Guayaquil, Ecuador Report of what it's like to live there - 10/18/20
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?
No, I have also lived in eastern and southern Africa.
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?
New York, it's a direct overnight flight or a connection through Miami. Very easy.
3. How long have you lived here?
1.5 years.
4. What years did you live here?
2019-2021.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is nice, decent-sized houses or apartments in gated communities, all about a 10 min drive from the Consulate. Many have small yards and/or pools.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can get most things. If you can't get it here you can get it shipped via DPO/pouch.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
It's easy to order stuff via DPO/pouch if you can't get it here or it's too expensive here.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
UberEats, Glovo, and many restaurants have their own delivery person. There's pizza, seafood, Ecuadorian food, very basic Chinese, one good Indian place, a couple okay sushi places.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitos during rainy season but they're fine if you use bug spray or citronella candles if you're in the backyard. Cockroaches, little geckos, and occasional frogs and iguanas are normal.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO/pouch. There's no local mail.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Not expensive, but there are regulations around having a contract and paying into the national social security system. With the required bonuses, etc., it's a bit more.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There's a small but decent Consulate gym. Aside from that there aren't many options. A couple mediocre Crossfit gyms and yoga studios, but you'll have to drive to them in other parts of town. Some people use home gyms.
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?
Yes and yes.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You need Spanish, as the average Guayaquileno doesn't speak English.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
It's not ideal but manageable.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
We aren't allowed to take them. Uber is cheap and reliable though.
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?
SUV or other higher-clearance vehicle. Don't bring a low/small car, there are a lot of speed bumps here and the occasional hole in the road. You won't be able to do most road trips out of town in a small car either.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, most houses have fiber now, and AERA can set it up for you before you arrive. It's affordable.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I ported my American number to Google Voice. Local SIM and phone plan are cheap and reliable here.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No quarantine requirement and most housing allows pets. Vets are okay for basic stuff, but if you have a complicated situation it's much harder to find good vet care.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Telecommuting to US jobs or working in the Consulate. There are a small handful of Consulate jobs and jobs at the local international school.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
In public, casual. At work it depends on your section.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
There is petty crime in Guayaquil but not more than any other urban city. You should always be careful with your valuables, keep your door locked, etc.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is fine, there's a decent amount of pollution and it gets very humid here during the rainy season, but otherwise it's a fine post for a generally healthy person.
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?
It's hard to go for a run outside the gated communities because they're all on a long busy road with a lot of traffic and smog. With the humidity it makes running/biking hard unless you go early in the morning or in the evening. The humidity makes clothes wear out faster-- it helps to have a dehumidifier in your closet.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
People with shellfish allergies should be extra cautious as shrimp/conch/seafood are super popular here and there's probably a lot of cross-contamination in restaurants.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Nope.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
There's a rainy season and a dry season: during the rainy season it's more humid and it rains, during the dry season there's no rain. It's around 80-85 degrees in both.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There's an international school located inside of one of the gated communities.
2. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes: tennis, basketball, and language.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There are very few expats aside from those of us who work at the Consulate. Morale is good but people tend to find their groups and stick with them.
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?
Most people hang out with other people from the Consulate or from the international school. Others have met people through church and through sports.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
For families and couples, yes. For single people it might be a little slow/boring.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Yes, it's easy. There is prejudice towards indigenous people.
5. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
There are a lot of fantastic travel opportunities in Ecuador: volcanoes, mountains, the Amazon, beautiful national parks, hiking, waterfalls, natural hot springs, and the Galapagos. Within about 6-8 hours driving or an hour or less flight you can access pretty much all the major sights in the country.
6. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Cerro Blanco and ESPOL are good places to go hiking in the city. Reserva Manglares Churute is less than 2 hours away and also a great hike with howler monkeys. Cuenca is an old city with good food, interesting architecture, and a lovely river about 3 hours away. Lots of cute little beach towns with good seafood and surfing.
7. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are a few things, most come from the Sierra (mountain part of the country) but you can get them in Guayaquil or in most touristy areas. Blankets, parkas, paintings, and wooden masks are all popular.
8. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Great fresh seafood, friendly people, beaches a relatively close drive (not that nice but good for surfing and just for being near the ocean), cheap services, quick and easy flight to Miami, pretty Americanized culturally.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, I really like Guayaquil.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Winter coats, jackets, frankly anything with pants or sleeves.
3. But don't forget your:
Bug spray, sunscreen, and SUV.
