There's no contest between Cuenca and Ibarra. The former is one of the finest colonial style architecture. Ibarra isn't. Otoh, Ibarra could be a better option if you want to get away from tourists and English speaking expats.
OP =original post/er (you).
For what you want, Ibarra would be more conducive to your writing, I think--few, if any expats with their insular social groups and watering holes.
Cuenca is beautiful, but it gets tons of tourists and has a sizeable expat community. And by the way, the architecture is Republican, not colonial.
I like Ibarra. I do like Cuenca too but not for a month. Ibarra has lots less tourists too. Loja could be another option as it is not overrun with tourists as the tourists head out to Vilcabamba. Which airport are you flying into? If Quito then Ibarra is closer but if Guayaquil then Loja could be a good option.
Well, I decided on Roja, but I must have internet. Is Ibarra better for internet? Do I have to go to Cuenca for Internet? I prefer a smaller location without whole expat communities. This will force me to use my crappy Spanish.
My final destination will determine my flights. Should I fly on to Roja or Ibarra or just take the bus? There are overnight delays on every flight already.
Thanks everyone. What a great resource you are.
Your approach seems a bit childish. It sounds like you've never visited the country, and yet you want to decide from a distance where to stay. Ecuador is a country not a spot that you can select and make your home. It would be naive to rely on others' views, without knowing what the options are.
Do you have any experience in travelling, or living in another country and a culture that is different from yours?
Take a trip around the country - three weeks would be enough - and choose a place that suits you.
ps. I don't know of Roja in Ecuador. Or did you mean Loja?
I assume you mean Loja, I don't know of anywhere here called Roja. Ibarra has excellent internet, because the fibre optic for Yachay runs through there. Internet is patchy in Loja and Cuenca, and pretty much everywhere except Ibarra, Quito and parts of Guayaquil.
Finding a monthly let with good internet is a different matter though. I would fly to Loja and take the bus from Quito to Ibarra, but you can take a bus to Loja if you prefer.
Hello, I did mean Loja. With Ibarra, I am concerned with altitude sickness. I guess I will just have to pick my poison.
Thanks,
Ibarrra is 7,300 ft and Loja is 6,800 ft, it's only 500 ft difference. If you can't cope with the altitude in Ibarra, you probably won't be able to cope with it in Loja either. If you are very concerned about altitude you would be better on the coast, or if you really want to be inland, you would have more options in Colombia.
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