Articles

Looking for something meaningful to do on the equinox? A traditional Andean Pawkar Raymi ceremony is happening March 21 in Sigsig — about 90 minutes from Cuenca. Led by Tayta Iván, with English-language orientation for newcomers. Here's what to know.

The blue-uniformed officers who handle parking tickets, noise complaints, and street vendor disputes in Cuenca have officially rebranded. The Guardia Ciudadana is now the Cuerpo de Agentes de Control Municipal, with a new logo and a new downtown headquarters. Same people, same job — new sign on the door.

Alexandra Quintanilla, the second-highest elected official in Azuay province, was caught driving drunk at a Cuenca checkpoint, refused the breathalyzer, and showed a photo of someone else's license. A judge sentenced her to 30 days in prison and a $1,446 fine. Here's the full story.

Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso's budget has been slashed from $49 million to potentially under $31 million. Emergency rooms have less than 50% of essential medications. Doctors are sounding alarms. Here's the situation and what it means for expats.

Everyone tells you to buy. The prices are so cheap! But cheap doesn't mean smart. Here's why renting might be the better financial move for most expats — and when buying actually makes sense.

The environmental license was revoked in October. The Energy Minister and Cuenca's mayor traded public insults. 100,000 people marched. But the mining concession itself? Still active. Here's where the fight stands now.

The CREA cooperative collapse rattled confidence in Ecuador's savings institutions. But regulators say most large cooperatives entered 2026 with healthy balance sheets. Here's how to verify your cooperative is solid and protect your deposits.

Remember that 15% tariff we told you about? The US Supreme Court struck it down. Trump came back with 10% instead, which took effect today. About a third of Ecuador's exports are completely exempt. Here's the updated picture.

Ecuador's National Assembly just passed a law requiring cities to spend 70% of their budgets on infrastructure, capping payroll at 30%. Cuenca's mayor says it's a backdoor to erase $1 billion the national government owes local cities. Here's what it means for services you use.