The Ecuador Insider

In such a tiny country, it is amazing how varied the different climates are.

Ecuador is not the “fun in the sun” tropical destination that is many islands in the Caribbean with tons of humidity, scolding temperatures and mosquitoes to match.

Ecuador actually has a very mild, stable climate perfect for people in their later years looking to escape the white tundra of the US.

On the coast, the weather is a mild 65-78 degrees year round, with overcast skies much of the year (from May until mid December).

From late December to mid April, the skies clear up and visitors are welcomed with bluebird days one after the other after the other.

Not to mention, thanks to a warm, constant sea breeze, much of the coastal area has very little humidity.

Guayaquil, the largest urban sprawl of Ecuador, is right on the mouth of a large river with mangrove swamps all around, so, the humidity and heat of this city is often too much for foreigners to handle.

Cuenca and Quito, both cities tucked snuggly in the Andes Mountains, have very similar temperatures similar to that of a typical mountain town in Colorado in the Spring time.

For example, during the day you are fine with pants and a t shirt, at night you will need a light sweater.

In the eastern Amazon region, the weather is hot, the air stagnant and humid, and the skies often overcast with plentiful rain (it is the jungle).

One big plus of Ecuador is that the various microclimates of Ecuador remain relatively stable the entire year, so if you find something you like, stick to it.

Arguably the place with the BEST year round weather of Ecuador, (t shirt and shorts, comfortable, not hot, not cold) is the hidden valley of eternal youth that is Vilcabamba. With year round temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, this place is a small, quiet paradise tucked deep in the Andes mountains.

Whatever your taste, Ecuador has it all except for one thing… snow.

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Raw beachfront Ranch Land Sales open for any size development .

I will offer this whole beach property , 70,000 m2 @ $15 m2 / offer
or 1/2 acres lots starting at $15m2 up to $45 m2 [ depending on location of lot ]

As for the mountian land i can offer it as a whole for $330,000. usd thats 330,000m2 for $ 1 usd m2

located in Los Camarones just 5km north of Jama.

This is raw land with direct access from the ruta del sol . power follows the road and is easy to place on property . Water is not available at this time, unlike the homes found on the East Coast. You can learn more about homes for sale beaufort sc that are close to the beach if that’s what you prefer.

YES the mountian land has a private road deeded access , YES i own the land outright and is registered with the JAMA city . YES i can give title.

For more info please write via the contact form…thanks.

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Over the last few years in Ecuador, it has become more and more commonplace for owners to ask tenants to pay deposits before renting. But KNOW THIS before you fork over your dough!

In Ecuador, like in most developing countries, even though “in theory” you’re supposed to get your deposit back at the end of your rent… few ever do! Consider that money gone, and yourself lucky if you ever get it back.

Why? Well, you have to understand how people live in poor countries like Ecuador…usually “day to day” and in survival mode. From my experience, even the countries “rich” lack liquidity or have extra cash on hand because they’re way of saving is putting their money into real estate or businesses “so they don’t spend it”.

We must have compassion, people in the US have A LOT more options for their savings like 401Ks, mutual funds and the stock market than people in Ecuador/Latin America.

So the honest truth is, most people lack liquity, and spend your deposit once you give it to them. And when it comes due back to you, they simply don’t have it to give, and will find some lame reason not to give it back!

So even though you may have signed a contract, most know that it is unlikely you will go to the trouble of a lawsuit in the Ecuadorian legal system to recover it (although you can resort to this if you wish).

So, how can you avoid this situation?

Avoid it by shopping around a bit. Most in Ecuador will ask a deposit equal to two months rent, but many will only ask for one equal to one month’s rent and a few won’t ask for a deposit.

Usually you can negotiate directly with the property owner and if they like you, will go lower and allow you to stay for a reduced deposit. Be sure to state your reasoning and that you’ve had troubles getting your $ back in the past.

What’s worked for me, especially for shorter term rents (4 months or less) is I negotiate directly with the owner to see if I can pay a slightly higher rent in exchange for not paying a deposit…

For stays only a few weeks long, I wouldn’t even bother trying to rent and I’d stay in a vacation rental (like one you’d find in vrbo.com) or if you have a tighter budget in one of the many cheap hotels ($10-15/night or less) readily available in Ecuador (but not usually visible on the Internet). Most are quite clean and even comfortable. One good site to find some is hostelbookers.com. Still, if I am planning a vacation I prefer to go to Manuel Antonio, as this place offers the best family fun in Costa Rica.

Remember, there are many good people in Ecuador, and that generally people in other Latin American countries are NO BETTER about giving deposits back than Ecuador. But I’ve been hit by this both in Ecuador and in other countries and just wanted to be sure you aren’t!

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Good question. You want me to keep it real, right?

I remember a few years back someone robbed me while in Guayaquil, I called the police, and they never showed up…and from what the locals told me, this isn’t that strange.

The good news is that the situation has improved over the last few years with the Correa administration. In fact, they have hired SO many police it seems to some that Ecuador is trying to employ their entire male population as policemen.

President Correa has also raised the salaries of the police, gotten them better equipment and cleaned out a lot of the corruption.

The police won’t bother you in the street or ask to see your passport, and can help you in a sticky situation.

In general, the situation has improved over the last few years by leaps and bounds but is not perfect.

To answer the question, can you trust the local police in Ecuador, I would say …”More than a few years ago but still not quite as much as you could maybe in the US (but I’m not Rodney King)”.

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Wouldn’t it be great to know what the current worldwide demand is for “Ecuador real estate” and how its changed over the last few years…from an unbiased source (not from someone trying to sell us something).

Well, leave it to an internet geek like myself to find that for ya’.

Entering the new year, this week I thought it’d be interesting to do some analysis and report on where the market is right now for Ecuador property and how it has done over the past year.

While researching with some of the tools Google provides to advertisers for optimizing their ad campaigns, I stumbled across some info that I find just… staggering…

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