Ecuador’s is a well-known expat go-to place especially for retirees. It is hard to imagine why not, when the country is blessed with colonial heritage, the Amazon forest, and Andean mountain peaks as backdrops to a new life. If you’re on your way to this country, here’s some important information we’ve compiled to help you.
- Expat Clubs
- Schools
- Local News Sources
- Country Information
- Resident and Work visa information
- How to get a driving license
- Where to live and about the accomodation types
- Healthcare information including Hospitals and Insurance
Expat Clubs
Experiment in International Living (EIL Ecuador)
The Experiment in International Living (EIL Ecuador) is a non-profit organization established in Ecuador in 1977 to encourage intercultural exchange among persons of different cultures, religions and ages.
Address: Hernando de la Cruz N31-37 y Mariana de Jesús, Quito-Ecuado
Tel: +593 2 2551937, +593 2 2906457, +593 2 2239429, +593 2 2233529, +593 2 2233528
Email: eil@eilecuador.org
Website: www.eilecuador.org
International Schools
Alliance Academy International
http://www.alliance.k12.ec/
The Alliance Academy International is a private Christian elementary and secondary school in Quito, Ecuador, with a curriculum based on the United States program of education.
Curriculum: American
Address: Casilla 17-11-06186, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 226 7510
Fax: +593 2 226 4350
FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Alliance-Academy-International/177889825587235?ref=ts
Website: www.alliance.k12.ec
American School of Guayaquil
The Colegio Americano de Guayaquil is a private non-profit, non-sectarian, bilingual and bicultural organization whose utmost interest is to fulfill the educational needs of its students.
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Address: Av. Juan Tanca Marengo Km. 6.5 y Av. Gómez Gould, P.O. BOX 09-01-752, Ecuador
Tel: +593 4 3082 020 ext. 210-211
Email: info@colegioamericano.edu.ec
Website: www.colegioamericano.edu.ec
Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito
Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito is a private, bilingual school that was founded in 1995 and is affiliated with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito.
Curriculum: American, AP
Address: Vía a Santa Inés s/n, Cumbayá, Quito
Tel: +593 2 400 8100
FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Colegio-Menor-San-Francisco-de-Quito/287909561352062
Website: www.colegiomenor.edu.ec
Inter-American Academy Guayaquil
Address: PUERTO AZUL KM. 10.5 VIA A LA COSTA, GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR
Tel: +593 4 371 3360
Fax: +593 4 371 3389
Website: www.interamerican.edu.ec/#
The British School Quito
The British School Quito is an autonomous, non-denominational and not for profit educational foundation.
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Address: Via Cununyacu, Km 2.5 Tumbaco, P. O. Box 17-21-52, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 2374 649, +593 2 2374 650, +593 2 2374 651
Mobile: +593 9 970 7060
Email: admissions@britishschoolquito.edu.ec
FB: www.facebook.com/pages/British-School-Quito/569364333090570
Website: www.britishschoolquito.edu.ec/web/
Local News in English
Ecuador Times
This is an English-language news site that delivers local news, sports, entertainment, economics and the world.
Website: www.ecuadortimes.net
Country Information
Location: South America
Capital City: Quito
Other Important Cities:
Currency: US Dollar
Language: Spanish
Calling Code: +593
Internet TLD: .ec
Electricity: The country runs on 120V 60Hz. Ecuador makes use of hydro power.
Emergency Numbers: 911
Fire: 102
Police: 101
Country Information
en.wikipedia.org
Country Study
lcweb2.loc.gov/frd
Embassy Information
embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/ecuador
Residents Visa and Work Permit information
Visitors from most countries may enter and stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days. Nationals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Eritrea, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan and Somalia will have to obtain a visa from an Ecuadorian embassy or consulate.
For longer stays, expats will have to obtain a one of two long-term visas.A non-resident visa includes student visa, work visa, religious missionary and voluntary visa. A resident visa includes pensioners visa, investors visa, and work (indefinite contract) legal and religious. The Ministry of External Relations has a full details.
Accommodation
Rental prices in Ecuador are cheap. Places like Quito and Guayaquil are popular among expatriates. These areas have a good range of choices from apartments to houses. Retirees usually go to Cuenca and Mantina away from the bustle of the metropolitan cities.
Word-of-mouth is a good approach, finding rentals and at the same time letting others know you are looking. Searching through an Internet database will likely to yield a lot of information. Also, listings are usually advertised in classifieds, newspapers and notice boards.
A more pro-active approach is going round the city looking for the sign ‘se alquila’ or to let, and a phone number which is normally the landlord’s.
Driving License
It is recommended to have an international driving license in case of any issues or accidents. However, a domestic license will suffice except this is only good for 30 days, and after that, you will have to take a driving course to get an Ecuadorian license. For more information please visit: www.adcidl.com/Driving-in-Ecuador.html
Healthcare
The Ecuadorian health system is known for being cheap yet high quality. Many tourists take advantage of this, flying to the country to receive inexpensive treatments. There are public and private facilities, however expats prefer going to private hospitals. They are cheap and offers a higher standard of care than the public healthcare. It is still recommended to secure health insurance that can minimize the cost of medical treatments further.
Insurance Companies
BMI Companies
They provide solutions for the International community, with a high quality product portfolio in Life Insurance, Health Insurance with worldwide coverage, Disability Plans, Travel Assistance Plans and Investment Products. They work in Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
Address: 8950 SW 74th Ct., Miami, Florida 33156, USA
Tel: +1 305 443 2898
Fax: +1 305 442 8486
Email: bmi@bmicos.com
Website: www.bmicos.com/web/?leng=en
Hospitals
Hospital de Clinicas Pichincha
This is a private institution located in the geographic center of Quito.
Address: Páez N22 - between 160 and Veintemilla Ramirez Davalos, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 2998700
Fax: +593 2 2569797
Email: info@hcp.com.ec
Website: hcp.com.ec/website
Hospital Vozandez
This is facility whose medical values are intertwined with spiritual values, offering a unique, holistic approach to health care. Their services include: Emergency, Hospital care, Operations, Specialty Clinics, Diagnostic Services, Administrative Services and more.
Address: Villaengua 267 y 10 de Agosto, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 245 140
Website: www.hospitalvozandes.org
Hospital Metropolitano
Address: Av. Mariana de Jesús s/n y Nicolás Arteta
Tel: 593 2 399 8000 ext. 2153
Toll Free: 1-800 hmetro (463876)
Fax: +593 2 226 9824
Website: hospitalmetropolitano.org/en/index.php
Clinica Pasteur
Address: Av Eloy Alfaro 552 and 9 de Octubre, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 234 004
Website (Spanish): clinicapasteur.org
Clinica La Merced
Address: Mejia 830 y Cotopaxi, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 248 821
Clinica San Gabriel
Address: Rumipamba 1536 y Av. America, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 248 821
Clinica Santa Cecilia
Address: Ventimilia 1394, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 254 5602
Fax: +593 2 222 8814
Clinica Universitaria
Address: Pampite y Diego de Robles Circulo de Cumbaya, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 895 723, +593 2 894 185
Fax: +593 2 890 070
Conjunto Clínico Nacional Conclina C.A.
Address: Av. Mariana De Jesus y Nicolas Arieta, Ed. Hospital Metropolitano, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: +593 2 3998 000
