Start Here – Live Abroad Now in Ecuador

There are lots of places to expat around the world so that means you have lots of things to consider when deciding where to move abroad. This blog series will help you determine if Ecuador is the right place for you by answering your main questions about being an expat in Ecuador.

How To Travel to Ecuador from the United States

March 10, 2022/in Articles, Ecuador, Start Here

Ecuador is more comfortable and more affordable than ever, and traveling to Ecuador from the USA is easier than ever. In this article, you’re going to learn about several of the options at your disposal for getting to Ecuador, and how to get around once you’re here.

This is Part 9 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here…

Covid Travel Guidelines (As of March 10, 2022)

On February 9, 2022, the National COE updated the travel guidelines. Foreign travelers are now allowed to enter Ecuador with EITHER a vaccination card completed at least 14 days prior to entry OR a negative PCR test completed within 72 hours of entry.

While the vaccination card is no longer mandated to enter Ecuador, it is still required to enter many public places such as malls, grocery stores, restaurants and public buses. This rule is being enforced more in larger cities, and less in smaller rural areas.

On February 17, 2022, the National COE indicated that masks are still required in both indoor and outdoor public places, including malls, grocery stores, restaurants, sporting facilities, gyms, etc. The mask mandate will be revisited in April 2022.

Booking a Flight to Ecuador

Direct flights from the United States land in the nation’s two international airports: the capital city of Quito and Ecuador’s largest port city of Guayaquil. There are no direct international flights to Cuenca, Loja, Salinas, Manta or any of the other large cities in Ecuador.

Your estimated time in the air depends on your departure city in the United States, and your arrival city in Ecuador. It takes about 4 hours to reach Quito from Miami, and 4.5 hours to reach Guayaquil from Miami.

The price for a trip ranges between $150 to $650 when you book a couple of weeks in advance. Unfortunately, if you need to hop on a flight last minute, it could cost you more than a thousand dollars.

Direct flights to Quito from the United States

In Quito, the new Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is located outside the city and takes about 30 to 45 minutes to drive to El Centro from the airport. From the Quito airport, you can catch a connecting flight to the smaller domestic airports such as Cuenca, Manta and Loja.

Ft. Lauderdale (Florida) – Spirit or JetBlue
Atlanta – Delta Airlines
Houston – United Airlines

Direct Flights to Guayaquil from the United States

In Guayaquil, the modern José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) is located inside the city and only a short cab ride to hotels, malls and tourist attractions. There are no connecting flights to Cuenca or most of the other cities in Ecuador.

Miami – American Airlines or LATAM
JFK (New York) – JetBlue or Avianca
Ft. Lauderdale (Florida) – Spirit or JetBlue

Transportation Options from Quito Ecuador

Most of the international flights land very late at night so we recommend staying overnight in your arrival city so you can enjoy the breathtaking views of Ecuador during the day as you travel to your final destination.

You can rent a lounge chair by the hour in the business center at the airport if you only have a few hours to wait and don’t want to leave the airport. Head outside from the main terminal and cross the arrivals/departures area to reach the business center and food court.

There is also a Wyndham Hotel located at the airport, but you’ll need to take a taxi or the hotel shuttle. It’s not walkable from the terminal. There is also a new Holiday Inn near the airport. It takes about 15 minutes to get there from the airport due to a lack of turn-around spots, but only 5 minutes to get back to the airport. We’ve stayed at both hotels and they’re very nice.

Flying from Quito to Guayaquil, Cuenca, Manta or Loja

The cost of flying from Quito to Guayaquil, Cuenca, Manta or Loja is generally between $45 and $100 depending on factors such as the amount of time in advance that you reserved your seat, the airline, and whether you are buying round trip or one-way tickets.

Flying from Quito to Cuenca, Guayaquil and Manta usually takes about 40 to 50 minutes of flight time.

Flying from Quito to Loja takes about an hour of flight time. However, the Loja (province) airport is located in Catamayo, which is about a 45 minute drive from the city of Loja and about 90 minutes from Vilcabamba.

Ecuador Domestic Regional Airlines from Quito (Direct Flights)

LATAM – Guayaquil, Cuenca, Loja, Manta and Coca
Avianca – Guayaquil, Cuenca, Manta and Coca
Aeroregional – Guayaquil, Loja and Coca

Riding the Bus

Transportation by bus from Quito to Guayaquil takes an average of 8 hours, with a cost of around $10 to $15. You can also hire a private driver or taxi with a cost ranging from $200 to $400.

Traveling from Quito to Vilcabamba

From Quito, you can fly to the Loja province airport in Catamayo (about 1 hour for around $50 to $90). It takes about 90 minutes by taxi or bus from Catamayo to Vilcabamba. A drive from Quito to Vilcabamba is long but beautiful, taking about 14 hours and costing more than $200 for a private driver.

Traveling from Quito to Salinas

To get to Salinas from Quito, you’ll need to take a 45 minute flight to Guayaquil before taking a bus or taxi to Salinas. These flights generally cost between $45 to $95.

Driving from Quito to Salinas will take you about 10 hours via bus, and costs between $15 to $30. In comparison, a taxi can cut that time to 8 hours for $300 and $500.

Traveling from Quito to Manta

From Quito, you can book a flight to Manta, which takes around 1 hour. Prices range from $55 to $200 depending on the airline, trip, and date you book the flight.

Although it is cheaper to travel from Quito to Manta by bus with an average cost of $10 to $30, it is time-consuming as it takes about 10 hours to get there. If you intend to hail a taxi or private driver, it will take 7 to 8 hours with a cost of $150 to $300.

Transportation Options from Guayaquil

There are currently no domestic flights between Guayaquil and Cuenca, Loja, Manta or any of the other small regional mainland airports.

The only domestic flights from Guayaquil go to Quito and Galapagos so if you book a flight from, for example, Miami to Guayaquil to Cuenca, you will be flying back to Quito before continuing on to Cuenca.

Therefore, we recommend flying into Quito if your final flight destination is Cuenca, Loja, Manta or any of the other regional airports.

We’re happy to introduce you to our private drivers. Tell us more about your trip here…

Traveling from Guayaquil to Cuenca

There are no flights between Guayaquil and Cuenca, so you’ll need to fly to Cuenca from Quito, or drive to Cuenca from Guayaquil through the incredible scenery of El Cajas National Park.

The drive takes 3 to 4 hours. Under normal circumstances, a private driver will charge roughly $100 to $150. Interprovincial buses and busetas such as Operazuaytur cost $8 to $12 per ticket

Traveling from Guayaquil to Vilcabamba

There are no flights from Guayaquil to Vilcabamba so you’ll need to travel overland. A bus will take you there in about 7 hours for an average cost of $15 to $30. If you take a taxi or private driver, it may take less time than a bus, but it’ll cost $140 to $180.

Traveling from Guayaquil to Salinas

There are no flights between Guayaquil and Salinas. A bus will generally take you to Salinas in less than 3 hours at an average cost of $3 to $10. The express CLP Bus also goes to Salinas.

A taxi or private driver will take less than 2 hours but cost more, usually between $50 to $80.

Traveling from Guayaquil to Olón/Montañita

You can take an interprovincial bus from Terminal Terrestre in Guayaquil to the Olón/Montañita area, but you’ll need to transfer in Santa Elena near La Libertad.

You can also take the CLP Bus from Terminal Terrestre in Guayaquil to both Montañita and Olón. It stops in both towns and ends on the north side of Olón.

A private driver will charge around $100.

Traveling from Guayaquil to Manta

There are no direct flights from Guayaquil to Manta so you will need to travel overland. To take a bus, you will spend an average of $10 to $30 for the 4-hour ride to Manta from Guayaquil. If you prefer a taxi or private driver, it will take you about 2 hours and 45 minutes to get to Manta and cost around $100.

Traveling from Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands

Currently, the only flights to the Galapagos Islands depart from the Guayaquil Airport. Therefore, if you book a flight from Quito to Galapagos, you will be making a stop in Guayaquil on the way.

What to Do When You Land

You can’t grasp the depth and beauty of Ecuador until you experience it first-hand. Ecuador is a great holiday destination, especially if you live in the Midwest where the winter weather chills you to the bone. The sights, sounds, and smells of paradise hit you wherever you go, providing a fantastic contrast to the cold winters in the United States.

Whether it’s Cuenca, Guayaquil, or the capital city of Quito, you’ll find yourself amazed at the culture expressed in Ecuadorian society. Everything from churches and architecture to the various heritage cities scattered across the county that exude Ecuador’s unique culture.

On the flip side, nature is always present in its abundant and diverse wildlife. Explore the same Galápagos Islands where Darwin launched his theory of evolution or witness the annual return of humpback whales seeking the warm waters bordering Ecuador’s coast.

Exploring the County & Nature

You’ll find your visit to Ecuador enriched when you explore some of its hidden paradise cities. Taste and feel the liveliness in popular cities with their sights, restaurants, and nightlife. Just on the periphery lingers the richness and serenity of nature that blends perfectly with Ecuador’s thriving culture of hospitality.

Planning a Trip is Easier Than Ever

If you’re looking for a fun vacation destination or choosing to relocate to Ecuador, it’s more convenient than ever. You’ll save a lot of money on airfare if you book your flight several weeks or months in advance.

November to January is the highest season in terms of air traffic, meaning you’ll pay for more a flight. The cheapest time to fly, according to Kayak, is October.

However, if your goal is to be in Ecuador during the warmest and sunniest time of year, you’ll want to visit between December and May. It’s very cloudy and much cooler from June through November.

Check out our detailed article Weather In Ecuador & Best Time to Visit Ecuador for more information.

When you’re booking your flight to Ecuador, keep in mind that the two international airports are in Guayaquil and Quito. Your trip will have to touch down at one of those two airports, after which you can catch a connecting flight to a domestic airport or drive to another city.

There are far too many wonderful places to visit in Ecuador with far too many transportation options to cover them all here. Ecuador has a vast, affordable and easy to navigate public transportation system so you won’t have much difficulty getting around. If you stay overnight in your arrival city, your hotel will be able to help you find land transportation to your final destination.

Wherever you end up, you’ll quickly be immersed in Ecuador’s natural beauty, and you’ll feel welcomed by Ecuador’s warm and inviting people.

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

Bad Things About Living in Ecuador

April 13, 2021/in Articles, Ecuador, Ecuador Videos, Expat Life in Ecuador, Start Here, Videos

Ecuador is a beautiful country with amazing people, but like most countries on the planet, there are also some bad things about living in Ecuador. Some of them are to be expected just like in any other country in the world, while others are specific to developing countries.

So, if you’re thinking about visiting or moving to Ecuador, there are several downsides that you need to take into account. From income inequality and pickpocketing to noise and litter, here are some of the main disadvantages of living in Ecuador.

Income Inequality

Income inequality is one of the worst things about Ecuador. The wealth gap is quite significant in Ecuador, with approximately 26% of the population living in poverty. With a minimum wage of $400 per month, a large part of the population struggles to make ends meet.

While the minimum wage could be enough for one person with a minimalist lifestyle, lots of families have to live on the income provided by a sole earner, which translates into poverty for many of them.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, things were looking better for people in Ecuador, with fewer of them living in poverty when compared to the numbers from 10 years ago. Prior to 2020, the middle and upper middle class accounted for about 72% of the population in Ecuador, but there has been a decline in the middle-class as a result of the pandemic.

When it comes to the wealthy, they only account for 1.5% of the population in Ecuador, with the top 10% holding 50% of the country’s wealth. However, to put things into perspective, the top 10% of the United States population holds 68% of the country’s wealth, which translates into a greater wealth gap in the U.S. than in Ecuador.

Pickpocketing & Theft

Pickpocketing and theft are a rather common issue in Ecuador. From having your phone stolen to taxi robbery, travelers can encounter several safety concerns in Ecuador.

The good news is that with a little common sense and a few tips, it’s possible to prevent yourself from being a victim of theft.

Try always to pay attention to your surroundings and keep your belongings with you at all times. Keep your bags and pockets zipped at all times. You should also avoid putting your bags in the upper head bins or under the seat when you’re traveling by bus.

Keep your belongings close to you on public transport and never hand them to people who offer to stow them for you for “security.” They may be pretending to work for the bus company, but they’ll take your backpack, and you’ll never see it again. Another method employed by thieves is to slice open a bag placed underneath the seat to take valuables out, so it’s best to try and keep your bag on you at all times and invest in a cut-proof bag.

It’s also important to remember that there may be drug-related violence in some of the neighborhoods in major cities, so it’s always a good idea to know what to expect when you’re traveling to such neighborhoods. If you’re unsure about which neighborhoods are safe and which aren’t, either avoid unfamiliar areas or talk to the locals to find out where it’s safe to visit.

Price Gouging (Getting Gringoed)

If you’re wondering what “getting gringoed” means, it’s when you pay more than a local would for the same thing just because you’re an American (or any foreigner, for that matter). This typically happens in Ecuador because Americans are not used to negotiating, so they tend to pay the asking price, which is often higher than it should be.

Americans generally get gringoed in Ecuador in taxis, at the market, or when they hire a contractor to do some work on their home. To avoid it, make sure you ask what the price is upfront and remember that the culture in Ecuador is a negotiating one, so it’s ok to barter before you buy.

It’s NOISY!

Ecuador can be really noisy at times, which may be something you’re not used to, depending on what country you’re from. There’s music on the beach, people have loud parties, and there are lots of fireworks to deal with.

But it’s not just Ecuadorians having fun that causes the noise — there’s also construction, honking horns, and even roosters. You may also expect announcements over the loudspeakers, church bells, car alarms — you name it.

Living in Ecuador typically means that you have to learn how to live with a lot of noise. It’s just a fact of life, so if you don’t think you’ll be able to cope with it, Ecuador, or Latin America in general, might not be the right place for you.

Street Dogs & Cats

Street dogs and cats are another thing that you need to get used to when you live in Ecuador. There are lots of dogs without collars on the streets, and it’s not always possible to tell whether they have a home or not. They’re generally friendly, but you can never tell for sure, so you may want to remain alert, especially if you notice large packs of dogs coming towards you.

Another issue with street cats and dogs in Ecuador is that people can’t always afford to take care of them properly, so many of the animals are underfed or have various health issues. Because people in Ecuador aren’t fans of neutering dogs, they end up with lots of puppies, which later become strays because they’re just too many of them to be kept as pets.

Some of the dogs you see on the streets in Ecuador are not strays and they go home at night. So even though they are in the street, they actually have a home and family somewhere. Most Ecuadorians have dogs for the purpose of property protection, so the relationship between dogs and humans is a bit different than what you might be used to.

Litter

While litter is not such a big problem in large cities where the public administration has crews that sweep up the trash regularly, that is not the case in smaller rural communities. Expect to encounter lots of litter and trash, especially plastic. There’s also a lot of trash on the side of the road in smaller cities and the surrounding areas.

Several new laws that ban single-use plastic are rolling out over the next three years, so you can expect to see a significant reduction in single-use plastic around the country. Many of the provisions in these laws are due to come into effect in 2021, so hopefully the streets of Ecuador are on track to becoming much cleaner in the near future.

Dark & Cloudy

Ecuador has multiple microclimates, but you should expect lots of dark and cloudy days from June through November. It’s not all dark and cloudy in all parts of the country at the same time, as the clouds are related to the geography of the country.

The Amazon rainforest is located in the eastern part of the country. It releases lots of moisture that evaporates, then gets condensed by the Andes Mountain range, which results in clouds, mostly in the high cities such as Quito and Cuenca. The climate is typically drier and sunnier in Salinas and Manta.

Are there TOO MANY bad things about living in Ecuador?

These are the main bad things about living in Ecuador that you should be aware of if you’re planning a trip or even consider moving. The people of Ecuador are amazing and welcoming, the country is indeed a beautiful one, but like most places in the world, there are some dark sides to it.

From income inequalities to lots of noise, you should be prepared for a bit of culture shock when you land in Ecuador. But getting to know and love the Ecuadorian people and their beautiful country is definitely worth it if you have an open mind and are willing to adapt.

Watch Our Video About The Dark Side of Ecuador

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Exploratory Trip to Ecuador

March 23, 2021/in Articles, Ecuador, Ecuador Expat Info, Start Here

If you’re considering a move abroad to join the expat ranks, use these 10 tips to get the most out of your exploratory trip to Ecuador. As you’re scheduling your visit, plan to spend as much time as possible in Ecuador to explore your future surroundings and make preparations for your move.

Tip #1 – Thoughtfully plan your trip

Some careful initial planning will help you maximize your time in Ecuador so that you can see as much of the country as possible while identifying a place you might like to live.

If you have at least a month to travel in Ecuador, take a national bus tour. Buses are a popular way to travel in Ecuador. The private and public bus systems are safe and reliable. Three of the top tour companies you should consider are Ecuador Expat Journeys, Wander Bus and Ecuador Hop.

Ecuador Expat Journeys provides a guided tour across the country geared specifically towards expats. They do a great job of introducing you to towns and properties, giving you local insight into the areas where you may want to live.

Wander Bus and Ecuador Hop are hop-on/hop-off buses. When you depart, you have the option to stay in multiple places for a few days at a time or even longer than that.

Since they’re both self-guided tours, you’ll have more control over the itinerary, but you’ll also be responsible for your activities. Both companies will give you an excellent high-level tour of the main cities. The most popular routes start in Quito and stop in popular tourist cities, such as Cuenca, Montañita/Olón, Manta, Salinas, Guayaquil, Baños Ambato, etc.

Tip #2 – Don’t overbook your itinerary!

If you’re only planning to stay for a week or two, choose just one or two cities to spend most of your time. It takes awhile to travel between the major cities so you’re better off focusing on just a couple. There will be plenty of time to explore more cities and areas after you move to Ecuador!

Check out our article, Best Cities to Live in Ecuador for Expats for a detailed list and review of popular expat cities in Ecuador, but two of the best options are Cuenca and Manta.

Cuenca tends to feel more like home for many expats, and this is where you should start if you’re not an experienced world traveler. Though you may need a little bit of time to adjust to the high elevation, you shouldn’t experience too much culture shock. Consequently, Cuenca is full of expats and many English-speaking Ecuadorians, so you’ll fit right in.

Manta and the surrounding towns are great to visit if you want to live near the beach. It’s also an expat enclave with more expats than Salinas, Playas or Olón. Manta is also more developed than many other places in Ecuador, with more amenities and access to better hospitals, too. It’s also safer than Guayaquil if you’re concerned about security.

Tip #3 – Stay as long as you can!

If you’re planning a move abroad, stay as long as you can on your exploratory trip to Ecuador so you get a real feel for the country and its people. While you can always move back home if you don’t like living in Ecuador, moving abroad can be costly so you’ll want to make sure the place you choose is a good fit for you.

We visited Ecuador for 10 days on our exploratory trip back in 2017. We stayed 2 nights in Quito and the rest in Cuenca, which was the city we had chosen as the first choice for our move abroad. A week in Cuenca was enough to confirm our feeling that we could be happy living there.

However, if there are several potential cities on your wish list, you will need much longer than a week to not only visit each of them, but to get a good feel for what it’s like to live in each city.

You get a 90-day tourist visa when you arrive at the airport—there’s no need to apply for one in advance. At the end of the initial 90 days, you can apply for a 90-day tourist visa extension.

Keep in mind that you can only request the tourist visa extension once every five years. If you want to stay longer, we recommend applying for a Temporary Residency Visa.

If you can stay for 6 months, that’s plenty of time to take a good look around the country!

Tip #4 – Focus on where you want to live in Ecuador

Don’t try to do too much on your exploratory trip by trying to squeeze in a trip to the Galapagos or the Amazon. Those are really cool places to visit, but it’s best to save them until after you move to Ecuador for two main reasons.

First, Ecuador residents get discounts on travel to the Galapagos, which will allow you to travel more conveniently and affordably after you move.

Second, going to these fantastic destinations won’t help decide where to live. Visiting them will detract from your focus, which is trying to determine where you want to live!

Tip #5 – Keep it authentic!

The best way to explore Ecuador is to live like a local to get a real idea of what it will be like after you move.

To start, rent a place with a kitchen so that you can shop for fresh local foods at the mercados and grocery stores. You’ll experience some of the amazing local produce by making some meals instead of eating out all the time. Check out what’s on TV, visit some local museums, events or attractions to get a feel for how you might spend your free time.

Several housing options will serve as an excellent base for your in-country travels and let you connect to the cities you visit. Apartamentos Otorongo or Gran Colombia Suites are great places to stay in Cuenca. Short-term rentals listed on AirBnB, GringoPost.com (for Cuenca only), or OLX.com (like Craigslist for Ecuador) are also worth a look as you plan your trip.

Tip #6 – Get to know the neighborhood

Once you’ve narrowed your desired destination down to a particular city, spend some time in the neighborhoods to investigate your new potential home. Different areas offer different experiences within the same city.

The best approach will be contacting rental agents in advance to arrange neighborhood tours for when you arrive. Xavier at Apartments Otorongo gives an incredibly informative Cuenca neighborhood tour.

There’s also an enjoyable Cuenca city bus tour that will take you around Cuenca, but it’s mainly for tourists so you’re better off exploring the neighborhoods with the help of local guides.

Tip #7 – Start the visa process before you leave

If you’ve fallen in love with Ecuador and are ready to plan your move, start the visa process while you’re still in the country.

It’s best to meet with a visa agent in person before you head back home. Their fees can be as high as $1,000 or more so you might feel more comfortable transfering money to them if you meet in real life.

You’ll also have a better idea of what you need to do and what documents you need to collect when you go back to your home country. Here’s some more information about the types and requirements for Ecuador Temporary Residency Visas to help you prepare.

If you would like to meet with a qualified Visa Agent while you’re visiting Ecuador, please submit our Visa Agent referral form and we’ll send an immediate email introduction.

Tip #8 – Meet with a shipping company

Shipping household goods from abroad allows you to take your belongings with you to your new home. If you plan to do this, meet with a potential shipping agent while you’re in Ecuador.

Shipping a container can cost between $2,000-$10,000 so you’ll want to be sure that you’re comfortable with your agent before you wire the money. Here’s a complete guide to shipping a container to Ecuador so you’re better prepared for your meeting.

If you would like to discuss your container shipping options with a qualified shipping agent while you’re visiting Ecuador, please submit our referral form and we’ll send an immediate email introduction.

Tip #9 – Arrange to meet other expats

Talking to other expats over coffee or a cerveza should be high on your list of priorities during your exploratory trip to Ecuador. Speaking with those who have already moved to your future home can be invaluable.

Reach out to expat groups on Facebook or the community of expats that we host on Patreon/Discord. More often than not, they’ll be happy to share their love of Ecuador and local insights with you.

Talking to expats who already live in Ecuador can give you a more accurate perspective of what it may be like to live in Ecuador while allowing you to ask some crucial questions. They can also provide you with input on optimal neighborhoods and advice on where to eat and what to do during your visit.

Tip #10 – Have fun in Ecuador!

Sure, you’re in Ecuador to take care of business on your exploratory trip, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t plan to take in some of the beautiful sights during your visit. Ecuador is full of unforgettable vistas and a wide variety of natural wonders.

If you’re heading to Cuenca, play tourist by taking a city bus tour or planning a day to relax in the hot springs in Baños Azuay.

If you’ll be primarily visiting the coast, head to Isla de la Plata or book a jungle hike to see some Howler Monkeys.

For those visiting Vilcabamba, plan a hike up Fandango or visit Podocarpus National Forest if you’ll be near Loja. You could easily pass an entire week in Quito traveling to the Baños Ambato or the Mindo cloud forest!

Get the MOST out of your exploratory trip to Ecuador!

Planning an exploratory trip to Ecuador can be challenging and exciting. A bit of initial planning with these tips in mind can help you maximize your stay to get a good survey of the landscape and facilitate your move.

The most important goal of your exploratory trip is to determine if you can comfortably live in Ecuador as an expat/immigrant. Visit Ecuador with an open mind, but be prepared for a little culture shock. And if you’re visiting the high mountain cities like Quito or Cuenca, give yourself a few days to adjust to the elevation.

Spend the majority of your time living like a local and laying the groundwork for your eventual move abroad, but take some time to smell the roses so you experience just how magical Ecuador can be.

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

Traveling with Dogs or Cats to Ecuador from the United States

October 20, 2020/in Articles, Ecuador, Ecuador Expat Info, Start Here

Traveling with dogs or cats to Ecuador takes a lot of planning and preparation. You’ll need to get a variety of vaccinations on a very specific schedule, and you’ll need to make travel plans to fly them. In this article, we provide all the shortcuts for the required paperwork and share our firsthand experience bringing our two dogs to Ecuador from the United States.

IMPORTANT: As of the writing of this article, most airlines are not allowing checked dogs in cargo due to reduced staff during the pandemic. We will update this article when that changes.

If you’re planning a move to Ecuador, you may find our Start Here series helpful.

USDA APHIS – Traveling with Dogs or Cats to Ecuador from the USA

If you’re going to bring your pets to Ecuador, the first thing you need to do is read through all the guidelines and certificate paperwork on the USDA APHIS website. APHIS stands for “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.”

Here’s the page with the Health Certificates for Dogs and Cats, specifically for Ecuador. You need to have this paperwork with you at all times while traveling internationally with your pets.

The next step is to find a USDA Accredited Veterinarian who can will help you fill out all the paperwork and plan your vaccine schedule. They’ll also work with the USDA to make sure everything on the paperwork and the vaccine schedule is correct. We used Town & Country Veterinary Clinic in Marietta, GA. They were very helpful and we highly recommend them if you live in the Atlanta area.

You’ll also need to find the nearest USDA APHIS office to get all the certificates endorsed. You need to make an appointment with them, and it could take a couple weeks to get on their calendar so plan accordingly.

The vaccine schedule is complicated, especially if you have multiple dogs or cats at various stages of their vaccine schedule. Daisy and Alicia both had some vaccines that had not expired yet. That meant we had to get boosters for some vaccines while making sure others were given during a specific window of time.

Even working with an accredited vet, we still made a mistake on one of the vaccines, which caused us to delay our trip by two weeks. Thankfully for us, but not for millions of other people, Hurricane Irma passed through Atlanta on the day we were supposed to leave and closed the airport, so we were able to change our flights without paying any fees.

The best way to avoid timing mistakes is to create a calendar and share it with your vet. Have them make sure everything is correct and nothing is missing or on the wrong dates. If you don’t have all the right shots at the right times, your pet will not be allowed to board the plane to Ecuador.

Is It Safe to Fly Your Pets on an Airplane?

There are a lot of horror stories that are easy to find about how dangerous it is to fly your pets, especially as cargo. However, if you look at the safety stats, it’s still safer to fly your pet in an airplane than it is to drive him or her to the airport in a car.

If your pet is small enough to fit under the seat in a soft-sided pet carrier, or if you have a registered service animal who can fly in-cabin with you, you won’t have as much cause for concern. With that said, some airlines won’t allow snub-nosed dogs like pugs or bulldogs due to their notorious breathing issues. Check with your airline about their policy relating to these types of dogs if you have one.

As for checking your large dog as cargo, that’s a whole different story. It is very safe to fly your dog in the temperature and pressure controlled cargo area of the plane, but it can be very stressful to hand your fur baby over to an airline employee and watch him or her disappear behind a door into the bowels of the airport. It’s a leap of faith for sure, but thousands of pets are flown on airplanes every year with very few incidents.

Some airlines prohibit large dog crates and will only allow dogs to be checked as cargo during certain times of the year when the temperatures at the departure and destination airports aren’t too hot or too cold. Be sure to check with the airline about their rules and plan your trip accordingly.

We moved to Ecuador without Daisy (my Heeler/Border Collie mix shown here) because it was too hot to fly her in cargo. She stayed with her grandma in Atlanta until the weather changed and we were able to go back to get her.

Even then, we still had issues due to weather. Atlanta had a freak cold snap in November with 8 inches of snow and it was too cold to fly her so we rented a car and drove to Miami. The car rental was very expensive and changing our flights was a huge hassle.

The trip was very stressful for her and it took several days for her to forgive us for the whole experience, but she’s our baby and we didn’t want to leave her behind.

If you have an older or unhealthy pet, or your dog is too large to fly in cargo, you have two options. First, you can find a new home for your pet with a family member or friend. We know a few people who have done this. It’s a tough decision, but it may be the best option for your fur baby.

Second, you can charter a flight if you have sufficient funds. We also know people who have done this. The cost is between $20,000 and $30,000 so it’s not something the average person could afford.

Whether you decide to find a new home or bring your dogs or cats to Ecuador is a tough decision, but we’re very happy our two dogs are here with us.

Pet Transport Services

We also researched pet transport and relocation services before we moved to Ecuador. These services handle all the logistics of transporting your dog or cat to your new home in Ecuador. They’ll pick your pet up, take them to the airport and make sure they get on the plane safely. Then someone else will pick them up at the destination city and deliver them to your new home.

We opted not to go this route because these services are very expensive and they fly the pets in a commercial airplane just like we did. The only difference is we wouldn’t have been there with Alicia in-cabin or with Daisy when we dropped her off at the checkin counter or picked her up in Guayaquil.

We decided the cost wasn’t worth it and we wanted to be with our babies as much as possible during the stressful experience.

Pet Friendly Air Suites Hotel in Guayaquil Ecuador

The hotel we mentioned in the video is the Air Suites Hotel in Guayaquil. It’s only a few blocks from the airport, it’s very affordable and they accept pets. We’ve stayed there several times and it typically costs about $35/night. The rooms are small, but they’re very clean.

You can walk to Mall del Sol, which is about 10 blocks away. That mall has all the modern stores you would see in the US or Europe with a sizable food court and lots of nice restaurants. We featured a bit of Mall del Sol in this video: Guayaquil Ecuador: It’s a LOT Different!

We don’t recommend walking to the mall or back to the hotel at night, but it’s safe during the day. Just stay aware of your surroundings like you would anywhere.

Renting a Home that Accepts Pets in Ecuador

Not all landlords in Ecuador will accept pets, and some will only accept small dogs like Alicia. Daisy is considered a large dog here even though she’s only 30 pounds.

Ecuador has a culture of negotiation so you may be able to convince a potential landlord to accept your pet, but they might want to meet your fur baby first. Pet deposits aren’t common in Ecuador, but you could offer one to sweeten the deal.

Pet Services in Ecuador

We now live on the coast in Olón, Ecuador, which doesn’t have the same types of pet services that Cuenca does. Most people take their pets to La Libertad about an hour drive south of Olón, but we are getting a new vet clinic with a full time vet and a vet tech. Once they officially open for business and we have more information about them, we’ll update this article.

We highly recommend these pet service providers in Cuenca, Ecuador:

Cuenca Animal Clinic – Veterinarian
Maxi’s Pet Care – Grooming and Babysitting
Dog Wash – another groomer we’ve used with several locations in Cuenca
Club Canino Cuenca – a groomer we’ve used for Alicia who picked her up and dropped her off

If you have any other questions, please let us know in the comments and we’ll try to answer them.

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

How To Prepare Family and Friends for Your Move to Ecuador

September 24, 2020/in Articles, Ecuador, Start Here

When you prepare family and friends for your move to Ecuador, the news will likely generate mixed reactions. Your closest confidants may not be surprised, but you’ll hear exasperated questions from others.

Some may try to make you think that moving abroad is a mistake, especially to a Latin American country like Ecuador. Their perception of Ecuador may be based on what they see in the movies or dramatized news coverage, which is exaggerated reality and often relating to a specific event or location.

You may field questions about safety and healthcare options. However, you may also be asked if Ecuadorian houses have dirt floors, electricity, indoor plumbing and Internet access!

Some may never accept your expat dream of living abroad, but you can at least prepare your friends and family for your move to Ecuador.

Shedding Stereotypes to Prepare Family and Friends for Your Move to Ecuador

A lot of people who haven’t travelled outside of their home country, or specifically to Ecuador, have a notion that, as soon as you step foot off the plane, you’re liable to become a drug mule or you’ll die in an earthquake or perish in a volcano eruption. Perhaps you might contract some horrible, rainforest disease and pass away in a dirty, fly-infested hospital cot.

A horrible death was a common theme shared by several of our family members before we left home, which is one reason we started Our Unconventional Life YouTube Channel where we answer expat questions and show you what it’s REALLY like to live in Ecuador.

While the culture may be different, we can assure you that life in Ecuador is very similar to most other Constitutional Republics with a Democratically elected government.

Crime

One of the first things people want to know about is the overall safety of Ecuador. In our article on crime in Ecuador, we noted that the government has worked to combat crime throughout the country.

For example, in 2007, the Ecuadorian government decriminalized gangs. This change in approach led to a dramatic decrease in crime, thanks in part to the government grants given to the former illegal gangs to improve their neighborhoods.

Since then, the overall homicide rate has seen a significant downward trend. The national homicide rate per 100,000 citizens fell from 15.4 in 2011 to 5.7 in 2018. To put that into perspective, the United States has a national homicide rate of 6 per 100,000 while Baltimore is 57 per 100,000.

For more information on crime in Ecuador, be sure you check out our article: Is Ecuador Safe? The TRUTH About Crime in Ecuador. Or, our video about crime in Cuenca Ecuador:

Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Extreme Weather

Ecuador is located on the Ring of Fire that circles the Pacific Ocean, which causes earthquakes and volcanoes from Alaska to Chile and Japan to New Zealand. If you grew up in the western United States, volcanoes and earthquakes may be just a normal part of your life.

Having grown up in Kansas (JP) and Chicago (Amelia), these phenomena are new to us. However, Ecuador doesn’t have extreme weather like tornadoes or hurricanes that affect the midwest and eastern United States. Flooding during the rainy season often washes out roads in the mountains, but Ecuador’s many rivers are effective at channeling the water away from major cities.

The last major earthquake in Ecuador occured in 2016, causing a lot of damage to older structures and low income housing. Newer construction was minimally affected and the damage was limited to the coastal region. We’ve experienced several small earthquakes since 2017, but nothing noteworthy.

The Sangay Volcano 80 kilometers northeast of Cuenca is one of the region’s most active volcanoes with occasional eruptions that have spread ash as far away as Guayaquil and affected air quality in Salinas. However, most of Ecuador’s volcanoes are dormant and haven’t erupted in thousands or millions of years.

Healthcare

Ecuador has both a private and a public healthcare system. Private health insurance can be more expensive than the public IESS plan, and it also has a 2-year waiting period for pre-existing conditions with total spending limits, but you’re able to choose your own doctors and hospitals. You can expect to pay $50 to several hundred dollars per month depending on the plan and your age.

With the public IESS plan, you can only visit IESS hospitals or doctors, but there is only a 3-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions and all of your medical expenses are covered at 100% without copays. You can expect to pay $50 to $100 per month depending on your age.

Most hospitals in the major cities are very modern with updated equipment similar to what you’ll see in the United States or other developed countries. Many of the doctors speak multiple languages, including English, and have been educated in the US or Europe.

According to CEOWORLD Magazine, in 2019 Ecuador had the best healthcare system in the Americas south of Canada. They looked at Overall Healthcare, Infrastructure, Professionals, Cost, Medicine Availability and Government Readiness. Ecuador ranks 25th among the 89 countries they evaluated, barely losing to Canada (23rd) and beating the US (30th). The top 9 countries are in Asia and Europe, and number 10 is Australia.

While the medical care at rural hospitals and clinics may be lacking in Ecuador, your family and friends can rest assured that you’ll receive top rated care in the bigger cities like Guayaquil, Quito, Manta and Cuenca.

If you would like more information about healthcare in Ecuador, we discussed it in detail in our blog post, Should You Retire in Ecuador?

If you would like to see what some of the medical facilities look like, check out our Ecuador Healthcare Info Playlist on our YouTube Channel.

Transportation & Infrastructure

If your family and friends have watched any movies about traveling to South America, they probably have a vision of a small propellor plane landing on a dirt runway. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Guayaquil and Quito are home to Ecuador’s two international airports with direct flights from the United States and other countries around the world. They are both modern and well-appointed airports with plenty of dining options, stores with familiar brands, and runways capable of supporting the largest jet airplanes.

Ecuador also has numerous regional airports in Cuenca, Loja, Manta, etc. They mainly support smaller jets or propellor planes, and you may need to walk down stairs to get off the plane, but they’re also very nice, modern airports.

Quito and Cuenca have rail systems, while all of the major cities feature an intricate bus system that extends out to the rest of the country. Many people also travel by taxi or private drivers.

The main highways are mostly two lanes with sections that are four lanes, but they have all been paved during the past several years so travel is easy between cities.

For more on traveling to Ecuador and between cities, check out our Traveling to Ecuador from the United States blog post.

Housing in Ecuador

If your family is concerned that you’ll be giving up modern luxuries like plumbing, electricity and the Internet, they’ll be happy to learn that those are available in ALL expat-oriented housing in Ecuador.

Some of the locals, especially in rural areas, still don’t have electricity or running water, but that is not the norm for most Ecuadorians. Expat-oriented houses, condos and hotels throughout Ecuador have reliable electricity, indoor plumbing and high-speed Internet. Many also have granite countertops, tile floors and stainless steel appliances.

Here are two condo tours that we’ve done in Ecuador that will show you just how nice and modern the housing is:

And here are two real estate tour videos we did in Olón Ecuador, a rural beach town:

Conclusion

We hope this article helps you prepare family and friends for your move to Ecuador. The key is education. If they’re afraid about you leaving, it’s likely because they are unfamiliar with where you’re going and that uncertainty triggers their protection instinct.

While researching our plan to live abroad, we couldn’t find a lot of positive, realistic videos about life in Ecuador, so we wanted to break the myths by showing what it’s really like for expats who live here.

Now, our subscribers tell us that they share our videos with their concerned family and friends to show them that living abroad in Ecuador is perfectly safe and perhaps even safer than some places back home.

If your family and friends are worried about your decision to live abroad in Ecuador, share blog posts and videos with them so they can see what it’s like to be an expat here.

And remind them that the things we see in movies and news programs aren’t accurate representations of reality. Thank them for their concern and tell them you can always move back if you feel unsafe, or you don’t like living abroad.

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

Is Ecuador Safe? The TRUTH About Crime in Ecuador

September 10, 2020/in Articles, Ecuador, Expat Life in Ecuador, Start Here

“Is Ecuador safe?” That’s one of the most common questions future expats have when considering a move to this small Latin American country. Traveling or moving abroad may be uncomfortable at times, but it’s probably safer than you’ve been led to believe.

In this article, we’re going to discuss crime in Ecuador and we’re going to give you some common sense safety tips to help keep you safe.

This is Part 8 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here…

Gang Violence in Ecuador

If you’ve watched any of our YouTube videos from Cuenca or some of the other cities in Ecuador, you may have noticed a lot of graffiti. This is common throughout Ecuador, Latin America and the rest of the world. Even in developed cities like Berlin, graffiti is common.

However, if you’re from the United States, Canada or other less graffiti-prone parts of the world, you may instantly picture gangs on a violent rampage vandalizing the city with cans of spray paint. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

In Ecuador, graffiti is viewed as an art form, which is why you’ll often see the artists real name embedded in the painting or below it. Much of what you may perceive as graffiti, is actually commissioned and paid for by property owners or local governments.

Gang violence has increased in Ecuador due to the pandemic, increased unemployment, and the increase in drug trafficking. Guayaquil, Portoviejo, Carchi, Sucumbíos and some areas on the coast are experiencing significant increases in violent crime and are the prisons.

This isn’t to say you should walk around Ecuador without taking common sense precautions. Like anywhere in the world, there are ways to avoid dangerous places and situations.

The risk of robbery, assault, and kidnapping s exists, just as it does in the United States and everywhere else in the world. However, pickpocketing is the main type of crime that most tourists and expats face. But if you follow some of the tips we’ll cover below, you’ll find Ecuador is a very safe place for Americans and expats from around the world.

Crime Statistics in Ecuador

In the past, one of the reasons Ecuador’s government struggled in combating crime had to do with limited police presence. Other factors, such as lack of judicial resources and weak border security, also played a role. Unfortunately the homicide rate increased dramatically in 2021 and 2022.

The Ecuadorian homicide rate increased to 25.9 out of 100,000 in 2022.

Nationwide, any danger to U.S. tourists and expats in Ecuador mostly consists of theft in the form of pickpocketing, purse snatching, and mugging. The most common items stolen from tourists are phones, laptops, cameras, cash, and jewelry. However moto robberies and home invasions have increased throughout the country.

Generally, the police don’t pursue thefts of property worth less than $500. So taking the proper precautions in public will keep you from being stranded in Ecuador without a phone or wallet.

Overall Risks & Safety Tips

The overall crime rate had been in steadily declining since 2011, but, following the pandemic and the resulting economic fallout, there has been an uptick crime including petty theft and violent crime. You may want to use extra precautions to avoid theft and robbery and avoid areas such as Guayaquil, Portoviejo, Esmeraldas, the Colombian border and areas around ports.

Pickpocketing Schemes

One of the most common crimes against tourists in Ecuador is pickpocketing. There’s a wide variety of techniques used to snag your wallet. For example:

Bump and Grab – you’re bumped while being passed in close quarters like a bus or mercado and your pocket is picked.
Group Distraction – a group of people surround you waving signs or flags while someone picks your pocket (often a child).
You Dropped Something – someone points to the ground behind you and says you dropped something, then steals your bag while you look away.
Foam on the Sleeve – someone puts foam or shaving cream on your sleeve, then points it out to you and offers to help you clean it up. When you take off your jacket or bag, they grab it and run.

You can counter these theft tactics by taking a variety of precautions, such as not trusting random strangers, storing cash in multiple places on your person, and keeping the items you carry to a minimum. Some other investments are uploading essential documents to the cloud and using zipper pockets with a fastener.

Most of these crimes occur in tourist locations, so staying vigilant in these areas and in crowds will help keep you from falling victim to theft. If you do find yourself confronted by someone with a weapon, it’s always better to part with your belongings rather than risk your health and safety.

Use Your Hotel Safe in Ecuador

Some people have reported their belongings missing from their hotel rooms, so taking advantage of a hotel safe for belongings like passports and cash is a great idea. Take a picture of your passport ID page and store them on your phone so you can leave your physical passport in the safe.

Most hotels allow their guest to set a custom password so you’ll know your belongings are safe as you explore everything Ecuador has to offer.

Are Taxis in Ecuador Safe?

There’s also the risk of losing your belongings traveling throughout Ecuador. The U.S. Embassy doesn’t allow its employees to use un-vetted taxi services because there have been instances of robberies. As tourists or embassy workers entered the taxi, a couple of men would enter the cab and force people to withdraw all the money at the nearest ATM.

Overall, it’s better to avoid the un-vetted taxi services in Quito, Guayaquil, Manta, Playas, and other coastal towns. If you have to travel through a city, it’s better to use apps like Azutaxi (in Cuenca), Uber (in Quito and Guayaquil only as of 2020), private recommended drivers (we have several) or shuttle services provided by your hotel.

You can usually trust taxis that are registered, which are yellow with identical unit numbers on both the windshield and the doors. Registered taxis also have a taxi cooperative logo. Some of the companies vetted by the U.S. consulate include FastLine, Solservice, and Wayose.

Taxis waiting in line outside the airport or bus terminal have been validated by the attendants and are generally safe for expats.

Bus Safety in Ecuador

When you’re traveling by bus, it’s best to keep your luggage close to you. Some people report their luggage stolen from the overhead bins in buses traveling between provinces so keep your bags in your lap or next to you on the window side. It’s also better to travel during the daytime since the robberies that have occurred on buses typically take place at night.

It’s generally safe to store large bags in the luggage compartment under the bus because an attendant monitors it while the doors are open and you must present a claim ticket to take a bag.

Political Demonstrations in Ecuador

Political demonstrations in Ecuador are common, and the police often retaliate using water cannons and deploying canisters of tear gas. Peaceful protests can turn violent on a dime, so it’s best to avoid any large demonstrations.

Car Break-Ins in Ecuador

Don’t leave any valuable items on the seat of your car or in plain sight. Just like anywhere in the world, it’s common for car windows to be broken when items of value can be seen through them.

Safety of Popular Areas in Ecuador

Guayaquil Ecuador Safety

UPDATE: travel.state.gov has the majority of Guayaquil categorized as Level 4 Do Not Travel (Feb 2023).

Guayaquil is both the largest and most dangerous city in Ecuador. To put it in perspective, both Chicago and Guayaquil carry similar crime rates. Despite repeated government efforts, crime persists in the form of robberies, car break-ins, and homicides due to drug and gang activity, limited resources, a large wealth gap, and dense population.

Many crimes go unsolved because the police don’t have the time or resources to pursue every robbery or case of pickpocketing. The primary threat to tourists is non-violent theft, so using anti-pickpocketing techniques like a belt wallet or clip zippers will help you keep track of your belongings.

If you’re planning to visit Guayaquil, it’s best to do so in the safety of a group or with a tour guide. This will help make sure you can safely enjoy the sights of Guayaquil, such as shops and restaurants along the Malecón 2000 or the gorgeous Parque Seminario and its iguanas.

Avoid walking alone at night and avoid shortcuts through alleys, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area.

Quito Ecuador Safety

As with Guayaquil, Quito isn’t a place you should wander around at night, but for the most part, tourists have a great time in Ecuador’s capital city.

While both Guayaquil and Quito experience higher levels of crime compared to Ecuador’s smaller cities and rural towns, this is to be expected of large cities.

Visiting the historic sites of Quito is a must when visiting Ecuador, but the city draws large crowds making it the perfect hunting ground for pickpocketers.

As you stroll through the shops and historic sites, make sure you know where you’ve stored your valuables and force yourself to remain alert about anyone trying to get too close to you.

Like Guayaquil, you shouldn’t walk around Quito alone, especially at night. Your safest option is to travel in a group or with a tour guide.

One nice thing about Quito is their tourist police force who wear neon vests. These officers can help you out in an emergency, such as a personal injury or to report a crime.

Cuenca Ecuador Safety

The city of Cuenca is one of the safest in Ecuador with one of the lowest murder rates in Latin America, according to Governor Xavier Martinez. In terms of overall crime, the city ranks on the lower end when compared to similar cities in the United States.

What this means is that you can enjoy the sights of Cuenca, like the Old and New Cathedrals or the Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion without having to worry too much about staying safe.

However, taking certain precautions like traveling in groups and avoiding traveling alone at night are always your best bet to stay safe in any major city.

Conclusion

If you’ve been planning a trip to Ecuador, and you’re reluctant because of inflammatory news coverage, we hope this article provides more context to put your mind at ease. Overall, Ecuador is a very safe country, but crime is a still a risk, just as it is across the globe.

The key in Ecuador is to travel smart, keep up with local news, and explore in groups or with a tour guide when possible. Other common-sense tactics we’ve covered include avoiding nighttime travel and investing in safety products like cash belts, bags with zipper clips and personal safes.

Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

Always remain vigilant about your surroundings, especially in crowds and tourist locations.
Don’t be afraid to make eye contact with others.
Avoid walking alone at night, especially along dark streets and trails.
Don’t stand around on a dark street talking to people, this can attract unwanted attention.
Wear a crossbody bag such as a money wallet and take advantage of zipper pockets with clips.
Shift your backpack to the front, like a kangaroo pouch, while you’re traveling through crowds. That will make it nearly impossible for a pickpocketer to steal anything without you noticing.
If you’re using a car, don’t store your valuables in plain sight. Put them in the glove compartment, under the seat or in the trunk.
When you’re traveling via bus, keep your valuable belonging on your person. Don’t put them in overhead bins and don’t hand them to anyone offering to help you. Just say, “NO, gracias.”
If you feel unsafe or suspicious of someone, keep walking until you’re in a safe, open, and public place. Or step into a restaurant or store.
If you’re threatened with a deadly weapon, it’s best to part with your belongings. As frustrating as it may be, things can be replaced; YOU can’t!

If you have any other safety precautions, let us know about them in the comments below.

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

How To Move Abroad: 10 Crucial Steps to Expat in a New Country

September 3, 2020/in Articles, Ecuador, Ecuador Videos, Relocating to Ecuador, Start Here, Videos

In this article, we share the 10 crucial steps that show you how to move abroad. Moving to a new country can trigger a life-changing transformation that is extremely rewarding. Take it from us, we sold everything in 2017 and moved from Denver, Colorado to Cuenca, Ecuador. Since then, we’ve documented our experiences exploring the country and culture of Ecuador.

Once you’ve decided to move abroad to live your expat dream, there’s a lot of planning required to making that decision a reality. It can be hard to know where to start: everything from choosing a country to arranging a visa takes a lot of work. If you don’t have a well-formulated plan, the entire process can become overwhelming.

And that’s why we created this list of 10 crucial steps to make the process of how to move abroad less mysterious and confusing. But first, if you want to see what life is REALLY like in Ecuador, check out our YouTube channel.

This is Part 7 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here…

10 Crucial Steps to Moving to a New Country

1. List your priorities

First, you need to figure out which country best accommodates your personal needs. Factors such as healthcare quality and general safety play a role in many people’s decisions.

You’ll also want to consider the cost of living so you’ll know if you can afford to live there. While many popular expat destinations have a very low cost of living, others may be higher than your home country.

The quality and reliability of the internet may also a deciding factor for you, especially if you will continue working online in your new country.

In this video, we discuss why we chose Ecuador over some other countries that are great for expats.

Your deciding factors may be different, which is why finding your perfect fit requires an accurate list of your priorities and a concentrated amount of research into possible countries.

2. Choose a destination (or several)

Once you’ve listed out your priorities, begin narrowing down the countries that fit your needs until you have a handful of exciting prospects. The top 10 list from International Living may help narrow your search.

Reading blog posts, joining Facebook groups, watching YouTube videos, and researching statistics on crime and the cost of living can help you increase your knowledge about these destinations. From there, you can narrow down your list to five or six countries to seriously consider.

3. Research visa requirements

Every country has its own list of visa options and requirements, and you’ll need to figure out which one best suits your situation. Depending on your monthly income and investments, you’ll need to apply for a specific visa, such as pension, investor, work, student, etc.

Many countries have maximum age, minimum income and/or net worth requirements that may prevent you from moving there. For example, New Zealand requires $500,000 for their investor visa while Ecuador requires only $40,000 (as of August 2020).

You also need to pass state and federal background checks, but your destination country might make exceptions if your history isn’t squeaky clean.

4. Join Expat Support Groups

When you’re researching how to move abroad to another country, it can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know anyone who lives in the destinations you’re considering. By joining one or more Facebook or Reddit groups, you can connect with people online to get a better idea about what life is really like for expats who already live there.

Participation in these groups is a great way to setup meetings with other expats before your exploratory trip. It really helps to talk to people who’ve already taken the plunge into living abroad where you want to live.

Our Patreon Community

We also have a Patreon community with current and future expats who are eager to share their knowledge and support. For our basic membership, you’ll receive:

Access to our Patreon-only feed where we interact with our patrons and share exclusive videos, photos, posts, polls, and more.
Access to our continuously updated Ecuador Scrollodex of service providers.
An Exclusive Q&A Video each month answering questions posed by patrons and only available to patrons.
Access to our fun, private, safe, and secure Discord Chat Community that’s just for our Band of Unconventionals.

5. Book Your Exploratory Trip

When you book your exploratory trip, you may want to visit multiple cities throughout the country. This helps you get a real feel for the country, which is important as you move your entire life abroad.

One helpful tip is to stay in places with kitchens so you can live like a local during your stay. Shopping for groceries and cooking your own food will let you experience what your life will really be like if you decide to move there.

Culture shock is a real issue for many expats, so the more you can immerse yourself in the local culture, the better prepared you’ll be should you decide to move there.

Tour the cities and restaurants, and talk to expats about their experience adjusting to the culture. At the end of your trip, you may decide the culture is just too different for you and you may choose to continue your search for a different expat destination.

At the end of your exploratory trip, if the country feels like the right fit, you can officially begin the country’s visa process. We started our visa process while on our exploratory trip, which allowed us to meet the visa agent in person before we left. Drop us a note if you would like us to send an email introduction to a visa agent in Ecuador, or a real estate agent who can help you find property for the investor visa.

6. Making Preparations for Your Move to a New Country

First, you want to put together a reasonable timeline. Make sure to give yourself ample time and set hard deadlines for the tasks required to make the move.

Here’s a short checklist we’ve put together. This is just a baseline for you to start considering the affairs you need to put in order. Your list may be substantially longer.

Things to Consider When You’re Planning How to Move Abroad

Do you need to transition to a different income stream?
Are you going to retire or quit your job?
Are you bringing children who will need to go to school?
Does the country require your pets to receive special vaccinations?
When will you break the news to your family and friends?
Will you need a short-term place to live after your house sells and before you move abroad?
Are you going to bring everything with you or sell it all?
Do you need to get copies of your health and vet records?
Do you need to start learning the language with apps like Duolingo, Rosetta Stone or Babble?

You also need to get your home ready to sell. Home sales are unpredictable, but most homes take at least three months to sell. Getting on top of selling your home means you can move to your new home more quickly. If your home sells faster than you planned, you might need to make short-term housing arrangements back home before your move abroad.

As you’re working to sell your home, getting rid of excess belongings is another chore to complete. Estate sales can take 2 to 3 months to plan on average so you’ll want to get an early start on this process. Also, you’ll need a place to stay for the estate sale weekend, and you can often find deals near your home on AirBnB.

**7. Decide What You Can Do & What To Outsource**

Instead of moving our furniture and other belongings to Ecuador, we hired an estate sale company. It took a couple of months for them to setup the sale, but that process was a lot more convenient for us.

Anything that didn’t sell during that estate sale, we listed on Craigslist, donated or threw away. In the end, we moved to Ecuador with four suitcases between the two of us.

If you’re not fluent in the local language, we recommend hiring a visa agent. They’ll help you secure the necessary visas and immigration documents.

There are pet transport companies you can look into, but we opted against that because of the price and logistics.

8. Decide what to keep, what to store and what to get rid of

If you want to take everything to your new home abroad, you’ll need to work with a shipping company.

For more information on shipping your household items to Ecuador, we interviewed Paul Wilches from Relocation Services of Ecuador. He discussed the logistics, process, import regulations, timeframes, and costs with us. He’s a wealth of information and is happy to answer your questions if you’re planning to move to Ecuador.

You’ll need to document EVERYTHING in case you have any issues with customs. Some countries like Ecuador require detailed shipping manifests that list every single item in every single box. We know one couple who had to unpack their entire shipping container and re-label every box because their manifest wasn’t detailed enough. Planning ahead will help you avoid their fate!

You may also want to store your household items back home while you get settled into your new home abroad. Then, once you’ve found a permanent place to live, you can have your container shipped directly to your long-term housing. Keep in mind that some countries have a time limit on how long you can wait to bring your household items before you must pay import taxes on them.

Some countries, such as Ecuador, don’t allow you to ship an automobile, so you may need to sell yours before you leave. You’ll get more money if you sell them outright, but that can take time and be an inconvenience.

We sold my car through Cars.com several months before our move and got $8,000 more than the dealer purchase value. We didn’t have time to sell Amelia’s car, so we sold it to the dealer for several thousand dollars less than we could have sold it for outright. As a result, we were $5,000 upside down and had to take out a LendingClub.com loan to pay it off.

9. Moving to the New Country of Your Dreams

After buying your plane tickets, you might want to reserve a private driver to pick you up from the airport. If you haven’t finalized your long-term housing situation, make sure you have a place to stay when you arrive, such as a hotel or AirBnB.

Planning for Your Pets

If you have larger dogs, check with the airline for the details of flying with your pet. Some airlines don’t allow large dog crates anymore, so it’s important to check the company policies well in advance.

You’ll need to work with a USDA certified vet to document your pet’s vaccinations. Some people choose to find new homes for their pets, but that’s a really tough decision to make. Check out our Pet Travel video for more information.

10. Start Your Expat Dream Life Abroad

With everything in order, and as your move date approaches, it’s time to say goodbye to your family and friends. You might want to help them install WhatsApp on their mobile phones since that’s a free way to stay in touch regardless of your expat destination.

Once you board the plane, sit back and get ready for the beginning of your new life abroad!

Moving to a New Country is an Incredible Experience

We’ve met people from every corner of the Earth here in Ecuador, and that has helped us gain a more holistic understanding of the world.

Once you live in a different country, with different customs and cultures, you gain a different perspective of your home country and the global community. It truly is a life-changing experience!

Be sure to visit our Youtube Channel and our Patreon page for more information and support, and if you have any additional questions about how to move abroad, leave them in the comments below.

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

Best Cities to Live in Ecuador for Expats

June 1, 2020/in Articles, Cities in Ecuador, Ecuador, Start Here

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.

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

Should You Retire in Ecuador?

March 21, 2020/in Articles, Ecuador, Start Here

Retirement accounts have taken a hit yet again as we enter the NEXT Great Recession (or worse). You may have never thought about living abroad before, especially this late in life. However, it may now be a serious consideration and you might be wondering if you should retire in Ecuador.

This is Part 3 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here…

Benefits of Retiring in Ecuador

For the past 10 years, Ecuador has been near the top of the list of best places to retire abroad, and for good reason. Ecuador has a lot of benefits for retired expats:

Low Cost of Living

If your retirement accounts have taken a hit like ours have, finding a place to retire that has a low cost of living is likely at the top of your list.

Ecuador converted its currency to the US Dollar back in 2000, which helped bring unprecedented economic stability to this small South American country. For the past several years, Ecuador’s inflation rate has been among the lowest in the world, hovering around zero percent.

Change may be a hassle in the States, but here in Ecuador, you’ll be able to put those pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and even half dollars to good use!

The cost of electronics is generally higher, so it’s best to bring those things with you. But housing, food and transportation are generally 1/3 the cost compared to the United States.

Bottom line is your American earned retirement dollars will go a lot further in Ecuador than in the United States.

Low Healthcare and Medication Cost

One of the things that continues to shock us is the high quality, yet highly affordable healthcare and medication. If you’re from Canada or Europe you might not feel the same way since you have Universal Healthcare, but as an American, we’re in heaven!

The cost of healthcare and medication in Ecuador is about 1/5th to 1/10th the cost compared to the United States.

My neurosurgeon back in Denver charged nearly $300 for an office visit and since we had a $12,000 deductible, that came completely out of our own pocket. Plus, we typically saw the Physician’s Assistant, not the neurosurgeon.

In Cuenca, my neurosurgeon charges $35 for an office visit and my appointment is with him, not his PA. He takes his time with me, too. My appointments generally last 30 to 45 minutes.

Our general practitioner also charges $35 for an office visit. My physical therapist charges $20 for an hour compared to $100 back in Denver. I paid $350 for a 3D printed dental crown (my mom just paid $1,400 for a traditional crown back in Kansas City).

We don’t take any medications so we don’t have a lot of experience buying them. However, we’ve been told they run about 1/10th the cost compared to the States.

If a large amount of your budget is spent on healthcare, retiring in Ecuador could save you a fortune!

Easy to See Your Doctors & Dentists

Another shocking difference between Ecuador and the US and Canadian healthcare systems is how easy it is to see a doctor or a dentist. We don’t need to wait weeks or months for an appointment; we can often see them the same day or the next day.

The first time I went to see our general practitioner, I asked him for a referral to an English-speaking neurosurgeon for my ongoing spinal issues. He picked up his mobile phone and called the neurosurgeon while I was sitting there. He asked if I would like to go see him the same day. It was 4PM! I said tomorrow would be just fine.

If you’re tired of waiting months to see your doctor or dentist back home, retiring in Ecuador may be just what the doctor ordered. Sorry. I had to go there.

IESS Covers Pre-existing Conditions

Once you have your temporary resident visa and your cedula (a government issued ID card similar to a driver’s license), you can go on Ecuador’s public health insurance plan. It’s called IESS (Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social). It’s their version of social security and universal healthcare rolled into one.

While private health insurance is available and affordable in Ecuador (we have Confiamed for $156/month for both of us), it doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions until you’ve been paying into the plan for 2 years. After that, they offer pretty low coverage amounts. Our plan only pays up to $7,500 per incident, which isn’t much if I need another surgery on my back. They also don’t cover medication expenses related to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. if you had the condition prior to signing up for the plan.

With IESS, all your pre-existing conditions are covered on the first day. The monthly premium is around $75/person and you have no out-of-pocket after that. No copays, no medication costs, no nada. Everything is covered.

You do have to go to IESS hospitals and doctors, so that limits your options a bit, and we’ve heard mixed reviews about the experiences other expats have had, but if you can’t afford healthcare back in the US or your pre-existing condition isn’t covered, retiring in Ecuador or another country with Universal Healthcare may be your best option.

Affordable Transportation

We don’t own a car and have no plans to own one. That saves us a LOT of money! But that also means we need other forms of affordable and reliable transportation.

Car ownership in Ecuador for anyone but the wealthy is a relatively new thing. Most average people didn’t own a car just a decade ago. Now it’s common to see older people learning how to drive, and driving schools are everywhere.

Because most people still don’t drive themselves, Ecuador has been built around public transportation. Buses and taxis are very affordable and easy to find. Quito has a new world class tram system and Cuenca’s Tranvia will hopefully be operational soon.

The major cities also have mobile apps like Cuenca’s AzuTaxi that allow you to call taxis to your front door. Quito and Guayaquil also have Uber.

Variety of Low Cost Service Providers

Because of my back, my days of cleaning bathrooms and doing lawn work are over. Luckily, Ecuador is a service culture with a variety of different low cost service providers.

We had a housekeeper in Cuenca (pictured above) and we also have one in Olón. They charge $5/hour and clean for about 4 hours. That’s $20/visit and we have them come every two weeks so it costs us $40/month to have our house cleaned by a professional.

Lawn guys typically charged us between $10 and $20 depending on how much work needs to be done. They usually came once per month in Cuenca and once every 2 weeks here in Olón (but that’s included in our rent here).

We had plumbers come several times in Cuenca. We paid between $10 and $20, including parts.

Massage therapists charge between $20 and $30 for an hour. Mani/pedis and haircuts cost between $5 and $10. And some service providers will even come to your house.

Whether you have health restrictions or you just don’t like do things yourself, Ecuador is a great place to retire because you can hire someone cheaply to do almost anything.

Lots of Things to Do

If you enjoy traveling and sightseeing, Ecuador could keep you busy for years between the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes Mountain Range, the Pacific Coast and the Galapagos Islands. There are simply too many things to see in Ecuador to list them all here.

However, if you’re more of a homebody and prefer to stay close to your new expat city, Cuenca has a huge variety of activities, from cultural events to card games to hiking in the Cajas National Park to soaking in the hot springs. If you’re board in Cuenca, it’s because you’re not leaving the house.

We haven’t lived in Quito, but we know it’s similar to Cuenca where we lived for 2 1/2 years, and Cuenca is like a cruise ship on dry land: There are lots of things to do and the food is great!

Strong Expat Community

There are thousands of expats living in Ecuador from all walks of life. We’ve met retired postal workers, bus drivers, bankers, college professors, software project managers, marketing executives, electricians…you name the profession and we’ve probably met someone who retired from it.

We’ve also met people from one end of the political spectrum to the other. We made the conscious decision to leave politics back in the US, but some people continue to attend regular meetings for their respective political affiliations here in Ecuador.

Expats have created Facebook groups for playing games, bird watching, river walks, mountain hikes, South American travel, watching American sports, learning Spanish, and more.

If you’re worried that retiring in Ecuador will leave you bored and lonely, that’s not a concern unless you’re really shy and choose to stay home. Most expats make a lot of new friends when they retire in Ecuador.

Challenges of Retirement in Ecuador

Ecuador is a great retirement destination for most people, but there are a few things that make it challenging for retirees to live here, especially if you have mobility issues or altitude sickness.

Here are several challenges that might make retiring in Ecuador more difficult for you:

Uneven Sidewalks

The sidewalks throughout Ecuador are not great. They’re uneven, full of holes and often disappear in the middle of a block. Amelia and I have both tripped on rebar and metal posts that have been cut off leaving an inch or two sticking out of the sidewalk. We’ve also seen unattended open manholes. You really have to watch where you step in Ecuador!

Not Handicap Accessible

Cuenca is making an attempt to improve its handicap accessibility, but there is no ADA compliance in Ecuador. We’ve noticed this in most places we’ve visited, including Latin American countries, Europe and India. We’re very lucky in the US to have the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with functional ramps and elevators.

In Ecuador, very few sidewalks have ramps and some curbs are so high we have difficulty stepping up on them. Many of the walk lights at intersections barely last long enough for us to make it halfway across the street before the light changes, and drivers pay very little attention to them. Pedestrians don’t have the right of way in Ecuador.

Some buildings do have wheelchair ramps, but most have been added recently and are so steep they’re dangerous. Once you get inside, many buildings don’t have elevators.

Despite all this, we have seen several people in Cuenca driving motorized wheelchairs around the city, but without sidewalk ramps, they’re usually on the street.

If you have a physical disability that makes it difficult for you to walk, retiring in Ecuador will be a bit more challenging for you.

High Altitude in Popular Expat Mountain Cities

Most of the popular expat cities for people who retire in Ecuador are very high altitude, which can cause health problems for some people. Amelia has no issues with altitude, but I do.

The high altitude is the main reason we left Cuenca. I simply couldn’t handle the thin air and it was getting worse, not better. Almost daily, I felt light-headed, dizzy, short of breath, and full-body tingles. I frequently had headaches and difficulty sleeping. On rare occasions, I felt nauseated. That’s not a fun way to live.

Here are the altitudes for the popular mountain cities where expats like to retire in Ecuador:

Quito: 9,000 feet (2.700 meters)
Cuenca: 8,400 feet (2.500 meters)
Cotacachi: 7,900 feet (2.400 meters)
Ibarra: 7,300 feet (2.200 meters)
Girón: 7,100 feet (2.200 meters)
Loja: 6,900 feet (2.100 meters)
Vilcabamba: 5,200 feet (1.600 meters)

Unfortunately, there’s no way to know if you’ll have issues with altitude until you’re at altitude, and then it’s hard to escape. You either need to get on an airplane and fly to a lower altitude, or spend several hours driving to a lower altitude.

You can also try Mate de Coca tea, which is made from the same plant used for cocaine. It has a powerful caffeine like effect and will amp you up for hours, but it helped me. There is a prescription drug called Diamox that may also help, but it has a long list of side effects.

Poor Medical Care in Popular Expat Beach Towns

If you have altitude issues, there are lots of cities and towns on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast that are popular with expat retirees. And since they’re at sea level, you certainly won’t have altitude issues.

However, living in an Ecuador beach town is a lot different than living in a cultural mecca like Cuenca or Quito. There aren’t nearly as many things to do so you might get bored unless you really love the beach.

The biggest drawback for most people who want to retire in one of Ecuador’s beach towns is the lack of quality medical care. Guayaquil has some of the best hospitals in South America and Manta has a new IESS hospital that has great reviews and looks amazing, but there are no high quality hospitals between Guayaquil and Manta, or north of Manta.

The stretch of beach between Manglaralto and La Entrada including Montañita and Olón is very popular with retired expats in the younger age bracket (under 70), but many move to Cuenca or another more developed city as they age.

Manglaralto has an urgent care clinic that mostly deals with ocean injuries, stitches and broken bones, but not serious medical conditions. If you need a real hospital or specialized doctors, it takes 3 hours to drive to Guayaquil and 2 1/2 hours to drive to Manta.

If you have a lot of health issues and take a lot of medications, it’s best to retire in Cuenca or Quito. If you can’t handle the altitude, Guayaquil and Manta (including Manabí, Canoa and San Clemente) are your best choices.

Limited Direct Flights to the United States

Cuenca, Loja, Salinas and Manta claim to have international airports, but they only fly to Quito and/or Guayaquil. That means you’ll need to take a domestic flight or drive several hours to catch your international flight back to the United States, Canada or Europe.

If you have aging parents or young grandchildren and you plan to return home from your retirement haven in Ecuador, it makes for a long travel day unless you live in Quito or Guayaquil.

We rarely travel back home so this isn’t an issue for us, but it’s a major challenge for many expats who retire in Ecuador.

Most People Don’t Speak English

Learning a foreign language is very difficult later in life, but you’ll need to master at least the basics of Spanish if you want to retire in Ecuador because most people don’t speak English.

We aren’t fluent yet, although we are studying and hope to be fluent someday, but we’re very good with taxi, mercado and restaurant Spanish. If you focus your learning efforts on those areas, you’ll be better prepared for your life abroad in any Spanish-speaking Latin American country.

What’s Next…

While there are several challenges to retiring in Ecuador, those challenges apply to nearly all low cost of living countries around the world and especially in Latin America. However, we feel the benefits far outweigh the challenges, making Ecuador the perfect place to retire.

In Part 4 our this series, we’re going to discuss the “Best Cities to Live in Ecuador.”

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

15 Reasons NOT to Live Abroad in Ecuador (or Anyplace Else)

March 20, 2020/in Articles, Ecuador, Start Here

Living abroad is an experience of a lifetime for many, but only if you leave home with the right mindset and realistic expectations. Some expats are simply unable to adapt for one or more of these reasons NOT to live abroad in Ecuador (or anyplace else).

This is Part 2 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here…

Common Reasons Expats Wish They Had Stayed Home

If you’re seriously thinking about moving to another country, here are some reasons NOT to live abroad in Ecuador or any other expat destination.

Reason #1: You Don’t Qualify for a Resident Visa

The first thing you need to do is make sure you qualify for a resident visa in Ecuador or your chosen expat destination. Ecuador has several different visa types and one is sure to fit your situation, but it’s better to make sure before you leave home. Plus, it’s easier to get all the necessary paperwork while you’re still driving distance to government and university offices. Without a visa, you won’t be living abroad very long!

Reason #2: You Can’t Afford the Initial Costs

Living abroad may be a lot less expensive, but moving abroad isn’t cheap. When you add up the cost of visa agents, visa application fees, moving expenses, plane tickets, private drivers, first and last month’s rent, health insurance, etc., it can easily cost $10,000 USD or more to move to a foreign country. If the investment visa is the only type of visa you’re qualified to get, you’ll need $40,000 USD to invest in a CD (certificate of deposit) or real estate. If you don’t have sufficient cash on hand or access to other sources of funds, you may need to spend some time saving money before you move abroad.

Reason #3: You Don’t Want to Start Your Life Over

If you have an active social and family life back home, you may find it difficult to start over in a new country. You won’t know very many people (or anyone) before you arrive so you won’t have the same social support network you had in your home country. You’ll also need to find new doctors, massage therapists, transportation, banks, gyms, restaurants, social activities, etc. Starting over was exciting for us, but a lot of people don’t enjoy the process making this a common reason not to live abroad.

Reason #4: You’re Afraid of the Unknown

Change is scary. For some expats, it’s terrifying. The laws are different when you live abroad, and some are confusing (and even ridiculous). The culture and customs are different. You’ll be exposed to strange new food. You’ll need to make new friends. Find new restaurants. Moving abroad is one of the biggest life changes you can make and reason enough to stay home for many would-be expats.

Reason #5: You Expect It to Be Just Like Home

Some people are so afraid of the unknown that they expect living abroad in Ecuador to be just like home. Let me assure you, it’s not. The culture is a lot different, especially when it comes to service delivery. Mañana literally translates to “tomorrow,” but it’s also a term used to mean sometime in the future, or maybe never. Medical facilities may not be what you’re used to. Not all doctors speak English. Administrative and bureaucratic processes are confusing, tedious and cumbersome. We love our expat life in Ecuador, but the culture shock even gets to us sometimes, making it a good reason for Americans, Canadians and Europeans NOT to live abroad in Ecuador or most other Latin American countries.

Reason #6: You Expect Everyone to Speak English

We think it’s strange that many Americans expect everyone in the United States to speak English, but then move abroad to another country and still expect everyone to speak English. While Ecuador, and especially Cuenca, has a large population of bilingual Spanish and English speakers, the vast majority of people in Latin America do not speak English. This makes it very difficult to communicate effectively and necessitates a certain level of mastery in charades.

Reason #7: You Don’t Want to Learn the Local Language

Learning a foreign language is hard. Learning one later in life is downright painful! It’s easy to understand why so many expats don’t want to learn the local language when they move abroad, and many don’t. We know several expats who have lived in Ecuador for years and speak virtually no Spanish. They rely on charades, Google translate or someone else to translate for them. Not being able to communicate effectively is just too uncomfortable for some people, making this a good reason not to live abroad.

Reason #8: You’ll Always Be a Foreigner

If you look different than everyone else, and you don’t speak the local language natively, you will always be considered a foreigner. While we haven’t experienced discrimination here in Ecuador, we know people who have. And we occasionally get comments on our YouTube channel along the lines of “go home we don’t want you here.” Most people are very friendly and welcoming to expats in Ecuador, but even if you become fluent in Spanish, you’ll always be a foreigner.

Reason #9: You Get Homesick Easily

If you got homesick on your weeklong vacation to the Grand Canyon, moving thousands of miles away from your friends, family and comfortable routines back home might be overwhelming. When you move abroad, it takes time to adjust and make new friends. Some expats feel very homesick at first, but it eventually gets better. For others, it’s a big enough reason not to live abroad so they move back home.

Reason #10: You’ll Miss Your Friends & Family Too Much

If you’re very close to your friends and/or family, moving to another country will be extra challenging for you. Most of our friends back in Denver were work-related, and our family was geographically dispersed in several different states so we were already used to only seeing them once or twice a year. But if you have a tight group of friends or live near your family and enjoy spending lots of time with them, your relationships with them will change. You might lose some friends. Your family may get angry with you. You will miss some birthdays, weddings and funerals. If you have children, they may be angry with you for tearing them away from their friends. If you have grandchildren, it may simply be too difficult to live so far away from them. This is one of the most common reasons expats move back home.

Reason #11: You Can’t Live Without the Conveniences

Let’s admit it. Americans, Canadians and Europeans are pretty spoiled when it comes to modern conveniences like Amazon next-day delivery, one-stop-shops and drive-thru everything. Most Latin American countries like Ecuador are seriously lagging behind with these types of conveniences. Some expats enjoy the “Easter Egg Hunt” (as we call it) when we’re looking for something special. Others get very frustrated with the ongoing challenge of finding basic things and some simply can’t handle going cold turkey from Amazon shopping. If you’re addicted to all the conveniences of the western lifestyle, this may be your reason not to live abroad in Ecuador.

Reason #12: Your Partner Isn’t as Adventurous as You

Amelia was skeptical when I broached the subject of living abroad. She wasn’t sure about selling everything and leaving the life we knew. It took several months of discussions and information sharing for me to convince her it was the right decision for us. She’s very thankful I talked her into it now, but a lot of cautious spouses/significant others never adjust to living abroad. They don’t appreciate the adventure and miss their life back home too much. In fact, several of our married friends have moved back to the United States because one of the spouses couldn’t handle Ecuador anymore. Even if you do convince your spouse to live abroad, they may eventually want to move back for one of the reasons on this list.

Reason #13: You Need a High Paying Job & You Don’t Like Working Remotely

If your plan to live abroad hinges on your ability to get a high paying local job, you need a new plan. The low cost of living in Ecuador, as well as other low cost countries, means the local wages are equally low or everyone would be rich. Unskilled jobs like restaurant servers and store clerks get paid between $5 and $10 per hour. Most English teaching jobs pay around $10/hour and most are part-time so you won’t earn a 40 hour/week wage. You’ll need to be fluent in Spanish for most jobs, especially skilled work like software development and IT. The best way to earn income abroad in a low cost country is to work online for your old company back home or as a consultant in your field of expertise so you continue earning wages from your high cost/high wage home country.

Reason #14: You Don’t Like the Local Weather

The weather in Ecuador takes a little getting used to. Cuenca ended up being too cold, cloudy and rainy for us so we moved to Olón, a small beach town on the coast of Ecuador. For some expats, beach life is too hot, humid and sandy. Most of the Latin American countries in Central and northern South America don’t have seasons, either. Most popular expat destinations in this region have rainy and dry seasons, or hot and cool seasons, but no snow or autumn leaves or spring thaw. The weather is the same most of the year, which is a big adjustment if you enjoy the changing of the 4 seasons.

Reason #15: You’re Running Away From Something

To quote Confucius, “Wherever you go, there you are.” If you’re unhappy with your life back home, living abroad won’t magically cure all your woes. In fact, it may bring on a whole lot more of them for the reasons listed above. We didn’t move abroad in an effort to fix a failing marriage or to finally be happy. We were happy in our marriage and happy with our life back in Denver. The main reason we moved was because we couldn’t afford our life back in Denver. If our income had kept pace with our expenses, we may have never left home or moved abroad. If you don’t first address your underlying reasons for being unhappy in life, that’s a great reason NOT to live abroad in Ecuador, or anywhere else.

What’s next…

We aren’t sharing these reasons NOT to live abroad in Ecuador to scare you away. Rather, we want you to be prepared for your radically different life abroad. If you move abroad with realistic expectations and a positive mindset, you’re much more likely to embrace the change and much less likely to move back home.

In our next post, we’re going to answer the question, “Should you retire in Ecuador?”

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:

All the Past Newsletters
The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator
A Discount Code for the Ecuador Expat Fast Track eCourse and the Online Income eCourse

This newsletter covers things we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions.

Continue

Start Here – Live Abroad Now in Ecuador

Covid Travel Guidelines (As of March 10, 2022)

Booking a Flight to Ecuador

Direct flights to Quito from the United States

Direct Flights to Guayaquil from the United States

Transportation Options from Quito Ecuador

Flying from Quito to Guayaquil, Cuenca, Manta or Loja

Riding the Bus

Traveling from Quito to Vilcabamba

Traveling from Quito to Salinas

Traveling from Quito to Manta

Transportation Options from Guayaquil

Traveling from Guayaquil to Cuenca

Traveling from Guayaquil to Vilcabamba

Traveling from Guayaquil to Salinas

Traveling from Guayaquil to Olón/Montañita

Traveling from Guayaquil to Manta

Traveling from Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands

What to Do When You Land

Exploring the County & Nature

Planning a Trip is Easier Than Ever

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Income Inequality

Pickpocketing & Theft

Price Gouging (Getting Gringoed)

It’s NOISY!

Street Dogs & Cats

​Litter

​Dark & Cloudy

Are there TOO MANY bad things about living in Ecuador?

Watch Our Video About The Dark Side of Ecuador

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Tip #1 – Thoughtfully plan your trip

Tip #2 – Don’t overbook your itinerary!

Tip #3 – Stay as long as you can!

Tip #4 – Focus on where you want to live in Ecuador

Tip #5 – Keep it authentic!

Tip #6 – Get to know the neighborhood

Tip #7 – Start the visa process before you leave

Tip #8 – Meet with a shipping company

Tip #9 – Arrange to meet other expats

Tip #10 – Have fun in Ecuador!

Get the MOST out of your exploratory trip to Ecuador!

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

USDA APHIS – Traveling with Dogs or Cats to Ecuador from the USA

Is It Safe to Fly Your Pets on an Airplane?

Pet Transport Services

Pet Friendly Air Suites Hotel in Guayaquil Ecuador

Renting a Home that Accepts Pets in Ecuador

Pet Services in Ecuador

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Shedding Stereotypes to Prepare Family and Friends for Your Move to Ecuador

Crime

Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Extreme Weather

Healthcare

Transportation & Infrastructure

Housing in Ecuador

Conclusion

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

Gang Violence in Ecuador

Crime Statistics in Ecuador

Overall Risks & Safety Tips

Pickpocketing Schemes

Use Your Hotel Safe in Ecuador

Are Taxis in Ecuador Safe?

Bus Safety in Ecuador

Political Demonstrations in Ecuador

Car Break-Ins in Ecuador

Safety of Popular Areas in Ecuador

Guayaquil Ecuador Safety

Quito Ecuador Safety

Cuenca Ecuador Safety

Conclusion

Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

FREE Weekly Expat Newsletter

10 Crucial Steps to Moving to a New Country

1. List your priorities

2. Choose a destination (or several)

3. Research visa requirements

4. Join Expat Support Groups

Litter

Dark & Cloudy

**7. Decide What You Can Do & What To Outsource**