Ailola Quito Blog
If you were to simply take the word of the odd charity group, overhyped TV documentary, or any old naysayer set on prolonging the myths of past, then you’d find it very hard to believe what we’re about to tell you: that deep within the sierras of Ecuador, around 9,000 feet above sea level, an indigenous community is thriving! Yes, an indigenous community! Believe it or not – and with all stereotypes aside – the Otavaleño community in Otavalo, Ecuador is busting out of the shackles of the past, luring thousands of visitors each year to see what’s long been considered one of the most successful contemporary indigenous communities in the world. Here’s a bit of background! Read More »
Heavenly Havana, relentlessly raunchy Rio, the fantastically fun city of Buenos Aires – when it comes to nightlife, quaint and unassuming Quito has a lot in the way of competition. And while you might not be picking it as your Spanish language school destination for the salsa, samba or sensual Latin nights out you'd expect in other regional cities – you should! Here are some reasons why… Read More »
While you won’t find any wild, eternal-summer music festivals here, Ecuador sure does make up for its off-the-radar location and small size with a calendar of festivals and events that deliver visitors simply the best Ecuadorian culture has to offer. Here are some to keep a watch on: Read More »
Ailola Quito might just be about to blow the lid on some of Ecuador’s best-kept travel secrets. If you’re curious read on – even if only to get ideas for your second, third, fourth, and fifth visit to Ecuador. We know you’ll be back! Read More »
From the hustle and bustle of the big smoke, to the slow grinding rhythm of the clean, airy jungle, there’s nothing quite like the contrast between your normal life and the one you’ll lead in the Amazon jungle. And for all its peculiarities – the humidity, the silence, the bugs and so on – a trip to the jungle of all jungles is something you’ll always look back on (only perhaps not if you’re eaten by an Anaconda… that’s a joke). Here are some things to know about the Amazon in order to make sure you know what to expect! Read More »
Casually rolling in and out of a volunteering experience in Ecuador isn’t going to be the best outcome for anybody, least of all you. That’s why it's a fantastic idea to prepare yourself both personally and practically for what’s bound to be an unforgettable time helping out in South America. And there are a number of simple, sleek and satisfying ways you can do so. Consider this…! Read More »
If you’re tight on cash or simply enjoy watching your hip pocket, then you’ve started on a good foot by choosing Ecuador as your ultimate destination to study Spanish. What’s more, with the US dollar as the accepted local currency, you won’t have to worry as much as you would in other Latin American countries about price fluctuations on some items or services. For everything else that’s in your control when budgeting, read on! Read More »
Thousands of years of isolation from the Western world made South America’s indigenous communities undeniably distinct, with their own idiosyncrasies, spirituality and customs continuing to set them apart from the rest of the world’s bright myriad of cultures. While some would like to change that, perhaps making them more Western or ‘advanced’ – the Spanish colonizers certainly tried – your time living with an indigenous family in Ecuador should be seen as an opportunity to experience a rich living culture, where you’ll simultaneously discover countless differences and spot more similarities than you’d expect. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you lived with an indigenous host family in Ecuador Read More »
While nobody would expect you to try mamá and papá on your host parents (which is not to say they themselves won’t like it) there are, in fact, more than a few great ways to approach the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of living with a host family in Ecuador. Read on to find your own Ecuadorian homestay groove! Read More »
First, an announcement: if you’re only just looking into studying Spanish in Quito, this blog telling you to bring a flashlight probably won’t do much in the way of convincing you. But if, however, it’s all you need, then keep reading to discover our list of do’s and don’ts for survival in Quito, Ecuador – much easier than you might think! Read More »
Peruvians and their ceviche, Colombians with their aguardiente. With a mere 109,000 squared miles of territory and only 15 million inhabitants, Ecuador lies at the crossroads of several South American countries. And as a result, we often go unnoticed! Which is why – while us Ecuadorians eat ceviche as well and love our aguardiente – you’re probably wondering what sets us apart. Keep reading to find out! Read More »
Ecuador’s capital city Quito – like a microcosm of the entire nation – is jam-packed with tourist juiciness. While we don’t necessarily suggest you walk all over Ecuador (though you could try), this is certainly an option for a visit to Quito, especially if you want to take your time learning more about the city’s World Heritage-listed area, the Old Town, or Centro Hístorico, as its known in Spanish. But where do you start? Read our walking tour guide below to find out! Read More »
No matter what your reaction is to this blog’s first paragraph, we beg you to keep reading! Let’s first assume that you’re curious about learning Spanish in the Shuar community in the Amazon. But how much do you know about your potential new housemates? What would you say if we told you the Shuar were famous for practicing head shrinking on their dead enemies? Read More »
