (USA Toll-Free)
Physical Address: Calle Larga 6-16 & Hermano Miguel (2 story office building with balcony that shows directly above it the words of “Ecuador Visas”)
Website: www.ecuadorvisas.com
Contact information: