Cuenca High    Life

The cost of banking is about to get cheaper. Ecuador’s National Bank Board reported Thursday that 32 banks will lower their service costs by between 20% and 80% beginning July 1. "Bank customers will see charges reduced all over the country,” said Gloria Sabando, Superintendent of... [More]

With the mountains of Cuenca – Ecuador's third-largest city and a United Nations World Heritage site – serving as a backdrop, children run energetically up and down the Calle Miguel Escalinatas, a long concrete staircase, around the cones, and back again. They are part of... [More]

Ecuador’s armed forces last week began transferring responsibility for the permitting of firearms to the national police. In addition to the change of authority, the new system will establish an up-graded computerized database of gun ownership. Ecuadorian authorities, includi... [More]

Rosa Martinez used to stroll to the local money transfer office in Corona every week to send $200 to her family in Cuenca. She still goes to the Delgado Travel office, but not to send money. Instead, it is she who collects a little cash from those family members in Cuenca. "My hus... [More]

Calle Large is getting overloaded with bars and night clubs, according to Cuenca officials, and the government intends to do something about it. Many of the establishments in the area lack proper permits, officials say, and efforts are underway to shut down those operating illegally. Accordi... [More]

Ever wondered about the story behind those large, adhesive “Clausurado” signs plastered on the doors of closed-down businesses?  Most of us know they’re the result of a business failing to pay taxes or violating other government regulations. Few of us know much more. T... [More]

Since I moved to Ecuador a dozen years ago, I’ve made a point of visiting my friends in Vilcabamba at least once a year. I was enchanted with this peaceful, isolated valley the first time I saw it in 1998 and even considered settling there until business considerations – I need to be c... [More]

“In the U.S., this would be illegal,” John Schnelling tells a friend standing next to him Friday night in Cuenca’s Calderon Park. Errant sparks fly in all directions from the make-shift wrought iron fireworks launch pads less than 50 feet away as one rocket after another streaks ... [More]

Lessons in how the world works and portraits of the never-ending struggles in places around the globe where power is challenged by populist resistance: such matters are a concern of the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Rarely ha... [More]

Sunday’s national parliamentary election means sales of alcoholic beverages, either in bars and restaurants or, in stores, are suspended from noon on Friday, June 12, until after polls close on Sunday, June 14. The idea behind the dry period, as defined in Article 140 of Ecuador’... [More]

World Trade Organization members agreed on Thursday to allow Ecuador to impose temporary import restrictions because of balance of payments problems. The move was hailed by rich and developing countries as proof that the rules-based trading system umpired by the WTO was working well despite ... [More]

Although Cuenca is generally considered the most progressive Ecuadorian city for respecting gay rights, this has not always been the case. The catalyst, many say, was the mass detention of more than a hundred homosexuals in September, 1997. The arrests sparked a quick response from the gay a... [More]

If you’re considering starting a business in Cuenca, or anywhere else in Ecuador, and need an overview of the business climate, there’s a new website that can help. InfoEmpreses, www.supercias.gov.ec, a service of the office of Ecuador’s Superintendency of Companies provide... [More]

If the political demonstrations in downtown Cuenca have disturbed your walking or driving routes in recent weeks, you  have President Rafeal Correa to thank. The administration has angered some of the countries largest labor unions, whose members are taking to the streets to protest. Although... [More]

For those with fond memories of Benihana, the U.S.-based restaurant chain famous for its flashing knives and Japanese chefs (sometimes of dubious pedigree), Cuenca responds with its own teppan grill, Otabe, on Av. Remigio Crespo. As with all Japanese grills, the food is cooked at high tempe... [More]

Through the first four months of 2009, real estate construction and sales continue to be a strong point of Cuenca’s economy. During that period, more than 250 building projects were permitted in the city’s central area and thousands of sales were recorded.  Xavier Sanchez, p... [More]

U.S. citizens living in Ecuador are invited to an informal meeting with the U.S. Consul General, Friday, May 29, 11 a.m., at the Abraham Lincoln Culture Center, 5 - 18 Calle Borrero. Consul General Douglas Griffiths will present information about U.S. Embassy and Consulate services to U.S. citizen... [More]

Cuenca’s taxi cooperatives and the city government continue to squabble over new inspection rules and the over-charging of customers. Although the Taxi Transport Cooperative Union has agreed to comply with the city’s new vehicle inspection rules, the United Front of Taxi Dri... [More]

The University of Cuenca has asked the cantonal council for permission to build a bar or coffee shop next to the Casa de los Arcos on the Tomebamba River. The university owns the renovated Arcos and says the new addition will bring more people to the Barranco area across from t... [More]

Although Cuenca has one of the lowest rates of serious crime, per capita, in Ecuador (only Loja has a lower rate among cities with populations of more than 100,000), petty and property crime are ongoing problems. According to police officials, tourists and foreign residents are prime targets. ... [More]

One of the major complaints of newcomers to Cuenca is that they can’t find good bread or coffee. Granted, much of the offerings here are truly ghastly, at least by gringo standards, but this understandable in a land of corn eaters and tea drinkers. On the other hand, those of us who have lea... [More]

LAN Ecuador has announced that it will begin Cuenca - Guayaquil air service Monday, May 18. The first flight will leave Guayaquil at 12:05 p.m. and arrive in Cuenca at 12:40 p.m. In addition to general travelers, the inaugural flight will transport Lan officials, politicians and journalists. ... [More]

If you want to be sure the fruits and vegetables you buy are pesticide-free, show up on Sunday mornings, shopping basket in hand, at Cuenca’s Paradise Park. It’s a good idea to get there early. According to vendors, most of the produce is gone by early afternoon. The Cuenca... [More]

How do Cuenca and Quito compare? It's a question in the minds of many foreigners considering relocating to Ecuador.  The short –and probably the best-- response is, ‘come down and see for yourself.’ There are, however, similarities and differences that the pros... [More]

For the second time in four years, Cuenca has been recognized for having the best drinking water in Latin America. The only difference in the survey conducted in 2008 and the previous survey is that Cuenca stands alone in number one position. The Hamburg, Germany-based International Dri... [More]