Cuenca, Ecuador, has become an increasingly popular destination for people looking to retire, relocate, or begin a new chapter abroad. But what does this growing international interest look like through the eyes of someone who calls Cuenca home?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony Lloyd sits down over tea with Andres, a Cuenca-born architect who moved to Chicago and is now exploring the possibility of returning to Ecuador.

After several years abroad, Andres is rediscovering his hometown through a different perspective. Some things feel familiar, while others have changed in...

Andrii left Ukraine years ago, lived in Belgium and Canada, and eventually decided to take on a journey he had dreamed about for a long time.

Now he is travelling through South America by bicycle, carrying everything he needs with him and moving one day at a time toward Ushuaia.

In this episode, we talk about what pushed him to begin, what it feels like to travel through fear instead of waiting for fear to disappear, and how life on the road has changed the way he sees people, risk and possibility.

Andrii...

What happens when a trip you never planned changes the direction of your life?

Hannah, a nurse from Wales, never imagined herself becoming a long-term traveller. A friend invited her on a trip through Southeast Asia, where a series of unexpected encounters eventually brought her into Sean’s orbit, a Canadian solo traveller who had already left his job to spend months on the road.

They went their separate ways, but their story did not end there.

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Hannah and Sean reflect on how an...

What does “enough” really mean?

Dave spent around 20 years working in accounting and finance before eventually realising that the life he had built was no longer the life he wanted. At 45, he stepped away from that career, became a bartender, and later began building a life centred around long-term travel.

In this episode, Dave talks about travelling for months at a time, balancing expensive destinations with more affordable ones, and learning how to shape a life around what matters most to him.

He also shares some unforgettable moments from the road — includ...

What does it mean for a woman to enter the world of plant medicine — especially in another country, placing her trust in people she may barely know?

Phoenix grew up between two worlds: New York and Ecuador. Those experiences eventually brought her back to Cuenca, where spirituality, Reiki, women’s circles and San Pedro became an important part of her life.

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Phoenix at her Sol Studio in Cuenca to talk about her journey from fear and uncertainty to becoming a facilitator hers...

How do you travel for six months without spending like a tourist every day?

In this episode, I speak with Mirella, a young traveller of Cameroonian heritage who grew up in Germany and France and has spent several months travelling through Latin America.

Along the way, she volunteered in Colombia and Ecuador, including as an English teaching assistant, at a refugee shelter, and with an Afro-Ecuadorian organisation in Cuenca.

We talk about why volunteering can make long-term travel more affordable, how it helps you connect with local people, and why sometimes...

What happens when the life you planned abroad suddenly changes?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony heads into the countryside outside Cuenca, Ecuador, with Mary and three dogs  for a conversation about travel, relocation, community, loss and starting over.

Mary had already lived around the world before eventually settling in Colorado, where she spent decades working in real estate and breeding horses. An unexpected accident changed everything and eventually brought her and her partner to Ecuador.

Nine years later, Mary talks openly about the realities they faced when h...

What happens when rising rent makes you rethink not just where you live — but how you live?

Chris worked in construction in the United States before deciding he’d had enough of paying rent. That decision led to four years of van life and, eventually, a journey through Latin America.

Over tea at El Cafecito in Cuenca, Ecuador, we talk about how an unexpected trip to Colombia for affordable dental work opened the door to a completely different way of seeing the world.

Chris shares his experiences traveling through Colombia and Ecua...

Someone listening to this series may inevitably be wondering: 

Is ayahuasca for me?

That’s where we begin the final part of my conversation with Daniel Hannah.

Daniel talks about mental preparation, intention and respect for the traditions surrounding ayahuasca. We discuss what someone should look for when choosing a retreat, whether doing ayahuasca in its traditional South American setting matters, the advantages and disadvantages of working with Indigenous healers, group size, integration after a ceremony and the importance of having adequate support.

We also get into the...

What happens when you remove almost everything we normally depend on, food, water, phones, entertainment and even our sense of time?

In Part 2 of my conversation with Daniel Hannah, we move beyond ayahuasca itself and into one of the more extreme experiences on his journey: a four-day, four-night vision quest in Peru’s Sacred Valley.

Daniel describes entering isolation at roughly 3,500 metres, with no food or water, and what happened physically and mentally as the days progressed. We talk about discomfort versus suffering, the moment he began wondering when they were coming to ge...

What leads someone from ordinary travel into the world of plant medicine?

In Part 1 of this three-part conversation, Tony sits down with Australian traveller Daniel Hannah to talk about the journey that eventually led him to ayahuasca and a very different way of looking at healing, spirituality and personal growth.

Daniel shares his story of travelling since 2016, his early experiences with psychedelics, the powerful experiences that changed his direction, and how his travels through South America eventually brought him into contact with ayahuasca near Cuenca, Ecuador.

Rather than presenting ayahuasca simply...

Douglas Chang was born in Ecuador, but his family story began thousands of kilometres away in China.

Three of his grandparents came from China to Ecuador with very little, eventually settling in small communities near Guayaquil. Douglas remembers stories of his grandmother, his father leaving school at 12 to work, the family running small businesses, and the importance of cacao at a time when it represented some of Ecuador’s greatest wealth.

Growing up Chinese-Ecuadorian, Douglas knew he looked different from most people around him—but he says he never questioned whether he belonged.

When Hannah O’Hare Bennett arrived in Ecuador as a Peace Corps agriculture volunteer, she wanted more than travel...she wanted to build relationships and truly understand a place.

Placed in a small rural community near Saraguro, Hannah initially struggled with isolation, limited Spanish and the thought of spending two full years away from home. But through the patience, humour and warmth of her host sister Sandra and the rest of the family, an unfamiliar community gradually became another home.

Hannah shares the moment she first made Sandra laugh in Spanish, the emotions of...

“Home is where the backpack is.”

Ken has spent 40 years travelling the world and 36 years working internationally as a United Nations peacekeeper and diplomat. Born in what is now Zimbabwe, he was given 48 hours to leave the country at the age of 18 and began building a life without a permanent home.

In this episode, Ken remembers travelling before smartphones, GPS, online reservations and ATMs...when backpackers depended on guidebooks, postcards, travellers’ cheques and advice from strangers.

He also shares some unforgettable experiences, including finding an unmarked hotel in Siberia and attempting to cro...

Dan left London with a plan to travel through eight or nine countries across Latin America. Almost a year later, that plan looks very different.

Three months in Panama became six months in Colombia. In Salento, an unexpected relationship pulled him into a local family and changed the direction of his journey. When the relationship ended, Dan had to move forward — but he doesn’t regret the experience.

Now in Ecuador, he’s asking a bigger question: Is he simply travelling, or is he looking for somewhere new to call home?

Over tea, we tal...

What if your travel companion had been to 117 countries, needed his own luggage, had his own Instagram account—and happened to be a lion?

Meet Montgomery J. Lion, better known as Monty, Ken’s rather unusual travel companion.

Monty’s story began in Tanzania, when Ken brought him home for his son. Years later, when his son left for university, Monty joined Ken on the road—and never really stopped travelling.

Since then, he’s crossed borders around the world, attracted the attention of airport security, posed with complete strangers in China, vis...

What will you remember from your travels a year from now? 

Carina, a traveller from Germany, has taken a sabbatical to spend more than a year exploring the world. But she isn’t just travelling; she’s documenting the journey.

Through a private written journal, photography, and printed photo albums for each country she visits, Carina is creating a personal record of the places she sees, the food she eats, the things that go right and the things that don’t.

We talk about:

• Why she has kept travel journals...

At 73, a traveler shares a very personal story about looking for companionship abroad, using an international matrimonial agency, and eventually marrying a woman in Colombia.

He talks openly about spending thousands of dollars through the agency, the excitement of arriving in Medellín, falling in love, getting married and the red flags he admits he ignored along the way.

At his request, we have chosen not to use his name. But we felt his story was important to share.

This episode isn’t about judging his choices or anyone else’s. It’s an hone...

What is it like to travel the world as a Black queer couple?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Ash and Phae, two slow travellers from the United States who share their experiences navigating the world while embracing multiple identities. From defining what “non-binary” and “queer” mean in their own words to discussing safety, community, and the realities of long-term travel, this conversation is thoughtful, honest, and approachable.

The discussion also explores Ecuador’s LGBTQ+ history, the importance of finding welcoming communities, and why slow travel has given them...

What does it take to visit all Seven Wonders of the World before turning 26?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, I sit down with Austin from the Netherlands, who set himself an ambitious goal: visit all seven of the New Seven Wonders before his 26th birthday.

From watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu to seeing the Taj Mahal at dawn, Austin shares the unforgettable moments, unexpected travel challenges, and the lessons he learned along the way.

But perhaps the biggest surprise wasn’t reaching the final Wonder—it was real...

What would you do if you had no return date?

At just 24 years old, Fabian left behind a career in sports event management in Austria and bought a one-way ticket to South America. Six months later, he’s still exploring—discovering new cultures, making friendships in hostels, cheering alongside locals during the World Cup, and learning that travel is about much more than checking countries off a list.

In this episode, we talk about experiencing Ecuador during football fever, discovering Ecuavolley in the Galápagos, life aboard an Amazon cargo boat, the friendships that...

Should you join a group tour or travel independently?

In this episode, I sit down with Nathan, an experienced traveller and international teacher, to compare the advantages and disadvantages of both styles of travel.

We discuss safety, flexibility, cost, meeting new people, language barriers, and when each approach makes the most sense. We also talk about cruises, all-inclusive resorts, relocating abroad, and why sometimes having someone else handle the planning can make all the difference.

Whether you’re planning your very first international trip or your fiftieth, this conversation may help you decide wh...

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Azim, a 27-year-old teacher from Dublin, Ireland, who is working at an American international school in Valledupar, Colombia.

Azim shares what led him to leave Ireland, how international teaching can open the door to travel, and what life is like in a hot, music-filled Colombian city famous for vallenato.

The conversation explores culture shock, language barriers, Caribbean Colombian Spanish, power cuts, dance culture, social life, and the emotional side of living far from home. Azim also reflects on being the first Irish teacher...

What really goes on behind the scenes of a hotel?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Pierce Lowney, an Irish hospitality professional who started working in a local pub at just 14 years old before building a career in luxury hotels. Now backpacking across South America, Peirce shares the stories, lessons, and unforgettable moments he’s experienced from both sides of the reception desk.

From hilarious “Fawlty Towers” moments and unforgettable guests to bizarre online reviews and practical booking advice, this episode offers a fascinating look at the world of hospit...

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Gregorio Cárdenas from Medellín, Colombia, who set out on the adventure of a lifetime: riding his motorcycle from Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentina—the southernmost city in the world.

What started as a dream became a journey through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Along the way, Gregorio balanced life as a digital nomad, crossed deserts, navigated some of South America’s most challenging roads, battled freezing temperatures, and discovered that travelling alone doesn’t necessarily mean being lonely.

From Bolivia’s infamous...

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Troy, who recently relocated from the United States to Cuenca, Ecuador — along with his dog, Cosmo.

Troy shares the real process of moving internationally with a pet, including paperwork, airline restrictions, unexpected costs, and why he eventually used a pet transport service with a pet nanny. He also talks about the extra complications of travelling with a flat-faced dog, finding pet-friendly housing in Cuenca, and how Cosmo adjusted to life in a new country.

This conversation is especially useful for anyone thinking about re...

What is it like to move to another country at age 10, learn a new language, attend school in a different culture, and build a new life from scratch?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony Lloyd sits down with Karmarri and his mother, artist Iyahdae Rose, as they reflect on two years living in Cuenca, Ecuador, before returning to the United States.

Karmarri shares his experiences learning Spanish, adapting to school, making friends, discovering Ecuadorian food, and what surprised him most about life in Ecuador. Iyahdae discusses her decision to leave the United...

What would make someone from Switzerland trade a plane ticket for a sailboat?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony Lloyd sits down with Tobias, a young traveller who chose the slow route to the Americas. Instead of flying across the Atlantic, he spent 26 days at sea, sailing from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands to Martinique in the Caribbean.

Tobias shares what life was really like on board: night watches, endless ocean horizons, dolphins swimming alongside the boat, rough weather, and the surprising challenge of returning to society after weeks at sea.<...

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony Lloyd speaks with photographer and recent graduate Skye Jalal, who is travelling through Ghana, Kenya, Germany, Ecuador, and Mexico on a Watson Fellowship.

Skye shares how photography became her way of exploring identity, community, family, and the African diaspora. She discusses her experiences photographing Afro communities across different countries, the challenges of travelling alone, and how travel has changed her perspective on culture, belonging, and human connection.

Topics include:

After several years away from the microphone, El Cafecito Travel Talks is back.

In this special relaunch episode, the tables are turned as Skye Jewel interviews host Tony Lloyd about his journey, life in Latin America, travel, community building, and the experiences that have shaped his perspective over more than 25 years living in Latin America.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) and living in multiple countries

• Life as a hostel owner in Ecuador and Colombia

• Helping travellers explore Central and So...

Ed Howell a.k.a. Hazukashii, after retiring from the US military, decides to spend his time hashing around the world.

Hazukashii shares with us the tales of the Hash House Harrison, how he was renamed, and his quest for hashing in over 100 countries. 

His words of advice for us: people are people and the hash is a great way to meet new friends and to discover new cultures

His Hash web site:  ttp://gotothehash.net

Guest: Ed Howell aka Hazukashii

Host: Tony Lloyd

Editor: Ton...

Brian and Alec Altonen farmers Michigan USA taking a winter break to do a father and son trip to explore Ecuador together

They share with us the reasons for travelling at this time, what they hope to get out of this trip and what life was like back at home for the last year.

Their words of advice for us is, do your research go travelling but do it safely.

Guest: Brian and Alec Altonen    [email protected] 

Hos...