The low prices in Ecuador are a big attraction for expat retirees. Both the cost of day-to-day living and real estate are far cheaper than in the United States.
In Cuenca, the monthly budget for a couple renting an apartment is just over US$1,300 per month. This would allow a comfortable lifestyle. If you own your own property these costs drop to just over US$1,000 per month.
Penny pinchers can get by on even less.
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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When you retire in Ecuador, you can receive up to 50% off public transportation, utilities, recreational activities, and events, reduced or eliminated income, capital gains, estate, property, vehicle, and sales taxes. You are also eligible for duty-free importation of household goods and expediated services (skipping the lines in places like banks).
A pensionado visa in Ecuador allows you to work even though you’re meant to be retired. This means you have the option of topping up your pension by doing a part time job such as teaching English.
Ecuador’s great package of senior benefits:
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In general Ecuador is a safe and peaceful place to live. Expat and tourist numbers are both increasing and the majority of people are reporting that they feel happy and safe in Ecuador.
But, like anywhere else, crime exists. This is especially true in big cities. The wealth divide in Ecuador is pronounced in places. If you take care not to walk into the rough parts of town you will be fine.
Ecuador is not a rich country and you need to take this into account. If you are someone who likes overt displays of wealth, Ecuador might not be the country for you.
Speak with locals and expats before you move to Ecuador. They will give you the lowdown on the neighborhood and the info you need to know.
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Ecuador comes with the threat of natural disasters. The country is full of volcanos and earthquakes are an ever present threat. You are unlikely to fall victim to either of these, but there’s always a chance.
Ecuador also includes some wild countryside. Jaguars and anacondas can be found in the Amazon but most people don’t venture into these areas without an experienced tour guide.
The area close to the Colombia border is a no-go zone. This area is made up of thick jungle and guerilla groups hide out here. Nobody ever goes here, but it is worth noting.
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Cuenca is the expats favorite city to retire in Ecuador and it’s easy to see why. But before we get into that it’s best to mention something upfront. Cuenca sits at an altitude of 8,300 feet (2,530 meters). This makes it a bad choice for anyone with breathing difficulties.
The altitude shouldn’t pose a problem to everyone else, although you will take a few days to get used to it. However the altitude is the reason for one of Cuenca’s best features, the climate.
Ecuador has a pleasant climate. The weather remains Spring-like throughout the year. The daily highs are between 64 degrees and 54 degrees. The night-time lows between 50 and 44 degrees.
You get some cold day where you will want to light a fire or turn the heating on. There are also hot days you can enjoy outside in shorts and t-shirt.
A higher standard of life is one of the main reasons that expats choose to retire in Ecuador. In Cuenca the standard of living is arguably the highest in the country.
Cuenca has a thriving cultural scene, easily the best in Ecuador. Theatre, opera, museums and touring exhibitions can all be found in Ecuador. The prices are reasonable, and for exhibitions and museums often free.
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Salinas is a coastal city with a modest population of around 50,000. If you are looking to retire in Ecuador to a coastal city with amenities Salinas is your best bet. Other coastal towns are generally undeveloped, but Salinas has plenty going on.
It also has its own international airport. This makes getting to and from Salinas straightforward and much easier than in previous years. It’s also having a positive impact on property prices in the area.
Salinas is warmer than the mountain areas, without being uncomfortably hot. The summer here is between January and April. During this time the average high is 79 – 82 degrees. The coldest part of the year is between July and October. At this time average highs fall to between 69 – 72 degrees.
Average lows are between 73 –75 in the summer and between 65 – 62 in winter.
This makes it great weather for the beach. The waters here are clean and safe for swimming. Offshore you can find excellent fishing.
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Salinas has lots of cafes, bars and restaurants. Unlike other beach towns in Ecuador you won’t run out of places to eat or drink. Salinas is a popular tourist town with both tourists and Ecuadorians. Many of the countries great good like to holiday here, including the President.
The number of tourists remains steady throughout the year. If you are looking to retire part time, you can earn decent money by renting out your property while you are away.
The seafood is a specialty here. All of it is fresh and very affordable. The fishing here is world class. Lots of the big sport fish can be found offshore and fishermen come from across the globe.
The stretch of coast Salinas sits on is rich in history. Traces of civilization dating back 9000 years can be found. There are lots of interesting day trips to be had to historical sites.
Quito is famous for being the 2nd highest capital city in the world. A UNESCO world heritage site, the Old Town is well preserved. The Old Town doesn’t have a heritage park feel thanks to the fact that people have always lived there.
Quito is one of the top places for historical living in South America. Quito is the stopping off point for trips out to the Galapagos Islands. It is also close to the equator, you can take a bus out of the city to stand on the center of the world.
Quito is a safe place to live with a strong police presence. Relations between the police and residents is a credit to the city. The police are not corrupt and generally lookout for the people they are supposed to be serving.
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The average temperature doesn’t change much throughout the year. The average high stays between 66 – 68 and the average low falls to 49 – 51. Despite the seemingly low temperatures, you will need to wear sunscreen and take care when outside on a sunny day.
The dry season runs between June and September. The rest of the year is the rainy season. The rainy season is when the weather is warmest.
One of the big attractions of retiring in Quito is the city itself. It’s spectacular. The views across the city are as good as you can find anywhere. Quito is a green city with plenty of parks. These are safe and well maintained. Perfect for exercise or simply relaxing.
Quito is home to more than 2.5 million people and has excellent infrastructure. Culturally there is plenty to do. Theatres, museums and art galleries are all of a high standard. Quito has three trolleybus systems that area cheap and reliable way to get around. You absolutely don’t need a car in Quito.
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Medellin in Colombia offers a high standard of living and a similar climate to the mountain towns in Ecuador. Medellin is more expensive but there is more to do and is more developed in terms of infrastructure.
Durango in Mexico is another option for mountain living at an affordable price. The Chiriqui district of Panama is slightly lower, and thus warmer, and definitely more expensive. But it has a well-established expat community and plenty to do and see.
From Atacames in the north to Playas in the south, you have plenty of options for beach living in Ecuador.
Salinas—two hours west of Guayaquil (Ecuador’s biggest city)—is one of the most popular coastal lifestyle options. Home to a growing expat community, this is an ideal spot to wait out the North American winter.
As we like to remind our readers regularly, no place is perfect. No matter where in Ecuador you might decide to spend time, you’ll face ups and downs, pluses and minuses.
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Here are 10 insights into life in this beautiful country, my top tips for the would-be Ecuador expat or retiree…
People in this part of the world don’t jump right into the issue when addressing each other. So, when you get into a taxi, for example, you don’t start with, “Take me to _____.” You start with “Good morning.” When entering a store, smile at everyone you pass and say good morning or how are you. Then say, “Do you have any ____?”
In more personal settings, handshakes and kisses when coming and going are important.
That greeting is something you don’t want to bypass, because if you arrive or leave a place without saying hello and goodbye to someone, the assumption is that you’re mad at the person.
Many people in this part of the world can’t keep commitments. You will learn quick who can and who can’t, and you’ll learn to work with the people who meet your expectations.
Until you adapt to this, you will lose time sitting at home waiting for people who don’t show.
You get what you give. People who smile and approach others with courtesy get the same thing in return.
Unless your Spanish is legitimately fluent, begin any conversation with, “Excuse me, my Spanish is not very good, but…”
First, this makes the Spanish-speaker more attentive to what you’re saying, but it does something else, too. It lets the person on the other end of the conversation know that you’re not a cocky American who’s going to barge in and belligerently demand what he wants. Also, it signals instead that you’re asking for help. That really puts someone in a different state of mind.
Lots of people get run over. One trick when crossing a street with a stop sign is to cross behind the lead car. Locals don’t ever cross in front because that car is watching the traffic. When there is an opening to go, they will go whether there is someone in front of the car or not.
The pedestrians are just expected to scatter. It takes some getting used to, but you can’t expect crosswalks to be honored or for pedestrians ever to have the right of way.
If you’re a yield-to-the-right-of-way person, you’re going to be sitting at the first intersection you come up to until doomsday. Ecuadorians are very aggressive behind the wheel. They don’t let people in, and they don’t show courtesy, neither to pedestrians nor to other drivers. If you can’t drive like them, you’re better off not driving.
In the United States, when entering a restaurant, we wait to be seated, but here you seat yourself. Also, in our culture, a waiter is designated to certain tables, and you only ask your waiter for more water, etc. That doesn’t happen here. All the waiters are happy to help.
Also, if you need something, don’t worry about who took your order, just grab the next guy you see. Plus, you need to ask for the check. You can say, “La cuenta, por favor.”
Restaurant bills here include a 10% tip. Want to leave something extra? That is fine but not expected. And, if I know the restaurant owner doesn’t distribute tips to the wait staff, leave cash on the table.
Know that nothing will be as efficient as where you’re from. Be patient.
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Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
For instance, around 10,000 American expats, including a significant number of retirees, have made Ecuador their home, which helps newcomers easily connect with others in the area.
The minimum monthly income needed to retire in Ecuador is currently set at US$1,350.
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