Take a look at the places you should visit while in Ecuador!

Check out more pics of the country at Flickr

Day 2 in Buenos Aires. Vibe's Experience with Bueno Entonces

After class I meet the production people behind Bueno, entonces... in Palermo where they work. I’ve brought some chocolate all the way from New Zealand, which I think Corrie is happy about. It’s still surreal, can’t believe these people just brought me to Buenos Aires because they felt like giving away a trip. What’s more, I’m being spoiled rotten. Tonight more amazing Argentine food... has anyone told you about the food here?
Argentines like cow. They like to eat it, apparently per capita they eat something like 80 kg of cow on average a year. I find that hard to comprehend as a concept, but then again the beef here IS really quite incredible. The portion sizes are also quite incredible. When you order a bife de lomo you get enough to feed a small village back where I come from. It also turns out that the other David from Bueno, entonces... (el productor) knows a thing or two about wine and likes ordering really nice bottles of wine. OOOh this is heaven...mmmm Malbec.

Read more about her fun experience on her blog.

On break of your Spanish lessons in Quito, check this out!

NIGHTLIFE IN ECUADOR (QUITO)

Bars and clubs abound in Quito; unfortunately, the diversity of nightlife tends to be a bit skimpy. In general, you have either British-style pubs or run-of-the-mill bars and dance clubs. On the plus side, since the locals are extremely friendly, it's not uncommon to make new Ecuadorian friends at a raucous bar or club.

In August 2001, the city government issued a new law stating that all bars and clubs must close at midnight on weekdays, 2am on weekends, so don't expect to party all night long. You should also remember that, at night, Quito can be very dangerous, especially near the bars and clubs. Take a cab, even if it's only for a few blocks; bartenders can call a taxi for you. If you have a cellphone, dial tel. 02-2222-222 for a taxi 24 hours a day.

Bars & Pubs

One of the most happening places is the Kama Sutra Bar & Café, Calama 380 and Juan León Mera, which fills up with the after-work crowd and stays hopping until after midnight. This is where most Quiteños gather with their friends for drinks before dinner or, on weekends, before heading to the disco. El Pobre Diablo, Isabel La Católica 1206 near the corner of F. Galaviz (1 block behind the Swissôtel), is a good low-key bar. It's popular with local bohemian types. The Reina Victoria Pub, Reina Victoria 530 (between Carrión and Roca), caters to the English-speaking set (expect a nice big "Hello" when you enter). This is one of the few pubs in Quito that serves beer on tap, from a Canadian-owned local brewery. Once you have a fresh-brewed beer in hand, relax by the cozy fireplace or practice your dart game. The Turtle's Head on La Niña between Amazonas and Juan León Mera has a similar atmosphere to Reina Victoria, except it also has a pool table and occasional live music. Right next door, also on La Niña, is Séptimo Cielo (it doesn't have a sign, but it's a white house with gold-coloured columns and black doors; you have to knock to get in), which is one of the few bars in Quito that somehow managed to excuse itself from the curfew law; it stays open quite late but it doesn't attract the most hip of clientele.

Dance Clubs

On weekends, everybody heads to the new Papillon Disco, on Pinezón and Colón. There's no cover charge and the music is quite good -- a mix of American and Latin pop and some techno. It's the most popular dance club in town and attracts a healthy mix of people, from late teens to early forties. If you're looking for a typical frat-style bar/dance club, No Bar on Calama 380 and Juan León Mera is your best bet. The cover charge is $2 and includes a free drink. Music varies from "techno Titanic" to pop Latino music. Even though the bar is in the heart of the tourist area, the crowd is surprisingly local. Seseribó, on Veintimilla and 12 de Octubre (in the basement of the Edificio El Girón), is the best place in town for salsa; there's no cover.

Learn more at Allo' Expat Ecuador.

The General Linguistics Method for Teaching Foreign Languages

Created by linguists, teachers and students from a half-dozen countries, General Linguistics developed Bueno, entonces… to incorporate all the best elements of the software and audiobook language learning methods like Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone that have been around for decades.

We mixed the comprehensive learning material of the audiobook courses with the addictive, fun and universally beloved format of a television show to create the Bueno, entonces… series. Each of the 30classes is 30-40 minutes long, proven as the perfect length for a language course - long enough to cover vocabulary and grammar topics but short enough to keep you interested the whole time. The challenging fast pace and edgy, entertaining style of Bueno, entonces… will keep you coming back for more.

Learning Spanish doesn’t have to be boring and monotonous. Bueno, entonces… infuses a witty, engaging storyline into the learning process - and by following along you absorb more Spanish, morequickly than you ever thought possible. By the end of the 5-week, 30-class series, you
will be speaking and understanding native conversational Spanish!

Bueno, entonces… incorporates the following 5 principles to make learning Spanish fun, painless and effective:

1. Make The Classes Interesting & Engaging With Wit and Charm.

If you are not engaged, you are not going to learn or remember anything. Learning doesn’t have to be boring — remember your favorite teachers? Well, wait until you meet David & Jimena…

2. See The Words On The Screen.

Some people are audio learners, some people are video learners - most people are both, and learn different things in one way or the other. With Bueno, entonces… every word in Spanish is written on the screen so you can see how it is spelled while you hear it being pronounced. Old-fashioned audiobooks only get your half-way there.

3. Color-Coding.

Everything on the screen is color-coded in Spanish and English to help you understand word usage and sentence structure. You’ll start to quickly see and understand which words in Spanish correspond with similar words in English, and how those words are used in a sentence.

Read about this new and quick method of learning Spanish on buenoentonces.com/blog.

Languages in Ecuador

The official language in Ecuador is Spanish, but there are still a lot of other languages being spoken in Ecuador besides Spanish. Many small indigenous groups have their own traditional language which they are trying to preserve. Many of the traditional languages have been around for a long time. Many have survived colonialism. The Inca's as well as a lot of small indigenous groups in the jungle and coastal region still use their own language, eventhough the languages are threatened in their existence.

Quichua

Quichua is the traditional language spoken by many Ecuadoreans. The language has been around since the Inca-era, which was dominant during the 15th century and is still being spoken in the entire Andean region.

In Quechua they call their language runa simi (or runa shimi). 'Runa' means people and 'simi' means language or tongue. In later times this term was changed into Runasimi, as a general definition of Indian language, sometimes referring to non-quechua languages.

You can see Quichua phrases all around Ecuador, emphasizing the cultural background of a lot of Ecuadoreans. Since the eighties people are not receiving classes in quechua. The language is still being spoken in a lot of homes, but less people are using the language every day. A lot of Ecuadoreans that used to speak Quechua, now prefer to speak the official language in Ecuador, Spanish.

Read more about Ecuador at Volunteering Ecuador

Review: Learn Spanish with Bueno, entonces…

Prior to moving to Argentina, I spent several years working at an investment firm in Los Angeles. After the financial market collapse, I decided that it was time for me to try something different and accepted a consulting job in Buenos Aires. I set off for this new experience knowing only basic Spanish.

The first few weeks were very frustrating. This was the first time that I was living and working in a city where I did not speak the native language. I was not prepared for how difficult it was going to be to learn Spanish! My biggest hindrance in learning the language was finding the time. With a full work week and the time required to adjust to a new city, I just didn’t have the time to take classes.

I found out about “Bueno, entonces” through a friend who heard they were organizing a focus group to test the product. I joined so that I could try the program in exchange for writing a review.

I was very pleasantly surprised with how great the program was and how quickly my Spanish improved. While some of the beginning classes were below my skill level, I still found it helpful to have them reinforce basic grammar and conversational vocabulary. As the classes continued, I found myself getting pulled into the story line of David and his teacher Jimena, and also learning more and more Spanish.

For me, the best thing about the program was its portability. I was able to put all the episodes on my ipod and watch a different one each day on my commute to work. Because I could take it with me anywhere, it was easier for me to stay motivated and keep up with the program.

Read complete review on buenoentonces.com/blog.

Where is my Embassy?

The embassies and consulates listed below will be able to provide detailed information about Ecuador:

Embassy of Ecuador in Canada, 50 O'Connor St., Ottawa, Suite 1311, ON K1P 6L2, Canada; Tel: (613) 563-8206; Fax: 613-235-5776.

Embassy of Ecuador to the United Kingdom, 3 Hans Crescent, London , SW1X 0LS, U.K.; Tel: 020 7584 8084.

Embassies in Ecuador:

United States Embassy in Ecuador, www.usembassy.org.ec. Patria and 12 de Octubre Avenues, Quito, Ecuador; Tel: (593) 2-256-2890; Fax: (593) 2-250-2052.

Canadian Embassy in Ecuador, www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ecuador/menu-en.asp. Av. 6 de Diciembre 2816 y Paul Rivet, Edificio Josueth González, 4th Floor, P.O. Box 17-11-6512, Quito - Ecuador; Tel: (011 593 2) 2232-114 and 2506-162; Fax: (011 593 2) 2503-108; quito@dfait-maeci.gc.ca.

British Embassy in Ecuador, www.britishembassy.gov.uk. Citiplaza Building, Naciones Unidas Ave. and Republica de El Salvador, 14th Floor, PO Box 17-17-830, Quito; Tel: (593) (2) 2970 800 / 801.

See where your embassy is at Transitions Abroad Ecuador.

Vida Verde. Spanish School in Quito

We are a Spanish language school in Quito, Ecuador offering intensive Spanish language instruction and Spanish immersion programs. With all the Spanish schools in Ecuador and throughout the world, you may be thinking, "Why should I learn Spanish at the Vida Verde Spanish School?" Well, the answer to that is easy. It's because we offer something other schools don't: Learning with a conscience.

Our spanish school is located in a spacious, yet cozy, colonial house near the Mariscal tourist district of Quito. While studying with us, you'll not only receive quality Spanish instruction, you'll also have the opportunity to live with an Ecuadorian family, learn about the various Ecuadorian cultures through innovative lesson plans and embark on excursions that emphasize the richness of the diverse Ecuadorian environment and its people.

To read more visit Vida Verde.

Study Abroad in Quito

With a diverse population of nearly 1.4 million people, Quito is a vibrant and modern city. Although it is located only 22 miles from the equator, the city’s high altitude ensures “eternal spring” temperatures throughout the year. Quito, an architectural jewel , is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Area Studies & Language Program

A Spanish immersion program with a wide range of courses in a variety of disciplines, the Area Studies & Language Program focuses on Ecuador’s ecological and ethnic diversity and the challenges of development. Highlights include unique field trips to the Galápagos Islands and the Amazon region, environmental studies course options, and internship and service learning opportunities.

Read more about it at IES Abroad

Study & Intern Abroad in Ecuador...

Where Guayaquil in Ecuador

When Fall Semester, Winter Semester, Spring Semester, Summer, Year Round, Academic Year

Study & Intern Abroad in Ecuador Low cost, high quality university programs focusing on international business, South American politics, Spanish language, medicine, health, environment, media and so much more. Wide selection of courses taught in English and Spanish. Study along side Ecuadorian and international students from around the world.

Overview The program is based at the Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, a premier university in Ecuador. Housing is provided with host families near the campus. Cultural excursions in Guayaquil, Cuenca (Inca ruins) and Quito are an integral part of the program. Setting Guayaquil, founded in 1538 by Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana, traces its origin to the Incas Empire. Today, Guayaquil serves as the financial, commercial and cultural center of Ecuador. With easy access to tropical beaches, the Amazon basin and other ecological destinations, Guayaquil is becoming one of the tourist destinations in Latin America. Study in Guayaquil and experience this amazing location for yourself. For more info, go to Study Abroad

Quito's Spanish Schools are Many and Affordable

By Heather Wynn

Spoken in more than 20 countries, and the fourth most widely spoken language in the world, Spanish is practical to know. It is also one of the most affordable to learn through an in-country immersion program. In Ecuador you can easily get by on $20 a day, and the U.S. dollar is the local currency, so you don’t have to worry about conversion rates. As an American you can stay for up to three months without a visa.

In a country slightly smaller in size than Nevada, one is awaited by a diversity of ecological environments, including beautiful sandy beaches, cloud forest, snow topped mountain peaks, and jungle. The people of Ecuador are easy going and friendly. Few Ecuadorians speak English, giving you an opportunity to really practice your Spanish.

In Quito’s La Mariscal district in the New Town, which caters to backpackers, you will find language school after language school, offering one-on-one and group courses for as little as a few dollars an hour. It is an ideal city in which to learn Spanish because it is home to Ecuador’s largest university. The local student population is warmly receptive to the company of international travelers, and the slower pace enjoyed generally by Ecuadorians has instilled them with great reserves of patience that they apparently like to expend on non-native speakers struggling through their first Spanish conversations.

More info at Transitions Abroad

One semester of Spanish video

This is just hilarious!! Take a few minutes to laugh, laugh and laugh

Centers for Interamerican Studies: Semester in the Andes

The Semester in the Andes is unique in that it combines an extended experience in one city--Cuenca, Ecuador--with a considerable amount of travel in the Andes. The program provides opportunities for students to study a range of topics in Latin America.

The semester is divided into two academic terms, allowing students to begin with intensive Spanish courses and then choose from several options: further language courses, an internship or service learning project, or courses from several academic disciplines taught in either English or Spanish by an international faculty.

To read more go to Transitions Abroad

Spanish Language Immersion Programs In Ecuador

Ecuador is one of the prime destinations in South America to participate in one of our Spanish language programs. Take a look at the right side of this page to discover more about the cities and locations where you can participate in Spanish language programs in Ecuador. Each city or region in Ecuador offers something unique, however in Quito and (Cuenca - coming soon) you will find top quality Spanish language schools, offering diverse Spanish language programs all designed to help you study and learn Spanish in a very short period of time.

Browse the information links on the right side of this page to find out more about Ecuador, the Spanish language schools and the various Spanish language programs offered.

Is Ecuador the best location to Learn and Study The Spanish Language?

For some people yes, for others no. Each location and Spanish language school offers something different. A great Spanish program for one person may not be appropriate for another. As such Spanish Abroad, Inc. offers a variety of Spanish study abroad locations that you can choose in your quest to study and learn Spanish in Ecuador, the rest of Latin America, or Spain.

Read more at Spanishabroad.com

Things Seen at the Market

Just about any public place in Ecuador is a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, smells and experiences. Loja’s central market, where we buy most of our fruits, vegetables and coffee, is one public place with it’s share of activity. There is so much happening that it is too much to take in all at once, but here are a few things I noticed during a recent shopping trip:

Women huddled together on the sidewalk outside of the market selling socks from baskets, their children playing nearby.

An old, skinny man standing at the entrance to the market holding up a large, bright red towel, and yelling, "Towels for sale, get your towel here!"

An even older, skinnier man selling little foam alphabet puzzles. His cry was, "Puzzles, puzzles, buy yourself a puzzle today!"

A seemingly endless number of stalls within the market, all of them overflowing with a colorful jumble of goods. The market has two floors. Downstairs are the produce, meat, cheese, flowers and household goods sections. Upstairs you’ll find coffee, dried goods, sweets, clothes, barber shops, fresh juice bars, and a few restaurants.

A young guy selling little frog toys that paddle their legs when you wind them up. He has a small tub of water next to him which he uses to demonstrate how the frogs work.

Finish reading the article at Living in Loja

GET IN

By express provision of the Lord President of the Republic, from Friday June 20, 2008, citizens of any nationality may enter Ecuador without a visa and stay for a period of ninety days, principle of free movement of persons and to strengthen relations between Ecuador and all countries of the world, and promote tourism, however, Colombian citizens must present their valid passport in addition to the last court order to enter Ecuador. Chinese citizens need to approach the consulate for incorporation of a stamp in the passport before entry to Ecuador.

By plane

Quito's airport has an executive lounge shared by all the airlines with drinks, snacks, and seating areas. The view is not of the airplanes and runway, but there is a view of the airport entrance and the surrounding mountains. Business class travelers get a free invitation.

Another port of entry is Guayaquil, which has a modern airport that includes the typical amenities such as restaurants and duty-free shopping. The airport is located north from downtown.

The Galapagos Island are one of the Ecuadorian provinces and have two airports, one of which is on Baltra and the other is on San Cristobal. Aerogal is the name of the airline which flies to Galapagos. All the flights are through the mainland

The Quito airport charges an international departure tax of $40.80. The tax is $26 from Guayaquil. This tax usually is not included in the cost of the flight.

By train

There are no international train services into Ecuador.

By car

Driving into Ecuador is discouraged. It is preferable to enter the country by airplane or boat because of the frontier issues with neighboring countries.

By bus

If you enter Ecuador by bus you usually have to switch buses at the border. If come from Colombia you have to cross the border at Rumichaca near Tulcan and Ipiales (Colombia). There are several places to cross the border with Peru. As of December 2007, the Ecuador/Colombia border crossing is reguarded as a safe and hassle free while the Ecuador/Peru border crossing is much more dangerous with the likelihood of being scammed out of hundreds of dollars.

To know more about transportation in Ecuador visit Wikitravel.