Its climate is one of the best in Ecuador. The hike took us high above the Sacred Valley and provided excellent views of the area, with its green, fertile fields, high mountains, and the new concrete highway making a little silver ribbon toward Peru. . Vilcabamba, from the quechua Huilcopamba means Valley of the Huilcos - after the huilco trees that are very common in this valley, is well known for its longevos or centenarians. With one of the highest average ages for a town in the entire world, locals point to a few reasons. Further, they reported that "Life expectancy (corrected for exaggeration) at all ages in Vilcabamba (and Loja) is, in fact, less than in the U.S.". Expats like this are not appreciated by the locals, and for good reason. & Forman, S.H. Residents here have been reported to live as long as 134 years old. The climate in Vilcabamba is temperate sub-tropical. It is also called a Valley of Longevity. Vilcabamba's wet and dry seasons are quite pronounced, with the wet season lasting from about October to May, and the dry season the inverse. Oh that we could all just be kind to each other! It's Dubai. According to Numbeo, the USA and Ecuador are quite similar in both Crime Rate indices and Safety Scales. And I do wish that rather than having their own separate float/dance in the parade, we would see expats among the locals throughout the parade. Adrian confessed his diabolical plot in court before a judge on Thursday. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. January, February, and March tend to be the rainiest months, while it can get quite dry and brown in July or August. There is a private elementary/middle school in Loja, about 40 min from Vilcabamba. A . Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Vilcabamba is its people. Sorry, but nothing matched your search terms. | READ MORE. Tucked away in the Andean slopes of Ecuador, lies the quiet and picturesque village of Vilcabamba. If you're coming from the northern parts of Ecuador, you'll have to make a pit stop in Loja first. The entire legend of long life was no better than mythand as bad as outright lies. Consider the spring-like weather all year, the large variety of fresh-grown fruits and vegetables available, and the stunning mountain scenery, and its no surprise that Vilcabamba has been appealing to expats for years. Alexander Leaf, (Jan. 1973). The gate to the Rumi Wilco Eco Lodge leads guests into the cheapest and perhaps coziest lodging in town. And while most are looking for that back-to-basics lifestyle it can be manifest in a variety of ways. Whats the point of moving out of your country if you only have interest in socializing with your own countrymen? Price: $230,000. The average age of those claiming to be over 100 years was actually 86 years. On Thursday, the final day of the trial we thought the kidnappers might receive a sentence of between 10-13 years for kidnapping and extortion. While many people choose to rent at first some will be interested in having a place they can eventually call their own. A couple residents told us they prefer the weather even over Cuenca, the City of Eternal Spring. Nestled below the steep mountains of Southern Ecuador, a winding one-hour bus ride south of Loja, lies Vilcabamba, in the Sacred Valley of Longevitythat place made famous for its high percentage of centenarians (people over 100 years old). Also, a taxi service called Taxi Ruta takes 4 people for $2.50 per person for 40 min ride to Loja. On March 1st, the first morning of the Carnaval weekend, it had rained hard all night and was still raining when we opened our umbrellas and went out to the road to catch the bus to Vilcabamba. I was expecting a lot more and was pleasantly surprised that it didnt exist, Resnick said. It has been covered in both of Cuencas local papers: El Tiempo (Police catch alleged kidnapping gang) and El Mercurio (Investigating the kidnapping of an American woman). More series cases are taken to Loja, 40 min away. One of the first things we bought was Espuma de Carnavalcans of foam. Im pretty sold on not living in Vilcabamba, even though it truly is a paradise with lots of really good vegetarian food. Crime in Vilcabamba: 114.94 miles: Crime in Quito: 122.15 miles: Crime in La Libertad: 123.00 miles: Crime in Cumbaya: 126.41 miles: Crime in Tena: 134.26 miles: I didnt actually see very many expats around on Carnaval weekend. Although the Vilcabambans did not enjoy greater longevity than the rest of the world, researchers noted that the Vilcabamban lifestyle, which included hard work in a high altitude combined with a low-calorie, low-animal-fat diet, did seem to keep the villagers healthy and vigorous in their old age. Thank you for sharing your story with us. "Longevity and age exaggeration in Vilcabamba, Ecuador." "Maybe we should head for home," I said to Sue. One showcases how a couple could live nicely on a relatively small fixed income while the other explores a more luxurious lifestyle. The etymology of the name "Vilcabamba" apparently derives from the Quichua "huilco pamba." Huilco denotes the sacred trees, Anadenanthera colubrina, that inhabit the region; pamba is a word meaning "a plain". A Monster's Invaded Vilcabamba, Ecuador My partner Sue and I didn't know what to think standing there in the gloom and drizzle as two humans helped the monster get itself together. The local hospital is public and offers free healthcare. When we first visited Vilcabamba, Ecuador in 2006, the town was mostly "monster" free, three-eyed or otherwise. Find all the transport options for your trip from Vilcabamba to Ecuador right here. "There could be more." (They had a guest, an Ecuadorian named Adrian, who presented himself as a cardiologist. Some data are estimated due to a low number of contributors. 240(16): 1781. Leading authority on global living, working and retirement overseas. Vilcabamba is a small village in southern Ecuador, about 42 kilometers from the city of Loja. When Leaf returned three years later, that same man claimed to be 134 years old. Where else would the snow skiing be if not indoors. Conversations with other expats tend to be diverse and far from boringjust be sure to keep an open mind. There are two private bus companies. I could not see them and they could not see me. We slept soundly, far enough from town to be unbotheredby the sounds of celebration that probably continued into the wee hours of the morning. An organization helping with educational projects here is called One World Vilcabamba. We went to a Mexican restaurant called El Colibr, where they serve generous portions of freshly made food, including some great vegetarian options. Vilcabamba is a village in the southern region of Ecuador, in Loja Province, about 45km (28mi) from the city of Loja. Cuenca sits 3.5 hours to the north by bus, and the famous Valley of LongevityVilcabambais just 40 minutes to the south. But make no mistake, Vilcabamba isnt a backward country village. Its green eye seemed to snap most out of the haze they were stuck in, but a few seemed so bewildered, it took two changes to green to clear their fog. There is none of the "gringo blogs" that mention that the organizer of the kidnapping (the fellow still at large in Peru) was American. Tomahawk Tim on Simple tips to identify dangerous snakes in Vilcabamba Loja Ecuador; What is right about Ecuador - Gentleness - BBXMUSIC on GAS - Lo que se destaca en Ecuador - Gentileza; Judith on Los mejores lugares para tomar un caf de origen en Loja Ecuador; Archives. Vilcabamba is a small, sleepy town in Southern Ecuador, with a hidden magic to it. Hosteria Izhcayluma Spa 25 Yoga & Pilates Spas By lynne262015 It is a slice of Heaven, perfectly clean, beautifully designed, and set in lush gardens. Within 24 hours all the people involved were apprehended and locked up. Sheri Yohe. A retiree provides an in-depth look at living in Vilcabamba, Ecuador - the cost of living, local expat clubs, crime, volunteer opportunities such as One World Vilcabamba, medical care and more. His suspicions were aroused when he realized that the villagers were inconsistent in their self-reported ages. The staff allowed her to shower to wash the urine off and gave her sweat pants, warm socks and a wool poncho as she was only wearing her pajamas. The government efficient. Among these recent events is the dramatickidnapping for ransomthat occurred in September on a nearby mountain trail, where a honeymooning couple was assaulted by three armed men wearing masks. Town/City Information . Known to many as the 'Valley of Longevity', Vilcabamba has a reputation for being home to one of the highest concentrations of exceptionally old people, including numerous centenarians and a number of residents apparently reaching 140 years. ExceptI didnt see any unity. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright 1997-2023 Burlingame Interactive, Inc. Get a quote from our partner, William Russell, Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Ecuador, 9 Important Tips about Healthcare for Expats in Ecuador, 5 Great Places to Retire in South America. I also blog about photography on GudPixel. I cant recall seeing any homeless people at all anywhere in Ecuador, and beggars are very rareless common than in U.S. cities in most places. The area has been referred to as the "Playground of the Inca" which refers to its historic use as a retreat for Incan royalty. Quickly and easily find trusted moving, insurance, relocation and other providers with Expat Exchange's Moving Planner. The immediate police intervention prevented a traumatic event from turning deadly. Buses to Loja run every 15 minutes. If you dont mind adapting to what is available locally you can save considerably on your grocery expenses. It's one of the reasons why we liked it so much- - especially since we'd been living in Dubai for six years. An added bonus of looking at real estate in Vilcabamba is that youll have a wide variety of choices. With a high probability, moderate precipitation is predicted. Real estate in Vilcabamba is affordable. In the afternoon we went back to the cabin for supper and some relaxation, then walked back into town for the evenings festivitiesmostly groups of young people performing various techno/street dances. It is also the last chance for food and gear before entering Podocarpus National Park just to the easthome to bears and wild cats and countless bird species. Happily, our canisters of foam served us well. The main crime will be theft. I was taken to Cuenca and placed in a storage closet in the parking garage of the Rosenthal building. Homero Ortega Workshop and Museum. Parque de Vilcabamba 1 Parks By Robert937 Green and well maintained squarespace in the middle of the village. Eggs from free-range chickens will cost under $2 per dozen. I was quite entertained by the antics going on between two of our neighbor ladies, teasing and joking with each other, but the event itself was pretty dull (basically horses walking in circles around the field, over and over again). 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. The short answer is YES, Ecuador is safe, as long as you take proper care. A woman told me in town to be careful here because there is so much negative energy in the air, laughed a young German man as we ate breakfast at the campground kitchen of Rumi Wilco Eco Lodge, the cheapest place in town at $3.50 for a tent site. Adrian told her to please cooperate as they had a gun pointed at him and he was to drive the vehicle. It has long been a staple on the international backpacker route and therefore youll find significantly more restaurants and shops than youd normally find in a town this size. Curried rice and cabbage salad, served on banana leaves (to keep disposable dishes out of the landfills). Crime: Crime is a wid Vilcabamba is a village in the southern region of Ecuador, in Loja Province, about 45 km (28 mi) from the city of Loja. I saw lots of groove-billed anis and a beautiful Blue-crowned Motmot (Highland Motmot), which totally made my morning. The fact that many foods can be grown nearby and all year round means great savings in grocery bills. Even though I was a bundle of nerves and fighting tears throughout the 3 days I could not have been better protected! Read ThisWhy Move to Vilcabamba, Ecuador? Thisinterview by Uncornered Marketof a resident Vilcabamban reads almost like a transcript of our conversation. On Tuesday, August 12 2014, an American expat couple experienced a home invasion, robbery and the wife was kidnapped and taken from Vilcabamba to Cuenca. The couple was heartsick when the police reported that their dear friend Adrian had confessed that he had arranged the abduction for money. But Vilcabamba is still a very healthy place to live. The criminals will not be able to get out early on good behavior and will be incarcerated in Cuenca's new high-security prison. They call it "McDonald's. Im not sure why its so famousit isnt actually all that impressive. We hope everyone will allow them time to heal from this life-threatening trauma. The temperatures in Vilcabamba are rarely extreme, with an annual average of 60 F. If you appreciate nature and the outdoors; if you like horseback riding, hiking, and communing with nature, then youll enjoy the lifestyle in Vilcabamba. She felt safe with the police and special detectives who were very kind and considerate of what she had undergone. The blur between fact and fiction in Vilcabamba mayor may nothave something to do with a local hallucinogen calledaguacolla, made from mescaline extracted from several dozen species of cacti in the genusTrichocereus, collectively referred to as the San Pedro cactus. Thank you for the update - so glad to hear that this chapter has closed. It has a small living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom on the first floor with a royal balcony where you can unwind in the hammock. Carnaval weekend is a celebration time for locals, and the Carnaval in Vilcabamba attracted many visitors from Loja and Cuenca as well as the locals from Vilcabamba. 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