Klook can be useful when you want to add organized activities, tours, transportation, or other experiences into a trip without having to research every option separately. This platform is not restricted to Ecuador as it operates globally.

Disclosure: Select links may be affiliate links and help support Structured Nomad at no extra cost to you.

The second week of September brought in week three of staying in Ecuador. I had begun freelancing again after taking some time off for a month or so. A quick few hours of morning engagement, then the rest of the working day was spent on my remaining projects.

The Cuenca climate during this time of year stayed around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during midday. At night, it would drop to around 50 degrees. The unit in which I stayed was a bungalow-type build of a house. Having the door open during the day created a nice ambience for productivity.

The unit in which I reserved was by far the best accommodation i had chosen since starting my traveling. Little things, such as weekly linen changes along with regular room cleaning makes all the difference. With being a full-time traveler, it’s recommended to have handy extra linens. But the accommodation chosen for the stay provided consistent service throughout.

The week was centered around productivity and enjoying downtime, as the previous weeks afforded as well. I also made an effort to do a daily jog or calisthenic circuit at a nearby park I’ll mention below.

By this time in the stay, familiarity had been built with a handful of food locations. Ecuador is known for its vast range of diversity in food, mostly due to its unique geographic profile. I’ll include some locations worth highlighting down below.

The very first official food order, upon arrival in Cuenca, consisted of an Ecuadorian breakfast platter from Esquina De Perez.

It included bolón, egg, meat, and a café combination. The total came to $5 flat. The location closes at noon local time, so it’s meant to be enjoyed as a breakfast or early brunch treat. By week three, it had already become a recurring stop.

Another solid breakfast option is Cafe de Charito, located in the San Blas barrio of Cuenca. You can get a coffee for less than a dollar, and they offer a strong selection of egg, bread, and meat platters ranging from around $3 to $6.

Café pasado is offered at the majority of food establishments. It’s common in the area due to being a traditional style of brewing coffee. Compared with my usual café con leche order, it’s much stronger and has a sweeter flavor.

You’ll come across similar morning entrees amongst pretty much all the breakfast menus. Tigrillo, bolón de verde, and desayuno montubio were the most frequent ones.

Delicia Coffee Food and Drinks was another simple establishment with a solid breakfast menu and regular coffee offerings. You can get a fully loaded Cuban sandwich for just under $2, with chocolate, mocaccino, or cappuccino options for an additional $3.

For midday food, Fabiannos Pizzaria stood out, with five locations throughout Cuenca and a solid Italian-American menu. Another Italian-centered option is Pizza Y Focaccia, where a pizza serving for two can cost around $10.

If you’re heavy on dessert offerings, Wafflers is by far the strongest recommendation I could give. They offer dessert bowls, sushi-styled dessert entrees, and coffee. The waffle belga with helado de vanilla, chispas de chocolate, and banano became a recurring order.

Coming up behind Wafflers is Trattoria Murano by Casa Firenza, located in the heart of Cuenca. The coffee was excellent each time, and the dessert selection is vast.

All of these locations are available through PedidosYa if you’re not up for going in person.

Cuenca is also not a stranger to parks. Parque El Recreo sits next to residential areas and includes workout equipment, calisthenics bars, and a walking trail. Parque Lineal Yanuncay offers more room for running and stretches along the Río Yanuncay toward Avenida de las Américas.

If you’re looking to build a little more exploration into your stay, Klook can also be useful for finding tours, activities, transportation, and other experiences in and around the destinations you’re visiting. It’s worth checking what’s available locally when you want something more structured than exploring on your own.

A nice observation from time outside was the value placed on outdoor activity. It’s super common to be accompanied by walkers, runners, families, and people with their dogs when spending time in the city’s parks.

If you’re going through your year wondering if there are sustainable business opportunities that you could add to your arsenal, there happen to be. In 2026, online business remains a viable framework to dedicate one’s business efforts toward.

What is one of the lowest upfront-investment business ventures that you can start from the comfort of your home with little-to-no capital? That would be an ecommerce operation.

Some of the benefits of launching an ecommerce business include the vast market of consumer products you can specialize in, as well as the diversified audience you’re able to serve.

Let’s list some other benefits and reasons for seriously exploring this business framework:

That being said, ecommerce platforms are driven by sales of either digital or physical products, or in some cases, both. But there are other opportunities to generate revenue from establishing an online presence.

The most significant include:

If your success within a venture is dependent on constant mental stimulation and complexity from time to time, ecommerce business operations possess no deficit in ever-changing events.

Whether you choose to specialize on a third-party marketplace such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart, or Etsy, or dedicate your focus to your own environment through Shopify, Wix, BigCommerce, or Squarespace, you’re constantly having to either tweak existing infrastructure or generate new content to align with current consumer demand.

For travelers moving between countries within the Andean region, Ecuador offers a separate set of entry and residency benefits for citizens of Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru.

Citizens of these countries can enter Ecuador as tourists using a valid national identification document without needing a visa. The initial stay can last up to 90 days, with the option to extend another 90 days, as long as the total does not exceed 180 days within the year. The agreement also provides pathways toward temporary and permanent residency for ones looking to remain longer.

Global Country Reforms & Updates

United States: Beginning October 1, 2026, additional visa categories including TN, TD, and I applicants will fall under expanded online-presence screening. Applicants within these categories are being instructed to make their social media profiles public or open during the visa review process.

Source: U.S. Department of State.

Canada: Eligible individuals already holding a Canadian work permit can now complete programs lasting six months or less without obtaining a separate study permit. The temporary policy is currently scheduled to remain in effect through December 31, 2027

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Brazil: Brazil introduced a new work-related residence authorization for foreign professionals involved with the preparation and execution of qualifying major events. The new process arrives as the country prepares for large international events, including the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Source: Brazil Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

If you want more beyond the weekly dispatch, the links below are where I share city snapshots, article updates, and additional notes from international travel.

If this week’s dispatch was your kind of read, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the recommendations below too. Consider it a way to discover a few like-minded writers.

Cuenca continues to be an easy place to settle into, and week three brought a little more routine, a few solid food finds, and plenty of time to stay productive. I hope these discussions added a little more context and value to your travel arsenal.

Until next dispatch,
Structured Nomad