John C. Says:
Are there many expats in Ecuador? Where are the popular places?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi John,
Currently, it’s estimated that there are anywhere from 20,000 to 35,000 North Americans and Europeans living in Ecuador.
The official numbers are hard to come by. Adding to the difficulty is that once in Ecuador, some expats will sample several locations before settling down—or may continue to roam.
Another factor to consider is that many North Americans are attracted to the warm weather of the coast as a means to escape the winter months. This means you may find a lot of “gringos” on the beaches between December and March who are not necessarily expats.
Here is a sample of the most “popular” places in the Andes and on the coast. Remember, this is not a definitive list, and that expats can be found just about anywhere in Ecuador.
Andean Locations:
- Cuenca, and surrounding areas
- Quito, and suburbs
- Cotacachi/Otavalo
- Vilcabamba/Malacatos
- Loja
- Baños/Ambato
- Ibarra
Coastal Locations:
- Salinas, and Santa Elena Peninsula
- Manta
- Santa Marianita
- Crucita
- Montañita
- Puerto López and nearby villages
Got a Question?
Send your thoughts to mailbag@internationalliving.com. We’ll post and respond to as many of your emails as we can right here in the e-letter.