Healthy Living in Ecuador

Healthy Living

We have recently returned from a two month trip in Ecuador where the lifestyle encourages  
better mental, physical and spiritual health and so healthy living is quite normal.

It was actually John’s interest in longevity that attracted his initial interest in Ecuador. A town just south of where we have chosen to settle is in a valley called Vilcabamba. It has been called “the valley of longevity” because a statistically higher number of people live beyond 100 years of age. There are only two other well known longevity centres in the world. One is in Georgia (ex Russia) and the other is in Pakistan. They are all above 8,000 feet. Researchers have postulated that the reason is a combination of the mineral-rich volcanic soils, the mineral water which even has traces of selenium and the ionized air. More details are at http://www.vilcabamba.org/longevity.html.

Ecuador is on the equator, but it is mountainous, so you can pick your climate by choosing your altitude. Whether it’s fresh sea breezes or crisp mountain air, bright sunshine or misty cloud cover, soothing green vistas or dramatic peaks, the laid-back attitude of the people, the lilt of Ecuadorian flutes or the zest of Ecuadorian food, good health caresses you wherever you go in Ecuador.

We have chosen Cuenca to settle and we have even bought a beautiful two bedroom with two bathroom apartment on the Tomebamba River. The city is over 8,000 feet above sea level.

Transport by bus or taxi in Ecuador is very economical because both labour and fuel are cheap.  We managed to walk most places in the city except for shopping. We walked to the shopping centre and return with our groceries in a taxi which generally costs no more than $2.00.  You will find exercise by way of walking and it becomes very enjoyable. Cobble stone roads beg to be explored by foot. We noticed that most expats in Cuenca did not own vehicles. If they wanted a trip away for a short period, they would go by bus, or rent a car. Some of the more wealthy expats even utilized employed drivers.

Walking also gives us the added benefits of more natural sunshine and vitamin D which shows in the glow of our skin. 

Ecuador’s list of outdoor activities is vast such as paragliding, biking, riding, white water rafting, trout fishing, sailing, swimming, hiking, walking and mountain climbing.  Down by the coast you can also enjoy snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing, kayaking and other activities.

You can also enjoy non-physical health attractions such as the hot springs and hot pools for soaking away aches and toxins or go to a health spa for a massage by qualified therapists or shamans or native healers as they work with herbal and natural remedies all at such wonderful prices (US$15 – 25 per hour).

Ecuadorian food is fabulous and fresh.  The markets are overloaded with fresh produce which are picked the day you buy.  For example, we could buy Avocadoes at $1.00 per kilo. We could have a whole table of fresh produce for around $10 - enough meat, vegetables and other supplies for three meals per day for the both of us. 

There are also vendors who can provide you with fresh organic produce if you want to pay a little more.

We all know how expensive medical and dental care is.  Well in Ecuador you will find that many people from the US and Canada actually have medical and dental treatment whilst on vacation as it is so much cheaper than from their own country. For instance you can have a root canal done for about $400 and a tooth extraction will cost you around $45. 

Dentists are mostly well trained overseas and have state of the art equipment.  Contact us if you wish to be referred.  I currently need to have a root canal removed but I am waiting until we next go to Ecuador.

In all of our two months away I was only sick one day.  After spending the morning in bed John and I ventured out for a walk.  We found several Health Food Stores and were amazed at the price of natural products, mostly for 1/3 Australian prices.  I don’t think we bought anything over $5 and they are products that we use at home so we knew what we were buying.

Ecuador also have state of the art hospitals and health insurance is very reasonable.  It was interesting to hear from our local friend that many people from the US come over and have surgery in Ecuador as it is much cheaper. Cosmetic surgery is also rising in Ecuador. They now call it “medical tourism”.