Travel to Ecuador-On Someone Else’s Dime

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

This beach is just steps from your door at Coco Beach Village

Dear Reader,

I’m planning a scouting trip to Ecuador’s northern coast next month. I’m looking forward to going back: this is my favorite spot in Ecuador. Today, I’m bringing you details of an offer that will help you see this coast for yourself.

The stretch of Ecuador’s Pacific coast between Canoa and Pedernales (see map here) is rich in natural beauty, with mountains carpeted in thick forest, where anteaters and wild cats roam freely. Tiny bays and rocky inlets give way to carpets of sand, washed by the bright blue sea. You won’t see high rises or sprawling resorts here: the setting is unspoiled, free from crowds and over-development.

The little fishing villages along this coast operate as they have for centuries, with fishermen heading out to sea in simple wooden boats…and then weighing their catch and selling it on the beach, straight off the boat, when they return. On a previous trip, I watched as they landed wahoo, and sold it fresh for $1 a pound.

It’s usually only a few short steps from the beach to a rustic restaurant, where lunch will set you back all of $2. For that, you get rice, fish and salad, and a juice drink. The cooking won’t earn any Michelin stars, but it’s tasty, filling, and cheap.

Fact is, you can significantly lower your monthly costs by living here. Or you can upgrade your lifestyle for the same budget you spend back home. Here, you can afford to pay someone to do the housework, and take care of the yard…leaving you free to relax, and spend time on the beach.

Better yet, properties on this section of coast are still affordable.

This place had been hard to get to; but thanks to infrastructure upgrades, this coast is now opening up to tourists and property buyers.

I hope to try out the new bridge at Bahia on my upcoming scouting trip. The President is due to officially inaugurate the bridge today. The bridge connects Ecuador’s northern and southern Pacific coasts. Until now, you had to cross the bay at Bahia on a small 12-vehicle ferry. Arriving at the ferry at the wrong time (low tide, or a busy day with lots of traffic), meant delays of up to four hours for vehicles. The opening of the bridge is a huge step forward for the area, and should boost tourism. It should also push property prices up.

Fellow readers have already bought property in the region, in the nicest development, Coco Beach Village. This development sits on the beach just outside the fishing village of El Matal, close to Jama. Just walk a few steps from your front door, and you can stroll on the sand, or take a dip in the warm ocean. Backed by gentle hills, Coco Beach has a thousand coconut palms dotted throughout the property. The development offers lots from $52,375.

You can build here for $45-$70 a square foot; $50 gets you a good standard of construction. A 1300-square foot home will run around $65,000.

Some owners are already building their homes, and they are beautiful…curved, whitewashed, Mediterranean-style, with an open-plan layout, and hand-made wood cabinetry, doors and windows. Spacious terraces on the ground floor, and on the rooftop, give plenty of opportunity to enjoy alfresco dining, or a cocktail under the stars.

This Mediterranean –style house is currently under construction

And now, back to how you can experience this place for yourself.

Developer Larry Swenson will help you with your travel plans if you want to check out Coco Beach Village…and he’ll give you a travel credit and a discount if you buy a lot.

For cash buyers, he’ll give a $2500 travel credit, and 5% discount on the lot price.

If you need financing, Larry offers developer financing, and he’ll still throw in a $1500 travel credit, and a 2.5% discount on the lot price.

Interested? Then contact Larry here to make a start. He’ll send you more information on the project and the area…and you can decide if it’s what you’re looking for. And if it is, you can take him up on his travel credit offer, and start planning your own trip.

Don’t delay—the offer is only valid for lots reserved before December 3rd, 2010. Contact Larry here to lock down your lot today.

Margaret Summerfield

P.S. If you’re thinking of becoming resident in Ecuador, you can do so with the purchase of a property of $25,000 or more. So your lot at Coco Beach Village qualifies you for residency. It’s the lowest value for residency through property of the countries on our beat.