Things to Bring

[GRETCHEN SOLDAT]

I’ve read a couple posts on this topic before, but maybe it would bear some clarification, since some of the info was debunked later. We will be going to our beach condo near Canoa this winter, and wondering what is best to bring to outfit it. I have read about sheets and towels, knives and favorite cookware, electronics, flat screens, etc. Things that are hard or expensive to get in Ecuador. Part of my question is, why can’t some of these be shipped from the U.S., to avoid the hassle of transporting something awkward like say, a flat screen? Is it import issues?

We thought we would pack a cooler with our ceramic cookware, maybe some knives, but is it really true about sheets and towels? We don’t have the fancy stuff here at home. Should we bring our cheap DVD player, and try to pack a flat screen? Can you give some tips on what else makes sense to bring? Thanks so much, experts!

P.S. I am adjusting to reading books online in preparation for a dearth of English books in Ecuador. There is a free Kindle app for P.C.’s and a website called “Bookbub” that alerts you to free or 99 cent books online. Good deal! Not the same as a paperback on the beach, but hey, price is right. I just hope it works in Ecuador. The internet is not very good at our condo…

[KIMBERLY BRUNETTE]

I just outfited my condo in Salinas area so I have a couple of comments for you. If you buy your bed/mattress in Ecuador they are typically a different size from the US. I have a King in the US and I got a double and 1/2 in Ecuador which is not quite as big as a king but sufficient. So I bought the sheets down there to fit their mattress size. I found towels easily as well.

The TV’s are really expensive down there so I would like input on if we can bring a TV on the plane down there without excessive charges.

I made a list of things from my last visit to bring back with me…goop off, fly swatter, mattress pad (I bought a Queen size as the mattress is kind of hard). I will also bring quality hair products like mouse since I have fine hair and sun screen as that is expensive down there as well. Good luck!

[SUZAN HASKINS]

I brought a 22 inch TV packed in my luggage (still in the box) — no problem. I understand customs will legally allow you to bring one that is 21 inch in size. I have a friend who is now bringing in one that is 28 inch. He has decided to bring all the receipts with him and be prepared to pay the duty if need be. Sometimes they look and sometimes they don’t…

P.S. I’ve found California King size sheets work great on my queen bed here — I buy them from IKEA when I am back in the States. And you can certainly get fly swatters here. 🙂

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