Why Do People Retire in Ecuador?

There are two main reasons why people move to or retire in a country like Ecuador: low cost of living and better quality of life. We’ve broken down each one of these for your consideration.

LOW COST OF LIVING:

-  Affordable real estate. Property is much cheaper in Ecuador than in North America. You can find oceanfront condos for $150k, or rent a 2/2 in any city for less than $500 a month. Property taxes are also very, very low.

-  Cheap utilities. Water and electricity are extremely low, it would be almost impossible to pay a bill with more than 2 digits every month. Cable and internet can run you just a few dozen dollars a month, and mobile service is quite affordable, with many different ways of payment depending on your usage. In every case, these amounts are always much lower than in North America.

-  Cheap food. Because of Ecuador’s privileged location on the planet, its agricultural products are abundant and varied. Vegetables, fruits, starches and tubers are available year-round, supply is high and prices are low year-round. Ecuador also fully self-supplies its demand of dairy products and meats, which maintains those prices low as well.

-  Cheap transportation. Ecuador is a tiny country, so flying around is quite inexpensive, around $150 for a round trip from/to any airport in the country. Public transportation (buses, electric busses, trolleys) is widely available in the bigger cities and costs almost nothing, just a few cents per ride. Taxis and share-riding services like Uber are prevalent, and with just a few bucks, you can go from one side of the city to the other. 

A couple can live comfortably in Ecuador with less than $2,000 including healthcare, check online resources about this topic in our website or our Facebook page.

BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE:

-  Quality healthcare. Private health insurance is quite affordable and much, much cheaper than in United States. Healthcare in Ecuador is top quality and most health practitioners have studied abroad. Private hospitals and clinics can be found in every major city, and even without insurance you would never go broke if you end up for long time in one. The national Social Security system of hospitals is top notch.

 -  Weather for every taste. It’s widely known that Ecuador has one of the most beautiful and sought-after climates in the world. The combination of high altitude with being literally in the Middle of the World, allows for the mountain region to offer a year-round Spring-like weather. There are no 4 seasons, which means less clothes to worry about. Also, within just a few hours of travel by car, you can go from the tropical jungle, to an ice-capped mountain, to a sunny beach.

 -  Healthy eating. Most of Ecuador’s agricultural products are grown naturally, so eating organic in Ecuador is not a fad, it’s an everyday thing and has been for many years. Many expats will tell you that they lost weight after they moved to Ecuador, just because of the improvement in the quality of their food.

 -  Walkability. Ecuador is a natural paradise, so you will find yourself enjoying the outdoors a lot. Most cities and towns are very walkable, and even though there are large grocery stores chains, you will find a little mini-market in every corner for your everyday needs. Many of the expats’ favorite cities like Cuenca and Cotacachi are known for being beautiful and easy places to walk around. And when you get tired, or it rains, or it gets dark, you’re just a couple of dollars away from home.

 -  Lots to see and do. We’re sure you will never get bored in Ecuador, there’s so much to see in its 4 regions, and lots do all the time: theater, music festivals, parades, day trips, celebrations of all sorts – religious and not, markets, and lots and lots of awesome food. Ecuadorians are happy and social people, and always find a good reason (excuse?) to get together and party. There are also a lot of holidays throughout the year, so vacationing is encouraged.

 -  Galapagos Islands. Last but not least, this natural wonder of the World is part of Ecuador. Whether you plan to visit them or not, know that you will have one of the most breathtaking places on Planet Earth just a few hours away. 

SO WHERE IN ECUADOR SHOULD I MOVE TO?

This depends on what you like: Are you a beach person or do you prefer the mountains? Do you need a coffee shop within a mile or do you crave solitude? Do you like to dress up or do you prefer to live in flip-flops? Do you want to drive your own car or do you prefer a place where you can walk everywhere? If you have not visited Ecuador before, or if you aren’t sure where you want to spend the next stage of your live, don’t worry, you can always go visit your top choices first before making an educated decision. To help you jumpstart your due diligence, here is a little summary about each one of the most popular and expat-friendly choices to help you look in the right direction. You will notice we have purposely left Quito and Guayaquil (the two largest cities in the country) out of this list, not because they’re not retirement-worthy, but because most expats and retirees tend to look for hidden gems out of the beaten path.

Cotacachi: Many expats of retirement age choose this small, clean, peaceful artisan town (pop: 8,000) to enjoy the perfect weather, breathtaking landscapes, low cost of living, and tranquil, slow-paced country lifestyle. Cotacachi is Ecuador’s famous “leather” town. Artisan shops line the main street and you can buy any type of leather item for 50%-75% less than in the U.S. Its closeness (20 mins) to the world-famous Indigenous Market of Otavalo, volcanoes, lakes and waterfalls, make Cotacachi a wonderful option to enjoy everything the Ecuadorian Andes mountains have to offer.

Cuenca: If you’re looking for an active cultural life with a mix of historic and modern, you will enjoy Ecuador’s 3rd largest city (pop: 330,000), which has been designated as one of the best retirement destinations in the world. Cuenca boasts a very large expat community, and has long been known for a rich intellectual and artistic tradition that matches its colonial architecture. Because of its history and state of preservation, Cuenca is one of Ecuador’s three UNESCO World Heritage Trust sites (the others are Quito and the Galapagos Islands). In spite of its size, Cuenca is still a pedestrian-friendly city.

Manta: Ecuador’s 4th largest city (pop: 300,000) is one of the most active cities in the country, and continental Ecuador’s only cruise port. The beauty and young energy of its beaches complements the city’s easy access to high-end shopping, first class entertainment, plenty of restaurants, and even golf.

Montañita and Olón: Montañita is Ecuador’s quintessential surf and party town, filled with beach bums of all ages, surfers and tourists from all over the world, reggae, drinks and good ol’ times. Its few streets are packed with restaurants, bars, hostels, hotels, travel agencies, water sports, souvenir shops, bakeries, surfing schools, yoga and meditation studios, scuba diving lessons, tattoo shops, etc. Separated by the small mountain that gives Montañita its name, Olón boasts a wide, beautiful 7-mile beach that is mostly deserted except for holidays and weekends. So although it is close to the action, there is a geological barrier between the two beaches that provides solitude and a sense of isolation, offering a more peaceful setting for those who search for it.

Vilcabamba: This village (pop: 1,000) and its surroundings (pop: 4,000) are known worldwide as “The Valley of Longevity”, whose natives have a reputation for commonly living into their 90s and 100s. Most who have studied the region agree that the combination of healthy diet, aerobic exercise, natural mineral waters, and contamination-free environment are the main factors for the residents’ healthy state and longevity. If you appreciate the outdoors and communing with nature, then you’ll enjoy the lifestyle here. It is often said to be one of the healthiest places in the world to live. Both expats and Ecuadorians have chosen Vilcabamba to seek a more wholesome, back-to-basics lifestyle.

If you are thinking of moving to or retiring in Ecuador we recommend you also read this article and visit the Retirement section of our FAQs.

If you’re thinking of doing an exploratory trip to one or more of Ecuador’s most popular retirement destinations, check out this tour we’ve put together, or allow us to customize one for your needs and preferences.