Guayaquil, Ecuador Report of what it's like to live there - 05/02/13
Personal Experiences from Guayaquil, Ecuador
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Asia & Europe.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Direct flight to NY and Miami.
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
30 minutes or so when traffic is bad.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
The local Mega Maxi is very expensive. Fish Market is good and cheap. Anything imported is expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Speciality foods, such as Asian sauces, etc.
Spices, as there is not much variety here.
A treadmill, as it is very hot to exercise outdoors.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Regular American ones. Cheap street food, like empanadas, patacones, rice and beans. Not many ethnic choices are available.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes, tons of them, especially in the summer time.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Plenty.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Nor recommended.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
As much as possible. Local do not speak English.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Not recommended.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
High clearance. Bring a safe car, as driving is aggressive here.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, but service is patchy at times.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Public transportation is not authorized for US Consulate people; only vetted cabs. Some Americans have been robbed.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Affordable. Not sure about quality.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Seasonal. During rainy season there is no dust, but when it's dry it can be a problem around the consulate housing area, as there is work going on.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and rainy or hot and dry.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Teacher retentions seems to be a problem. The high school is not recommended.
Students are primarily Ecuadorian kids.
2. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Limited options, as IAA runs a different schedule than the local schools. No summer program.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small. There is limited social interaction other than with Americans.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Limited, only within the consulate.
3. Morale among expats:
Low.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Depends, some love it, some hate it. Expat morale not very good.
5. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Travel to Colombia, Chile, Peru, etc.
Getting fluent in Spanish as hardly anyone speaks English.
6. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Beaches & seafood.
7. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Seafood.
8. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Travel around South America, although air fare is very expensive.
9. Can you save money?
Yes, if you shop locally and avoid MegaMaxi.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
warm clothes.
3. But don't forget your:
insect repellant.
