The Land of The Galápagos Islands & La Mitad del Mundo (Equatorial Line Monument)

Information on Relocating to Ecuador

• The capital city of Ecuador is Quito with about 1.8 million people. The political centre is also in Quito where the President resides. Ecuador is a Democratic Republic.

• Languages: Spanish is the official language but Quechua and other indigenous languages are common. Some English is spoken. The TV programs are mainly in Spanish but there are some programs in English.  Cable and satellite television (international channels) is also widely available.

• Population: The population is about 13.5 million people - 65% are mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white), 25% Amerindian, 7% Spanish and others, 3% black.

• Expat areas: Most popular areas are Guayaquil and Quito.

• Housing: Houses and apartments, generally unfurnished, are available for rental and expatriates will have no difficulty in finding suitable accommodation with car parking facilities (garage or carport).

• Cost of housing:  If you decide to rent a house by the Northern districts of larger cities such as Guayaquil, or Quito; these, are quite expensive areas and the cost ranges between US$ 700 and US$ 2500 per month (always depending on the property). The local currency is US Dollar (US$).

• Schools: We have the American, the  British, the French and the International school. Depending on the age we can tell you about a possible waiting lists, etc.

• Transportation: Guayaquil and Quito have bus and minibus services operating at flat fares. In Ecuador taxis are very cheap for short journeys, but meters are only used by taxi-drivers in Quito. In Guayaquil, meters are installed by law but drivers do not use them: be sure to ascertain the fare beforehand, or you could be overcharged. In smaller towns, meters do not exist; at weekends and at night fares are 25 to 50 percent higher.

• Bank: The banks are open Mondays-Fridays from 9.00 am - 1.30 pm and from 2.30 pm - 6.30 pm. Some banks are also open Saturday 9.30 am - 2.00 pm. Casas de cambio (exchange houses) are open Monday-Friday 9.00 am -6.00 pm, Saturday 9.00 am - 12.00 noon.

• Shopping: Is generally done from Monday-Friday 10.00 am - 8.00 pm, Saturday 8.00 am - 9.00 pm (times are for shopping malls; local stores may have shorter opening hours). Some shops open Sunday.

• Climate: Warm and subtropical. Weather varies within the country due to the Andes mountain range and coastal changes. Andean regions are cooler and it is especially cold at nights in the mountains. Rainfall is high in coastal and jungle areas. In the Galápagos the weather is dry and mild.

• Culture: There is little nightlife except in Quito and Guayaquil where there are excellent restaurants and other attractions. In smaller towns, social life takes place in the home and in private clubs. The cinema is the most popular form of entertainment.

• Public holidays: January 1st-New Year's Day; January 6th-Epiphany; February 27th-National Unity Day to commemorate the Battle of Tarqui in 1829; March/April-Holy Week (dates vary); May 1st-Labour Day; May 24th-Battle of Pichincha in 1822; July 24th-Simón Bolívar's birthday; August 10th-Independence of Quito in 1809; October 12th-Columbus Day/Día de la Raza; November 1st-All Saints' Day; December 6th-Foundation of Quito; December 25th-Christmas Day; December 31st-New Year's Eve.