Live Like a Local in Loja, Second Edition

with entertaining stories and honest, practical information and resources for staying in Loja short- or long-term. Read what it is like to live in Latin America and Loja, descriptions of the city and surrounding towns, lots of things you can do for fun, tips for integrating with the locals, practical information for getting around the city and setting up a home, and more. The book also includes two thorough chapters on learning Spanish. An updated companion website will include additional photos and links to relevant resources.

Here's what James Hansen, a reader of the first edition who now lives in Loja, had to say about the book:

Here is the chapter list for the book:

1. The Treasure Between Cuenca and Vilcabamba

2. Growing Up in Latin America

3. Getting to Know Loja

4. First Things First: Learn Spanish! 

5. Steps to Speaking Spanish 

6.  Arriving and Finding Your Way Around 

7. City Buses and of Loja 

8. The Fun Side of Loja: Art and Culture 

9. The Fun Side of Loja: Nature 

10. Eating and Shopping 

11. Setting Up House 

12. Making Friends 

13. Culture Clashes 

14. Vilcabamba 

15. Cuenca 

16. Other Towns Near Loja 

17. Let the Adventure Begin! 

18. Bonus: A Free Chapter from My Next Book!

contains all the information you need to visit Loja for a trip and also learn whether Loja, Ecuador might be a good fit for long-term “slow” travel or permanent residence, and how to settle in if so. It addresses the pros and cons of Loja vs. the popular travel and expat destinations of Cuenca and Vilcabamba.

The e-book covers a wide range of topics and answers many questions, including:

TRANSPORTATION

Getting to and getting around in Loja once you’re there. Do you need a car? How does the bus system work? How much to the ? How easy is it to travel between cities?

SHOPPING

How much will your groceries cost? What kinds of stores are available? How and where can you find the best deals?  What about shopping for services or souvenirs?

CULTURE AND LANGUAGE

How to learn Spanish and make friends. How much Spanish do you need to know? Is it easy to make friends? How can you best adapt to the culture? Is it safe?

HOUSING

Finding a place to short term and long term! Where can you stay while house hunting? Are there furnished apartments in Loja? How much are the utilities?

WEATHER

Loja’s climate and what to bring. Does it get or cold in Loja? How humid is it? Does it rain a lot? What kinds of clothes should you pack to be comfortable and fit in?

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Landmarks and activities in Loja and surrounding towns. Are there regular cultural events? What kinds of activities and sights can you enjoy around Loja?

In the second edition of the book, I have updated information based on the changes over the past three years since our first visit. I’ve told more stories, corrected some mistakes and typos, added Celsius to the temperatures, expanded chapters and added some new chapters! I added a whole new section on the Loja city bus system, more detailed tourist information, and new stores and resources that did not exist or that I had not been aware of when I first wrote this book. I also wrote more information with the casual traveler in mind—someone who may not be interested in going to Loja long- but who would love to visit. For such a traveler, I hope the information about the area, the cultural insights, and tips for learning some Spanish (though not as necessary if you are just visiting) will be helpful.