For some people like 67-year retired teacher Romelia Machado—whose desperation to get clean water was evident on her face—the recent heavy rains have meant an interruption of daily life. Machado’s grandchildren have missed two days of school because without water, she couldn’t prepare breakfast for the family. Like many others, she showed up at the […]

Four companies from the United States, Brazil, Spain and Ecuador joined to form the company “BiciCuenca,” to provide public bicycle service to the public. Leading the way is the Spanish company EYSA, a provider of mobility materials that according to its representative in Ecuador, Alfredo Santiago Cruz, will coordinate everything with the public municipal mobility […]

As of this past week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility began to deliver electronic visas to foreign citizens who decide to stay in Ecuador temporarily or permanently, in accordance with the provisions of the current law. The electronic visa is a permanency permit, through an electronic registry, which accredits and validates the […]

By 2030 Cuenca will have 740,000 inhabitants according to the projections of the National Institute of Statistics and Census, INEC. According to urban planning expert Augusto Pintos, this will cause the need, for housing, equipment and space for industry. However, excessive growth can affect the provision of food and environmental care. To avoid this, the […]

Heart disease is the number one killer of middle-and upper-income men and women in North America, Latin America, and throughout the world.  An epidemic of obesity and its resulting complications, most importantly type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, increase the risk significantly. Smoking and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to heart disease risk too. How […]

The new pedestrian bridge built by the Municipality of Cuenca, located on Avenida De Las Américas and Calle Tarqui, was inaugurated last week. The bridge, located at the Basilica sector, aims to provide security for pedestrians. The structure is made up of a 120 meter (m) long bridge whose accesses are spiral shaped for the […]

The Minister of Finance, Richard Martinez, said that a meeting held this week between President Moreno and Christine Lagarde, Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), opens the door to Ecuador for potential access to financing of the its debt, in the case that the country requires it, in order to optimally implement its economic […]

The Canadian Riverview Rotary Club and the Rotary Club Tomebamba of Cuenca have joined forces to organize a free program with the name of “Operation Hope,” to offer dental and surgical services to people with no economic resources. The program works through coordination between the Rotary Club Riverview of Canada (represented by Rodney Adams) and […]

The new 12 de Abril market (Andrés Eloy Alfaro street) will be ready for Carnival. Its remodeling took a total turn, replacing a market that had more been there for than 30 years. The work started in July of 2017 with an orginal estimate of 12 months for its completion. But as often happens in […]

A new wholesale market, land terminals, plans to relocate the airport, parks and convention centers are among some of the proposals put forth by the candidates for the Mayor’s Office of Cuenca. How necessary are these works? Well, according to a study by the Inter-American Development Bank, some should be a priority. The study raises the […]

Every Friday from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM a new ‘’ Basin Book Club for Foreigners ‘’ happens in the Municipal Library ‘’Antonio Lloret Bastidas ,’’ located on Gran Colombia and Benigno Malo. Ecuadorain history, culture and local literature are some of the topics discussed.  Along the way, particpants learn a side of the Spanish […]

In the month of March a new public bicycle service will begin. This project is an alternative for those who are tired of using cars or the public transportation service. The price for its use will be $0.25. The company in charge of the manufacture of the bicycles assures that they are almost finished and […]

“Good weather for ducks.”  That’s what a customer used to say all the time when he came into the pharmacy I worked in when I was 16.  Not just on rainy days.  But every day.  He was most certainly mentally challenged and I was too young to really understand how deep his problem was. He […]

Following the recent murder of a pregnant Ecuadorian woman by her Venezuelan boyfriend, Ecuador has announced that a new requirement of an apostilled legal background check will be required from all Venezuelans who enter the country. Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner made the announcement two days after the murder of Diana Carolina, which occurred in front […]

Ecuador has rebuilt its relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the agency with which it hopes to reach a sustainable agreement over time and beneficial for both parties, said the Minister of Economy. Despite the rapprochement between the Government and the IMF, financing by the multilateral agency has not yet been finalized.  However, there […]

The glazed ends of this house in Ecuador, by local architect Emilio López, are larger than the building’s middle portion to make the most of ocean and forest views. Don Juan House is a two-storey residence perched atop a hill, which features a notable dip in its centre to give the impression of a bow-tie. […]

Corporation Favorita is investing two million dollars in the construction of new “SUPER AKí” supermarket at the corner of Rafael María Arízaga and Tarqui. One million dollars will be invested in the construction and another million will be spent for equipment, merchandise and personnel hiring, reports Álvaro Rotembach, regional manager of Corporación Favorita. So far, […]

An illegal road cut into the Cajas National Park has raised major concern and is leading to an investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor (COIP). According to The Ministry of the Environment (MAE), the damage was probably caused by residents of Patul, Baute, Chacanceo or other neighboring areas.   Residents from these villages have been […]

The glazed ends of this house in Ecuador, by local architect Emilio López, are larger than the building’s middle portion to make the most of ocean and forest views. Outdoor living is increasingly becoming a more and more important part of modern home design, and there are instances when it is the outdoor living and […]

When Tod and Mary Freeman moved to Salinas, Ecuador 7½ years ago, they just didn’t want to retire, walk the beach and socialize with other expats — the couple had a passion to somehow make a difference in other people’s lives. And, oh, what a difference they’ve made. Through collaboration with medical professionals, hospitals and […]

According to a recent report presented to the Municipality’s Finance Committee, the local government of Cuenca had over $137 million in outstanding debts to multiple banks and other creditors at the end of the third quarter in 2018. Among those creditors are: the Development Bank of Latin America, CAF (almost $52 million); the government of […]

Like many major cities in the world, Cuenca has been busy at work installing cameras throughout the city. According to, Alexandra Altamirano, coordinator of ECU 911 Austro, there are 248 cameras installed in Cuenca. When a person is a victim of theft, or when an incident occurs that requires the perpetrator to be identified, the […]

Jackie loves cognac. Her eyes glaze over as she talks about the complex aftertaste remaining after the tiniest sip which she enjoys while re-reading “Stiff” by Mary Roach. The sad fact is that this elixir is a bit over our budget here in Ecuador so Jackie has been deprived for several months … until now. […]

This week Attorney General, Ruth Palacios, asked the National Court of Justice to order “preventive detention” for Ecuador’s former Vice President María Alejandra Vicuña. The Prosecutor’s Office has accused Vicuña of “alleged participation in the crime of extortion, which she committed when she fulfilled the functions of Assemblyman,” said Palacios. The prosecutor has also asked […]

My client said, “What do you think of the 8-Hour Diet? I’ve heard it really works”. Everyone, it seems, has the “secret” to weight loss. Celebrities, doctors, celebrity doctors, sports stars. Or just two guys who’ve lost weight, and want to parlay their experience into a book, website, and products. Don’t forget the products. The […]

After a year and a half, 96 out of 132 merchants have begun returning to San Francisco Square in preparation of the January 29th inauguration of the space. Monday, several merchants began moving into their new locations that were assigned to them by the Economic Development Company (EDEC).  EDEC will be in charge of the […]

The free taxi app, Azutaxi, which offers services to request a taxi in the city, is being negatively affected in high traffic hours and on holidays. “On holidays as well as rainy days, the demand for taxi service in the city can double, becoming an unfavorable factor when a citizen needs the service,” says Jorge […]

A group of citizens took to the streets in the center of Cuenca to protest against the environmental tax, known as ‘green tax’, which taxes high-capacity vehicles. With signs saying, “Mi resisti al tiempo y me resistire a tu impuesto,” (I resisted time and I will resist your tax) and “Impuesto Injusto,” (Unjust Tax), protesters blocked […]

As I write this I’m sitting here still amazed at the events that have taken place in Venezuela today.  Juan Guaidó, the President of the National Assembly, has taken the oath to be the interim President of the country, claiming that the country’s Constitution gives him that right when the President has proven that he […]

The vehicle registration calendar begins in February, meaning it’s time for all vehicle owners to get ready for their new matricuar paperwork.  In preparation for that and to avoid problems, there are seven areas vehicle owners should be make sure are up to regulations before they have their car inspection done. “Going to a specialized […]