Cotacachi Ecuador

During the past week we have been asked “why we like Cotacachi” by our friends and family. I decided to spend some time thinking about this question and try and get an answer on paper.

This is OUR answer and won’t fit everyone’s situation. In fact, our guess is that it won’t fit the sensibilities of 99% of the people that read this. That’s cool…dancing to the beat of your own drummer is what it’s all about anyway. We were asked a question that I think is fair, and I also think it is an interesting question…so I tried to answer it.

During our first trip to Ecuador in march of 2008, we were told by many locals we spoke with that Cotacachi was “muy tranquil”, meaning that it is a very tranquil, laid back place to live. We love this description and believe it to be very accurate.

Cotacachi is a small Ecuadorian town nestled in the Andes that is known for its tradition of leather working and music. The pace of life is on the slower side, where as many people prefer to walk as own a car. This slower pace is an appeal for us.

For now we find the whole adventure aspect of living in Ecuador appealing. We spent several days trying to find rubber bands in town. In the U.S. every store on every corner carry rubber bands, apparently in Cotacachi this is not the case. This might change in a month or so, and can certainly be a sense of frustration…we have experienced this in Costa Rica and Panama already. However, for us there is something appealing about NOT having our every desire fulfilled only a block away.

The low cost of living is also an appeal and plays a central role in liking Cotacachi, both directly and indirectly. I developed a “Value Rule” that I apply to the goods and services we find in Ecuador. At a minimum I look for a cost of 1/3 or less from what we would normally pay in the States. So for example, if we would normally pay $3.00 for a cup of coffee in the U.S., then I expect to pay $1.00 or less in Ecuador.

My estimate is that the cost of living overall is 1/5^th less than the States. We have friends in Cotacachi that spend less than $500.00 a month, not including rent/mortgage, and live quite well. Getting spa treatments, having pedicures and manicures, enjoying a nice bottle of wine, and not wanting for much…not a bad way to live.

There is a strong culture of family and community in the town. People walking down the street say hello to each other, young kids walk the streets to and from school, and families walk together for an evening stroll.

It is a place where each morning the school teachers greet the students at the front door, shake each students hand, and say good morning to them. The kids call their teachers by their first names, and kids treat each other with respect and go out of their way to help each other…not ridicule and belittle.

Cotacachi also presents opportunities for those willing and able to start a small business. We have seen growth just in the 6 months since we last visited, and the future looks like growth will continue for years to come. The increase of N. American and European inhabitants create opportunities to provide goods and services they are accustomed to in their home countries.

So there is the list of why we like Cotacachi. It is a laid back town where the people are very friendly and welcoming to newcomers. Family and community are very important, and you are reminded of this everyday in one way or another. There is the appeal of the adventure of living in a 3^rd world country, but without abject poverty…and with many of the products and services needed for a modern life. The cost of living is certainly attractive and provides a tremendous value for those with a few bucks in their pocket, or those whose finances are a little smaller. And if you need to make a few bucks, or want to work on projects that interest you, there are many opportunities to do so in Cotacachi…and the continued growth will expand those opportunities.