Fast Facts
| Internet | Wifi stable 10 Mbps, cheap local sim cards and reasonable mobile data costs |
| Currency | USD |
| Cost of a local meal | $2.50 – $10.00 |
| Accommodation cost | $500-1000 / month (short term) |
| Visa Length | tourist 90 days (can extend for another 90 days), nomad visa 2 years |
| Safety | Good (for a latin american country) |
| Nomad Factor | Great for outdoor, nature, cultural immersion, slow living |
| Weather | Variable, depending on which area (Coast, Andes, Amazon, Galapagos) |
| Transport | Extensive bus network, good roads and affordable taxis. Uber in large cities. Internal flights are reasonable |
| Nomad communities | Good and growing communities in Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil. Smaller but close communities in local areas |
Is Ecuador a good option for digital nomads?
The answer is, well, it depends. Largely on what you value as a digital nomad. Spoiler – come to Ecuador for an abundance of nature and outdoor activities, to slow down, to immerse in the local culture. Don’t come here if you’re a 20 something looking only to party and cheap thrills.
A great introduction to the natural and cultural tapestry Ecuador has to offer can be found in the Ecuadorian escudo on its flag, representing themes based on the four main ecosystems of Ecuador; Sierra, Amazon, Coastal and Galapagos. This is the real attraction of Ecuador. Having these four unique and diverse ecosystems within the one country, and within a relatively close distance to each other, is why you should consider Ecuador as your next nomad destination.
Internet
A necessity for all digital nomads, the internet in Ecuador is very respectable. Most places have around 5 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up, and any place that really cares about their internet connection easily reaches a stable 10 Mbps up and down. Occasional hiccups can be largely combated with the use of a local sim card and portable wi-fi hotspot. If you’re planning on working long stretches from various places, I recommend to read this honest talk about how to find good internet in Ecuador.
The mobile network infrastructure is generally good in the cities and there are numerous options for buying data. There are large telco providers like Claro, Movistar and CNT, and smaller, potentially cheaper options available too. Sim cards generally cost around $3, but you’ll need to activate this yourself. You should be able to find some smaller mobile phone shops that will also activate it for you for an extra $2.
Mobile data speeds are good, sometimes significantly outpacing wifi speeds. Your proximity to the towers servicing your mobile will clearly impact this, but I’ve found speeds of 5+ Mbps to be common. The location where I’m writing this from has a Claro tower close by, so I currently get a whopping 70 Mbps, but this should not be expected as the norm. Mobile data along the bus routes can be very dicey, so I wouldn’t be relying on getting any online work done on any bus, unless the route is littered with towns.
Data is reasonable, but not dirt cheap like you can find in some Asian countries. I just purchased prepaid with Claro for $6 per GB, and this works as a good backup option for me. Heavy VOIP users (ie online English teachers) should consider upgrading plans, perhaps even going to a postpaid plan with better data allowances.
Food
Embracing local food in Ecuador is strongly recommended – perhaps even more so than other countries because the taxes on imported foods introduce a substantial gap between what you’ll pay for local food vs buying your western favorites.
Traditional Ecuadorian food is simple, hearty and showing amazing varieties in how to cook with plantains, corn, potatoes, rice, fish and chicken.
The major cities and tourist spots have many different food options. Quito in particular has a thriving food scene which caters for a wide range of tastes, including many international options.
Seafood along the Manabí province’s coastline is just sublime. You can get your hands on local fish and prawn ceviches for around $5, along with a range of other seafood dishes including popular fish soups.
Transport
As Ecuador is a relatively small country, it is comfortable as a nomad to pick a home base, and every so often pick up your backpack to travel for a week or two to experience the wonders of the Amazon, Sierra, Coast and Galapagos.
By bus
The roads in Ecuador are really quite good. The quality was the first thing I noticed when entering the country from the Colombian border. This has allowed a thriving and inexpensive bus network to service the country. https://www.terminales-ecuador.com/ is an updated website (in spanish) with the horarios (schedule), though not with an easy type-and-search. Search on the terminal terrestre (main bus station) of the city you are departing from, and look at all cooperativas who are doing the route towards the city you want to go.
By plane
Quito is the main hub for international flights, with Guayaquil (the most populated city) also providing passenger flights. “No frills” airlines aren’t a thing in most of South America yet, limiting the amount of affordable country hopping available to nomads. Certainly don’t be expecting to find Air Asia type prices in this part of the Americas.
Internal flights are reasonably priced and frequent. For example, one way from Quito to Cuenca can be found for around $50 if booked in advance. Tame is generally the cheapest and offers many routes between cities, however they have a reputation for being not so reliable by delaying and canceling flights.
By taxi
Taxis are cheap and plentiful in the main cities. Uber is also currently available in Quito and Guayaquil, which has provided some much needed transparency to certain routes and situations (particularly in combatting price-gouging at night). Short trips in the city are likely to cost around $4, with extended trips of 30-40 mins costing approx $15-20.
Accommodation
Ecuador has options for all budgets. There are plenty of hostal and AirBnB rooms available in the $30/night range. Longer term, monthly rooms can be had from $300, with entire apartments in good locations starting around the $500 mark.
Visas
Ecuador offers one of the most lenient tourist visa programs in the world, offering citizens of most countries to enter for up to 90 days per year. This can be extended for another 90 days with an afternoon visit to a migration office and paying an extension fee (around $150).
With a western nationality and proof of income through remote work, you can also ask for a nomad visa which lets you stay for 2 years in Ecuador. It is a more extensive process, though attractive as Ecuador doesn’t ask taxes on your foreign income.
Safety
This is a big one for me. After spending considerable time in the digital nomad mecca of Medellin and seeing some of the crimes that can escalate super quickly there, Iwas pleasantly surprised by the relative calm and safety offered by Ecuador. Not saying it’s a crime-free utopia, but it is one of the safer countries in Latin America. Even guayaquil, Ecuador’s city having suffered most with drug cartels in the recent years, still isn’t part of the dangerous 50 ranked by the 2025 world population review).
Criminality is mostly concentrated towards the drugs and political scene -stay away from those. As everywhere, specific areas can be problematic, so you do good to always ask a local from the town you are staying for what not to do.
Bureaucracy
Government red-tape is a considerable burden in Ecuador. This was plainly evident in my border crossing from Colombia that took 8 hours, all of which was spent on the Ecuadorian side. The large influx of Venezuelan refugees clearly put a lot of strain on the migration system, but having a total of 3 migration officers to process the thousands of visitors (including refugees) is a little beyond comprehension for any self-respecting governmental agency.
This probably won’t be your experience, but it does highlight the types of problems that you may encounter in Ecuador, emphasising the need for patience and a relatively flexible time schedule when visiting any country in latin america.
As a visitor to Ecuador, you’ll quickly notice the price disparity in certain “luxury” or imported items such as electronics, foods and sporting equipment. Strong advice here is to bring items you’re likely to need into the country with you, as you will pay considerably more for them here.
Don’t send anything into the country either. There is a rigid and unforgiving customs service that is likely to hit you with a 40% tax, assuming that you can receive your goods at all.
Visa requirements and processes tend to change frequently, with often limited or conflicting information available. Using an agent/lawyer to help out with visa issues would certainly be recommended if time is a factor.
Activities & Fun
Party and nightscene
Ecuadorians are friendly, but generally more reserved than some of their neighbouring counterparts. This translates into less dancing and partying. That isn’t to say you can’t find both in Ecuador. Indeed, I have had some of my best nights of dancing in Quito precisely because it isn’t as in your face as some other places.
A word of caution, Ecuador certainly isn’t a country I would be choosing for experimenting with drugs. Apart from perhaps Montanita, there is a strong taboo in smaller communities where they see drugs as something evil. Even cigarettes can have this stigma. Western countries are described as “the places where all the drugs go to”, and every family knows at least someone whose life has been negatively impacted by the drug scene. The first story coming to mind is the fishermen, who get regularly attacked on sea by pirates stealing their motors for drug transport to the US and Europe. So a word of advice is to stay away from drugs in Ecuador, for your own benefit and that of the locals.
Outdoor activities
As this is really the main attraction of Ecuador, any nomad guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning some of the many outdoor activities available.
Climbing & Hiking
The many volcanoes dotted through the Andes make for ideal climbing and trekking. The highest being Chimborazo at 20,700 feet, but the most popular is Cotopaxi (being the highest eruptive volcano in the world). The main highway, Panamerica runs through the middle of the volcanoes, making it relatively easy to access many of these. Indeed, it’s not uncommon to traverse multiple peaks within a short period of time because of their close proximity to each other.
Many climbers will enter via Quito, and then make their way to surrounding or further afield volcanoes. More information on climbing Ecuador’s volcanoes can be found at the Mountain Project.
Cycling
Cycling is popular among the Andes (Avenue of the Volcanoes) and along the coastal regions. The best time of year to cycle is the dry season (June to September) to avoid the rain and changing conditions. Whilst the roads are generally good, there are of course, exceptions which can lead to a bumpy affair depending on how off the beaten track you’re willing to explore.
Take your research further by checking out some cycling routes here.
Credit: https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/cycling-quilotoa-ecuador/
Surfing
With warm water year round and an extensive coastline spanning 2,200 km, the popularity of surfing is growing in Ecuador, making it a great base for beginners and advanced surfers alike. The long-time surfing hub of Montanita remains the main destination, but it is far from the only place with a solid break.
Here is a guide to the best places to surf in ecuador.
Kitesurfing
Santa Marianita (near Manta) is a well known destination for kitesurfing in Ecuador as it offers ideal conditions June to December. Good kiting conditions can generally be found most days during this period in the afternoons. There are several kitesurfing schools that also offer rentals. Lessons cost around $50/hour and equipment rental around $25/hour. You may be able to bargain if you book numerous hours in advance.
Kitesurfing brought me to the sleepy village of santa marianita, but I wasn’t prepared for constant stream of whales that also play in the waters from June to September. They are actually dancing in front of my eyes as I write this guide from Punta La Barca, making it quite difficult to get anything done!
Diving
Ecuador has numerous world class dive sites around the Galapagos and Pacific Coast. The highlight for many are the hammerheads found at Wolf & Darwin islands in the Galapagos. But, there is so much more to see including whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, reef sharks, barracudas, penguins and loads more.
There are numerous dive schools located around both of these areas, with some very high end liveaboard options in the Galapagos if you’re looking to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime type experience.
Check out some of the more popular dive spots in this article.
Rafting
The Andes and Amazon regions of Ecuador offer some great rafting opportunities for beginners and experienced rafters. The “adventure capital” of Banos offers a wide variety of rafting and canyoning options popular for beginners, including class 3 rapids which are relatively tame. Several day trip options are available from Quito, making this an accessible option for most, regardless of how much time you are planning to spend in Ecuador. Dedicated rafters might find going further into the Amazon to be more rewarding.
Nomad Communities
The largest digital nomad community exists in Quito, with Guayaquil and Cuenca also following suit. There are also smaller nomad and expat communities dotted throughout the country to be explored. Vilcabamba in the Southern Andes is well renowned for alternative healing and permaculture nomads. The coastal regions generally tend to be based on certain activities such as Montanita for surfing, or Santa Marianita for kitesurfing.
You won’t find the same volume of “digital nomads” that exist in places like Medellin and Chiang Mai, but you also won’t be overrun by backpackers with laptops trying to cram as many countries into the smallest amount of time possible. This means I tend to connect better with the types of slow travellers Ecuador attracts, and locals are still authentically surprised by your visit to their place, and although often shy, curious to get to know you.
You will find numerous co-working options in each of the three large cities mentioned. With co-living options also starting to appear, particularly in Quito. I haven’t listed any here because they tend to come and go. The best places to find these out tend to be in nomad/expat online forums or Facebook groups. Some Facebook groups to try include:
– Ecuador Expats
– digital nomads ecuador
Also in countryside and coastal villages, coliving and even coworking options are available if you look for them. Whether it is your first experience with coliving or you’ve had a variety of experiences before living together across cultures, the best coliving communities are quite intentional about spaceholding.
The boom in teaching english online (predominantly to Chinese students), has led to a recent influx of English teachers choosing Ecuador as their base because of the lower cost of living that CAN be attained if you’re happy with a fairly simple lifestyle. You can certainly live comfortably in Ecuador earning $15-$20/hr online, but you might struggle if you’re chasing every western creature comfort that you are used to in North America, Europe or Australia.
Considering Ecuador as your next nomad destination?
Feel free to get in touch and we’ll try and point you in the right direction. Of course, if you’re planning on coming to the coastal province of Manabí, come and check Punta La Barca coliving and coworking space that has some of the best views you’re likely to see from any “office”, and the most friendly intercultural community.
Authors Bio
Jason is a slow digital nomad originally from Australia. He now calls Ecuador home. Feel free to follow him via Instagram (@jas__scott).
Jason’s article was updated in 2025 by Inge, Belgian remote worker living in Ecuador since 2013, and one of the founders of Punta la Barca coliving-coworking at the coast.
