Living in Ecuador

"I just spent 5 weeks just a couple kilometers north of Crucita. Beaches and climate were some of the best I have experienced. Crucita is more crowded but if you get north of the new marina (under construction) its almost deserted as far as you can see. I jogged north about a mile and was the same as far as I went. Some condos on the beach in that area but they are mostly empty and even on weekends not a lot of activity. I liked it so much I am going back the end of the year," said one expat in Crucita.

"People here are friendly and very helpful. You can get fresh fruit and veggies everywhere. You can get fresh seafood right from the fisherman in the mornings, as the come back in from a nights fishing," said one expat who made the move to Crucita.

"There is an expat community in Vilcabamba. Its membership varies in variety and number. People arrive people depart. Some are in the town, visible every day, some come in only on market Sunday, some might go months without setting foot in the town. Come for a visit. Stay more than a couple of days to get the feel of the town. Have a taxi give you the tour. You'll have a better idea of the place and options for living there. Look at San Pedro and Malacatos as well, two towns near Vilcabamba. These are worthwhile places to look at," explained one expat living in Vilcabamba, Ecuador.

"Retiring in Ecuador can be an attractive option for expats as the cost of living is low and the natural beauty of the country is unparalleled. However, before making a decision to retire in Ecuador it is important to be mindful of a few things. Expats should research the local culture and customs to ensure they adjust to their new home in the best way possible. It is also important to research taxation, the pension system, and health care in the country to determine if their retirement plan is feasible. Additionally, it is beneficial to learn some basic Spanish as many people in Ecuador only speak the language. Ultimately, expats should consider how comfortable they will be in a new environment, and whether Ecuador is the right fit for them," mentioned one in Ecuador.

"1. Learn some basic spanish before coming here. 2. Have a source of income to sustain you, don't expect to work to survive. 3. Keep an open mind and expect things to be very different from home. 4. Come for 3 to 4 weeks to see if you will like the country and city before making permanent immigration plans. 5. Have great patience and don't expect the people to act in a manner to which you are accustomed. Things here take time. 6. Remember you are a guest in their country so be respective of their customs, If you don't know what is expected-- ASK. Don't demand anything. They wll be nice if you are. 7. Always check your passport for visas and date stamps. They have been known to make errors on dates--quite often! 8. Be flexible, things are not under your control. Have Fun," explained one expat who made the move to Bahia de Caracruz.

"You'll meet a lot of fellow expats at the favorite restaurants in Olon around dinner... Try Roadhouse, Spondylus, Rasimar, Il Pirata, and MoMos. On Saturday afternoons a group meets at Jerry's Cabana on the beach. The pensianado/retirement expats in the area are an eclectic group and you'll find them enjoying the beach, volunteer opportunities in the community, as mentioned dining out, participating in and watching sports, games (poker is big), and generally enjoying life and their community," said one expat in Olon.

"Get on online forum and arrange to meet one of the local expats. Ask them about local group and activities. Go online and Google groups for your interests and Ecuador, example pesca deportiva grupos Ecuador (fishing group Ecuador)," said one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"Try to be in town for a Sunday morning. The market is active and lots of folks who keep to the countryside week days come to town to visit and buy produce that day. Lots of spots around the square for coffee and meals and meeting people who'll be able to share their experience. Who did I hang out with this past Sunday? They were Dutch, Russian, Swedish, Canadian. And we sat in front of a real French Bakery. So it's not just gringos (I restrict that term to citizens of the USA) its not a derogatory term. "America" is a hemisphere, not a country. But the Vilca scene isn't for everyone," explained one expat living in Vilcabamba, Ecuador.

"Look up KIM Klocek in Facebook. She arranges monthly Gringo meett-ups at a local bistro, and is just a wonderful resource for Gringos with questions. Also is a tour Guide with long experience in GYE and Ecuador," mentioned one in Guayaquil.

"Weekly expat Fridays at 5, currently held at Sakura Restaurant on 3 de Noviembre in front of the Tomebamba River at the bottom of the Escalinata," explained one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"Cuenca has a lot going for it as far as the arts. There are always free concerts that you can attend in the city. Art festivals, Choirs, Orchestras you name it. This is a very family oriented society and life revolves around the family. My local business colleagues are always spending time with their families on the weekends and we should learn from them. They have a wonderful network of family around them. Religious events are a time for parades, church and other activities," wrote one member in Cuenca.

"Vilcambamba is a small village, now overrun with Americans, a ghetto that is a mugging and break-in mecca. It seems only yesterday that Vilcabamba was a somnolent little town with great weather..not worth more than a drive-through just before Xmas when the trees turn golden, with local nutty stories the locals used to tell wildly gullible tourists. Now known as such as an expat enclave it has attracted sorts like bees to honey. But expats bring their culture and guns with them and now it is a focus of much crime. It is no longer "Ecuadorian", per se. It is a colony. Lots of break-ins and muggings are the current reports. These events soon become armed on both sides," remarked one expat who made the move to Vilcabamba.

"Yes, there is some crime in Ecuador. Though it is not as prevalent as in some other Latin American countries, crime does occur, including theft, pickpocketing, assault and mugging. Additionally, there is organized crime related to international drug trafficking. Violent crime tends to be concentrated in some of the larger cities and tourists should exercise caution when travelling in certain areas," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"Not a lot of crime in Cuenca but people need to us common since living here as they would in any city," said one expat in Cuenca.

"Most people here are mestizo. They are very accepting of any race but do not inter-marry with blacks," commented one expat who made the move to Bahia de Caraquez.

"I believe that the people here are warm and accepting. I certainly have not come across any hostilities to expats. They are very eager to be of helping nature," remarked one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Yes, there is a lot of diversity in Ecuador. Ethnic groups, languages, backgrounds, and cultures all exist in the country in a variety of forms. Ecuador is home to people of African and Indigenous descent, as well as those of European and Middle Eastern descent. Additionally, a wide range of religious beliefs and practices can be found in the country. Generally, Ecuadorians are very accepting of diversity and are known to embrace it as part of the national culture," wrote one member in Ecuador.

"The majority of people here are Catholic. There are a large number of Evangelical Prostestant Churches. Also many Mormons are here helping the poor. They are very tolerant of all religious followers here, as long as you don't tell them their religion is wrong," remarked one expat who made the move to Bahia de Caracruz.

"You must come to the campus to see. It is a nice little campus in the upscale community of Cumbaya. Tuition runs about $6,000 per semester and $1500 for the summer semester. They do offer financing through the University as well as scholarships to top performing students. Class sizes are small and there are a wide variety of programs of study available. It is a nice option to the expensive US colleges," remarked one parent with kids at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) in Cumbaya.

"The Graded American School in Ecuador (GASE) is an excellent bilingual international school located in Quito. It offers a quality, comprehensive American-style education to international students of all ages, from Pre-K through 12th grade. The school offers rigorous academic programs and diverse extracurricular activities to make learning fun and engaging. GASE is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States and by the National Ministry of Education in Ecuador. The Canadian Academy in Quito is another popular option for international education in Ecuador. It is an internationally accredited bilingual school with a stringent academic program that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity and 21st-century learning. CISCO certified courses in computer engineering and digital media are among some of the unique features of this school. The Academy also offers an array of extracurricular activities that emphasize teamwork and community participation. The Anglo-American School of Quito offers an international curriculum that offers a unique blend of Ecuadorian and British educational styles. It is accredited by the National Council for the Evaluation of Educational Quality in Ecuador, making it the first international school in the country to receive this prestigious accreditation. The school has programs ranging from Pre-K through 12th grade, with a curriculum that incorporates innovative technology such as robotics, coding, and 3D printing. Finally, The Paradise Private School in Guayaquil offers a bilingual, transnational and multicultural education. It is an IB World School, meaning it offers a holistic certification in its schooling system, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges of an ever-changing global environment. Additionally, Paradise Private School has a strong focus on student leadership development and provides a range of extracurricular activities," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"I would highly suggest taking a look at all options in Quito. This school has made a rapid change to being an elitist, local school where students of powerful local families are given preferential treatment and their parents are allowed to dictate what is done at the school. Discipline is non-existent. The curriculum is constantly "being worked on" and the school is all about how it appears, not substance. Bullying by local, wealthy is prevalent and the school takes no action. The answer is to make the target and their family the problem and wait for them to leave while the bully is allowed to continue for years to come," said one parent with children at Academia Cotopaxi in Quito.

"I have meet folks who live on $1200/mo including rent. Our lifestyle is more like $1200-1500 and we own our place. That includes eating out, 2 grocery runs/month, beer deliveries and biweekly massages for two," remarked one expat who made the move to Manglaralto.

"The cost of living in Ecuador varies and depends on what city or region you are located in. Generally speaking, daily expenses can be kept low if you are living outside of the major cities. Groceries, transportation, and rent are generally much cheaper than in other countries. However, prices for imported goods, luxury items, and eating out in restaurants can be more expensive," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"We have found the cost of living to be reasonable, especially foods at the market, on the streetsides. Tia Food stores are a little more. Supermaxi in Loja is a good place to shop occasionally to stock up on basic items and for some variety. Clothing is higher in comparison it seems, but when they have there "holidays" with people filling the streets to market their goods, then is the time to get good deals," remarked one expat living in Catamayo and Loja.

"There is a wide variety of housing available on the Coast. In my little stretch of beach, expats can purchase a home in a gated community starting at just $125K and going up to $285K for an amazing 3 bedroom home with a pool. Rentals are anywhere from $600 and up depending upon amenities. Taxis and food are inexpensive and good," said one expat living in Rio Chico.

"The availability of fresh seafood, vegetables and fruits delivered to your door or purchased at the market are very reasonable, a household of two adults averages $200 per month for groceries. Rental properties range from $450 up based on location and size. You can purchase a beachfront home for under $200K. or off the beach from $50K. and up. Restaurants offer daily "almuerzo" specials for $3, dinner starts at $4 and up. Utilities are inexpensive, propane gas $1.75 refill, water for the cisterna $15, large jugs of bottled water $1.50, Wifi basic plan $25, electricity varies based on use of AC during the hot season (January - April), no AC. $45 - with AC, $100 and up. Transportation via bus starts at .50 cents and goes up based on destination. Taxi varies based on destination, fare starts at $2," mentioned one expat inSan Jacinto.

"The cost of living in San Clemente is very affordable. If you eat at local type restaurants, a typical lunch will set you back at $2.50-$3.00. Even at the more foreign type restaurants, it is still cheap to eat. Rent can range from $250 a month for a typical Ecuadorian house to upwards of $1,000 a month for a condo in a small complex. All in all, the cost of living is very affordable," commented one expat who moved to San Clemente, Ecuador.

"A couple can live here on $1200-$1300 a month which includes for example 3 bedroom 2 bath modern apartment. A single person can live under $1000 a month," remarked one expat living in Vilcabamba.

"The beaches are the main attraction in this area. You can participate in a friendly game of soccer, beach comb for shells, go fishing, paragliding or relax in a hammock on the beach," wrote one expat living in San Jacinto.

"In Ecuador, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, parks, and outdoor activities. The country's long coastline provides plenty of opportunities for swimming, surfing, and other water sports. There are also many national parks and reserves, offering hiking, camping, and bird watching. For those who prefer indoor activities, there are plenty of museums, galleries, and theaters. Shopping malls, movie theaters, and bowling alleys are also popular recreational spots," commented one expat who moved to Ecuador.

"Of course, there is soccer! But I'm finding out from the youth that they are playing basketball and enjoy that very much also, as well as volleyball. They have a Water Slide and Fun place for the young people to go a few miles outside of Catamayo, and there are neighborhood volleyball matches for many ages, bingo, outdoor music concerts in the parks, and artists show their paintings occasionally. No golf clubs, that we know around here, sorry... But I am sure there would be in Cuenca and Quito," said one expat.

"I can highly recommend Cabalgatas Canoa. Horseback riding on the beach. The stables are run by Zia Sherrell of the UK who has been here for close to a decade. The horses are very well cared for and she gets top reviews," commented one expat living in Canoa, Ecuador.

"As I'm sure you already know much of Southern Ecuador experiences a rainy and a dry season. The dry season is approximately June through September, while the rainy season is approximately October through May. I actually check the radar on weather.com and find it to be relatively accurate. Right now we are in the middle of rainy season which mostly means daily showers late in the afternoon," mentioned one expat inMalacatos.

"Weather: This is a question with lots of wildly different answers! For example, on the flip side, we adore not needing weather aids, like air conditioning or heating almost all year round. We needed both in Canada. We had a Caribbean villa for 11 years and it could get too hot during many months with the Leeward breeze was absent...just before the hurricane season. (ugh). In Cuenca, we sleep in our birthday suits (BLUSH!) with a snuggly Duvet and mostly wear short sleeve t-shirts during the day..all year long in Cuenca. A sweater, a shawl or a light leather jacket when dining out at night. However, the locals will wear ski-jackets during the day at 70F! I guess it depends on where you grew up," commented one expat who moved to Cuenca, Ecuador.

"One of the most popular restaurants in Ecuador is La Choza de Laurel, located in Quito. This restaurant is known for its traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, such as ceviche, empanadas, and llapingachos. The restaurant also offers a variety of seafood dishes, as well as a selection of international dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Another popular restaurant in Ecuador is El Pobre Diablo, located in Cuenca. This restaurant is known for its traditional Ecuadorian dishes, such as ceviche, tamales, and seco de chivo. The restaurant also offers a variety of international dishes, such as Italian and Mexican cuisine. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Finally, La Casa de la Abuela is a popular restaurant in Quito. This restaurant is known for its traditional Ecuadorian dishes, such as ceviche, tamales, and seco de chivo. The restaurant also offers a variety of international dishes, such as Italian and Mexican cuisine. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff is friendly and attentive," remarked one expat living in Ecuador.

"Good prices for eating out! Variety in both Catamayo and Loja. We can eat a very healthy, good meal for $5.00 in Catamayo. We have not participated in nightlife much just to go out to eat at different restaurants where sometimes you might have someone serenade you at your table," said one expat living in Catamayo and Loja.

"Seafood is the main course here on the coast of Manabi, there are other restaurants serving grilled pork, chicken, steak with sides of rice, salad and plantains. Chinese cuisine is available as well. There is one pub located in San Jacinto and three in the next village located ten minutes away via bus/taxi or a 25 minute walk on the beach," mentioned one expat inSan Jacinto.

"We have organic market on Saturday and general market on Sunday. You can get fresh produce, meat and dairy. During the week many local shops offer fresh fruit, veggies, meat and other products, very plentiful. In Loja there is a supermarket called Supermaxi for more commercial and international products," said one expat living in Vilcabamba.

"Local people shop at the local mom and pop stores. Expats travel to Bahia de Caraquez 45 minutes away or to Portoviejo 45 minutes away. There are big modern grocery stores there that have just about everything one would be used to back home. The prices are not bad either. There is also a large weekly vegetable market in Charapoto 10 minutes away every Sunday. In addition, there are trucks loaded with fruits and veggies that drive around town just about every day," mentioned one expat inSan Clemente.

"It appears that most of the people like to shop on the special marketing days where people come from miles around to show their wares. As I mentioned, Tia has some good buys (specials) and SuperMaxi is great up in Loja," commented one expat who moved to Catamayo and Loja, Ecuador.

"Crucita is close enough to Manta or Portoviejo to get the major shopping done. There are small stores here in town and there is a larger grocery store that just opened," remarked one expat living in Crucita.

"People living in Ecuador typically buy groceries and do other shopping at local markets, supermarkets, and department stores. Many people also shop at small, family-owned stores and street vendors. Additionally, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular in Ecuador," commented one expat.

"In Ecuador, foreign nationals must obtain a visa prior to entering the country for any purpose. US citizens are eligible for a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. This visa can be extended at the Migración y Naturalización service office. To obtain a tourist visa, applicants must complete an online form and provide a valid passport, return flight ticket and proof of financial support. Those wishing to obtain residency must first obtain an authorization of residence from the Foreign Ministry. This must be done through an Ecuadorian consulate abroad before entering the country. To request an authorization, applicants need to provide a valid passport and birth certificate as well as documents detailing their purpose in the country and economic resources. After entering Ecuador with the authorization of residence, the applicant must then register with the Migration and Naturalization Service office and present additional required documents. The applicant must also undergo a background check by the authenticity of documents committee and sign declarations of nationality, residence, and other required documents. Once the residency application is approved, a residency card will be issued," commented one expat living in Ecuador.

"There are several types of permanent visa: Pensioner's -based on $900 income for a couple or $800 for a single, Investment - CD in a bank or property for min. $40,000 value, Professional - need a college or university degree. With proper documents the process for residency is not that difficult," remarked one expat living in Vilcabamba.

"The cost of average minor surgery is about $1500-$2000, The office visit range from $25 - $40. I have private insurance that has large network of providers with most private hospitals. Four hospitals are in the network in the city near me. I chose my insurance based on price and positive reviews from people who have used it," commented one expat living in Loja, Ecuador.

"I would pay out of pocket if it were still available, because doctors are cheap. With my cheap insurance, I will still have to pay out of pocket and maybe get reimbursement if I'm lucky. Insurance here is a government sponsored racket, as whenever government requires something the drops and prices go up, that's why governments do it. If it were a service people actually wanted it wouldn't be required," remarked one expat living in Cuenca.

" We got private insurance during pandemic because the hospitals were full and one family member (Ecuadorian citizen) had to go to the hospital but there was no room. Ended up in a private clinic for 10 days at $1000 per day. You need to assess your risks. We got $30k private insurance each for $100 per month. Family member was young and healthy 30s but imagine if he had to be there for a month. Normal hospital bills are not bad, but with covid. I think the private clinics can charge what they want. Your visa requires medical insurance," said one expat living in Ecuador.

" I am convinced that health insurance is a scam and that the cost of medical care is a scam in the USA. It has been proven to me by my experiences and the experiences of others in Ecuador and throughout Mexico, Central and South America. The Allopathic medical system has the worst record in losing patients to life threatening diseases, but the best records in trama cases where you have to air lift a patient to a hospital. I will only opt for Natural healing methods, which really work. I have also seen in the rural areas, a free health clinic with Allopathic medical doctors offering 24 hour service 7 days a week, being ignored by the local population, except in trauma cases. These rural folks go to their local healers and pay a very low fee for herbal and other healing preparations. Why? Because their experience is that the herbal preparations work and also have no side effects. They therefore do not opt for health insurance. ," mentioned one expat inCuenca.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Ecuador can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, public healthcare is available at a lower cost than private healthcare, but the quality of care may not be as high. Private health insurance can be expensive, but it can provide access to higher quality care and more specialized services. Additionally, many employers offer health insurance plans to their employees, which can help to reduce the cost of healthcare," commented one expat who moved to Ecuador.