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Expat Exchange - Health Care in Guayaquil 2024
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Guayaquil, Ecuador


Health Care in Guayaquil

By Betsy Burlingame

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Summary: Dive into healthcare resources for expats and digital nomads in Guayaquil: identify leading healthcare providers, hospitals, and medical centers for optimal care.

Guayaquil has both public and private healthcare systems. The public healthcare system is called the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS). It is used by Ecuadorian citizens and foreigners who are legally registered in the country. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Guayaquil for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Public hospitals in Guayaquil are generally crowded and understaffed, but they provide quality care at a low cost. Foreigners (expats and digital nomads) are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Ecuador, but many expats prefer to use private hospitals. Private hospitals in Guayaquil are more modern and have better facilities, but they are more expensive. People recommend using private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery.

Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Guayaquil

The most popular hospitals and clinics for expats in Guayaquil are:

  • Hospital Metropolitano (private hospital) located in the north of the city
  • Hospital del Rio (private hospital) located in the south of the city
  • Clinica Kennedy (private hospital) located in the center of the city
  • Clinica del Sol (private hospital) located in the east of the city
  • Clinica San Jose (private hospital) located in the west of the city

Emergency Services in Guayaquil

There are ambulance services in Guayaquil. You can call for an ambulance by dialing 911. Ambulances usually arrive quickly, but there can be delays due to traffic or other factors.

Health Insurance Companies in Guayaquil

The most popular private health insurers in Guayaquil are:

  • Pacifico Seguros
  • Mapfre Seguros
  • Seguros Bolivar
  • Seguros SURA

Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies for health insurance. However, there are also specialized expat health insurance providers available.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


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Guayaquil, Ecuador

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