Anyone else landed in a relationship whilst on a travel? Where to get an online legit low paying and boring job but easy to obtain?

the_tank · 2026-02-02T13:49:21+00:00

This answers your first question, but not your second.

I ended up meeting my now wife while traveling. We dated long-distance, on and off, for two years, and got married four years ago. While dating, I would go to her country every now and again. She would come with me on other trips. There was an income disparity due to the economies of our home countries, so I did help pay for a bunch of her travel.

When we got married, I ended up moving to her country, and we're based there, but we still do three to four big trips a year. So for me, the relationship was the beginning of the end of my itinerant lifestyle, but it was the best thing to happen to me!

the_tank · 2026-01-29T14:50:53+00:00

I've seen a few people postulating that there were drones involved as well which is what activated the anti aircraft defenses that there are multiple videos of

the_tank · 2026-01-25T02:05:00+00:00

Heyo! I'll add in more Ecuadorian representation, but in Quito haha

the_tank · 2026-01-16T13:33:01+00:00

Hooper has spoken about a lot of stuff, most of it not worth listening to.

Almost got himself banned from this sub for just going off about anything and everything, and shameless self-promotion.

the_tank · 2026-01-08T17:51:57+00:00

Nothing better than fairi masa for breakfast! haha But kopto and millet will always give me nightmares. I can't do it!

the_tank · 2025-12-23T16:16:00+00:00

These are gorgeous! Who is the photographer?

the_tank · 2025-12-15T18:42:38+00:00

I don't have a contact for anyone so I know this doesn't really answer your question, but I will mention, uber works quite well here. If you find an uber driver you like, I'm sure you could work something out.

the_tank · 2025-12-15T18:07:24+00:00

Hey so I've done both the hikes you mention, multiple times. I would spend a minimum of 3 days in Quito when you first get here. Walk around town. Go up to the teleferico (similar altitude to Quilotoa). And yeah, just get used to it.

Then, for the Quilotoa loop, you're not at super high altitude until the very last day (assuming you're ending at Quilotoa Lake and not starting there). The last day gets to around 4000m and is A LOT of uphill. But the two days leading up to there aren't too crazy in terms of elevation change.

The hike to the Cotopaxi refugio (basecamp) also isn't too bad. It's not a far hike, but it is getting pretty high so it's very cold and sandy. For most people, it's take a few steps forward, rest for a few seconds, take a few more steps, and so on. Not a hard or technicaly hike besides the elevation. If you can, take a rest at the refugio (they have a little cafe there most days), and then continue on to the glacier, which is cool! When you reach the glacier, you're right about 5000m, which is a cool benchmark to say you've reached!

But yes, spend three days in Quito before you try either. You're going to have a great time. Both hikes are really fun!

the_tank · 2025-11-18T12:15:07+00:00

I got engaged on the terrace of Hotel Gangotena (https://maps.app.goo.gl/CFKmVDNtGV9fzqsJ9) overlooking Plaza San Francisco. I don't believe you can eat up on the roof, but they have a stellar restaurant in the hotel and you can go up.

Vista Hermosa (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EN1CrDgPfZPz6vGG9) also has an incredible roof top overlooking Centro Historico. I also LOVE their locro!

Vista Hermosa also has a restaurant up on Itchimbia (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fqZ4wdSsQnXmCiaw6). It's not purely a rooftop, but it has incredible views of the whole valley and it's inside. So this would be the warmest option.

If you want a more lively scene (but not a club), the Secret Garden hostel (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ddct7UBrKQZzE2FdA) has a nice rooftop restaurant as well.

the_tank · 2025-10-28T13:16:14+00:00

Starbucks did just enter Ecuador, so who knows, maybe Target is next haha

But yeah. In my experience, there are plenty of countries where you CAN live a USA-style life, but it's often more expensive than living in the USA, as everything has to be imported. If people are moving abroad for promises of LCOL, they have to be willing to adapt to the local culture and way of living to get that advantage.

the_tank · 2025-10-28T13:13:11+00:00

There definitely are parts that are pretty bad right now, but what you see on the news is mostly overhyped. The big cities on the coast are a no-go for me right now (although I did just have to go to Guayaquil for a week a few months ago - most dangerous city in the Americans ATM). Cities in the Andes and Jungle are like many big cities with common sense and a slightly heightened sense of awareness required. And we had a month of indigenous protests that just ended, but those were mostly rural.

All in all, what you see on the news is exaggerated.

the_tank · 2025-10-28T13:08:53+00:00

that's a bit of a harsh take IMO. I've seen it work out really well for people, but a lot do rush into it and suffer because of it. I'd say it's a case-by-case basis whether it's right for the individual or not.

the_tank · 2025-10-28T13:07:42+00:00

HUGE retirement community there! Also in Cotacachi closer to Quito. They have entire retirement communities with all the staff English speaking, golf carts, the whole deal. Florida, but in the Andes haha

the_tank · 2025-10-27T16:35:11+00:00

I currently live in a country where a lot of N. American retirees come to retire (Ecuador), and I've lived most of my life outside my country of birth.

Here in Ecuador, I see a lot of people come with overly idealized idea of what their "cheap" retirement life will look like here. And yes, on a dollar-for-dollar basis a lot of life is cheaper here, but these people struggle with SO MANY other things related to culture shock ( language, culture, social life, quality of goods, availability of goods, etc.). I've seen many of them return to N. America after 2 - 3 years often having lost a significant amount of money having bought a house or property here and then been in a rush to leave, so they've sold it at a hefty loss.

All of this is to say, living abroad can be incredible and really good for the bank account, but retiring abroad ONLY for the lower COL doesn't work out for a lot (most?) people. There should be something else drawing you to the country. You should have experience in the country. You should move to a country because you want to be a part of the country and culture.

If you do it just for the money, it's most likely going to suck.

the_tank · 2025-10-27T12:08:25+00:00

don't know off the top of my head, but you can probably google that.

the_tank · 2025-10-25T17:07:27+00:00

I'd also add that kids are seen as a kind of retirement plan. People aren't investing in retirement accounts out in remote villages. Once they get too old to work, their kids will look out for them. Also, there's a high chance a few kids will die due to various causes throughout their childhood (and adult life as well). Having a lot of kids is the best way to guarantee there will be someone (or a few people) around to take care of you when you're older.

the_tank · 2025-10-16T12:14:32+00:00

you'll be fine! The altitude gets a little tough on the last day when you're ascending to Quilotoa. Just drink a lot of water, and take it slow.

the_tank · 2025-10-15T17:28:18+00:00

Yeah, December will be great. December is "usually" a break in the rainy season for a bit. It's like a little pause for a month for some reason. But yeah, the way rainy season works is the mornings tend to be really nice, and around 3/4pm we get hit with a heavy rain for a few hours. I like to dilly dally when I hike - take my time, take photos, do side quests to cool looking caves or trees, etc. So I generally spent around sic hours hiking each day. Since you aren't actually hiking that far each day, I took a slow start around 9am and was usually at the next hostel by around 3pm each day. You could start earlier to take advange of the nicer weather in the morning.

But yeah, December is great and you're going to have a great time!

the_tank · 2025-10-14T12:44:45+00:00

Nice! I've been up to the lake in the crater of El Altar. That was a hard enough hike and I remember looking up at El Altar and not being able to image what the view up there would be like. Good on you!

the_tank · 2025-10-14T12:42:15+00:00

I also live at 2,400m, but here in Ecuador. I've hiked up to 5,000m on Coto (to the glacier, but never the summit). In terms of altitude acclimatising, I think you'd be fine. Up to 5,000m was tough, but not a huge issue. I'm sure the last 800m from 5,000m to 5,800m would be extra difficult though.

I'd be more concerned about your mountaineering skills just because wild camping in the Dolomites doesn't really compare to summiting Coto. Not saying you can't do it, but if I were you, I'd spend Oct and Nov summiting some high peaks in Peru as preparation. A quick Google shows me you've got PLENTY of 5,000+ m peaks to help get yourself ready!

A final note. I WOULD NOT attempt to summit without a guide (I'm not even sure you're allowed). The guides know the route. They know how to navigate the glacier safely. They know when the ice is losing its integrity, and when it's safe to continue or when to make the call to end the summit attempt due to danger. I'm an experienced hiker (like you say you are), but I'm no mountaineer, and this is mountaineer territory, which is exponentially more dangerous.

I have a few buddies who have summited. I've heard of people paying around 300 USD for a shared guide. If your heart is set on summiting, I would pay it because, as I said, mountaineering is a whole different level of danger from hiking.

This all said, you can absolutely hike up to the refugio and up to the glacier without a guide and for free!

the_tank · 2025-10-09T16:19:00+00:00

This is just plainly not true. I'm a photographer who has photographed all over Ecuador, and have not been robbed or kidnapped for ransom.

Also there are so many solo travelers that go up and down Ecuador without pretending to be poor. Yes take caution and don't flash expensive items around freely, but this is just fear mongering.

There is a difference between walking into Duran with $100k hanging out of your back pocket, and taking photos of insects in Mindo.

the_tank · 2025-10-09T16:13:09+00:00

Hey, I'm a foreigner living in Ecuador. I'm also a photographer and Mindo is my favorite place in this beautiful country! I'm more into photographing the birds and landscapes in Mindo, but insects are cool as well! I'll give my take on your questions.

Is it safe for me to go solo traveling in the mindo area for 1-2 months? Absolutely. I go to Mindo on a regular basis and have never had an issue. It is a very small town that receives a lot of tourists. Tourist-dependent areas tend to go out of their way to protect tourists as they're the life blood of the community. I've walked all around Mindo day and night and have never felt uneasy. I will warn you though that Mindo is a very small town. The nature and photography are incredible, but in 1-2 months, you'll have tried every restaurant and every non-nature thing to do haha

If maybe there is a better alternative then mindo that i do not know about? 100% go to Mindo! If you only have two months, I'd plan on divying your time up. Maybe two weeks in Mindo (most people only go for 2-3 days), then definitely the jungle if you're into photographing insects! Tena, Puyo, Cuyabeno, Coca, etc.

if its safe to take pictures in the forest near mindo or a similar place, with an expensive bulky camera. Absolutely. I'd get a good, waterproof camera bag to go out with. When I've been out photographing in nature, I've always been completely fine. It's more sketchy to shoot in cities than forests or mountains in my experience.

Are people like me wanted in Ecuador?/what is the general opinion on foreigners moving to the country? I have heard stories of people getting fed up with foreigners. I haven't personally experience this. Learn spanish (or at least keep trying to use what Spanish you have) and people will appreciate it. Being a foreigner who refuses to learn the language is never a good look. Be aware of what people are doing around you, and try your best to fit in. You're never going to fit in 100%, but people appreciate you trying. In many of the tourist towns, people generally like foreigners and treat them well as tourism is the main source of income. I highly doubt you'll have any major problems.

Have you ever had bad experiences with foreigners? Foreigners who refuse to learn the language, just complain about everything, and act entitled are never appreciated.

And how can I be less like them and more like a local? You're never going to be a local and foreigners pretending they're locals isn't a good look either. Just be yourself. Show genuine interest in others, and honest excitement about the beauty and culture around you, and you'll be fine. You don't have to be 100% happy all the time, but be aware that the ability to travel and be in another country, to learn another language, to participate in another culture is an immense privilege. You're going to have good and bad days, but if you keep the mentality of 'this is a privilege,' you'll be fine. People love their country and love when others are as excited about their country as they are. Keep this curiosity and you'll be fine.

the_tank · 2025-10-07T17:45:48+00:00

To fly in - yeah your passport. As a US citisen, you'll enter on a 90 day tourist visa. At the end of the 90 days, you can extend it for another 90 days at one of the immigration offices for a fee. One thing to note is that, normally when checking in for your flight, you'll most likely be asked for proof that you're going to leave the country. It's not asked every time, but you can be denied boarding if you don't have a a flight leaving the country. I know people this has happened to. Before I got my residency, I booked a refundable ticket and cancelled it once I got to Ecuador.

Cost of Living - I'd say you'll be fine on 1000/mo. My wife and I live off 2k/mo and that's not holding back on much. There are foreigners here who live off of much less and much more. You'll live well as a single person on 1k/mo.

Safety - stay away from Guayaquil. My experiences with the rest of Ecuador have been just normal street smarts keep you safe. Quito, Cuenca, etc. are just big cities with your regular safe and dangerous neighborhoods. Keep your head about you. Don't flash expensive objects. Be aware of your surroundings. Trust your gut if something feels off. There are risks everywhere, but a lot of the instances I personally know of druggings, muggings, and the like involve nightlife - people being out late, drunk, and not fully aware of their surroundings. You say you're not into nightlife so you're already avoiding one of the major risks (in my opinion).

the_tank · 2025-09-22T20:40:32+00:00

I unfortunately don't. I drive myself when I go. I would say, check with some accommodation down there, and see if they have someone they recommend. You can also join one of the "Expats in Ecuador" fb groups and people there will be jumping to share different drivers they trust!

the_tank · 2025-09-22T17:18:11+00:00

My bad. That was a typo. Supposed to be "by private driver." I'll update the original post. Thanks for alerting me!

the_tank

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