See What We Bought & How Much We Spent in Cuenca Ecuador

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Take the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and streamline your move to Ecuador! See what our students have to say here: liveabroadnow.com/ecuador-expat-fast-track-ecourse/ eCourse Coupon Code: cuencaprices Discount Link: liveabroadnow.thinkific.com/cart/add_product/1546379?price_id=1929530&coupon=cuencaprices

[@raiz91]

The low cost of groceries in Ecuador is another item to consider it. Here in the US everything is through the roof with an all time inflation of 8.6% comparing to 2% in Ecuador. Thanks for the video Amelia and JP.

[@BOULDERGEEK]

Yeah, we used to get two bags of groceries, staples like milk, bananas, coffee, chicken, etc for $40-50. Now, we pay $125. 2022 is a terrible year, across the board. Still, those suffering invasion, murder, displacement and food insecurity have it far worse.

[@Stella77_7]

Food priced in the US are off the charts right now. I'm a farmer been teaching self sufficiency for some time. People are truly fearful and have to start to garden just to make it. In all honesty here in the US we need to get off the Corp Food System Tit. People been far to dependent on Grocers for their needs. Now a Watermelon is 10$ Hamburger 9$ a pound and worse in many states. Yet our local farms are way belie the inflation.

[@khangalex]

It's nice to see that Cuenca has all the bases covered for when foreigners crave meals that they are used to. I was wondering if you could do a segment on eateries that are catered more towards working locals. I usually prefer those, rather than restaurants for tourists or special occasions, when I travel. Also, if you could touch base on local (not tourist) tipping etiquette for different types of restaurants and services, it would be most appreciated. Thank you as always for all the great info on Ecuador!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We have a video about tipping here: liveabroadnow.com/tipping-in-ecuador/

[@cindyjohnson1456]

This video brings me back to 2019 when my husband and I visited Cuenca for a month. Wonderful memories of food, people and culture. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Too bad there is so much ☔️

[@RebeccaStropoli]

I lived there for six weeks in the summer of 2019. Miss it so much! And I didn't mind the overcast weather -- it was nice and cool, perfect.

[@nocap3404]

Hello! I was wondering if you ever visited azuya, Ecuador. If so, can you recommend any places to visit. Have this school project I have to do I need information thanks!

[@bernardocueva5838]

It’s fantastic what you do promoting Cuenca! Bravo!

[@stepone6159]

I love how you folks so enjoy going on new adventures - and sharing them with us ! !

[@bsalvis]

Going next month for 10 days. Always enjoy your videos but this will be my first time visiting. So intriguing!

[@jimnoti3097]

I really appreciate knowing about the different restaurants.... Will be there at the end of June

[@smileywomen1]

I'm going back to Cuenca in Oct to decide if I'm comfortable calling it home for the rest of my day !!!

[@olddotcom]

Thank you for all the hard work you do to provide a fantastic heads-up on what's happening there.

[@johnway9853]

You two really do seem like some of the kindest, friendliest folks. If we ever get down there, we'll buy you a mead. Cheers.

[@bsalvis]

Thanks!

[@eleanorponce5590]

Loved your video. It brought back good memories. My husband and I stayed Mindo Gardens for a few days ! We loved the hiking. We stayed in a cabin that had no TV or radio!! We could hear the river running next to our cabin at night!! It is an incredible place to visit!

[@fluffy5534]

Hi: thanks for the great video . For breakfast or dinner I eat fresh avocado with lemons from mercado with toast made from fresh bread.

[@Dustin1047]

Such a good video! Thanks!! I grew up in Kansas too and still use Prego. It was a staple there for sure.

[@ciscokid33]

Love your channel! Thanks Amelia and JP!

[@vleldaddio210]

That was a lot of walking 👍 but u got some really great deals and great friends !

[@monicadzisiak7291]

Thank you for the adventure all the beautiful food-to-go with the beautiful people

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheLAKris10]

Great seeing you back in the old hood! Or my current hood. It has changed plenty, but it's still the best area in the city!

[@leapintothewild]

I really enjoyed this! And the raw oats brought back wonderful memories of my college roommate’s mom: ahe ate meusili every morning! She started the night before by stirring a little plain yogurt or milk on the oats, left in fridge overnight, the next morning grated a whole apple over top and added nuts and other fruit. That was way back in 1982 when there was no Greek or plant yogurt or even plant milk in Alabama, and I followed her example for several years. Had forgotten all about it until seeing your breakfast!! Guess what’s in my fridge for tomorrow?? 😋❤️ I added chia and ground flax too.

[@morrism3250]

Thanks for the video! It was very helpful and insightful. We're living in Ecuador and can't wait to visit Cuenca!!! Do you have a video or blog on public transportation, car rentals or private transportations services for long distances throughout the country?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We cover several ground transportation options in this video and article: liveabroadnow.com/traveling-to-ecuador-from-the-united-states/

[@johndoe12434]

Awesome videos you guys!! It makes me wanting move tomorrow

[@ursulasanabria8813]

That was a great video! Thank you guys for sharing! And you made me hungry too 😁😁

[@paulnunya3429]

Love your videos. I really like Ecuador seeing it in your videos.

[@larrypicard8802]

Telicoso also has a shop on Simon Bolivar.

[@vilmalazo9834]

muy bonito el recorrido en cuenca todos son bienvenidos a mi ciudad un saludo a Amelia y JP de su housekeeper vilma se los quiere mucho

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Hola Vilma! Gracias! 😊👍🇪🇨

[@vilmalazo9834]

hola JP regresio a vivir en cuenca?

[@jpsmusicandmore5457]

Great video thank you. Cuenca is on my radar for an extended trip. I am also looking forward to the course.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Great! 👍

[@quito9896]

Yummy food good video , I love bakeries, my favorite is pastas, humitas y quimbolitos . Quito has a wonderful bakery call Cirano amazing

[@nellie...]

Amazing prices. Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@smileywomen1]

The Food is Amazing & luv the soups !!

[@carlospulley8723]

Awesome 😎 video!! We loved!! Unbelievable prices and Top 🔝 food 🍱 so fresh and everything seems so delicious!! Thank you guys God bless ya’ all!!

[@tmcdon]

The food looked wonderful and the prices were pretty reasonable (although that jar of pasta sauce . . .wow. . . .). Thanks for making me hungry!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Yeah. Prego is imported so it’s a lot more expensive. The local brands are $2 to $3 for a jar. And I actually make my own from fresh tomatoes and that costs about $1.50/jar.

[@DestroyingEvilAltars]

I loved this video 🥳🥳🥳 I’d love to see more content like this with prices on foods 🥰

[@cjc2]

Great video. Love that you can find delicious Indian food in Cuenca.

[@estelamino6356]

GREAT information thanks for sharing

[@jclf1]

Undoubtedly a helpful video, thank you for your dedication…

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Gracias!

[@alienseeker1]

Hi Amelia and JP, my wife and I have followed all your videos and will be moving down there, to Cuenca, in November. We are also vegans, so I hope you will be able to provide us with some places to dine and recommended dinners to order. In this latest video we heard you mention about getting ice cream, which made us wonder if you are not totally vegan or did that place you were at have vegan ice cream? -Andrea and Don Phoenix, AZ

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Pacari has vegan chocolate and vegan ice cream. There are lots of places in Cuenca that are vegan or vegetarian or at least have options 👍

[@alienseeker1]

@@AmeliaAndJP that is awesome! I am so happy to hear this. One of our biggest concerns was being able to fully continue to enjoy a vegan diet that we have become accustomed to. I also recently saw in another video that they are now selling Beyond Meat, sausage and burger, down there. It was very expensive compared to here, but at least we know those options are available. Andrea and Don

[@BOULDERGEEK]

@@AmeliaAndJP We would love to hear if you have expereince with gluten-free food sourcing in Ecuador. Wife has become gluten intolerant, like a switch was flipped. Even in the US this is a challenge.

[@dougdileo4727]

interesting....always good to cook at home

[@reefglider]

I love seeing you two. Such a great energy about you! I am facing sky rocketing housing costs here on the west coast of BC (Canada). If I could be mobile with my work I would be back on the road in an instance. I am a bit out of sequence with your videos and just curious what town you are currently enjoying (as home)? Thanks for the incredible context. Best wishes to you ☀️

[@tonyortiz1890]

Wonderful video Thanks guys

[@BOULDERGEEK]

Hoping to be able to fit a Cuenca lifestyle comfortably into $75 a day on six month rentals. The one week I was in Cuenca, it was perfect blue Colorado weather. Interesting to see the monsoons. Reminds me of France in the summer.

[@anamariaprado2718]

very practical video, thank you for all the info. I didn't t catch the name of the B&B, could you share it?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Link is in the description.

[@blayespestcontrol6900]

Cuenca is a great place- people are great and a very safe city, our friends have family and own properties there. The food is great and very affordable. We are going back in December for a church mission trip. Can’t wait to go back.

[@nellie...]

You guys know how to budget! Good job 👍

[@catobie1948]

I love dragon fruit but at my Michigan supermarket or fruit market it costs from $5 - $7 per fruit. A bit less expensive there!

[@BibleSamurai]

That Indian meal is about $15 - $16 each here in central Florida.

[@birdsinparadise3113]

Thanks for showing the recycle bin, are there more around or where can I find them? In quito, supermaxi had a big one but here in Cuenca I'm at a loss what to do with them

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Supermaxi El Vergel has a recycling center with slots for everything 👍

[@debbiecordova3546]

The Good Life "Chulla Vida . Stay safe and Bob Appetit. Great Restaurants tabien.

[@NinaLangfeldt]

3 days in Cuenca 40 years ago. Beautiful old buildings, horses all over. rainy days, no wc working:)Like to go back to Cuenca and see how the city has changed.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

It has changed a lot since then!

[@fixerofthings]

"We need to come back here for an ice cream cone and a coffee" is one of my favorite sentences of all time.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Haha! Love it! 😂

[@timdebruler630]

OMG I am staying in the AirBnB above the restaurant in June 😀

[@whacked00]

GREAT video. Thanks! Wondering how much protein you got in this day of food? Doesn't seem like much. I like zoodles in red sauce.... Not a huge broccoli fan. If you do not have a "zoodler" just slicing up the zucchini is good too.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We don’t discuss nutrition. It’s too much like religion.

[@leapintothewild]

Just wanted to 👍 the zucchini! I keep a gallon ziploc of diced zucchini, yellow squash, mixed bell peppers, sweet peppers, celery, carrots and onion in my freezer, and almost every meal I make starts with sautéing a handful or more in some olive oil! Great way to get extra vegs, and even though I don’t buy much processed food, it adds taste and fiber to even a jar of bought sauce! 😋

[@whacked00]

@@AmeliaAndJP Interesting. I wouldn't have thought of it that way, but I guess I can see it as I think more about it.

[@Emmenimaliste]

they are getting all the protein and other nutrients they need on a daily basis. I recommend you follow Nutrition Facts from Dr Michael Greger or The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine from Dr Neal Barnard and check articles on the protein myth. Animals and Proteins are NOT synonyms.

[@leapintothewild]

@@Emmenimaliste 👍 for these suggestions, and I’ll add ‘The China Study’ by T Colin Campbell to the list - its an amazing book about long term nutrition studies, extremely interesting and informative, even if it doesn’t seem like it would be!!

[@lyanplayz8369]

You should visit a small beautiful town outside Cuenca, it’s called San Fernando, while there visit Busa and is famous for the cheese they make.

[@chinnumol]

Thanks for great support me hermano y hermana 🙏 Thanks for recommending Paradise Indian restaurant 🙏🙏🙏

[@AmeliaAndJP]

De nada hermana! 😊👍

[@Maine_Focus]

One of my favorite places is Formosa Taiwan Vegetariano on Av Loja.

[@manuelericmijangos499]

I hope the chocolate bars from Pacari didn't melt on you, JP. The variety of fruits and vegetables in Ecuador is impressive. Keep up the good work you two!

[@vernabryant2894]

Very interesting.

[@yeya5441]

Love your videos guys.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Gracias!

[@sirgalahad1470]

Is the weather in Cuenca kind of like Seattle ?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Yes. Cool and it rains a lot.

[@bananapatch9118]

We are also Vegan and don’t eat out much except an ocasional lunch. We don’t expect to spend much on food.

[@ivonnezaragoza9936]

what about the food? Is very good 👍 and the crabs!!!! (las cangrejadas) I really like it !❤ We have variety of plates!!! Have you try it.?

[@rubyberylgarraway634]

I m loveing this place

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Great!

[@KickersOfEarth]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Nami66148]

Hi Amelia & JP I am planning a trip to Cuenca… I lost my job last month and worked for 2 years without a vacation and I am going to treat myself while I’m looking for a job 😊 Can I be in Cuenca without renting a car? I’m afraid of driving along mountains or dirt roads 😂

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We’ve lived in Ecuador almost 5 years without a car. Cuenca is very walkable and there’s lot of public transportation options. We recommend the AzuTaxi app for cabs.

[@juansebastianlarrealeiva7313]

Hi guys. I've seen your videos for a while now. I live in Quito but been to Cuenca a few times and I love it there. Want to ask you something, the ingredients of your dinner! So it is prego, broccoli, pasta...can you tell me what else do you put in that pasta? Best of luck!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We added some red pepper flakes that the AirBnB had.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

There are many advantages to living in other countries, but I enjoy the Bill of Rights that I can’t get anywhere else. I have been to 68 countries and seen how people live on 5 continents. May God continue to bless you.

[@BOULDERGEEK]

In the US, it will soon be shortened to "you have the right to be male, white and rich. All other rights are forfeit." Saying this as a very concerned white male who cant wait to get out of a failing empire.

[@Jetmab04]

Thanks a mill for good info - as usual ... How is Loja compared to Quenca? Have you been there? Thanks 😊

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We have only driven through Loja but plan to visit there soon.

[@Jetmab04]

@@AmeliaAndJP Thanks - I don't know why but, something tell me, I will like Loja a lot....just a feeling Looking forward...have a good week!!

[@Nami66148]

You guys look like you’re loving living out there 👍

[@lovewithoutborder6051]

Please visit isla portete and show us around.

[@henryruiz7447]

you should it try zapote is unique fruit never going to find in the states

[@AmeliaAndJP]

I like them but Amelia doesn’t. They are too stringy / fibrous for her. It gets stuck in her teeth.

[@lewiswilliams1565]

If we buy the course and move there, to Manta can we meet and perhaps learn personally?

[@user-ds2tg6gc6x]

Looks delicious. I am eating vegetarian.

[@ssherman]

I looked up lacraft on google....are those beer prices us dollar or pesos?...looks delicious!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Ecuador is on the US dollar. No pesos here.

[@ssherman]

@@AmeliaAndJP ah...thx for info

[@jd8146]

Good info. !!!

[@mr-vet]

Healthy breakfast!

[@navyblue18m40]

Have you guys ever think of living in Quito? Why or why not

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Quito is too high and too cold for us.

[@proyectonuevo7487]

@@AmeliaAndJP But tumbaco or cumbaya are at 2350 meters above sea level much lower than Cuenca which is at 2540 meters above sea level. And guayllabamba is at 1800 to 2000 masl

[@chuckwavra8832]

The Indian food looked so good! All of the restaurants you guys have taken us to are so nice, so clean, the food is nutritious and presented so well, and the servers smile! These things are getting harder and harder for me to find at restaurants where I live in the U.S. which is why I make most of my meals at home (whole food plant based diet for me). And that Airbnb - beautiful! and only $66/night! - I almost fainted 😂 Great video - thank you!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JohnnyC10071959]

You paid $5 for Prego? DAMN. I make my own pasta sauce, but when I ate store-bought, I liked Classico and paid $1.50 - $2.25 for 28oz.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

I make my own too when we’re at home. It’s a lot cheaper.

[@PB-to6jd]

I love to move looks like is cheaper than USA . But I I have to have money In order to send everything to the beautiful country I’m gonna check it out or move to Florida

[@mikeloves]

you guys make me miss being in ecuador. the only reason im in the u.s. is because im trying to work and save money. i miss my homeland.

[@dchanson55]

Food looks great!

[@NancyFalla]

Dear Amelia and JP, your videos describe Ecuador as a paradise on earth. In Europe, the last two weeks we saw several articles about Ecuador drug mafia and horrible murders and how this terror spreads along the coastline. Can you comment on that? I guess that reality is in between...

[@AmeliaAndJP]

The international news likes to report the worst stories and make it sound like the whole country is affected. In reality, most of the drug related crime is in Guayaquil and the prisons. And in areas where foreigners don’t live or visit. Crime is bad in downtown Denver, but that doesn’t mean the whole state of Colorado is dangerous. It’s the same for Ecuador. Crime is bad in some areas, but most of the country is very safe.

[@NancyFalla]

@@AmeliaAndJP Thank you for your answer!

[@axegas76]

Su desayuno!

[@vjn2390]

If I could hit the like button 3 times I would! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@viffer94]

There’s always the almuerzo at the Casa de Big Mac 🙂. Seriously how much does a Big Mac meal cost in Cuenca?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

McDonald’s is very expensive. We’ve never eaten there so we’re not positive, but we were told it’s around $9 for the meal deal.

[@aveguevara]

I'm an organic foods person since 1977 - how available is organic almond milk and cheeses. Also do they have quality dog foods down there?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Organic almond milk is available. We're vegan so we don't know much about cheese, but from what we've heard, it's not great here. There is a variety of high quality dog food, but it's very expensive compared to the US.

[@aveguevara]

@@AmeliaAndJP My toy poodle gets a little cheese sometimes - I make her own dog food and dehydrate it and also give her fresh organic chicken. The dog food industry isn't something I like to support. THANK YOU for your response! I'm pretty close to 100% vegan.

[@sschreck08]

Is Ecuador gluten-free friendly?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

The bigger cities are extremely gluten-free friendly 👍

[@jmsunlinenet]

@@AmeliaAndJP Everywhere is Ecuador is gluten-free friendly. Staples are rice, plantains, beans, and potatoes. Foods that contain gluten are bread, anything containing flour or using wheat flour as a thickener, beer, and some breakfast cereals, which are rarely seen in Ecuador. Oatmeal is gluten--free, although it might be contaminated with small amounts of gluten grains that could affect someone with a severe allergy to gluten. Anyway, it is easy to avoid any processed foods in Ecuador that might use some kind of gluten as a thickener.

[@edoconnor5528]

We had breakfast today at a hotel in Cuenca for $3.00 each. We were that stuffed we didn't have lunch.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Great! Which hotel?

[@edoconnor5528]

@@AmeliaAndJP Hostal Amancay , Gran Colombia 10-52 Y Padre Aguirre,

[@PierrePlogoff]

Why this hungry permanent feeling when looking at your videos ? ^^

[@Alexanne13]

I've been looking at coming for a month - February 8 - March 8 - to see if I want to move there. Wondering what the weather is like during that time? How is the humidity there? What about bugs? And...more than anything...masks? The rest of the world is maskless. Wondering what's happening there?

[@viffer94]

1.5 lb bag of frozen chicken costs $14, a dozen eggs $7, half a gallon of milk $4.50. Guess I’ll have to move to Ecuador if I want to continue to enjoy life’s little luxuries like eating food. 😕

[@cesar.hcr.55]

Is Las Olas new Ecuador community master plan live or memorex?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

No idea.

[@diegovanegas3962]

Did you guys comeback to live in Cuenca?

[@BC-hr2of]

guys I hate budgeting but it does pay-off 🤔…. your meals are like I put together except for some chicken or beef jerky added 😋

[@gagrinsoni]

We're going to Cuenca in August!!

[@richsamuel2922]

En que ciudad ustedes viven ahora?

[@ronaldbobeck1026]

ARE the beaches nudist or topples frendly?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Not officially, but we saw topless women occasionally in Olón. It’s a huge beach so there’s more privacy away from town.

[@ronaldbobeck1026]

Thank you for the information are the people accepting or does it have to be on the down low we are looking to "Hit the road for a year down in South America .Looking forward to seeing what you folks have.

[@rainygirl65]

JP you sound tired? You feeling ok?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

I’m feeling just fine, but 20 hours of editing is tiresome.

[@hamzaarif7249]

So actually fruits and vegetables are cheap to buy right?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Yes.

[@hamzaarif7249]

@@AmeliaAndJP can we meet in Ecuador