12% IVA Tax back, Internet service, security systems

There is a 12% IVA tax on many items that you purchase in Ecuador … most packaged food is excluded. It is possible for expats with a cedula, and over age 65 to apply for a refund on a monthly basis. The maximum refund in any month is about $175. The process is somewhat involved, but assistance is available from… Read More

Goat products

Selling the following: Goat’s Milk, Goat Milk yoghurt, and Goat’s milk cheese. Contact: Julie de Pozo 098 538 4399 wpozoec@gmail.com Caroline If you think you might be interested in this in the future, please ask to be added to her mailing list. She also have fresh vegetables, etc.

Quito Airport Accomodation

This is from a recent newsletter from Gary Scott. This is all the contact information provided. La Marmite New Quito Airport Solution #1: Stay within 10 minutes of the airport at La Marmite Hotel & Restaurant. Chef Pierre Mordasini has created a hotel, rental and housing community about 20 miles from Quito (45 minute drive) and eight minutes from the… Read More

Recommendation for accommodations on the coast (of Ecuador)

From: Russell Farquer (rwfarquer@hotmail.com) We have been traveling along the coast, spending some time in Olon (just about 1-1/2 miles north of Mantanita). Beautiful beach, friendly town, several good places to eat. The TERRACE INN, a new hostal/hotel, is extremely nice/comfortable. HOT water, air conditioning, Wi-Fi ; standard room, suites (standard room $50, suite $60 [2 full size beds +… Read More

Massage Therapist (Cotacachi)

I highly recommend Sandra who worked at the La Mirage for many years. She is a very qualified massage therapist and also does manicures and pedicures. She will come to your home. Full body massage for one hour is $20 – pedicure/manicure together is $8. Make an appointment with her by calling 0989340090 Thank you Micky Enright

Medical Services – Prescriptions

Many people who are not here already or at the moment, want to know if they can get certain prescriptions and what the cost will be. For $5, I will go the the local pharmacy and if they don’t have it there, I will find out if they carry it in Ibarra: simply e-mail the name of the drug, its… Read More

Health related newsletter

Greetings! I have decided that I will be starting a heath related newsletter that will be entitled Cotacachi’s Health Matters. It will be available online to anyone and everyone, but its main audience will be the group of foreigners who have decided to make beautiful Cotacachi their home. For those of you who don’t know me, I worked for many… Read More

Spanish Language/Culture course

Hello everyone! A couple of weeks ago we invited Cotacachi expats to join us for a focus group with the University of Otavalo in order to plan classes addressing the need for the local expat community to learn Spanish and equip themselves with the necessary tools to live happily and securely in Ecuador. The March 4th Focus group meeting at… Read More

Nano sim cards for iPhone 5’s

Just wanted anyone who has an iPhone 5 to know nano sim cards are now available here in Ecuador. I got mine at Claro in Quito (QuiCentro Mall upstairs). If you need to talk to someone who speaks English…see David, he’s on the right-hand side as you walk in. Michael Alderman

Massage Therapist (Cotacachi)

I would like to recommend Rosario, a colombian girl who does great massages for $20 the 45 min. She does relaxing massage and she knows what she’s doing, she learned in a course she took in Quito from a teacher from Spain. She is very friendly and clean. She also does facials, treatments anti-aging. She is a certified nutritionist so… Read More