Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Extra, Ecopaís and diesel are expected to drop by about five cents per gallon from Sunday, July 12. The change follows Decreto Ejecutivo 444 and applies inside Ecuador’s fuel-price band system.
Beef without bone is one of the food items Ecuadorian households spend the most on, and sector figures point to a smaller cattle herd and supply pressure behind higher prices.
Salinas has opened its humpback whale watching season, with accredited boats offering two-hour trips and a reported fare of $21 per passenger.
Ecuador’s banking system added more first-time credit card users in 2025, with 4.63 million cards recording consumption. The trend matters for residents building local financial history.
Older adults and people with disabilities can use Ecuador’s automatic IVA refund system when registered with SRI and using an active confirmation code. For older adults, the 2026 monthly refund cap remains up to $144.60.
Ecuador’s customs agency is reminding travelers returning during the World Cup to review the personal-effects rules before flying home. The warning is practical: know what is tax-free before you reach airport controls.
Asobanca says Ecuador’s private banks will keep major service channels available during the June 26 national holiday. Branches, digital banking, ATMs and non-bank correspondents are expected to operate.
Teleamazonas reports that diesel reached USD 3.25 per gallon in June 2026 and Extra gasoline reached USD 3.31. Prices continue to adjust monthly under Ecuador’s band system tied to international fuel-market movement.
Colombia is considering restarting electricity exports to Ecuador, but El Niño could make those sales uncertain from November 2026 into early 2027. The issue matters because the Colombia interconnection can supply about 450 MW, nearly 10% of Ecuador’s average demand.
Ecuador’s tax authority says automatic IVA refund or exemption is available at authorized stores for adults over 65 and people with disabilities. The list includes major supermarket and pharmacy chains, but shoppers need a confirmation code before paying.
Ecuador recorded 12,322 vehicle-embargo judicial processes in 2025, and 10,609 more from January through May 2026. The numbers matter for anyone financing a car under a pledge or title-reservation structure.
Ecuador’s unemployment rate fell to 3.1% in May 2026, while adequate employment stood at 36.6% and 52.8% of employed people were in the informal sector.
