I was there for six months in 2009, I learned Spanish, enough to get buy, and loved living there. We are moving there permanently this year! I'm so looking forward to getting back there!
Si decen amar ese lugar deben conserlo con su naturalidad y cuidar sus recursosNaturales para siga siendo el paraiso de la tierra para lahumanidad bien venidos al ECUADOR A SU NUEVA PATRIA.
Hi Robin, If you read the actual study of why Vilcabamba is the Valley of Longevity, it is because, before the exploitation of outsiders, the people only ate fresh, local food, almost no animal products, (Not donkey meat at all!), no obesity and almost no sicknesses of 'civilized' countries, lots of exercise in their daily activities, lack of pollution, low stress, an extreme closeness to each other and they highly valued the elderly, more than the young. Now it has been completely exploited!
Thank you for the video and information, I am looking at Ecuador as a home sometime in the future, I am working on my Spanish now so I will be ready when I go.
RobinBenzle Thanks Robin!! I will! If the shift in world politics and the economy goes as I think it will, I may need to go just to look around for a future, who knows. and thanks again Take care sc
There are plenty of private schools, they are pretty advanced compared to american schools, I mean infrastructural may not be the best, but knowledge is amazingly good, even in languages they are very good, you just have to find the best one for your children, in Loja city you will find excellent schools and is like 30 minutes or so from Vilcabamba so is not far away, and the best is that there is no bullying problems, people and children are good felling people. I hope these helps you.
It looks like a beautiful place. And I'm sure you're not the first person to post video about it. It's just sad to know that a place like this will probably be exploited and drained of everything it has over time, as more and more Americans are drawn there (I'm American by the way).
@fatguyslim Yes, there is certainly a faction of expats there, but it still felt very Ecuadorian. Just in the last few years, prices have gone up - but still very reasonable, comparitively speaking..
Hi I will be moving to Ecuador Cuenca 2013 and I have two High School girls. Visited in2010 for a year to see how the girls would like it. Well all I can say is that they loved it and now after three years we finally decided to go back upon them insisting. Unidad Educativa SANTANA offers the IB program now that is acceptable to entering into Canadian Universities. If you still want further education look into Independent Studies kind of Home Schooling that the Toronto Catholic Board offfers.
Sounds interesting, is there properties for sale at reasonable prices, we will be visiting Ecuador in January 2015, spending approxipatemy 2 months touring and checking to see if we might consider Ecuadoe as th place to spend at least part of our retirement years.
Vilcabamba is popular with middle-aged people but not with retirees. Cuenca, however, is highly recommended. Cuenca is a much bigger city (300,000 people) but with a small and walkable center, cheap housing, and good doctors and hospitals. Lots of ABC (American, British and Canadian) retirees there already
Dear 4everdiense, estoy de acuerdo contigo, lamentablemente,a donde va el hombre lleva consigo dos cosas ,el progreso que es poco y mucha la destrucion, quisiera que personas con tu penzamiento y criterio fueran los que esten habitando Vilicabamba,entonces el valle seguira siendo la tierra de la longevidad por que lo cuidarias
Just as an example, I'd sure love to see a video of the menu of that restaurant, La Terraza, at 1:55, what date it was, and to see the prices they are charging what might be tourists or Americans? Is that possible?
The public school system is good and has improved a whole lot with the current administration, but I have found that high school graduates need to pass a test to get into public "free" university and that most of them are failing the test, so whatever learned at school does not match the college entrance test. The private schools are always better can't go wrong with that. Hope this help.
@dafiki123 It's definately an escape place. There's a video on my site called 'One Man's Dream' where I interview a guy who did just that - an American who picked up and moved there..
The perfect climate(heaven)....To bad I was only 17 and went there to party for the fiestas de Loja. In my drunken stupor I met a 107 yr. old man,very well known and well fed by everyone. I swam in the river(the fountian of youth section),with that and good genetics you should see @ 37yrs of age. This is not a joke[drinking patito seco chased by tropico and that pilsener over sized beer]. "que chuchas''
im born in ecuador i came to the state went i was 8 years old im now 26 years old, my question how is the school education for kids? they have private school?, moving to ecuador next year
Someone said- looks great but where are the essential practicalities like (hospital, internet, banks etc) perhaps the lack is the secret to the attraction
all those services you are inquiring are easily access in vilcabamba, moreover Loja is near: 30 minutes on bus or 15 mins by car, and its a lovely cty with all services as financial or health services and conectiviy
I spent a few days there as a teenager, backpacking around Ecuador for three months. It was in my top ten of places in the country, together with a few other mountain villages, coastal hamlets, islands and cities. As for the longevity claims, it's all bullshit and reindeer droppings sprinkled with pigeon crap on a bed of cow dung. Not a single certified centenarian ever
@fatguyslim It's a shame that a pristine place like Vilcabamba is being destroyed by guys like Joe simonetta and all the developers that followed him and cashed in developing the valley , typical american greed and mentality . It is a matter of years that the place will be like any other polluted town in Ecuador , wait and see ! .
We just returned from a wonderful resort called Madre Terra - they treated us like family in every sense of the word. The Mandango mountain range was in you face daily - the most gorgeous view to wake up to!The people of the town were very gracious it was a beautiful experience! I as told there were about 1500 ex pats living there and also met 5 so-called afro american who love it and encourages us to come and live. We also went to Isyzcalumba (sp) which had a immense view of the towns in the valley but could not touch Madre Terra in ambiance and service!
Hay muchas construcciones que se estan haciendo y más turists llegan... Espero que lo "mundano" no va comer al hermoso Vilcabamba... Ya que ha crecido mucho desde 15 años.. Antes era más pequeño..
I do wish you all would stop exploiting Vilcabamba. Stop video/vlogging it. Everybody and their brother are going to want to live there and then it will be ruined.
Don't be foolish, it's still a third world country: Vilcabamba, Ecuador: Tourist Brutally Beaten, Robbed on popular hiking trail Posted on January 2, 2018 • Filed under: Ecuador, Tourist Attacked, Tourist Injured, Tourist Robbed To many who have heard of Vilcabamba, Ecuador it is known as the “Valley of Longevity. However, to some expats from the U.S. and Canada, that are willing to talk, it also is known to have a dark side which is not often revealed to the outside world from this tiny hamlet in the Andes. Unfortunately, safety and security is on the mind of some who live there as crime against tourists and expats seems to be reaching untenable levels. It is also on the minds of some who visit who find themselves as targeted victims. This is the situation for a 31 year old woman who has been visiting Ecuador and decided to take a hike in one of the most picturesque locales in Ecuador whose promotional motto is “All You Need is Ecuador”. However, Andrea Carenzo, the tourist pulverized by two assailants earlier in December, 2017, may not have the warm fuzzy feelings that Ecuador’s marketing program slogan congers up. This is especially so as she attempts to maneuver the maze of prosecutors and authorities in hopes of seeking some measure of justice. She has now taken to social media in hopes of having her story known and that an effort will be made in apprehending the two thugs who assaulted her.
It is truly a shame how things have changed - in so many places around the world, too. San Francisco, for example - it's now a dump for the homeless and druggies. Sigh.
WOW! GORGEOUS! I want to live in those mountains!
I was there for six months in 2009, I learned Spanish, enough to get buy, and loved living there. We are moving there permanently this year! I'm so looking forward to getting back there!
How did that work out...are you there?
@@LizzieTimewarp I'm set to move there in April...1st time ever leaving the US...I'm really excited
@@LizzieTimewarp I think I will start in Cuenca but I really want to find a smaller more personal town
I have 115 years, thanks to the good atmosphere in the sector, I
still love rock 'n roll.
Hahaha AWESOME
Wowww que hermoso mí país Ecuador bienvenidos sean todos quien más lo ve en el 2021?
Always feel welcome in Ecuador!
Beautiful VILCABAMBA, No wonder a lot of inmigrantes go to visit there, God bless ECUADOR is a Paradise, Enjoy it and greetings from Boston Mass.
Si decen amar ese lugar deben conserlo con su naturalidad y cuidar sus recursosNaturales para siga siendo el paraiso de la tierra para lahumanidad bien venidos al ECUADOR A SU NUEVA PATRIA.
The place is outrageous!
anywhere you go Mam it's always beauty of nature especially the hidden one for they are both crafted by time and the UNSEEN ONE
We had such a great experience there - and met such nice locals..
Welcome to Ecuador!
Thanks Robin. That maize looked good.
BEAUTIFUL IS VILCABAMBA, A UNIQUE PLACE IN ECUADOR
Well done!!! Hope to get there sometime in 2014 or sooner if possible. Have to lose this job first.
Haven't heard that, but it wouldn't surprise me. That happens everywhere!
It's a very special place!
Hi Robin,
If you read the actual study of why Vilcabamba is the Valley of Longevity, it is because, before the exploitation of outsiders, the people only ate fresh, local food, almost no animal products, (Not donkey meat at all!), no obesity and almost no sicknesses of 'civilized' countries, lots of exercise in their daily activities, lack of pollution, low stress, an extreme closeness to each other and they highly valued the elderly, more than the young. Now it has been completely exploited!
this vilage was on the first TOMB RAIDER.
tomb of vilcabamba was the level in the tomb raider game.
this was very well done. we truly enjoyed it!
Thanks so much for your input, Jose.. -Robin Benzle
Thank you for the video and information, I am looking at Ecuador as a home sometime in the future, I am working on my Spanish now so I will be ready when I go.
Hi Dee, Did yo ever get to Ecuador? I'm thinking about a move there too.
I hope one day you get a chance to visit Ecuador..
-Robin
@TheRebornDollShow What a great story! Have a great life.
I sure want to go, keep thinking about it every year
Hope you make it there one day!
RobinBenzle
Thanks Robin!! I will! If the shift in world politics and the economy goes as I think it will, I may need to go just to look around for a future, who knows. and thanks again
Take care sc
I'm going in two weeks!
Have a wonderful time!
Me parece un maravilloso lugar para visitar.
And I kept hearing it was the water, too. Yes, it has definately been discovered!
There are plenty of private schools, they are pretty advanced compared to american schools, I mean infrastructural may not be the best, but knowledge is amazingly good, even in languages they are very good, you just have to find the best one for your children, in Loja city you will find excellent schools and is like 30 minutes or so from Vilcabamba so is not far away, and the best is that there is no bullying problems, people and children are good felling people. I hope these helps you.
What a great place
I'm afraid I don't know anything about schooling in Ecuador. Happy returns!
Lovely video! I am moving to Ecuador this Fall from Canada and looking forward to visit and possibly move there. Thank you!
Good luck on your big move. We sure liked it!
I believe it's treated to a point, although we used bottled water for drinking.
It looks like a beautiful place. And I'm sure you're not the first person to post video about it. It's just sad to know that a place like this will probably be exploited and drained of everything it has over time, as more and more Americans are drawn there (I'm American by the way).
Thanks for the informative video Robin!
Si Dios lo permite en mis proximas vacaciones espero conocer. Vilcabamba ♡.
Best of luck to your exciting future. (We have a number of videos on Ecuador, in case you're interested).
Good for a visit, though. Then, head to the beaches of western Ecuador...
RobinBenzle, how long is the drive (taxi, bus) from Vilcabamba to beaches of western Ecuador?
They have 2 internet cafes and bank machines. An hour's drive away is the city of Loja, where people go for other stuff.
Looks like a beautiful place ... when was the last time it got flooded?
ECUADOR...COUNTRY BRAND¡
Thanks!
Ive decided when I make the move to Equador, it will be in this area
Thanks.
@katrinajustice07 We met so many kind and generous people all over Ecuador - I look forward to visiting again!
-Robin
@fatguyslim Yes, there is certainly a faction of expats there, but it still felt very Ecuadorian. Just in the last few years, prices have gone up - but still very reasonable, comparitively speaking..
My five year plan is save enough to move there!!!
Nice video
Hi I will be moving to Ecuador Cuenca 2013 and I have two High School girls. Visited in2010 for a year to see how the girls would like it. Well all I can say is that they loved it and now after three years we finally decided to go back upon them insisting. Unidad Educativa SANTANA offers the IB program now that is acceptable to entering into Canadian Universities. If you still want further education look into Independent Studies kind of Home Schooling that the Toronto Catholic Board offfers.
so is that water that people wash their clothes and themselves in the same water that flows through the home taps? Is it treated?
You must go visit your friend!
Yo Baby, I was there in '76, so live 100 yrs or more. LOL Gardening Paul
Happy Birthday LOL
I know you had good intentions by sharing this video, but a gem of a place like this should be kept secret, in my opinion. For obvious reasons?
Amazon Trail 3rd edition brought me here!
Sounds interesting, is there properties for sale at reasonable prices, we will be visiting Ecuador in January 2015, spending approxipatemy 2 months touring and checking to see if we might consider Ecuadoe as th place to spend at least part of our retirement years.
Vilcabamba is popular with middle-aged people but not with retirees. Cuenca, however, is highly recommended. Cuenca is a much bigger city (300,000 people) but with a small and walkable center, cheap housing, and good doctors and hospitals. Lots of ABC (American, British and Canadian) retirees there already
Stanley Ne
Dear 4everdiense, estoy de acuerdo contigo, lamentablemente,a donde va el hombre lleva consigo dos cosas ,el progreso que es poco y mucha la destrucion, quisiera que personas con tu penzamiento y criterio fueran los que esten habitando Vilicabamba,entonces el valle seguira siendo la tierra de la longevidad por que lo cuidarias
Just as an example, I'd sure love to see a video of the menu of that restaurant, La Terraza, at 1:55, what date it was, and to see the prices they are charging what might be tourists or Americans? Is that possible?
TripAdvisor rates it above average for Vilcabamba restaurants, and a good value.
Hurry and save because it's slowly being discovered....
P.S. Can I come visit?
-Robin
The public school system is good and has improved a whole lot with the current administration, but I have found that high school graduates need to pass a test to get into public "free" university and that most of them are failing the test, so whatever learned at school does not match the college entrance test. The private schools are always better can't go wrong with that. Hope this help.
Pardon, heard Quito mentioned. Hear that's 10 hours away. Also heard Lejo airport has closed.
Airporit was being renewed... now it's open and comfortable
@dafiki123 It's definately an escape place. There's a video on my site called 'One Man's Dream' where I interview a guy who did just that - an American who picked up and moved there..
Amen!
I used to live in vilcabamba I moved to Australia
Where are you from, NZ?
It's pretty basic (part of the appeal). Not sure about crime, but we never had a problem or felt nervous there.
Great
The perfect climate(heaven)....To bad I was only 17 and went there to party for the fiestas de Loja. In my drunken stupor I met a 107 yr. old man,very well known and well fed by everyone. I swam in the river(the fountian of youth section),with that and good genetics you should see @ 37yrs of age. This is not a joke[drinking patito seco chased by tropico and that pilsener over sized beer]. "que chuchas''
@katrinajustice07 Absolutely my pleasure! By the way, I have several more Ecuador videos on my website (click on Travel Videos at the top).
im born in ecuador i came to the state went i was 8 years old im now 26 years old, my question how is the school education for kids? they have private school?, moving to ecuador next year
My pleasure!
@dreamtimemusic11 I could use a little Vilcabamba right now!
Didn't know that!
cool i guess you would know then!peace
Wow, and now the population is more than double.
That doesn't surprise me!
Can i buy cannabis there for home use? If so what is the average cost?
Vilcabamba, Loja,Ecuador
Thanks..
@Åse Engholm Better go to Quito there they have some bilingual schools.
Nice vid .. Welcome to my country the nice people good Americans not the racist.
I wanted to share it before The Travel Channel did..
Not a mention of San Pedro cactus!
Didn't see anything negative when we were there.
Can I please email you?
Didn't notice any..
Im a so called African American and there is discrimination here in Ecuador towards blacks of any nationality, I can imagine, Villacabamba,.
@agoldmanify Thank you!
Quien ha ha ido a Vilcabamba no conoce mi país
And some believe that!
Someone said-
looks great but where are the essential practicalities like (hospital, internet, banks etc)
perhaps the lack is the secret to the attraction
all those services you are inquiring are easily access in vilcabamba, moreover Loja is near: 30 minutes on bus or 15 mins by car, and its a lovely cty with all services as financial or health services and conectiviy
I spent a few days there as a teenager, backpacking around Ecuador for three months. It was in my top ten of places in the country, together with a few other mountain villages, coastal hamlets, islands and cities. As for the longevity claims, it's all bullshit and reindeer droppings sprinkled with pigeon crap on a bed of cow dung. Not a single certified centenarian ever
@fatguyslim It's a shame that a pristine place like Vilcabamba is being destroyed by guys like Joe simonetta and all the developers that followed him and cashed in developing the valley , typical american greed and mentality . It is a matter of years that the place will be like any other polluted town in Ecuador , wait and see ! .
How are attitudes towards Afro Americans?
We just returned from a wonderful resort called Madre Terra - they treated us like family in every sense of the word. The Mandango mountain range was in you face daily - the most gorgeous view to wake up to!The people of the town were very gracious it was a beautiful experience! I as told there were about 1500 ex pats living there and also met 5 so-called afro american who love it and encourages us to come and live. We also went to Isyzcalumba (sp) which had a immense view of the towns in the valley but could not touch Madre Terra in ambiance and service!
Too late. It's no longer the Valley of Longevity...totally exploited!
Hay muchas construcciones que se estan haciendo y más turists llegan... Espero que lo "mundano" no va comer al hermoso Vilcabamba... Ya que ha crecido mucho desde 15 años.. Antes era más pequeño..
Check my video about Ecuador land of free
Si hubieras venido a USA cuando tenias 8 años tu ingles seria impecable. Pero es malisimo.
I do wish you all would stop exploiting Vilcabamba. Stop video/vlogging it. Everybody and their brother are going to want to live there and then it will be ruined.
This video was done almost 9 years ago...
Oh right, the old reverse psychology trick. You're not fooling me Sister.
People like Robin are what ruin paradises like Vilcabama. Robin thnaks for nothing! What is your motivation for luring more people????
Don't be foolish, it's still a third world country: Vilcabamba, Ecuador: Tourist Brutally Beaten, Robbed on popular hiking trail
Posted on January 2, 2018 • Filed under: Ecuador, Tourist Attacked, Tourist Injured, Tourist Robbed
To many who have heard of Vilcabamba, Ecuador it is known as the “Valley of Longevity. However, to some expats from the U.S. and Canada, that are willing to talk, it also is known to have a dark side which is not often revealed to the outside world from this tiny hamlet in the Andes. Unfortunately, safety and security is on the mind of some who live there as crime against tourists and expats seems to be reaching untenable levels. It is also on the minds of some who visit who find themselves as targeted victims. This is the situation for a 31 year old woman who has been visiting Ecuador and decided to take a hike in one of the most picturesque locales in Ecuador whose promotional motto is “All You Need is Ecuador”. However, Andrea Carenzo, the tourist pulverized by two assailants earlier in December, 2017, may not have the warm fuzzy feelings that Ecuador’s marketing program slogan congers up. This is especially so as she attempts to maneuver the maze of prosecutors and authorities in hopes of seeking some measure of justice. She has now taken to social media in hopes of having her story known and that an effort will be made in apprehending the two thugs who assaulted her.
It is truly a shame how things have changed - in so many places around the world, too. San Francisco, for example - it's now a dump for the homeless and druggies. Sigh.
De rt