Top 5 International Destinations Americans Are Now Calling Home

With the trouble facing the US economy combined with the many social issues in the country, more and more Americans are now fleeing the States to live abroad. This is a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Americans moving abroad enjoy better weather in many cases, more value for their money and a less stressful existence. Here is a look at five of the most desirable destinations that Americans are moving to avoid the troubling issues facing the US.

1. Peru

There are many reasons that Americans are moving in droves to Peru. One of the primary reasons is the stunning natural beauty of the country. It has thousands of miles of Pacific coastline, the stunningly gorgeous Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu and much more. An American's buying power stretches many times further in Peru than it does in the United States. Stunning beach side mansions can be had for a couple hundred thousand dollars. Also, Peru has some of the best cuisine in the world.

2. Belize

Central and South American countries are very popular with American expats looking for a low cost of living, a beautiful setting and warm weather. Belize has all of that in spades, but it also has a major advantage over almost all the other countries in Latin America. English is the official language of Belize. The ability to take care of everyday things in their native language is a very strong reason to entice Americans to move to this beautiful country. It also features some of the most fabulous natural beauty on the planet.

3. Vietnam

Americans are ditching the States for Vietnam for a number of reasons. One of the primary reasons is that this country is so gorgeous. It has beautiful weather, mountains, jungles and thousands of miles of beautiful coastline. Vietnam also boasts a very low cost of living. Folks who move here from the US will find that the buying power of their US dollars stretches a lot further here than it does back home. Vietnam also has an advantage over most other Asian countries. Because of the legacy of the Vietnam War, it is easy to survive just speaking English. The majority of business people in Vietnam speak at least enough English to conduct business with their American guests.

4. Ecuador

There are many reasons for Americans to move to Ecuador, but one of the best is that the currency is the US dollar. Because Ecuador uses the dollar, expats from the States never have to worry about currency fluctuations that will reduce the buying power of their money. This is a concern in nearly every other destination that Americans consider moving to. Ecuador also features some of the most stunning mountains in the world, friendly people, a beautiful coastline on the Pacific Ocean and fantastic weather year-round.

5. Thailand

The weather in Thailand is a tropical dream. Visitors have been known to come for a visit and find it impossible to leave. The friendly people, gorgeous coast, beautiful jungles and loads of fun activities make Thailand a very popular destination for expats looking to flee the US. It also features a very low cost of living. Visitors can live like a king in Thailand for a couple of grand a month, including a secure building, maid service and eating out for all their meals.


Peter Wendt is a blogger and researcher from Austin, Texas. With a love for travel, he began researching different destinations Americans were moving to across the globe. He recommends using this international moving company when moving your large valuables abroad.

Article Source: Peter_David_Wendt

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Whitewater Rafting in Ecuador

There are a number of rivers that offer great white water rafting in Ecuador. The main points of departure are Quito and Tena. This can be a great activity to add in if you have time before or after heading off to Galapagos. Tours are available in various lengths so that everyone's time frame can be accommodated.

The best time of year to go will depend on which river you are intending to raft. The Toachi, located about 3 hours outside Quito, offers good rafting all year round. The Blanco, also located around three hours from Quito, is best navigated between February and June. The Quijos, yet again about the distance from Quito, is best traveled from October to February.

Leaving from Tena, one can go rafting on the Jatunyacu or the Misahuallí. The Jatunyacu is available all year round while the Misahuallí is only run between October and March. The rainy season is in Ecuador is from March to September and, at this time, some areas are either not navigable or can only be rafted by those with a great deal of experience.

Another possible location is the Upano Valley which is reached from Macas. Here, one can raft the Namangosa Gorge where there are dozens of waterfalls. The rapids are Class IV so not necessarily for everyone and certainly not for people who are not strong swimmers.

There are many operators, but two of the most highly recommended are Yacu Amu and its associate, Rios Ecuador. These companies have tours starting in both Quito and in Tena, in lengths from 1 to 4 days. Prices range from $80-$90 for the one day tour, $220-$240 for a two day tour and $350-$750 for the multi-day options, depending on the route and number of people. Prices for tours lasting more than one day include meals and lodging. Yacu Amu also offers a tour out of Macas.

Another recommended operator is EcoSport Adventure Travel. This operator also offers Class I-II tour options for the entire family as well as summer camps for children from 6 to 18, divided into age groups. For the youngest, the length is 3 days while the oldest group's stay includes 12 days of adventure.

Ecuador Adventure offers tours from between 1 day and 8 days in length. The 8-day tour includes hiking, cultural interaction with several different indigenous tribes, bird watching, wildlife encounters and hot springs. This tour departs from Macas to which it will be necessary to travel from Quito either via an 8-10 hour bus journey or by flying (approximately $43).

You can arrange your rafting trip once you arrive at your destination, or you can book ahead with your Ecuador and Galapagos tours agency, such as this specialist in Galapagos Island trips.

Article Source: Matt_James_Barker

 

Jungle Trip in Ecuador

We hope you enjoy reading about our trip to the jungle.

A 5-6 hour drive from Cuenca to Macas in the jungle is a trip to always be remembered. The scenery is spectacular, and the roads somewhat scary.

Macas, with a population of about 30,000, is the closest major jungle city from Cuenca. There are no flights from Cuenca to Macas, so the only transport is by bus or car. There are flights, however, from Quito.

There are two main routes from Cuenca to Macas. One follows the main river system from Cuenca where three dams for hydro electric power can be seen. These are in the direction of a town called Paute. It is estimated that over 60% of Ecuador's electricity needs are filled by hydro electric power, and this is set to increase ever further. A new $2.0 Billion scheme has just been approved in an area not far from Quito. It is to be 85% financed by China. It will also be constructed by a Chinese corporation. At the moment Ecuador still imports power from Columbia and Peru during the dry seasons. The new project should reverse this trend, and electrical power will be exported from Ecuador. It is also suggested that the Paute plants will also be further upgraded.

The other route to Macas from Cuenca, which is shorter in distance, is via Gualaceo. The time taken to drive this route, however, is still about the same as the first one mentioned, due to the poor condition of the roads. The maximum speed for about 3.5 hours is about 20 mph (30 kph). This route, however, should be upgraded within the next two years and the time taken to drive the distance should be cut substantially. Both routes essentially connect the Pan American highway (#35) to highway #45.

Macas is the capital of the Morona Santiago province and has a population of about 30,000. The town was once known as "Sevilla del Ora" which, when translated, means "Golden Seville". This historical town began its humble beginnings as a Missionary Outpost formed by the Dominican Church shortly after the Spanish conquest in 1533. This thriving centre also became a formidable Spanish trading post during its early stages of its history.

Later Macas became a founding centre of great affluence and prosperity that was created by the surrounding gold mines in this particular area. Unfortunately this came to an abrupt end due to the many violent attacks on the town in conjunction with the mines. In turn, with the mines abandoned for the safety of those inhabiting the area, Macas began to deteriorate.

Today Macas has developed into an important role in the development and commercial sector. It has increased in tourism since the 1998 treaty between Macas and Peru. There are now some fantastic and very high class hosterias around the city. Even with all these developments and advances, the area is still very well protected by the local Shuar and Achuar people. Attempts to ensure the preservation of this natural habitat has seen action taken against companies that wished to take unfair advantage of the virgin lands - such as petroleum companies. Such efforts have brought great advantages to the town and seen to the continued survival of over 400 years of its history.

The area around Macas is littered with many small farms. The vegetation is very lush from the high rainfall (a minimum of 100 inches per year or 2,500mm) and warm temperatures (average of about 72°F).

Very close to Macas is the Sangay National Park, which stretches between the Morona Santiago, Chimborazo and Tungurahua provinces. It spans an area of about 517,765 hectares (1,278,880 acres). The park contains two active volcanoes (Tungurahua and Sangay) and ecosystems range from tropical rainforests to glaciers. The Sangay volcano at 5,230 meters or about 17,000 feet, although only the 7th largest, it is Ecuador's most active. It is about a 7-day hike from Macas and on clear days, can be seen from Macas towering over the jungle landscape with a thin whisper of smoke trailing from its picturesque, snow-capped cone. "Sangay" means "Peaceful One" in the native Shuar language - an appropriate name for the passive eruptive quality of one of the most continuously active volcanoes in the world. Residents of the city of Macas are able to enjoy this fearful sight from their city - though they are situated relatively far from it. At night the volcano emits a gentle halo of light as the lava inside the crater continues to bubble at excessive heats.

The Sangay park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 1992, it was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in danger due to illegal poaching, extensive grazing, unplanned road construction and encroachment of the park's perimeter. However, it was removed from the UNESCO list of endangered sites in 2005.

The National Park is an important refuge for rare species of the Andes, like mountain tapirs and spectacled bears. Especially for the mountain tapir, the park is one of the most important strongholds. Typical species of the alpine and subalpine areas are mountain tapirs, pumas and Andean foxes. In the forests below live spectacled bears, giant otters, jaguars, ozelots, margays, Brazilian tapirs, white-tailed deer, little red brocket deer and Northern Pudus. About 300-400 bird species inhabit the Park.

Very close to Macas and the Sangay National Park is the Upano River, the longest in Ecuador. It is called the "River of the Sacred Waterfalls" because dozens of cataracts plunge from the gorge's walls. Macas is the most popular spot to launch rafting from. Many tour companies offer 4-6 day rafting trips, and come in contact with the fascinating culture of the Shuar Indians. The Upano River flows through the Namangosa Gorge. Flowing through a remote and mostly untouched region of Ecuador, this river truly gives rafters a multi-day wilderness rafting experience, including great hiking, exposure to the Shuar culture, spectacular wildlife viewing, and exciting rapids.

if you like adventure then this is a trip well worth doing.

Chao

Join Dixie and her husband as they share their experience on living in Ecuador. http://www.retire-in-ecuador.com

Article Source: Dixie_Davey

 

Whitewater Rafting in Ecuador

There are a number of rivers that offer great white water rafting in Ecuador. The main points of departure are Quito and Tena. This can be a great activity to add in if you have time before or after heading off to Galapagos. Tours are available in various lengths so that everyone's time frame can be accommodated.

The best time of year to go will depend on which river you are intending to raft. The Toachi, located about 3 hours outside Quito, offers good rafting all year round. The Blanco, also located around three hours from Quito, is best navigated between February and June. The Quijos, yet again about the distance from Quito, is best traveled from October to February.

Leaving from Tena, one can go rafting on the Jatunyacu or the Misahuallí. The Jatunyacu is available all year round while the Misahuallí is only run between October and March. The rainy season is in Ecuador is from March to September and, at this time, some areas are either not navigable or can only be rafted by those with a great deal of experience.

Another possible location is the Upano Valley which is reached from Macas. Here, one can raft the Namangosa Gorge where there are dozens of waterfalls. The rapids are Class IV so not necessarily for everyone and certainly not for people who are not strong swimmers.

There are many operators, but two of the most highly recommended are Yacu Amu and its associate, Rios Ecuador. These companies have tours starting in both Quito and in Tena, in lengths from 1 to 4 days. Prices range from $80-$90 for the one day tour, $220-$240 for a two day tour and $350-$750 for the multi-day options, depending on the route and number of people. Prices for tours lasting more than one day include meals and lodging. Yacu Amu also offers a tour out of Macas.

Another recommended operator is EcoSport Adventure Travel. This operator also offers Class I-II tour options for the entire family as well as summer camps for children from 6 to 18, divided into age groups. For the youngest, the length is 3 days while the oldest group's stay includes 12 days of adventure.

Ecuador Adventure offers tours from between 1 day and 8 days in length. The 8-day tour includes hiking, cultural interaction with several different indigenous tribes, bird watching, wildlife encounters and hot springs. This tour departs from Macas to which it will be necessary to travel from Quito either via an 8-10 hour bus journey or by flying (approximately $43).

You can arrange your rafting trip once you arrive at your destination, or you can book ahead with your Ecuador and Galapagos tours agency, such as this specialist in Galapagos Island trips.

Article Source: Matt_James_Barker