Ecuador is a cheap place to live, no doubt about it. Those who think life in Ecuador costs about the same as other Latin American destinations like Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, or the Dominican Republic are mistaken. Of course, how much you spend greatly depends on your personal spending habits, and a little on the area of the city in which you live. But Ecuador is a land where the  dollar still goes a long way, and people still cherish their pennies. Food, transport, medical and housing costs are all considerably lower than in most of the western hemisphere.

Right now in Ecuador, you have access to every comfort available in the Western world - new cars (used cars cannot be imported into Ecuador, a rule that keeps smog producers out), television sets, cell phones, computers, and the most modern Internet access. In addition, you also have access to personal services (a driver, a live-in maid, and a cook, for example) that are no longer available in the United States or Europe except to the very rich.

By living in Ecuador, you’ll be able to enjoy a quality of life that’s hard to beat anywhere else in the world. If you like the outdoors, dream of owning a Spanish colonial home in a colonial city, or want to spend hours strolling on an undeveloped beach, then living in Ecuador may be for you.

It’s not just properties that are affordable in Ecuador–nearly everything is. From the cost of hiring a full-time maid to the price of dinner in a fine restaurant, you’ll be surprised at how little it costs to live in Ecuador.

Enjoy All of the Amenities and More by Living in Ecuador

In the major cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, you can enjoy all of the Western conveniences you are accustomed to. New cars abound, including several brands made right here in Ecuadorian factories. Everyone has cell phones, and Internet connections are just as common. World-class restaurants serve excellent meals, yet you’ll be hard pressed to pay more than $50 for a dinner for two, drinks included. It’s not difficult to live in Ecuador on less than $17,000 per year, and you don’t have to live an unattractive lifestyle in order to do so.

Living in Ecuador, you’ll also have access to excellent medical care. In the bigger cities, you’ll find hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as specialists in all fields and physicians with private clinics. The average visit to the doctor’s office costs just $20, with a specialist running about $20 to $25.

While it’s true that the costs of living in Ecuador are low, permitting expats to live on very little, some expats use the low cost of living as a means to enhance their lifestyle. Many foreign residents have a main home in the city, but also have a country home, a beach property, or even property in another country, something that would be more difficult to do in the U.S. It’s also possible to increase your traveling, own nice cars, or partake in other diversions that this low cost of living can afford you.