Digital Nomad Life in Ecuador

"Expats living in Ecuador often join local clubs, attend cultural events, and join social media networks centered around activities they love. Expatriates may also join online communities specific to the country where they live, such as Ecuador Expats Online, which is a popular forum. Furthermore, connecting with other local English-speaking expats through local churches, booksellers, and language classrooms can provide an excellent way to meet people from all over the world. Finally, expats may join outdoor activities such as hiking, diving, and mountaineering, which not only provide an opportunity meet each other, but also Experience the beauty of Ecuador," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Ecuador.

"Use your skills to get some form of employment. Consult, teach, help with a multitude of civic type organizations. Immerse yourself into the life," explained one person living in Ibarra, Ecuador.

"Salinas is a really nice place. Is like being in Guayaquil, but with a beach nearby, You will find supermarkets, banks, schools, hospitals and many more things than other ecuadorian beach. And a big plus is that is near Guayaquil (the biggest city in Ecuador and main commercial city of the country)," said one person in Salinas.

"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.

"We are in Puerto Cayo. It is small and I mean small. There are no shopping for groceries or luxury items. It is quiet and on any given day, I am the only person on miles and miles of beach," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Puerto Cayo.

"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," explained one person living in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

"Not easy... I was offered a teaching job at PUCE , then denied it when my papers came through very late but I knew the barrio where I wanted to live -- however, it has gone up in price and there were few options available. I walked around in the neighborhood I wanted to finally settle in and found what I need. This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED way to discover a good apt in Quito," said one expat in Quito.

"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," said one expat in Crucita.

"I started in Vilcabamba yet very quickly moved over the hill to a beautiful little town called Malacatos. It's much cheaper, safer and very peaceful and tranquil here. I drive 35 minutes twice a month to Loja for a big shop and if I need anything specifically Americanized then I can drive 17 minutes to Vilcabamba. I've never loved the cities and really enjoy mountain living so am very grateful that I chose to move here. I spent the past few years struggling to survive in the US in an expensive, tiny apartment and here in Malacatos I live in a big, beautiful home with land. I feel like a millionaire here," remarked one member in Malacatos.

"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," said one expat in Ecuador.

"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."," remarked one member in Cotacachi.

"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 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 person in Bahia de Caraquez.

"Expatriates in Ecuador appreciate the warmth and hospitality of the Ecuadorian people and their willingness to share conversation and demonstrate their culture. They also enjoy the abundance of outdoor activities and the various cultural events, like music festivals, parades and national holidays that take place across the country. The rich array of local cuisine is also a favorite among expats in Ecuador and they are also appreciative of the unique architecture, from colonial and neo-classical styles, to the mid-century modern and Indigenous varieties. Finally, being surrounded by such gorgeous landscapes and the abundance of flora and fauna found throughout Ecuador is something many expats can't help but appreciate," said one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"Not knowing the language and the fact that especially in this part of Ecuador, they talk extremely FAST!," said one expat in 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," remarked one member in Salinas.

"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," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"Proof of at least $800 a month income, FBI and local police report, birth certificate and if applies divorce papers or marriage certificate. All need to be notarized and apostle stamped. You can hire a lawyer or do it yourself at the local Immigration office here takes about 3 months to receive your residency card good for ten years. I have a blog about the process: AAA Living in Cuenca gas2335.blogspot.com or book available on amazon: Why Ecuador for me," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Cuenca.

"It is important to respect Ecuadorian customs when visiting the country. Trying to save face is valued highly, so it is best to remain calm and avoid any confrontational behavior. In conversations it is important to be aware of the local language and customs, being sure to avoid making jokes or being overly familiar. Ecuador is a conservative country, so it is best to dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sites. Greeting people with a kiss on the cheek is popular and should be done according to the country's gender-based norms. Food is important to Ecuadorian culture, so it is polite to finish what is on your plate and wait for the host to indicate dessert, rather than helping yourself," remarked one member 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 expat living in Ambato, Ecuador.

"I discovered the word "embarazado" does not translate to "embarrassed." Go ahead, look it up -- and save yourself," said one person in Anconcito.

"Seeing a doctor in Cuenca is an easy matter. No appointment necessary in most cases. Excellent service and good quality for a much lower cost that the U.S," wrote one digital nomad living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"If you need medical care and have good knowledge of Spanish, the state system IESS may be your choice, however if you are retired they raised the rates to about 17.5% of retirement income. I have cheap (low quality) insurance which reportedly doesn't pay, which is fine for me because I would rather pay 45 per month for insurance that I can't use than 75/mo for insurance I won't use," said one foreigner in Cuenca.

"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," remarked one member in Cuenca.

"Go to the best hospital instead of the government hospital. Use the private clinics for basic healthcare and pay out of pocket," explained one expat living in Quito, Ecuador.

"This is the best medical care in terms of caring for you and really identifying the best way to correct the medical issues of people. Doctors really care for their patients, and spend time talking and testing for the real problem and thus coming up with a real solution to your specific issue. And all done at a bargain price," said one digital nomad in Cuenca.

"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. ," said one foreigner in Cuenca.

"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," remarked one member in Valle de Los Chillos.