FAQ

What's the closest airport?

We are only three hours away from Quito Mariscal International Airport.

 

How do I get there?

You can take the bus from Terminal Carcelen in north Quito.
Go to the Norteoccidente ticket window.
Purchase a ticket for Pedro Vicente Maldonado.
There are three bus lines that come here:

  • Kenendy

  • Aloag

  • San Pedrito

The bus ride is about a three hour trip and very scenic. The bus system in Ecuador overall is safe and comfortable.

We’ll make arrangements to have you picked up in town once you arrive or we’ll come pick you up ourselves!

You can also hire a personal driver for $150 direct from Quito to our farm. Contact us to make arrangements.

 

How's the weather? 


The temperature in our subtropical cloud forest is pleasantly warm and very stable. Daytime temps average 75-85°F (21-25°C) and nighttime 65-75°F (17-21°C) all year round. Humidity is an ever-present at 75-80%, just the right amount to make lip balms unnecessary. The surrounding lush greenery and lack of concrete buildings can make it feel cooler, especially at night, so bring a hoodie or light fleece and comfortable long pants.

The "summer" or dry season runs from June until November, and the "winter" or the rainy season runs from December until May. But don't let the words "rainy season" scare you. The cloud forest version of winter is warm and sunny during the day, with rain that begins in the evening and stops around 6am, just in time to start a fresh day. Our private spring and swimming lagoon have plenty of invigorating fresh water — enough to swim in. The land is greener, the sunsets more dramatic, and the banana plants practically throw huge bunches of fruit at us during this season. For us, it’s our favorite time of year.

June through October are lovely months to visit if you want to come when the weather is dry and calm, with July being the driest month and the best time for starry nights. No mistake about it, this is a wet climate, but the only months of year it rains consistently during the day are November and December. 

 

What about altitude? Will it affect me? 

Sueño de Vida is nestled in the foothills of the Andes at a modest 2000 feet (650 meters) above sea level. The altitude here won't bother you. However, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world at over 9000 feet (2900 meters). Upon landing at the Quito airport, you might get a headache, feel tired, exceptionally thirsty, or have shortness of breath while walking uphill. This is normal, especially if you don't live in the mountains at home. 

The best remedies are:

  • Rest and sleep

  • Drinking A LOT of water

  • Ibuprofen

  • Caffeine or other stimulants (cacao, black or green tea, maté, coffee)

If you are staying a few days in Quito to sightsee, follow these remedies and give yourself a day to sleep in, so your body can acclimate. 

 

So you're off the grid. What about charging my phone? Can I make calls or get online? 

We have a modest solar power system you are welcome to use to charge your phone or tablet. We can charge up to three devices at a time. If you think you will need to use your phone or tablet often, bring a fully charged battery pack or a portable fold-out solar charger.

We also have satellite internet (not unlimited) and make it available to our visitors for two hours each day. We enjoy our digitally detoxed lives and invite our visitors to experience the peace of mind made accessible by the absence of scrolling!

Internet is also accessible (though a bit slow) through cellular phone data so you can use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and even Gmail as needed. AT&T and T-mobile automatically switch to the local carriers CLARO or Movistar when you arrive in Ecuador. Check with your carrier if they provide service here. If not, or if you don't want to pay roaming charges, you can purchase a CLARO sim card for $6 when you arrive and we'll help you set it up (as long as your phone is UNlocked).

 

Do I need to get any vaccines?

Regulation-wise, that depends on your home country. Check the requirements. Health-wise, we are not in a high-risk area for common tropical diseases like dengue, chikungunya, malaria, or yellow fever. Fortunately, the altitude here is too high for those diseases which are prevalent at sea level. If you are planning to visit either the coast or Amazon basin, you probably should be vaccinated against yellow fever. 

However, just because this isn't a high risk area for the tropical diseases doesn't mean you don't have to protect yourself. This is a South American forest, and while there are no piranhas or large predators here, there are tiny biting insects and prickly plants. It’s not a big deal, we live here very comfortably, but the right shoes and clothes are important. For the essential cloud forest packing list, see What to Bring.

Are there health care facilities nearby?

Ecuador has a competent universal health care system. Bloomberg recently rated Ecuador as having the 20th most efficient healthcare system among advanced economies, while the U.S. ranked near the bottom in 46th place.

There is an urgent care clinic and a private hospital with emergency room in Pedro Vicente Maldonado, half an hour away from SdV. They treat everyone here. Insurance/papers are not an issue, and costs for routine are low. For example, I had to go to the emergency room for a big splinter I got in my hand. I got it cleaned, removed, and a tetanus booster for $25.

 

For all other questions, contact Kristen Krash at kristen@sdvforest.com.