For international families building a life in Ecuador
Live Ecuador in Spanish.
The words people really say, the customs nobody explains, the everyday moments from the hospital and public offices to the school gate, experienced with your family in Ecuador. And while you focus on what matters most in the moment, Pere and Titi keep the kids learning along the way.
14 days to try, on any channel. Then $11 a month. Money here: USD (dollarized since 2000).
Which words do people really use in Ecuador?
| ¿Qué fue? | What's up? |
|---|---|
| Cómo le va | How's it going (formal) |
| chuta | Darn! (mild exclamation) |
| chévere | Cool/great |
| ñaño/ñaña | Brother/sister (friend) |
| man | Dude |
| achachay | It's cold! |
| arrarray | It's hot! |
| de ley | For sure/definitely |
| simón | Yes (informal) |
Which customs does nobody explain?
- Costa (coast), Sierra (highlands), Oriente (Amazon) - very different cultures and climates.
- Colonial charm, UNESCO heritage, arts scene, known as most polite city.
- Try cuy (guinea pig), locro de papa, encebollado (coast).
- Some shops close 1-3 PM.
- Cuenca is 2,500m - take it easy first days.
- Cuenca has 'eternal spring' - sweater weather year-round.
How does EspaLuz help with everyday moments in Ecuador?
EspaLuz has a guide for Ecuador on the doctor, the hospital and the pharmacy, migration and public offices, the bank, renting a home, getting around, including IESS (Seguro Social), the public health system.
Type help and the topic in WhatsApp (for example help doctor), or just ask in your own words.
For an appointment, the voice interpreter repeats what you say in Spanish and what they answer in English.
What do the children get?
Children learn with Pere the sloth 🦥 and Titi the monkey 🐒: they talk, trace letters and short sentences on a tablet, and show a photo that becomes the lesson. You get a short report of what they practised. More about EspaLuz.
Vive Ecuador en español
Las palabras que la gente realmente usa, las costumbres que nadie te explica, los momentos de cada día, del hospital y las oficinas públicas a la puerta de la escuela, vividos en familia. Y mientras tú te enfocas en lo que más importa en ese momento, Pere y Titi siguen enseñando a los niños por el camino. 14 días gratis.