Health Care in Ecuador

One concern many have is what is it like if I get sick or need something medical in Ecuador. Well have no fear, here are a few examples of health care here. And Heidi probably already wrote about some of it so sorry if I'm repeating.

First let me say, if you need dental work come here for it. I finally made a visit to a dentist that had been recommended to us. When I called to make the appointment I thought I was going to struggle explaining what I needed, funny thing was the dentist answered in English. On my first visit I had a cleaning and 1 cavity filled. I have had both those procedures done back home but will say this was my best experience. I have found that some dentist back home can be quite rough but this guy was great and there was no need for freezing and no bleeding either. Cost was 50$. I had to go get an X-ray for the dentist cost was 20$ and I was given the results. I had a follow up appointment to remove a tooth that I broke about 8 years ago(hence the X-Ray). This tooth was broken below the gum line and badly abscessed. It took him 20 mins to remove it and I was fine by that afternoon. Again the cost was 30$. Last tooth I had pulled cost me over 150$. Lastly I need 4 wisdom teeth removed next week. Back home the cost to me even with insurance is 1500$ here my cost will be 120$ maybe 150 as one tooth is impacted.

What about doctors. Well if you've ever had a blood test how long did it take to get the results? One maybe two weeks. Heidi went for blood test and had the full results in her hand in 5 hrs. Everything she needed and wanted to know and they gave her the results not the doctor. Next she went to a cardiologist and he gave her the results instantly. Cost for both visits 80$. No three hour wait in the waiting room. No we'll call in two weeks, everything instant. Health care here is not something to be concerned about. Pricing is good. Doctors are good and many speak or understand English as they are expected to learn it in University.

BTW it is our half way point here. So in one of my next blogs I will write about the pro's and con's and see who those change between now and when we leave.

The Middle of the World

Inside Convention

What a weekend! Dad got all the blame this time. And I guess he deserved it. First we took the day bus from Cuenca to Quito. Not the funnest. We left at 7 AM from Cuenca on Cuenca Taxi bus line and arrived in Quito at 5PM. The bus was actually not bad. The washrooms were automatic doors, ring the bell and the driver lets you in. That being said if you try and self close the door like Aidan did then you may get squished as it is a pneumatic door. Seat space is a little less than Imbambura Flota but otherwise I think it's just as good of a line.

Upon arrival in Quito we needed a Hotel/Hostel. First tried a hotel called Ricks hotel in the Mariscal area which I had stayed at the previous week. Unfortunately it was full. It was raining. And I had no back up hotel. Heidi had a hostel app on her phone and so in the rain off we went looking for a hostel. Unfortunately most were full. Finally we stumbled upon a cute little bed and breakfast called the Maple B&B in the Mariscal area. We got a good clean room with a single bed, a bunk bed and a double bed for 40$ a night. Shared washrooms and a descent breakfast.

Middle of the world

Sunday we woke up to go to our special assembly day. Again a bit of a disaster. Up at 5:45 to be at the bus for 7. Bus ride was about 1 hr from there. Beautiful building I must say but with only 173 pubs in the circuit if you are active you are busy. Every brother pulled double and triple duty. So sitting with the family for the day doesn't happen. It was nice though to have 284 in attendance and 1 baptized. We got back home again in the pouring rain around 6 PM to go for supper. Taxi over drove our hotel and we had to walk back 2 blocks. Then after walking to where we wanted to have supper we found out it was closed.

See the line

Monday was somewhat better. I say somewhat. I started off with 60$ in my pocket and no debit card or Credit card PIN number. After walking for about 25 mins and trying to find a way to get cash Banco Pacifica did a credit card cash advance for me at the teller. Thank goodness. We wanted to go to Mindo so headed to the bus station Ophilia. Upon arrival we found out that the next bus to Mindo was at 4PM and that a taxi there would cost 50$. Scrap that idea. We had 12 hrs to kill and what to do. We went to the middle of the world.

The taxi driver offered to drive us there for 8$ and we did. We arrived and had a good time FINALLY. There were several parks for the kids and quite a few gifts shops that were to our surprise very reasonably priced. In fact I think we made one shop keepers day when we bought 30 some key chains (so don't be surprised when we bring you back a keychain). Lunch there was good as well and by 2 PM we were done. We hoped on a bus just outside the center which brought us to a larger bus station and from there hoped a double bus to the center town.

What time is it?

It started to rain again. So with help of a local lady we made our way to a mall instead, were we spent the next few hours. I felt bad for this lady though she got soaked as did we but she didn't need to. She just kindly wanted to get us to where we were going and then refused a coffee or anything from us. Our final stop before leaving was the kids treat McDonalds. They have been begging for McDonalds for 3 months.

We had the taxi take us to the bus station, which turned out to be the wrong bus station of course. Fortunately there was a direct bus from that station to the south terminal which was where we needed to go. The ride home was no joy either. We rode Imbambura Flota home and the drivers assistant was a jerk. We had to ask him 3 times to open the washroom door and it wasn't until Heidi stood beside him and waited for him to come that he finally did. It's the biggest down side here on buses is having to wait for them to feel like they want to do something before they do. And although most of our bus experiences have been good that one or two can make things bad.

The real middle of the world according to GPS

I guess with all the bad we finally made a good and got one more thing done that we wanted to see.

Phone Service is Ecuador

Keeping in contact with friends, family or business aquiantances can be a little challenging in South America so here are a few tips I have tried and used that may be of value to you.

Magic Jack - This seems to be one of the most popular options. There are 2 different models available. One plugs into your computer and as long as your computer is on you can receive phone calls to an American or Canadian phone number. The other model plugs straight into your router and your phone. With this option be sure to use the cable that comes with the magic jack and not just any network cable. It will not work if you use a standard network cable. A good internet connection is required.

VOIP Apps - Again there are many of these available. Some are free and other cost you money. The problem with some apps is if they are not design right the sound will not carry and you will have spotty phone conversations. Also to consider is how good your internet will be with these apps.

Toll Free Forwarding - Do you have an American or Canadian number you want to keep. Try this option. Cost varies but basically at 39$ a month you get an 800 number. You forward your home North American number to the 800 number, next you forward the 800 number to your local South American number. The nice thing with this option is that no internet is required and since incoming calls are free in ecuador on prepaid service then you only pay for the 800 number.

Skype - Skype has many options for phone service. In some cases you can even have a Skype number.

Rogers Canada - If Canadian I have gone through ups and downs here BUT finally Rogers seems to have fixed everything. They have a app for the tablet that gives full access to your rogers cell number. Rogers one number seem to work well to keep your old number plus with this option you have access to text messages.

Text Message Options - This can be a big deal to many, so here are a few options.

What's App - Available for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry. Simply install and have your contacts install then whenever and wherever they want to contact you they can. No international charges. Only require wifi or 3G service.

Skype - If your contacts have Skype then you can text back and forth.

To Vilcabamba We Go

Park Jipiro

Time for another tour of a new area so off to Vilcabamba we went. We decided to take the Sunday afternoon bus from Cuenca to Loja. The bus left at 4:30 and cost $7.50 ea. Kids were half price. We arrived in Loja and grabbed a Hostel for the night. We chose The Metropolitano. What can I say it had 2 beds, a shower and Wifi. Not the best place we've stayed in and not the worst. The Hostel was in the downtown area so we woke in the morning grabbed some breakfast and spent a half a day or so in Loja.

Castle in Park

Loja is basically a small Cuenca. Old buildings, clean streets and nice people. We did however find a park for the kids. The park was Park Jipiro. It was a free park and had buildings in the shape of world monuments. There was a large castle, the Taj Ma Hal, and an Eiffel Tower to name a few. From the park we  made our way to the bus station. Buses from Loja to Vilcabamba run every 15 mins and the cost is $1.25 ea.

The trip took 45 mins and we were in Vilcabamba in time for lunch. Once you arrive in the center of town you have seen the town. It's really quite small and everything is within a few blocks. As much as I don't remember the name of the restaurant we had lunch in I will say the food was good and even though the nachos were made with Doritos they were quite good.

Courtyard of Hostel Escondido

Our first 2 nights were spent in the Hostel Jardin Escondido. It was nice. Private washrooms, TV room if you wanted, Wifi through out, and a nice little pool. Breakfast was included and it was a good breakfast. Dinner on the other hand was not what we had hoped for. The food was over priced and it was a poor attempt at Mexican food. All and all it was a good spot and I would return. Cost was $40 for 4 people a night.

We then moved hotels for our last night. We stayed at Izhcayluma. This hotel was very nice top notch spot. It is a 5 minute taxi ride out of town but for $1 I will not complain well worth it. Breakfast in the morning is included with lots of variety. Through out the day you have access to the restuarant and everything is added to your bill at the end. Also available was a pool, games room with billard, ping pong and darts, as well as a massage therapist. There are several options for rooms from a private room to rooms with shared washrooms and a dorm room.

View from Hotel Izhcayluma

Our trek through town brought us down an interesting path. In Vilcabamba there is a Ecopark. We took the walk which was about 20 mins out of town. We arrived at Rumi Wilco. There, there is several trails you can walk but even more interesting is the have cabins you can rent. For $30 a night you can stay in a beautiful private cabin on stilts with a outdoor shower. We wished we had seen it sooner. Well that will be for next time.

Horseback Riding

River in Ecopark

Things to do Vilcabamba - As mentioned it is a small town but for 4 days we kept busy. We had an opportunity to ride on horses, a first for 3 of us. It was nice 2 hr ride and for a first timer the horses were great. Even the two boys were fine on their horse. And for those who want you can take 2 or 3 day hikes. There are a few different restaurants to try and it is a great place to just see nature at it's greatest. Definately a place to return to.

Things to do in Cuenca

So you're living in Cuenca or visiting and looking for things to do on a rainy day. Head on over to the Mall Del Rio. All the fun you want in one place.

Bowling - On the second level of the mall is a game center bowling alley. There are 5 lanes and the cost is 2.50 per game plus 0.70 for the shoes. The lanes are quite new and up to date with gutter bars for kids and computerized score keeping. The lanes are also kept in good shape.

Super Trampoline - It's fun for all. Anyone can go. Kids especially love it but for the big kid in you give it a try. Basically you are strapped to Bungee cords and the attendant helps you jump from the first level up to the second level and at the top you can do a front or back flip. Don't miss this exciting fun.

Go-Karts - The track is small the carts are slow, but if you want 4$ fun then it's a good way to go. Race around the track for 5 mins and no one says much if you crash into each other or the tires.

Movie Theater - We haven't tried this option yet but there is a Multi Scene in the mall as well. Plays only Spanish movies but if you are trying to learn its not a bad thing to go to.


Mall del Rio is easy to get to. Just hope the 7 or 13 bus and you are there is no time. The nice thing with both those bus lines is that the mall is the end of the line so ride the bus till everyone gets off and you are there. And if hungry there is a large food court with KFC, Pizza Hut (coming soon), Subway and several ice cream shops (big surprise).

A Trip to the Cajas

The back of a pick up at 100km/hr

Have you ever wanted to visit another planet. See different plants, experience weather changes in seconds or climb amazing landscape. Well then visit the Cajas. Cajas National Park in Ecuador is truly special. Some call it amazing, awesome and even majestic.

The View

 

The forest from the Wizard of Oz

Our trip started at 9 am on Wednesday. We took bus #13 from Cuenca till the end of the line. Once there we waited for a bus to Guayguil but none came. It seems it passes every hr not half hr. Not long later we were offered a ride in the back of a pick up. So in all 8 of use hoped. For a charge of 1$ each and signing our life away we got a ride up to the Cajas. Small tip, if accepting a ride do not be afraid of driving 100 KM an hour in the back of a pick up truck going up long windy roads where tires are squealing and you can't see around the corner. If you have no problem with that then you are set to go. If you do WAIT for the bus. Not a lot better but at least you have some protection.

We arrived at Cajas National Park around 10:15 and begun our hike. We chose the second entrance to the park as there is a little more to see. Our hike started at one of the many lakes and the weather was cool. As we made our way up and down the hike we saw many different flowers, plants and cactus. But the most amazing was the paper tree forest. It kinda reminds you of the forest in the Wizard of Oz. I was just waiting for the flying monkeys.

The Climb

We stopped for lunch on a little island/causeway. Then continued our hike. After making our way up the side of a small waterfall we decided we had time to climb to a peak. Off we went. We made it to the peak at about 1:30. At this point it was time to go home so we made our way down and off we went. The entire hike was about 5 hrs. And quite the 5 hrs it was. If in Ecuador the Cajas  is a must do. There are several paths to take and if a little adventurous then you can go off the beaten track.

The peak we climbed

One note on the weather wear layers. In a span of 5 hrs we got weather that was near freezing point, heat of 20-25 degrees and hail. So be ready, pack a lunch and enjoy the scenery.

A Trip to the Zoo

The path through the zoo

Well this week we decided to field trip it to the zoo. And a very interesting trip it was. First we took bus 13 from our place to what we thought was the hospital Del Rio. It wasn't, so we walked about 2 km up the highway to the zoo, where we found out our bus did go. The trick was we had to change buses to another 13 and finish the ride. Either way we now know what bus to take. Upon arrival at the entrance to the zoo we found out you had to walk up another 600 meters, and by up I mean UP. See the zoo is located on top of the hill.

Loose Monkeys

Baby Tiger

Entrance to the zoo was reasonable $4 for adults and $3 for kids. But as mentioned the zoo is on top of the hill so the whole time you walk up. We had a chance to see many animals including lions, a baby tiger,several types of monkeys, and birds. There was one type of monkey that was wondering around lose, it took a piece of bread from Heidi. And you had to walk through the peacock cage to get to the other side of the zoo which was kinda neat.

The Lion Cage

A View from the Top

Our trip was well worth the $14 spent even if the lunch cost us another $14. If in Cuenca take the 2 hour tour of the zoo but be ready. Have sunscreen, hat and hiking shoes. It's a good chance to get in shape.