Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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Ecuador's 2026 local elections will determine mayors, prefects, and city council members across the country. Contested races in Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca could reshape municipal governance in the cities where most expats live.
Ecuador's economy is projected to grow approximately 2% in 2026 with inflation holding near 1.5%. Country risk stands at 460 basis points. Here is what the numbers mean for expats living on dollar-denominated income in a dollarized economy.
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's Registro Civil has extended walk-in service for cédulas and passports through July 31, 2026. No online appointment required at any of the 64 agencies nationwide. In Cuenca, the San Blas office can issue a passport in about 30 minutes.
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.
The International Monetary Fund reports Ecuador is 'recovering much faster than anticipated' from the devastating 2024 blackout crisis. Inflation is forecast at just 1.5% for 2026 — among the lowest in Latin America — though housing costs spiked 16.97%.
Manabí province’s two largest cities generated $20.5 million in tourism revenue during the four-day Carnival holiday, with Manta recording 90% hotel occupancy and the Mariana Fest alone drawing 60,000 people to El Murciélago beach.
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.
Quito residents are reporting water bills that tripled or quadrupled overnight after the municipality shifted garbage collection fees from the electric bill to the water bill starting February 1. The mayor says the charges are correct — the sticker shock comes from how shared meters divide the cost.
