Ecuador Banks: Are They Safe?

We recently received the following question from a reader about Ecuador Banks:
I am wondering if you can tell me your opinion on Ecuadorian banks. I am planning to visit Ecuador, possibly Cotacachi, in the next couple of months, and in that time I would be interested in opening a bank account with one of the [...]

The Panama Hat: A Timeless Fashion Statement

Photo: NYTimes, August 7, 2008
The Panama hat continues to be a fashion favorite around the world.

Vanity Fair Magazine has just published its 2008 International Best-Dressed List and Heinrich Furstenberg, one of the winners, looks dapper in his Panama hat, which is blocked in the Havana style.

H.S.H. PRINCE HEINRICH VON UND ZU FÜRSTENBERG, 58-year-old German [...]

Lynn Meisch: Anthropologist, Scholar and Otavalo Expert

By Linda McFarlin
While we were conducting our recent Introduction to Ecuador Course and Tour, we stayed at  two Casa Sol hotels, charming hotels located in Peguche and Quito. Casa Sol in Quito is an especially great place to hang out and meet other gringos and travelers.  

Two of the people we were fortunate [...]

Correa Vows to Restructure Finances

Ecuadorian president Rafeal Correa continues to push for change. Here are a few selections from a Bloomberg article (link at end of post).
Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) — Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said he wants to reorganize the country’s administration and finances to reduce inequalities and fight corruption. Correa said plans to build new hydroelectric plants [...]

Ecuadorian balance of trade is positive or negative?

Pro-Ecuador reader comment:
Jason, here is a good article about inflation is the US. Do you know what the Ecuadorian balance of trade is? It is positive or a deficit? If it is positive, then it will not be hit as hard by inflation as if it is negative. Either way, Ecuadorian property is, as [...]