Digital Nomad Life in Ecuador

"Weekly expat Fridays at 5, currently held at Sakura Restaurant on 3 de Noviembre in front of the Tomebamba River at the bottom of the Escalinata," said one person in Cuenca.

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

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

"We made an exploratory trip months before we decided to come and live in Cuenca, Ecuador. We did not really choose the neighborhood we just found the apartment absolutely fell in love with it and the price was just right and the view and everything. It seemed like a good neighborhood as well and we bought it within two weeks of being in this country. To date 18 months later we are still very very happy with our purchase. We have since found it is a great neighborhood close to all amenities but far enough from the centre of the city," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"The best way to find a place to live in Ecuador is to visit the country in person. This will allow you to explore different neighborhoods and areas and get a better understanding of the local culture and environment. You can also look into renting an apartment or house from a reliable source. There are numerous real estate agencies and websites that list rental properties in Ecuador, so you should have no trouble finding a place that suits your needs. Additionally, many expats join local Facebook groups and other social media sites to network and search for housing opportunities. Lastly, you could consider connecting with an established property management company that specializes in providing international real estate services," said one person in Ecuador.

"Fortunately, my company hired a relocation firm. Sanborondon is the upper class, safe, and happening nearby suburb of Guayaquil. It was almost a given that I would live there as an expat with Company-provided housing. The Company also hired a realtor for us who helped with our search options (furnished, gated community, 3 bdrms, spacious, pool). Newspaper ads weren't very helpful at all. Word of mouth or realtors are the way to go," said one expat who made the move to Guayaquil.

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

"We live in Valle de los Chillos just outside of Quito and did not have any security problems during the nearly 3 week paro (strike) like there were in Quito. Food was in shorter supply and a bit more expensive but available. Propane tanks for cooking and heating water also a bit more expensive but available. Gas stations had gasoline. Pretty quiet. Since Quito is capitol, any demonstrations will likely be there along with the associated disruptions. Outside in the valleys, peace and tranquility," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Ecuador.

"We lucked out when we chose stay in Crucita on the beach for 10 days our first visit, 8 days on our second visit, and 8 days on our third visit. We had visited other areas and found in the three times being there, it was the place for us. Crucita has such a laid back vibe, people there are so helpful, and went out of their way to help us with the process of purchasing our condo and furnishing it. We have made many friends just from our three visits in Crucita from Montana. And yes, we will NOT miss all the cold, snow and wind from Montana. I will be 60 this year and my husband 62. We both are absolutely looking forward to a warm, sunny, and laid back retirement. Also, having fishermen pull their catch straight out of the water right on the beach right in front of our condo complex, and having fresh fish (3-4 fish for $5 to $6) right out of the net is a definate plus," explained one person living in Crucita, Ecuador.

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

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

"More relaxed generally, people are very friendly and helpful. More tranquil way of life. Fresher food," said one person in Salinas.

"On the whole I have experienced the Ecuadorians to be honest. As a people they are culturally extremely polite. In my estimation they rivel the French with their protocols of politeness. "Buenos días, "Buenas tardes," "buenas noches, " "Saludos." If you don't greet someone, they feel slighted. And they address you by title, "don Ernesto". "doña Maria". o "mi señora linda". which is something we would never dare say in the north "my pretty lady."," said one expat who made the move to Cotacachi.

"I like that the children seem very happy and smile a lot and play with their parents in the parks, so it seems that the locals like having children more than in North America, where you rarely see adults with children," explained one foreigner living in Ecuador.

"Still working on that one as I do not care for this town I am living in and is much more primitive than cities," said one in Bahia de Caraquez.

"Lots of wonderful historical stuff, tons of holidays here, religious and historical, all celebrated to the max in different ways. Indigenous activities and celebrations. We have not even started on expat stuff because my hubby is Ecuadorian and has youngish cousins here in 30s. They always have plans to go and do things," explained one expat in Ecuador.

"Not knowing the language and the fact that especially in this part of Ecuador, they talk extremely FAST!," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Bahia de Caraquez.

"Parties start early and go on all day long. People feel free to just drop by to say hello - nice idea, but very different from what I'm used to, so it still throws me a bit. Anything to do with government or banking is mired in red tape and moves slowly. Banks are particularly frustrating because they act as if they really don't care if they have your business or not," explained one person living in Salinas, Ecuador.

"Although scrupulously polite, I have not found the Ecuadorian people to be particularly friendly or outgoing. And they are extremely protective of their privacy. Which is why they often live behind eight-foot-high walls with wire or broken bottles on top. Whether the fear is justified or not I can't say, but it seems to infect most everyone. It is very unusual to invite someone into your home, or to be invited. Mostly, in my experience (only one opinion mind you) socializing is done within the family, not by getting together with friends to tell stories and share meals. That is one difference I find really hard to take. And they love noise. They honk, they put a big speaker outside each store and blast music assuming that everyone wants to hear. To me it is a form of polution, pure and simple. Give me quiet any day," said one expat in Cotacachi.

"Expatriates in Ecuador often find the local customs, habits, and language to be difficult to adjust to. For many, the unfamiliarity of the country can be an intimidating factor and the cultural norms can be confusing. Additionally, communicating with locals in Spanish can be difficult for expats who have limited Spanish language proficiency. Moreover, the formality and emphasis on religion found throughout Ecuadorian culture can be a source of culture shock for expats accustomed to cultures that emphasize individual autonomy and secular values," remarked one member in Ecuador.

"I can only speak of my own experiences with Ecuadorian Bureaucracy. I've been here five years, and currently hold a permanent resident's visa. If they can find a way to make any paperwork-based process more difficult they do. Without fail. From cédulas to driver's licenses, to getting married, which I gather you understand being, like me, married to an Ecuadorian. Or buying a car or land. Months of frustration. For example: my new cédula as a married person. Five trips by bus from Otavalo to Quitumbe (outside Quito) to the Registro Civil which deals with foreigners. Each trip 3-4 hours each way. Each time we went armed with all the documents we felt we could possibly need. Each time there was something lacking. "You were born in the States but are a Canadian?" "Yes, I've lived in Canada since I turned 23 and am a naturalized citizen. " "But can you prove you were born in the US?" "Here are my two passports, Canadian and US, both of which state I was born in New York." "But do you have your birth certificate?" "Yes, but not with me." Another trip back to Cotacachi and back to Quitumbe the next day." "But señor, this is the original." "Yes, by some miracle I still have it 73 years later," "But señor, the original is unacceptable as proof of anything." We need to see a copy, notarized and apostilled by the Secretary of State of New York." At this point, we gave up and contacted the lawyer in Cuenca who had organized my visas for me and she made it happen in two days, in Cuenca. Both the permanent visa and the cédula done on the same day. Worth every penny. And a road trip to boot," remarked one member in Cotacachi.

"If you plan to stay in Ecuador for a while, you will need to obtain a residency visa, which is generally linked to a work or study visa. This visa can be obtained from the Ecuadorian consulates outside the country, or from the Directorate of Migration inside the country. Generally, you will be required to provide documents such as a copy of your passport, proof of your financial ability to maintain yourself during your stay in the country, proof of your address, and a police report from your native country," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"I can't recall that I did although my Ecuadorean friends may tell tales. I have a few friends who made the embarazado and embarasoso mistake as well as trucha vs chucha," explained one person living in Ambato, Ecuador.

"Choose carefully where you plan to live. In many Ecuador cities emergency care is often very limited or even non-existent. As we age good quality emergency care can mean to live or die. The same goes with good quality health care in general. Many small cities lack more than one doctor and medicines and supplies can be difficult to obtain in an emergency. This also happens with dentists as well. I suffered an injury to a tooth and had to travel for over an hour to find a dentist that could provide the needed treatment. And as we age we may find that the uneven pavement (or lack of pavement) in most Ecuadorian cities and towns will become a hazard to getting around. Again, choose carefully where you live," said a member in Cuenca.

"it is a nice walking city because there are NO hills and lots to see. Ocean and beaches near by, weather is very consistent, very few insects and the people are great. There is no airport nearby, closest is in Guayaquill, therefore i met very few expats in my daily life. The city, pop of 250k+-, is very clean," said one digital nomad in Machala.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the affordability of living in Ecuador. The cost of living is much lower than in many other countries, making it an attractive option for those looking to stretch their budget. Additionally, the country is known for its diverse landscapes, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes mountains, making it a great place to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Expats and digital nomads also enjoy the friendly and welcoming culture of Ecuador, which makes it easy to settle in and make friends. On the downside, the infrastructure in Ecuador can be lacking in some areas, making it difficult to access certain services. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who don't speak Spanish," commented a person living in Ecuador.

"Yes, it rains a bit, but if you have ever traveled to San Francisco, Amsterdam, London, Vancouver, you just keeping walking through it. The sun will dry you 10 minutes later. It definitely rains more today than 11 years ago. The only concession to Climate Change that Cuenca has made. But, there is greener grass and more flowers too. This new weather all started about 8 years ago. I find the weather wonderful! We have had enough beach living to make us tired and bored of it. ," explained one digital nomad living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"We love the climate in Valle de los Chillos. Lots of walking and ecotourism opportunities for us. We enjoy the view of snow capped Cotopaxi over coffee on our flower laden terrace in the mornings. Trips to local thermal baths (think swimming pool but nice and warm) are also favorites. We do not live close to expat haunts but have integrated rapidly into our community because of that," said one member in Valle de Los Chillos.

"My wife loves Catamayo and would move there in a nano-second if we did not have family, property, and obligations here. Catamayo is warmer and dryer than Loja, Vilcabamba, or Malacatos ( although the latter two are a bit sunnier than Loja ) and all of the above are less damp and rainy than Cuenca. Catamayo is only about a 35-minute bus ride into Loja, so you can get your big city amenity fix or simply go shopping - Prices in Loja are much better than in Quito, Cuenca, or Guayaquil ! Also, because there aren't a ton of gringos living in Catamayo - unlike Vilca - the real estate prices are considerably lower. Go and explore for yourself then decide. There are several nice hotels with very reasonable prices that you can stay in and use for a "home base" as you explore the entire Loja area," explained one expat in Catamayo.