24 Blissful Hours in Vilcabamba Ecuador | Loja Province

[@ayngelina]

Love Ecuador? You'll adore these Ecuador t-shirts: ecuador.myspreadshop.com/

[@suenosdeevelydaguerrerorui3083]

Me canta tu canal interesante ❤

[@WilliamJUSA]

Ecuador looks awesome. I worked with an 18 year old girl from Ecuador. She was so nice, and stunningly beautiful.

[@ayngelina]

It's a stunning country. I have lots of videos here so stick around and subscribe 😊

[@DaCunhaCoartstudio]

Vilcabamba is one of the places we are going to visit on our exploratory trip... Thanks!

[@ayngelina]

what other towns in Ecuador are on your list? I may have covered them but not published the video yet

[@DaCunhaCoartstudio]

@@ayngelina Olon and Santa Marianita

[@juliebabin]

The balcony is perfect to do some people watching !! I love the wood all over it looks a bit like a cabin. Also, you didn't dip in the eternity water? I would have for sure !! In worst case I would have enjoy some kind of a "placebo" effect ;)

[@ayngelina]

Of course I did! I'm not passing up that opportunity just in case it works!

[@daiweihan1209]

Very nice video about ...

[@ayngelina]

Have you been to Vilcabamba?

[@rockwall6]

So far, this sis the best Vilcamamba video I have seen. Thankl you!

[@ayngelina]

You just made my day💜 , thank you so much for taking the time to comment.

[@rabahguenifi8909]

Very soon I will be there

[@ayngelina]

Oh really, when are you coming.

[@ayngelina]

@@rabahguenifi8909 sure thing. I'm sharing views from all around Ecuador twice a week

[@rabahguenifi8909]

Keep going dear, I wish you all the best and success in your life

[@toddsikkila1623]

Beautiful place! As usual, you made me so hungry. Those ribs looked yummy!

[@ayngelina]

They were so good. Beef isn't the greatest in Ecuador so it's always a gamble. This time it paid off.

[@josevasconez8647]

Cool, I mean nice place

[@ayngelina]

Aww thanks so much!

[@daveuygur]

Love Your Channel

[@ayngelina]

Thanks so much for the kind words 😊

[@TheTdancgirl]

I love your video, energy and honesty. It's interesting to me to hear you say that there American and French restaurants in the center square. I just returned from there and eat at Ecuadorian establishments mostly also. Thank you for pointing out the mercado btw. I lived there 12 years ago also. There was one Israeli owned falafel restaurant next to the church. There was an Argentina theme garden place and the other one I thought was Ecuadorian that is very popular on the corner and has been there two decades at least. A block away I heard there was a French themed bakery and theres many Ecuadorian restaurants around. I just wanted to point out that foreign does not mean 'American' and I believe all of these in the square that I mentioned have local staff. There are people from many continents in Vilcabamba.❤Keep up the good work!

[@TheTdancgirl]

And now I want to stay at this hotel, never been;) So many gems in Vilcabamba❤

[@ayngelina]

Yes foreign doesn't always mean American. I'm actually Canadian but the greatest number of expats by far are American. And while businesses employ Ecuadorians, it's not the same economically as supporting Ecuadorian owned businesses, which is why I always try to do it.

[@ayngelina]

The hotel is a fun one!

[@Sharon-py5ns]

Name of your tour guide since we live in Cuenca.

[@ayngelina]

It's Andres, you can reach him at andrivet77 AT gmail DOT com or DM him at instagram.com/andresexploraec/

[@ayngelina]

All the Ecuador travel + food videos here --> bit.ly/Ecuador_Videos Where should I go next?

[@PatientenO.T.]

I would like to see the towns going from Quito to Ibarra. Maybe stop at Guayllabamba, otavalo, Cotacachi, and Ibarra.

[@ayngelina]

@@PatientenO.T. You are in luck because after the Galapagos I'm spending a month in northern Ecuador and most of those places are on the list. Except Guayllabamba, is there something I should look out for there?

[@carmenzaldivar4393]

Didn't you say at the begining You wanted to avoid the American French etc .( Non local) places?

[@ayngelina]

To eat yes which is why we went to the market for breakfast and then chuzos for dinner. The first brewery was American owned but I didn't know until I asked about why Putin was there but the Hostería and Wilco are Ecuadorian.

[@davidwright9318]

I spent a month in that hotel ( it had just opened then) back in 2012 cost me $400…I can’t remember the name though..I know it is something … Toros..I also spent a month in Izhcayluma AND another one as well. I also rented a house beside Monte Suenos for three months another time…did you see that when you were there? I loved Vilcabamba but not sure if we will stay there or in Cuenca.

[@ayngelina]

It will be interesting to hear your perspective on how things have changed in 8 years. I was shocked at how much infrastructure has changed for the better. The roads everywhere are MUCH better.

[@davidwright9318]

Update We spent 6 months there Sept. 2022- March 2023 and loved being back there after 8 years. We loved being back and reconnecting with friends I’d made in my previous 6 visits. You’re right, the infrastructure had improved.Interestingly, we were wondering where the Mercado was with the restaurant outback.We had no idea where that was. Anyway, we are leaving in 8 days on a 2 year visa….we’re finally taking the plunge. Nice to see your video again after 6 months of planning our next adventure.I’m taking a go pro this time. We’ve rented a nice apartment in El Attilo. Cheers!

[@suenosdeevelydaguerrerorui3083]

Hola soy nueva tu canal como estas un saludote desde cuidad de loja es cabo mudarme recien conociendo poco cuidad ❤

[@ayngelina]

Oh wow te moviste sin saber nada, como te gusta?

[@amul7430]

Yes, I never thought of visiting Vilcabamba since it was another gringo expat location, but you did show reason why I should stretch my limited mind. I was very surprised that you didn't comment on the pretty white dog who seemed to have adopted you. The fact that you didn't say anything scares me...

[@ayngelina]

Haha that dog was so sweet, we met it on the street and it followed and stayed with us at the river. Afterwards when we were walking back to the Hosteria we actually ran into its owner.

[@rafaelsolorzano700]

I'm new in your channel and I'm enjoying every minute of it..I'm planning to become an ex pat and move back to my birth country...Your videos are cool.

[@ayngelina]

Thank you so much. If there's anything you want me to cover please let me know.

[@rafaelsolorzano700]

I plan to...every video you show gives me more pleasure to know changes are coming for me.Im retired and I want the time remaining being spent in good health..

[@ayngelina]

@@rafaelsolorzano700 that's a great way to retire

[@akams3]

U are the best. Thus far, your thoughts on the used poop toilet paper not getting flushed but into a bin? 😊

[@ayngelina]

Its just normal to me. I've been in so many countries where you can't flush it that it always feels weird in Canada to do it.

[@piyalmondal5141]

Love you 😍

[@yahunatan7263]

2:35 not exactly, once I read that the meaning of 'seco de pollo' is not dry, in the past foreigners who came to work in the oil fields mainly from the United States said I don't want the first dish, please give me only the 'second' dish and that's why people started calling it 'seco', basically it's a bit of Spanglish 😊

[@ayngelina]

That's almost right. Seco literally means dry but yes you're right it is a Spanglish because of the word second. But it was actually British workers in Ancon. I explained this in a few of my other videos but I don't want to bore regular viewers with the whole explanation each time I eat it - which is a lot.

[@amsterdambear610]

You’re the foodie channel not the hiking channel. So let Andres take a hike lol 👩‍🍳

[@ayngelina]

Hahaha I am trying to hike a bit more, Ecuador is so beautiful and it does help balance all the eating. But let me tell you, I was not crazy about that hike in Vilcabamba. I prefer a more green, lush hike. Or at least like Cajas National Park, which was so pretty.

[@matthewsantillanes194]

Hi, are there mask "mandates" in Ecuador?

[@ayngelina]

Yes we wear masks both inside and outside.

[@canadiancinderelly3518]

depends on where you're located. Other people who have channels have mentioned it's not an issue in the smaller locations, notably Vilcabamba.

[@PretzelKid]

ty

[@ayngelina]

Happy to help anytime!

[@TwinsTry]

No hiking! Proceeds to “trek” 8k steps lol! Your spot is so amazing! The views are so 😍😍😍. You’re such a good guide! It is so beautiful! As always your food looks so good

[@ayngelina]

The next morning we found out Cerro Mandango was 1.5 hours not 6 hours. So we could have done it but I prefer the flat walk

[@davidwright9318]

I stayed in that hotel (what is the name again?…somethingToros) for $400 a month back in 2012…I absolutely loved Vilcabamba…and Cuenca and it’s neighbouring towns.

[@ayngelina]

El Descanso del Toro 😊

[@christopherhouse7937]

Ayngelina, Is the cost of living cheaper in Vilcabamba versus Cuenca or Quito? And would you prefer to live in Vilcabamba or Cuenca long term 6 or more months?. I would love to here your opinion! Thanks.

[@ayngelina]

Such a TOUGH question. There are so many variables but let me share some thoughts on the style of living. I LOVED the weather in Vilcabamba it was dry and warm with a breeze, which was fantastic. BUT it is farther out. And unless you live in town you need a car. And to get anywhere besides Vilcabamba is a bit of a drive. I heard from locals that most people live farther up in the hills, they are from the states and wanted a big property. So Cuenca, you don't have the big properties but you don't need a car, basically everything is walking distance or a cheap cab. There are lots of cultural and art activities, lots of comforts from home (I mean food haha) because there's such a big expat population. BUT the weather can be cool. You definitely need to have a sweater and jeans in the cold period. It's a safe city and there's a lot going on at night because Centro Historico is filled with people who live here. I don't know a lot about the expat population, I know they have their own places to go and eat etc but I'm really here for Ecuadorian culture. Quito. I love to visit but I wouldn't live there. It's gigantic. There's traffic. Pollution. It's basically a major city like most around the world. The historic centre is dead after 6pm and you don't see people walking the streets at night. It's not safe. I would say whatever you do...DO NOT BUY for one year. There is a huge market of making money from foreigners - by both Ecuadorians AND Expats. It's different visiting a place for a few weeks than living there. And SO MANY expats make a mistake of buying right away for above market demand and then want to leave before 18 months and have to wait a year for some other foreigner to make the mistake and buy the property from them. Ecuador does not work like Canada or the US and so it's best to rent, see how things work. And then if you really want to buy you can. Personally I would never buy anywhere in Latin America, I'm a renter for life. That way if there's something wrong with the roof, foundation, neighbours etc I can just pick up and walk away.

[@christopherhouse7937]

@@ayngelina Thank You! Great advice. 👍🏻😊

[@bela-sofia34]

@@ayngelina I am looking closest at Cuenca and Vilcabamba for places to visit and likely land for the longest and love these detailed answers. You're so helpful 🥰

[@tommygunn3210]

It's "San Pedro "

[@ayngelina]

Oh you're right. Why did I translate that to Saint Peter - so dumb 🤦‍♀️

[@tommygunn3210]

@@ayngelina lol, never heard that translated before. Liked your video though.

[@ayngelina]

@@tommygunn3210 well thank you kindly 😊

[@Hamelic]

✌️✌️

[@PatientenO.T.]

Vilca is stunning, but has a really bad aggressive expat problem. A lot of people call the town Vilcadrama. :P

[@ayngelina]

Oh that is hilarious. Thankfully we stayed away from it all. I spoke to some locals and they said most of the expats don't live in town but outside as they wanted a quieter life.

[@PretzelKid]

How much per night at the Hotel?

[@ayngelina]

I'd check with them. I think hotel prices around the world have fluctuated so much since 2020 but I'm sure there are great deals to be had.

[@rorybellamy2533]

Wish I was there! glad for You! thanks for sharing

[@ayngelina]

Thank you so much Rory!

[@xvars9640]

I would love to hear people call Mexicans and Latin Americans migrant to the US ex-pats as well.

[@ayngelina]

That's a good point. Except I have more respect for migrants as a whole than I do for expats. I've found more often than not expats aren't looking to integrate into society but instead find ways to bring their old life to a new country for less money. Perhaps why Cuencanos get frustrated that the expat community there is trying to make it a "chapter US". It's certainly not true for all expats and there are some lovely individuals but in general I don't seek it out.

[@evon3704]

If you want to see a waterfall, go to El Tambo (a little trek, but beautiful waterfall) or La Era, really nice waterfalls there. Not too far from Vilcabamba and easy to get to!

[@ayngelina]

Thanks so much for the tip. I'm making note of this for next time!

[@StephEatsnTravels]

Hiking, yuck. Beer, yes!

[@ayngelina]

I knew you were the kind of person I'd want to travel with!

[@StephEatsnTravels]

@@ayngelina 😂 ♥

[@cukymonster33]

Omg... lol, smaller bites!

[@ayngelina]

I always overestimate how much I can put in my mouth. I have tons of videos where I have to wait to chew it all, such a bad habit.

[@cukymonster33]

@@ayngelina You be YOU darlin'. Don't worry about it. :) LOL

[@ayngelina]

@@cukymonster33 haha thank you. In my last video I mentioned taking smaller bites at breakfast and then took too big a bite!

[@bram992]

Congrats for being open minded. Lots of US whites live in cluster They leave us to be in us

[@ayngelina]

Thank you!