While Cuenca tops our list of best cities to live in Ecuador for expats, it’s not the only popular expat destination. There are several other expat-friendly cities in the mountain region, as well as on the Pacific coast and on the western edge of the Amazon Rainforest that might better suit your interests and circumstances.
This is our list of best cities in Ecuador for expats, along with some interesting information and vital stats for each city. There are thousands of cities and towns in Ecuador, and expats live in a lot of them, but this article focuses on the most popular expat cities.
This is Part 4 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here…
Best Mountain Cities to Live in Ecuador for Expats
The Andes Mountain Range runs through the center of Ecuador from north to south with the Amazon rainforest to the east and the Pacific coastal region to the west. Depending on your personal interests, climate preferences and altitude issues, you may prefer some of the mountain cities over others.
Cuenca Ecuador
With more than 10,000 expats from North America and Europe, Cuenca is the most popular expat destination in Ecuador. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, it’s a beautiful old-world Spanish colonial city with all the modern conveniences.
Cuenca literally translates to “bowl” in Spanish, which is a well-chosen name as it sits nestled in a circular valley high in the Andes mountains. However, it’s actually named after its sister city in Spain.
The New Cathedral (construction began in 1885) with its majestic blue domes is one of the most iconic pieces of architecture in all of Latin America.
If you’re studying Spanish, Cuenca is a great place to learn the language. There are lots of bilingual Ecuadorians, as well as language schools. Plus, the Cuencana dialect is much slower paced than other Spanish dialects and their beautiful sing-song accent sounds more Italian than Spanish.
The airport in Cuenca makes it easier to reach than some of the other mountain cities like Cotacachi and Vilcabamba, which lack an airport; however, there are no direct international flights from the US or Europe into Cuenca. All passenger flights currently arrive from Quito, with an occasional flight from Guayaquil.
Cuenca, and most of the mountain cities in Ecuador, are referred to as “the land of eternal spring.” That’s because the weather is very spring-like most of the year.
The Andes Mountains squeeze the moisture out of the air coming off the Amazon Rainforest to the east, which means it’s frequently rainy and cloudy in Cuenca. You won’t want to leave home without your umbrella and rain jacket.
With daytime high temperatures from 60 to 80°F (15 to 26°C) and nighttime lows from 40 to 60°F (4 to 15°C), you’ll often need a jacket for more than just the rain. You may even want some gloves and a scarf to keep warm on your way home from dinner, especially after you watch the beautiful sunset over the Cajas National Park to the west.
With its deep cultural heritage, broad range of shopping, affordable transportation, high quality medical services, and so much more, Cuenca is one of the best cities to live in Ecuador for expats.
Fast Facts About Cuenca Ecuador
Founded: April 12, 1557
Population: 330,000 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 8,400 ft (2.560 m)
Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (3.5 hour drive) or Quito (8 hour drive; 45 minute flight)
Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil or US Embassy in Quito
Quito Ecuador
Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, and like Cuenca, it’s a Spanish colonial city with all the modern conveniences. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscripted more than 20 years before Cuenca in 1978.
Often called “the most beautiful big city in South America,” the old-world charm of the city center combined with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains will keep you mesmerized for hours. You’ll want to keep your camera handy as incredible shots are waiting around every corner.
Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua located north of Quito’s city center is a massive 14,000 acre park with scenic drives, forest walking trails and outdoor activity areas. With 17 times more space than New York City’s Central Park, it’s a popular place to visit for Quito’s residents and tourists.
Some of the most popular neighborhoods for expats are La Floresta, La Carolina and La Paz. These neighborhoods are very walkable with modern housing and plenty of shopping.
If you prefer a quieter, more suburban feel, the areas of Cumbayá and Tumbaco to the east of Quito may be more your speed. They’re also popular with expats and closer to the airport, but you might need a car if you choose to live there.
The Quito airport is modern and fully international with direct flights to the United States and Europe, as well as many other destinations around the world. It’s also a short 45 minute domestic flight to both Cuenca and Guayaquil.
Quito sits at 9,350 feet (2.850 meters) above sea level, which is about 1,000 feet (300 meters) higher than Cuenca. The thin air is likely the first thing you’ll notice when exiting the plane.
The weather in Quito is very similar to Cuenca, although a bit cooler due to the higher altitude.
If you prefer a modern city with direct flights to other countries, Quito Ecuador may be the perfect expat destination for you.
Fast Facts About Quito Ecuador
Founded: December 6, 1534
Population: 1.6 million (as of 2010)
Altitude: 9,350 ft (2.850 m)
Nearest International Airport: Quito (45 minute drive from downtown)
Nearest US Consulate: US Embassy in Quito
Loja Ecuador
Loja is another colonial mountain town located in south-central Ecuador. It has a regional airport with inconsistent flights to/from Guayaquil and Quito, but most people drive to Loja from Cuenca. It’s a beautiful scenic 3.5 hour drive through several of Ecuador’s microclimates.
Much like Seattle, Loja is often rainy, cloudy and cool, and is known for its delicious coffee and vibrant music scene. Loja is a popular expat destination because of its close proximity to Vilcabamba and Ecuador’s southern Amazon Rainforest.
Parque Nacional Podocarpus is a short 25 minute drive from Loja to the northern entrance and boasts some amazing hikes putting Ecuador’s vast biodiversity on display.
Once each year, the Guayacanes Forest near Loja blooms with a bright yellow explosion of color. Tourists from around the world arrive in Loja for the short blooming period in December and January.
While Quito and Cuenca both have a lot of English-speaking Ecuadorians, Loja and most of the other cities on this list do not. If you’re still learning Spanish, Loja will be full immersion.
If you prefer living in a smaller city that’s more isolated but still offers modern shopping and medical services, Loja might be the best Ecuadorian city for you.
Fast Facts About Loja Ecuador
Founded: December 8, 1548
Population: 180,000 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 6,758 ft (2.060 m)
Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (6.5 hour drive; 40 minute flight)
Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil
Vilcabamba Ecuador
Vilcabamba is considered a fountain of youth by many because it was briefly considered a Blue Zone where people live longer than normal. While it is true that you’ll see many incredibly OLD people walking around Vilca (as the locals call it), that’s a common occurrence in other cities, as well. The older generation seems to live a really long, healthy life in Ecuador! Perhaps for the same reasons as the official Blue Zones.
Located about 45 minutes south of Loja and 4 hours south of Cuenca, Vilcabamba is nestled in a valley surrounded by scenic mountain peaks. There are numerous well-maintained river walk trails, as well as some high mountain hiking trails. If you have a few hours and enough courage, the hike up to Mandango will give you a panoramic view of the Vilcabamba valley.
You won’t find any big stores or large mercados in Vilca. It’s more like Leadville, Colorado in terms of amenities, but at roughly a mile high (5,233 ft / 1.595 m), you won’t struggle as much for air.
There are several small food shops and veggie stands in town, but the main mercado pops up on Sunday’s where people from rural areas sell their wares. You’ll also find a lot of restaurants, with many geared toward the sizable expat community living in Vilcabamba.
Unlike Cuenca, the weather in Vilca is warmer and drier, making it a better choice if you prefer a more tropical mountain feel. However, you might feel a bit isolated being so far from an international airport.
Fast Facts About Vilcabamba Ecuador
Population: 4,778 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 5,233 ft (1.595 m)
Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (7 hour drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil (7 hour drive)
Ibarra Ecuador
Located roughly 2 hours north of Quito are three very popular expat cities: Ibarra, Otavalo and Cotacachi. Ibarra is the largest of the three cities with 140,000 people, making it less than half the size of Cuenca.
The Imbabura Volcano is clearly visible from all three cities. While it hasn’t erupted in over 14,000 years, Imbabura is not considered extinct so if you have a fear of living near a dormant, but potentially active volcano, you might prefer one of the other mountain cities. However, thanks to past eruptions, the land around the volcano is very fertile making it great for growing crops like corn, sugarcane and beans.
Ibarra is very springlike with average high temperatures around 70°F (21°C) and average lows around 50°F (10°C).
With lots of hiking, boating options, a mountain train, museums, and shopping, Ibarra has lots of activities to keep you busy. Plus, it’s just a short 30 minute drive to Otavalo.
Fast Facts About Ibarra Ecuador
Founded: September 28, 1606
Population: 139,721 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 7,300 ft (2.225 m)
Nearest International Airport: Quito (2 hour drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Embassy in Quito
Otavalo Ecuador
Otavalo Ecuador is best known for its indigenous textiles market. While some things are available during the week, the largest market day is Saturday. You’ll find all sorts of irresistible things to buy, from blankets and tablecloths to clothes and wood carvings.
Of these three northern cities that are popular with expats, Otavalo is the closest to Quito. The scenic drive up Highway 35 takes about 1 hour 20 minutes from Ecuador’s capital.
Otavalo is surrounded by high volcanic peaks, including Imbabura, Cotacachi and Mojanda. All these volcanoes are currently listed as dormant or inactive, but not extinct. They haven’t erupted in thousands of years and show no signs of becoming active any time soon. These volcanoes, as well as the cloud forests, waterfalls and lakes around them, make for great hiking and camping.
Fast Facts About Otavalo Ecuador
Population: 39,354 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 8,307 ft (2.532 m)
Nearest International Airport: Quito (1.5 hour drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Embassy in Quito
Cotacachi Ecuador
Cotacachi sits at the base of the Cotacachi Volcano with its famous crater lake: Laguna de Cuicocha. The distinctive island in the middle of the lake is called Isla Teodoro Wolf named after the German naturalist and geologist who conducted a geological survey of mainland Ecuador, and wrote a book about the Galapagos Islands.
Cotacachi is located a short drive off the main highway between Otavalo and Ibarra. With fewer than 10,000 people, it’s the smallest of the 3 popular northern expat cities so you’ll get more of a small town vibe.
Just like Ibarra and Otavalo, Cotacachi is close to forests, lakes and waterfalls making it the perfect spot for nature lovers and one of the best cities to live in Ecuador for expats.
Fast Facts About Cotacachi Ecuador
Founded: 1544
Population: 8,848 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 7,933 ft (2.418 m)
Nearest International Airport: Quito (1 hour 45 minute drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Embassy in Quito
Best Coastal Cities to Live in Ecuador for Expats
While some expats prefer living near the clouds, others prefer living near the sand. The entire western side of Ecuador borders the Pacific Ocean and is home to several popular expat beach cities and towns.
Guayaquil Ecuador
While Guayaquil isn’t located on the coast of Ecuador, it is located in Ecuador’s Pacific coastal region at the base of the Guayas River delta that empties into the Pacific Ocean.
As Ecuador’s largest city with more than 2 million people, Guayaquil has all the amenities of a big city, including an international airport with direct flights to the US and Europe, as well as most other countries in South America.
It also has a rich culture with lots of interesting activities and places to see. The malecón along the Guayas River has a variety of restaurants and shops. There are several modern shopping malls in Guayaquil, including Mall del Sol and San Marino Mall. And you may enjoy visiting the Iguana Park, which is home to dozens of the prehistoric reptiles.
Guayaquil also boasts some of South America’s top hospitals with every type of medical service you would find in the US, but at a fraction of the cost. The hospitals equipped to deal with COVID-19 were overwhelmed in Guayaquil during the pandemic due to the high volume of patients. However, during normal times when there isn’t a worldwide pandemic, you’ll be very happy with the available medical services in Guayaquil.
While the mountain cities in Ecuador are known as the land of eternal spring, it’s always summer in Guayaquil. High temperatures range from 80 to 92°F (29 to 33°C) year round with ample humidity. You’ll probably want an air conditioner in your car and your home.
Thousands of expats call Guayaquil home and there are several gated communities with modern, western-style housing, but it’s also the most dangerous city in Ecuador with one of the highest crime rates in all of South America. If safety is a major concern, you may prefer one of the safer Ecuadorian coastal cities.
However, if you prefer a major metropolitan city with all it has to offer while never having a cold day, Guayaquil might be your perfect expat home.
Fast Facts About Guayaquil Ecuador
Founded: July 25, 1535
Population: 2.291 million (as of 2010)
Altitude: 13 ft (4 m)
Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (located near downtown)
Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil (located near the soccer stadium)
Playas Ecuador
Playas Ecuador is a very popular expat city in Ecuador because of its close proximity to Guayaquil. It takes about an hour and a half to drive the nicely maintained highway from Playas to the international airport in Guayaquil and even less time to get to one of Guayaquil’s modern hospitals.
Playas means “beaches” in Spanish, which is an appropriate name because the city is located near several beautiful beaches. However, it is officially named General Villamil Playas after the independence war hero.
Over the past few years, Playas has invested in several much needed updates, including a new malecón (boardwalk area) and the El Paseo Mall. In addition to a traditional Ecuadorian mercado, you’ll also find a modern Tía and an Akí grocery store.
If you’ve always wanted to live in a beach town that’s close to a major city and an international airport but has more of a small city feel, Playas may be the best expat city in Ecuador for you.
Fast Facts About Playas Ecuador
Population: 24,000 (as of 2001)
Altitude: Sea Level
Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (1.5 hour drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil (1.5 hour drive)
Salinas Ecuador
Salinas Ecuador has the feel of a little Miami, but at a fraction of the cost. This Ecuadorian coastal beach town is very popular with wealthy Ecuadorians, many of whom own beachfront vacation condos that they visit on weekends and holidays.
The Salinas malecón and beach are where most of the action occurs. You’ll find lots of restaurants, bars, discos, and tourist activities there. If you prefer a more laid back atmosphere, you’ll want to visit La Playa de Chipipe (Chipipe Beach), which is a 5 minute walk south of the main beach just past the Salinas Yacht Club.
While there is a small mercado and a Supermaxi in Salinas, most of the shopping is done in La Libertad, which borders Salinas to the north and hosts a variety of malls, grocery stores and a large traditional Ecuadorian mercado. It’ll cost you about $2.50 to take a taxi from Salinas to El Paseo Mall in La Libertad.
You won’t find the same level of medical services in La Libertad as you will in Guayaquil. There is a small hospital and a variety of healthcare professionals, but you’ll likely go to Guayaquil, which is a little over 2 hours by car, for serious medical conditions and specialists.
On your drive to Salinas from Guayaquil, if you take the turnoff at Ancón and enter Salinas from the south via Avenida Punta Carnero, you might be surprised at how much it looks and feels like a desert. The blue waters of the Pacific Ocean on your left provide a stark contrast to the sandy, barren land on the right. Salinas lies in one of Ecuador’s many microclimates, which sees very little rain and is therefore less humid than the tropical microclimates an hour to the north.
During the off season from May through November, Salinas is reminiscent of a ghost town since most of the high rise condos are Ecuadorian vacation homes. The beaches are nearly empty and many of the restaurants are closed except during holiday weekends when everything springs to life.
Because of the lack of activity most of the year, the expat community is very transient in Salinas. Many expats stay for a year or two before moving to someplace with a better culture, restaurant and entertainment scene.
Fast Facts About Salinas Ecuador
Population: 50,000 (as of 2010)
Altitude: Sea Level
Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (2.5 hour drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil (2.5 hour drive)
Montañita and Olón Ecuador
The 9 mile (14 kilometer) stretch of Ecuador’s Pacific Coast between Manglaralto and La Entrada, including the main beach towns of Montañita and Olón, are very popular with North American and European expats. You’ll find lots of expats from all age groups, and many have lived in this area for more than 5 years.
Montañita is known as Ecuador’s party town. You’ll find lots of nightclubs, both on and off the beach. There is a large variety of restaurants, from Thai to vegetarian, and plenty of pizza shops. If you’re in need of clothes, shoes or accessories, you’ll have your choice of many small stores and street vendors.
Olón is quieter and more family friendly than Montañita. It’s a 5 minute, $1.50 cab ride north along Olón’s MASSIVE beach that stretches 5 miles (8 kilometers) north to La Entrada. When the tide is out, you can walk the entire beach in roughly 3 hours and then catch a cab or bus back to Olón in time for dinner at one of its many high quality, delicious and affordable restaurants.
Both Montañita and Olón offer the best surfing in all of Ecuador, which is what makes them popular with younger expats from around the world. A walk on either beach and you’re likely to hear Spanish, English, German, Dutch, Polish, French and a multitude of other languages, with English being the common denominator. The prevalence of English speakers in this area may be one reason so many American and Canadian expats have lived here for so long.
The other towns (or comunas) such as Manglaralto, Curía, San José, Las Nuñez and La Entrada are very small with virtually no services aside from a traditional Ecuadorian restaurant and a small tienda (convenience store) or two. However, there are lots of affordable beachfront homes along this entire stretch of coast so if you’ve always wanted to wake up to the sound of the ocean but couldn’t afford it anywhere else, this might be the best place to make your dreams come true.
Unlike Salinas, the tropical microclimate in this area is more lush and green. Walking down the street, you’ll spot Papaya, Guanabana (Soursop), Lime, Naranja, and a host of other tropical fruit trees and tropical birds sitting in them. The summer high season is from December to May when the weather is warm and sunny, but the remainder of the year it’s cooler and mostly cloudy.
The ocean temperatures peak around March 4th at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and bottom out around September 4th in the range of 66 to 75°F (19 to 24°C). Combined with the cloudy, cool winters, you might need a wetsuit to swim or surf from June through November.
The major downside of living in this rural area is the lack of medical care. Manglaralto is home to the area’s only urgent care clinic, which can handle broken bones, stitches and a variety of ocean injuries, but if you need a specialist or serious medical care, you’ll need to drive to La Libertad (1 hour), Manta (2.5 hours) or Guayaquil (3 hours). If you have serious or chronic health conditions, you may want to consider a more developed Ecuador beach town.
Fast Facts About Montañita and Olón Ecuador
Montañita Population: 4,500
Olón Population: 2,500
Altitude: Sea Level
Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (3 hour drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil
Manta Ecuador
With nearly a quarter million inhabitants, Manta is one of Ecuador’s largest cities. The 2016 earthquake did extensive damage in the area so several new structures have been built, including the IESS hospital, which opened in 2018, and Mall del Pacífico, a modern shopping mall.
Manta is an industrial city and home to Ecuador’s largest shipping port, making it a popular stop for cruise ships. The city also has an airport, but most flights go to Quito or Guayaquil. However, the cheapest way to get to Manta is to take the bus, which is roughly seven hours from Quito and five hours from Guayaquil.
Most tourists visit Manta for the water sports, including surfing and boating adventures. However, there are also things to do on shore, such as the International Film Festival in January and the International Theater Festival in September.
There are lots of expat-oriented, western-style housing options to rent or own in high rise condos near the ocean, as well as several gated communities located further inland.
The Montecristi Golf Club & Villas is a new golf course development located about 25 minutes from the beach. It’s open to the public, and with 300 days of sun per year with temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s F (20 to 30 C), you’ll be able to hit the links whenever you want.
If the big city isn’t your thing, you might prefer one of the small towns located roughly an hour drive from Manta, such as San Clemente to the north or Puerto Cayo to the south. You’ll have the benefit of the small town vibe with easy access to big city amenities.
If you live in Manta, you won’t need a car as there are plenty of buses (30 cents/ride) and taxis ($2 to $3). However, if you prefer to live in one of the nearby beach communities, you may not need a car but it would make your life a lot easier.
Manta is one of the best cities to live in Ecuador for expats because it has all the services of a big city while also offering a beautiful beach and lots of warm, sunny days.
Fast Facts About Manta Ecuador
Founded: 1534
Population: 221,000 (as of 2010)
Altitude: Sea Level
Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (30 minute flight; 5 hour drive) or Quito (40 minute flight; 7 hour drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil or US Embassy in Quito
Best Amazon Cities to Live in Ecuador for Expats
The Amazon cities are growing in popularity, but you won’t find nearly as many expats living there as you’ll find in the mountain and coastal regions. Most of the cities in the Amazon are smaller and not nearly as developed as the other best cities to live in Ecuador for expats. Many expats who live in the Amazon region actually live outside the cities on rural farms or forest land rather than in cities.
Tena Ecuador
Tena is located about 3.5 hours from Quito by car. The airport that resides near Tena is no longer used for passenger travel due to low volume, so the only way to get there is by driving over Papallacta Pass, which sits at 13,000 ft (4.000 m) and, on clear days, provides amazing views of the valley below.
If you like hiking in the jungle, up a volcano or down a cave, Tena is the place to be. It’s famous for the Amazon rainforest surrounding it, as well as the tributaries that eventually feed the Amazon River. Kayaking and river rafting are popular tourist attractions and the whole area is a bird watchers haven.
Tena is also home to a new IESS hospital as of late 2018 so you’ll have better access to medical services than most of the other smaller Ecuadorian cities. However, you’ll likely still need to visit Quito for more serious conditions requiring specialists.
Average temperatures in Tena range from 71°F to 88°F (21°C to 31°C) and it rains year round, but the official rainy season is April through June.
Fast Facts About Tena Ecuador
Founded: 1560
Population: 60,880 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 1,378 ft (420 m)
Nearest International Airport: Quito (3 hour 20 minute drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Embassy in Quito
Puyo Ecuador
Puyo is located just 1.5 hours south of Tena by car, but sits at 3,116 ft (950 m) making it more than double the altitude compared to Tena. That means it’s a little cooler on average, but similar in most other aspects.
Forest hiking, waterfalls and bird watching abound in Puyo, but it has been slow to jump on the tourist bandwagon so you won’t find it nearly as well developed as Tena.
There is a small airport near the city, but it’s used to shuttle tourists and locals into remote jungle villages. Ambato is the nearest major city located a little over 2 hours drive west of Puyo on winding mountain roads.
Fast Facts About Puyo Ecuador
Founded: 1899
Population: 36,659 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 3,116 ft (950 m)
Nearest International Airport: Quito (4 hour 30 minute drive)
Nearest US Consulate: US Embassy in Quito
Coca Ecuador
Coca is the launchpad for many Amazonian travel adventures and is commonly known as the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest. At more than 5 hours drive time from Quito, most people fly into the Coca airport before venturing off into the jungle.
Due to its lower altitude and location deeper into the Amazon jungle, it’s typically a bit warmer than Tena and Puyo with average high temperatures over 90°F (32°C).
Over the past several years, Coca has invested in a river walk and other tourist attractions, as well as an IESS hospital similar to the one in Tena. You’ll be able to get most of your basic medical needs covered there, but you’ll probably want to head to Quito for more serious conditions.
Fast Facts About Coca Ecuador
Founded: 1899
Population: 72,795 (as of 2010)
Altitude: 1,000 ft (300 m)
Nearest International Airport: Quito (5 hour drive; 40 minute flight)
Nearest US Consulate: US Embassy in Quito
The Best City to Live in Ecuador for YOU
With so many amazing cities to choose from, you might have a hard time deciding which one is best for you. While you’re still in Ecuador on a temporary resident visa, you may want to stay closer to a major city like Cuenca, Quito or Guayaquil with easy access to visa agents and international airports.
Once you get your feet wet and feel comfortable with the culture and the language, you may decide to venture outward to a more rural or remote destination like Olón, Vilcabamba or Coca. Where you call home really depends on your weather and altitude preferences, as well as the activities you like to do in your spare time.
Each city has a variety of pros and cons, but you won’t know what resonates with you until you live there. If you travel light, you can easily move between cities until you discover the best city in Ecuador for you.
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