Guayaquil, Ecuador Report of what it's like to live there - 05/08/25
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've also lived in New Delhi, India.
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?
California, USA. The direct flights from the US are Miami and NY.
3. What years did you live here?
2023-2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Work, but there are a lot of advantages to retiring in Ecuador, and I may be back!
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Better and cheaper produce and seafood than you will find in the US. In Guayaquil, seafood and peanuts are everywhere, so hopefully you enjoy that. They grow great coffee and chocolate here.
2. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
If there are American products you cannot live without, bring them, because they are more expensive here. For example, American shampoo like Pantene and repellent with DEET are available but are about twice as expensive here. Bring your own nut butter.
3. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
I can't get enough encebollado and ceviche. Uber eats works.
4. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Unusual? No, but I see geckos, mosquitoes, and the occasional cockroach in my luxury apartment.
Daily Life:
1. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
$30-35 a day for a housekeeper. One day a week is more than enough for a single person.
2. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
It is possible along via a la costa, there is a bike trail, but it is not pleasant. Some of the gated communities have walking trails. The Malecon downtown is great for walking along the river.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Cash is king unless you're at a mall or a upscale business. The smaller bills you have the better because small vendors struggle to make change.
4. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
10 out of 10. Spanish is important. Locals will be patient and encouraging, but most do not have experience interacting with foreigners, so are not skilled at slowing down and simplifying when speaking with you.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
City buses and hailing taxis are not safe. Ubers are affordable, but not always available when you need one. I have taken buses between cities with no issues. I do not travel with anything in GYE or by bus that I am not emotionally prepared to be stolen. I noticed the local bus passengers do not put anything in the overhead compartments of the bus, so I hold everything in my lap. The CLP bus takes you from GYE Bus Terminal to beach locations for less than $10.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
I am glad I brought an all-wheel drive vehicle with good clearance, especially during the rainy season which can get muddy and flooded. Ecuadorian insurance is arranged through the consulate, but paid for by the employee. I brought my own car oil, filters, windshield wipers, etc. and am glad I did because there are very few Subarus down here.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, Netlife and Claro. I pay less than $100/mo.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Estudio Paulsen is a small independent theater you should check out. An American directed a show there and it was a big hit.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Guayaquil is the most casual place I have ever lived, perhaps because it is a coastal city.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Look at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=44031958015&gbraid=0AAAAAqbBk5uLBDV1O0tbcS7LOOhAm68qq&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2LWvvtmUjQMVZl9HAR1A3hbNEAAYASAAEgLclfD_BwE.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
I have not been thrilled with the medical and dental care that I have had here, so I suggest taking care of everything you can in advance.
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?
Moderate.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
In Guayaquil, seafood and peanuts are everywhere, so hopefully you enjoy that.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
The days are the same length every day all year.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small. I see more expats in Cuenca and Olon.
2. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
The advice I got when I got here was, “Do what you enjoy doing, and you’ll have more local friends than you want.” That has been true.
3. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Better and cheaper produce and seafood than you will find in the US. Biodiversity. Cocoa farms. It’s never hard to find a cold coconut. It’s always warm enough to swim outdoors. The beach is 1.25-4 hours away depending on where you go. Amazing nature and travel opportunities. Surfing, scuba, whale-watching, paragliding, are all available at the coast. There is a hike at Cerrro Blanco where you can see howler monkeys within 10 min from housing. The biodiversity and bird watching are incredible. Amazing travel opportunities to explore the Galapagos, the Andes, hot springs, colonial gems like Cuenca and Quito, the Amazon and the Pacific Ocean. Surfing, scuba, whale-watching, paragliding, are all available at the coast.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No, but I may retire on the coast.
