This $300 apartment includes internet and utilities. Frank and Angie have stayed here many times. The adorable space is perfect for a couple or single has everything you need and close to all the downtown Cuenca Ecuador tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping, etc! Tell Marta Frank y Angie sent you! No, we do not receive anything for this...we're just helping out our friend!
Click here for more information on how to get rentals like this one anywhere in the world!
Welcome to Gringo Good Samaritans, integrated with our 8 years of living in Cuenca Ecuador and traveling the world. We create informative videos and articles helping people come to awareness of what's happening in our world so they can enjoy their retire early lifestyle with their families, healthy, happy and free!
Showing posts with label el centro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label el centro. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2018
$300 Studio Apartment in Downtown (El Centro) Cuenca Ecuador VLOG
This $300 apartment includes internet and utilities. The adorable space is perfect for a couple or single has everything you need and close to all the downtown Cuenca Ecuador tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping, etc! Tell Marta Frank y Angie sent you! No, we do not receive anything for this...we're just helping out our friend!
Click here for more information on how to get rentals like this one anywhere in the world!
Click here for more information on how to get rentals like this one anywhere in the world!
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Every Day Life in Salinas Ecuador
Come along with us and enjoy a bit of every day life in Salinas Ecuador. We're shopping in La Libertad and at the Centro plaza shopping mall.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We lived in Cuenca Ecuador for five years and now we are in Salinas Ecuador where our adventure continues.We vlog several times per week where we share crucial insights and every day experiences to help others see what its really like to live in a Latin American country.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We lived in Cuenca Ecuador for five years and now we are in Salinas Ecuador where our adventure continues.We vlog several times per week where we share crucial insights and every day experiences to help others see what its really like to live in a Latin American country.
Friday, April 1, 2016
A Day Out in Madre Parque & El Centro - Cuenca Ecuador
We're enjoying another day out in Cuenca Ecuador. This is a typical day out walking around in the city of Cuenca; you never know what you might see and hear.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
5 Most Popular Gringo Neighborhoods in Cuenca Ecuador, with Maps!
Please take note: even though the neighborhoods we list in this article are popular with gringos that live in Cuenca, gringos live everywhere in Cuenca, not just in these areas.
Take a look at the city map of Cuenca where we list the 5 areas that are popular with gringos and it will give you an idea of where each one is located within the city. You will want to click on the maps to enlarge.
1. Gringolandia – Ordonez Lasso & Las Americas
Now that the whole city is Gringolandia this would be the “old” Gringolandia, and is mostly made up of high rise apartments and some detached houses. The high rise apartment buildings that make up the first mile of Ordonez Lasso are dotted along the Tomebamba River. The units have 24hr security, elevators, nice city views and some with amenities like gyms, spa, etc.
There are few restaurants in gringoland. Gringoland is walking distance to Supermaxi grocery store and strip mall off of Las Americas. The strip mall has a household items department store, baby store, pizza and ice cream shop and a small furniture/appliance store.
The Tranvia will run right by gringolandia neighborhood. Just south of gringolandia is another popular neighborhood called Puertas del Sol, which is mostly made up of detached homes and a few apartment buildings. Here is where you will find one of the Gran Sol Organic produce markets.
2. Zona Rosa – Gran Colombia & Unidad National
Just about a half a mile east of gringoland is the popular neighborhood of Zona Rosa. Zona Rosa is a block or so north from the Tomebamba River and runs along Gran Colombia. Zona Rosa is a small, dense area that consists mainly of high rise apartment buildings with 24hr security, elevators and some views of the River Tomebamba and the city.
This area is home to several banks, restaurants, a pet shop, 2 fast food chicken restaurants, and is about a 15 minute walk, staying on Gran Colombia to El Centro.
3. Totems – Remigio Crespo and Unidad National
Just south of Zona Rosa on the east side of the Tomebamba, you will come to the Totems neighborhood. You’ll come to a round-a-bout with three Indian totem poles in the center of the circle. Gringos like this area because it is walking distance to many restaurants, cafes, shops, nightlife, etc on Remigio Crespo. This video will give you a bird's eye view of the Totems area, starting at 46 seconds in.
4. El Centro – Historic Cuenca, a couple blocks near to Park Calderon
El Centro is mostly for gringo tourists who are coming to check Cuenca out for long-term living, although it is home to some permanent residents. Most people find the downtown area to be too smoggy and noisy for full-time living, but for a month to three month stay it works for some.
It is in El Centro, near Park Calderon where you will see the most gringos at one time, outside of some of the gringo restaurants. The city hosts many events, festivities and holidays in the Park Calderon. El Centro boasts numerous restaurants, quaint cafe's, bakeries, international cuisine restaurants, traditional $3 and up almuerzo restaurants, banks and small food stores, called tiendas.
Grab your DIY Cuenca Landing Guide for more information on where to stay, where to eat, where to shop in El Centro and save money!
5. El Vergel / Madre Park – Doce de Abril & Solano to Diez de Agosto
El Vergel neighborhood is a combination of new and old section of Cuenca with lots of restaurants, cafes, US style hamburger joints, Supermaxi grocery store and El Vergel Mall. Millennium Mall, popular with the younger crowd is also located in this area.
Elk Vergel is home to the main Cuenca stadium Alejandro Serrano Aquilar where the city hosts popular Latin singers, concerts and other musical groups; and it is also where they host the pro Ecuadorian soccer games.
The beautiful Madre Park is located in this area and hosts local musical talents, bands and concerts; the park has a track, a variety of exercise equipment, children’s play areas and a planetarium. You’ll find the park has clean restrooms, park benches for relaxing and lots of green space. Across the street off of Doce de Abril is the Tomebamba River walk.
Going up the stairs from Doce de Abril and Madre Park, it will take you into the historic district of El Centro.
This provides you with a general idea of different areas of the city in Cuenca. Do these five neighborhoods have less crime than areas we do not list? Flat out, “No”. These neighborhoods are not better nor do they have less crime than some of the other neighborhoods not listed in this article. Crimes against expats are almost always crimes of opportunity, mainly because gringos behave in ways they shouldn’t in Latin American cultures.
Until we write again…
We think you will like these articles too.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Take a look at the city map of Cuenca where we list the 5 areas that are popular with gringos and it will give you an idea of where each one is located within the city. You will want to click on the maps to enlarge.
 |
| Cuenca Ecuador showing 5 most popular gringo neighborhoods |
1. Gringolandia – Ordonez Lasso & Las Americas
Now that the whole city is Gringolandia this would be the “old” Gringolandia, and is mostly made up of high rise apartments and some detached houses. The high rise apartment buildings that make up the first mile of Ordonez Lasso are dotted along the Tomebamba River. The units have 24hr security, elevators, nice city views and some with amenities like gyms, spa, etc.
There are few restaurants in gringoland. Gringoland is walking distance to Supermaxi grocery store and strip mall off of Las Americas. The strip mall has a household items department store, baby store, pizza and ice cream shop and a small furniture/appliance store.
The Tranvia will run right by gringolandia neighborhood. Just south of gringolandia is another popular neighborhood called Puertas del Sol, which is mostly made up of detached homes and a few apartment buildings. Here is where you will find one of the Gran Sol Organic produce markets.
 |
| gringolandia |
2. Zona Rosa – Gran Colombia & Unidad National
Just about a half a mile east of gringoland is the popular neighborhood of Zona Rosa. Zona Rosa is a block or so north from the Tomebamba River and runs along Gran Colombia. Zona Rosa is a small, dense area that consists mainly of high rise apartment buildings with 24hr security, elevators and some views of the River Tomebamba and the city.
This area is home to several banks, restaurants, a pet shop, 2 fast food chicken restaurants, and is about a 15 minute walk, staying on Gran Colombia to El Centro.
 |
| Zona Rosa |
3. Totems – Remigio Crespo and Unidad National
Just south of Zona Rosa on the east side of the Tomebamba, you will come to the Totems neighborhood. You’ll come to a round-a-bout with three Indian totem poles in the center of the circle. Gringos like this area because it is walking distance to many restaurants, cafes, shops, nightlife, etc on Remigio Crespo. This video will give you a bird's eye view of the Totems area, starting at 46 seconds in.
 |
| Totems neighborhood |
4. El Centro – Historic Cuenca, a couple blocks near to Park Calderon
El Centro is mostly for gringo tourists who are coming to check Cuenca out for long-term living, although it is home to some permanent residents. Most people find the downtown area to be too smoggy and noisy for full-time living, but for a month to three month stay it works for some.
It is in El Centro, near Park Calderon where you will see the most gringos at one time, outside of some of the gringo restaurants. The city hosts many events, festivities and holidays in the Park Calderon. El Centro boasts numerous restaurants, quaint cafe's, bakeries, international cuisine restaurants, traditional $3 and up almuerzo restaurants, banks and small food stores, called tiendas.
Grab your DIY Cuenca Landing Guide for more information on where to stay, where to eat, where to shop in El Centro and save money!
 |
| Historic Cuenca - El Centro |
5. El Vergel / Madre Park – Doce de Abril & Solano to Diez de Agosto
El Vergel neighborhood is a combination of new and old section of Cuenca with lots of restaurants, cafes, US style hamburger joints, Supermaxi grocery store and El Vergel Mall. Millennium Mall, popular with the younger crowd is also located in this area.
Elk Vergel is home to the main Cuenca stadium Alejandro Serrano Aquilar where the city hosts popular Latin singers, concerts and other musical groups; and it is also where they host the pro Ecuadorian soccer games.
The beautiful Madre Park is located in this area and hosts local musical talents, bands and concerts; the park has a track, a variety of exercise equipment, children’s play areas and a planetarium. You’ll find the park has clean restrooms, park benches for relaxing and lots of green space. Across the street off of Doce de Abril is the Tomebamba River walk.
Going up the stairs from Doce de Abril and Madre Park, it will take you into the historic district of El Centro.
 |
| El Vergel / Madre Park |
This provides you with a general idea of different areas of the city in Cuenca. Do these five neighborhoods have less crime than areas we do not list? Flat out, “No”. These neighborhoods are not better nor do they have less crime than some of the other neighborhoods not listed in this article. Crimes against expats are almost always crimes of opportunity, mainly because gringos behave in ways they shouldn’t in Latin American cultures.
Until we write again…
We think you will like these articles too.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Friday, July 3, 2015
Beautiful Casco Viejo of Panama City, Panama
Casco Viejo is an neighborhood in Panama City with beautifully restored colonial homes and buildings. If we were to compare it with Cuenca's old town, here's what comes to mind; Casco Viejo is touristy, expensive, no locals. It is not bustling with local businesses and people like Cuenca's El Centro is. The first thing I noticed was "Where is everybody"?
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy the Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog!
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy the Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Romantic Reminiscing in a Cozy Cafe in Quito Ecuador: Humita con Cafe por $1.99
This is a really cute cafe located in El Centro of Quito. Here, you can still find the humita con cafe por $1.99. Actually, there are several cozy cafe's in downtown Quito that have a traditional snack with coffee for $1.99.
Although we live in Cuenca, we visit Quito whenever we get a chance!
Although we live in Cuenca, we visit Quito whenever we get a chance!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
What's Happening New Years Eve 2014 in Cuenca Ecuador? Viejo Doll Vendors and the Parade!
Here's some of what is happening on December 31, 2014 in Cuenca Ecuador. The first post I put up today was of the New Year's Eve Parade two years ago and here is the New Year's Parade I videoed today on December 31, 2014. Happy New Year!
We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy our blog!
Saturday, May 4, 2013
What is Cuenca Ecuador Like in April 2013
What is Cuenca Ecuador like in April? Well, here is our month of April video captions. It was another great month adventuring around in the city, meeting new expat arrivals, and enjoying the beautiful weather. Last week we experienced five days of clear blue skies; it was amazing! You would of thought we were in an Idaho summer. Well, maybe it wasn't quite that warm in but it sure felt like it. Enjoy Cuenca in April 2013!!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Cuenca Ecuador Renovations:This is the Stairs Leading up to Calle Larga
Cuenca Ecuador is becoming more beautiful by the day. New roads, bridges and parks are being updated and renovated everywhere in the city of Cuenca. One of the three sets of stairs leading up into the city from Doce Abril recently was renovated. Madre Parque was just updated with many new facilities, new underground plumbing has been put in all over in downtown just recently. Cuenca is a work in progress but slowly Cuenca is becoming a more livable and enjoyable city.This video is of the NEW stairs leading up to Calle Larga.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
WEBCAM of Juan Jaramillo Street in Cuenca Ecuador
As we were sitting on the balcony of Govinda's restaurant enjoying lunch we thought we'd just set the camera down and record the happenings on the street. This gives viewers a Birdseye view of what the streets are like during the day in El Centro of Cuenca. Remember when we told you the transportation system was good in Cuenca? Well, now you can see if for yourselves. In this video, in a span of just a few minutes three buses came by and dropped off passengers and picked up passengers. You never have to wait long for a bus and that's good, especially when its raining. To the right of the video is a street vendor selling fruits and veggies.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
10 Simple Pleasures of Living in Cuenca Ecuador
We are enjoying our life in Cuenca. Cuenca has so many simple pleasures that this video could go on and on for hours. Do you have time? LOL Instead, this five minute video is of us living our daily life in Cuenca and enjoying every minute of it. Fortunately, I remembered to take out my camera to record some of these simple pleasures of daily living in this beautiful city high up in the Andes Mountains. Enjoy the video!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)