| Ecuador is cheap, no doubt about it. | | | | buses cost around $1 per hour traveled. So, in other |
| Those who think life in Ecuador costs about the | | | | words, you can go from one end (Colombian border) |
| same as other Latin American destinations like | | | | of Ecuador to the other (Peruvian border) for around |
| Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, or the Dominican Republic | | | | $17. |
| are mistaken. | | | | Taxis within one of the major cities usually costs |
| Of course, how much you spend greatly depends on | | | | around $2-3 for a short 10-15 minute ride. |
| your personal spending habits, and a little on the area | | | | Medical: |
| of the city in which you live. | | | | The level of care is surprisingly very high in Ecuador, |
| But Ecuador is a land where a dollar still goes a long | | | | and particularly within the private clinics, hygiene is |
| way, and people still cherish their pennies. | | | | placed at an even higher premium than in some clinics |
| Food, transport, medical and housing costs are all | | | | I have visited in the US. |
| considerably lower than in most of the western | | | | A standard doctor consultation costs around $25. A |
| hemisphere. | | | | teeth cleaning starts around $40, and to fill a cavity |
| Food: | | | | starts around $20. |
| A 3-course plate lunch in a local restaurant in the | | | | Full coverage medical plans for seniors start around |
| street costs around $2. Many small, local families do all | | | | $87-180 dollars a month (depending on personal |
| their grocery shopping for the month for under | | | | circumstances). |
| $150-200. (Of course, knowing how to shop, finding | | | | Housing: |
| the deals, and shopping a lot in local markets.) | | | | Both costs to purchase and rent are relatively low in |
| Even the international fast food chains have adapted | | | | Ecuador. To rent a small, 1 bedroom apartment in |
| to Ecuadorian prices. For example, in Pizza Hut, you | | | | one of the major cities starts around $150-200 a |
| can buy a personal pan pizza for $1.50, and in KFC | | | | month. To rent a luxury, furnished one bedroom |
| you can get a plate lunch with rice, beans and | | | | suite-apartment in a nice area of Quito (for instance) |
| chicken for $1.75. | | | | is starting around $400 (and up). |
| Transport: | | | | Purchase prices greatly depend on the area and |
| Thankfully, with plentiful taxis and public transport, | | | | property type, but you could find a small apartment, |
| Ecuador is one of those countries where you truly | | | | already-built starting around $30,000 almost |
| don't need a car. I have never waited longer than 10 | | | | everywhere in Ecuador. |
| minutes for a bus in the street, nor has it took me | | | | Oh yea, and did I mention that in Ecuador you also |
| longer than 6 minutes to flag down a taxi. | | | | never have to worry about exchange fees, because |
| This automatically eliminates the costs you incur for | | | | Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency. |
| car insurance, repairs and parking. | | | | So hop that 4 hour flight from Miami, Ecuador awaits |
| A city bus costs a whopping $.25 cents and inter-city | | | | you. |