Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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Ecuador's grid operator CENACE has ordered businesses to self-generate electricity from 9 AM to 11 PM on weekdays since March 17. The Coca Codo Sinclair dam is operating at 37% capacity, and Colombia has suspended 450 MW in electricity exports.
A single expat can live comfortably in Ecuador for $1,200 to $1,500 per month, while couples typically spend $1,800 to $2,500. Here is a detailed breakdown of what things actually cost in 2026, from rent and groceries to healthcare and transportation.
Ecuador remains 50-70% cheaper than the United States in 2026, but inflation and the Colombia trade war are nudging some prices higher. Here are the latest monthly budgets, healthcare costs, and price benchmarks for expats in Cuenca, Quito, and the coast.
Latin America's largest mobile carrier will spend $600 million over three years to modernize its Ecuador network, expand coverage, and roll out 5G. Service is already live in Guayaquil, Quito, Puerto Ayora, and Coca.
Ecuador's coast just got a significant internet upgrade. Seven 5G radio base stations are now operational in Manta, making it one of the first mid-sized cities outside Quito and Guayaquil to join the national 5G rollout.
The National Assembly approved the Organic Law for Strengthening Cybersecurity with 82 votes. The law requires mandatory cybersecurity education in schools, establishes incident reporting obligations for organizations, and aligns Ecuador with international standards like ISO 27000 and the Budapest Convention.
Ecuador's state-owned telecom CNT has begun installing 5G base stations in Cuenca as part of a 422-station nationwide rollout built with Nokia. Speeds up to 1.5 Gbps are expected by mid-year.
Fresh figures from INEC show that Cuenca's registered foreign resident population has climbed to 28,000 -- a 15% year-over-year increase that cements the highland city's status as Ecuador's top expat destination.
A bill working its way through Ecuador's legislature would establish a dedicated digital nomad visa with a $1,500 monthly income requirement and a two-year term -- potentially making the country far more accessible for remote workers.
