Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

In 1994 when ghost lived and studied in Ecuador, it was extremely cheap to live there - that was before ``dollarization.``

At that time - ghost was able to stay at a hotel called the something ``Palace`` in Quito old town, for the equivalent of $5 a night. Meals in ordinary places were just $1, and in Esmeraldas the acccommodation was just $3 a night for a nice clean hotel with private shower and toilet!

What are the prices for those things now, since dollarization, and how far does a teachers` salary go in Ecuador?

Ghost does not believe dollarization helps the average Ecuadorean, because, one suspects that prices for goods and services are higher, but that basic salaries have not risen much.

Thank for any input on the current situation.

Ghost, certified ESL/FSL teacher, French Montreal school board

[Kramer]

Hello ghost,

Ecuador is cheap, but I am not sure that is as cheap as when you went.

Dollarization has virtually halted inflation in Ecuador whereas previously it was out of control, and most Ecuadorans support it, to the point that the winning presidential candidate in the most recent election had to severely moderate his positions on anti-dollarization to win (even against a weak opposition candidate). Inflation has been around 3% a year there for the past few years, I believe. But as in many countries without truly free markets, imports are expensive.

I only visited Ecuador in the summer of 1995. It is very cheap. I could even get a medicore almuerzo in the expensive north part of Quito for $1.50. The south part of the city is cheaper, and for the same price you can probably get a good meal.

In Quito, I think hostels run around $5-6 a night for shared accomodation. Maybe 8 to 11 for private accomodation, I am not exactly sure. This is near the tourist areas. A 20 minute cab ride is ~$5, and public transport is very cheap. Spanish school in Quito is about half the price of Spanish school in Mexico. A hotel room in the richer north part of Quito is probably about $28.

On my last night there, my friend wanted to eat at a really expensive white table cloth fancy type place not too far from Old Town. The food was multi-course, simply outstanding, with appetizer, dessert, coffee, the works, as good of a restaurant as I have ever been. For the two of us, I think the bill was about $28.

Cuenca (perhaps 300K people) is nicer, richer, and smaller than Quito and better (warmer) weather, IMO. Cuenca is probably more expensive, though.

I have not taught in Ecuador, however, so I will let others chime in about that. I think like most of the Latin countries, you are mostly breaking even.

The public medical facilities are not good or very sanitary by Western standards (this was according to the medical students I made friends with who were doing rounds there). I am assuming the private hospitals would be fine, however.

You need lots of 1's and 5's, to the point that having a 20 is a complete liability and you may need to go to the bank to break it (that is what I was forced to do). I had restaurant staff get upset that I paid for a $2.50 meal with a $10 dollar bill. We wanted to break a $20 bill at that expensive restaurant and they said no

This is what I have picked up from being on the Yahoo Ecuador group email alias from people who live there: It is considered normal to be "clever" and take advantage of gringos. And when you make any agreement of any kind, make sure it is in writing. A verbal assurance or a promise in a business transaction is worthless.

Kramer

[ghost]

[Justin Trullinger]

I'm in Quito now. Kramer is on the money with some things, but others have changed a fair bit.

It's true that, under dollarization, inflation is much lower than it was. This doesn't take into account the instantaneous inflation which took place when Ecuador dollarized at 25000 sucres to the dollar. (Artificially and ridiculously high.) This affected a lot of people in various ways. An outstanding mortgage, for example, changed to dollars, and multiplied in value, in terms of money owed. The house it was owed against, however, didn't multiply nearly as much, and many people lost their homes. Though inflation has been stable since, the value of consumer goods multiplied in the moment of dollarization, and salaries didn't. So you're right, though things are okay now, it hurt at the time.

[Kramer]

Justin,

Wow, thanks for the Ecuador info. I was interested to learn more, too, and your post was very helpful.

[naturegirl321]

[Justin Trullinger]

There are teachers who make a bit more here, but they tend to be on two jobs and 15 hour days. Not my idea of quality of life.

Within the range I listed, it isn't especially hard to save- just knowing that savings, like most things, will be to local standards.

It's a reasonably easy living if you aren't extragant, and don't have first world debt.

Comments on third world debt and dolarization when I get some more time...

All the best,
Justin

[ghost]

Thanks for the input - seems like the accommodation has increased quite a bit. Ghost never paid more than $5 U.S. per night/equivalent in 1994 for accommodation, and even stayed at a luxurious homestay near the `Carolina Park`district for $10 U.S. per day including breakfast and dinner of very high quality - again in 1994.

Dollarization, ghost believes, helps the rich more than the masses, who, ghost suspects, are on similar salaries than before, but with much less disposable income because of massive price increases.

Ecuador used to be so ridiculously cheap (in 1994 before dollarization) that ghost had trouble spending more than $10/day - and that included hotels and three meals per day in `comedors` where they serve the typical dish of the day including a drink.

From what people say, Ecuador, now, would probably cost about $20 U.S. per day for a budget traveller staying in the cheapest lodgings and eating in the cheapest modest `comedors.`

The salaries in Ecuador now are more than before, but the cost of living is higher it seems, including intercity travel by bus.

Ghost liked the vibrant Afro-Caribbean type culture of Esmeraldas, with its dynamic nightlife and spontaneous people in the parks. Has anyone been to Esmeraldas of late?

In 1994 ghost stayed at the very well run and clean Diana Hotel in Esmeraldas paying just $3.50 per night for a clean room with private shower and toilet (cold water though). It ate most meals at one of the Chinese Restaurants in town, and took the mini bus to one of the beaches located about 20 mins ride from the city centre.

Ghost, ESL teacher, Montreal French school district

[AdiBoo]

I feel the need to interject with my experience.

It's strange, the cost/lack thereof of countries. I think it's very important to be very clear about what you're talking about when discussing, because in my year in South America, I have found myself to be rather misled.

First, I went to Argentina. Everyone told me that Argentina was one of the cheapest places on the content. And that was true... to an extent. But not in one very important category: rent. As a foreigner unwilling to sign a one-year rent contract and lacking garantias, it was a huge headache for me to find affordable housing. I was able to find ways around this, but without the guarantors, I found living costs to be a huge headache.

In contrast, Ecuador is incredibly cheap. I spent three days looking for a place and ended up sharing a fully furnished, two-floor apartment with an Ecuadorian in downtown Quito for $100/month. Add utilities and I'm at $110. And while this is on the low side, I don't believe that I was incredibly lucky or resourceful... I just hit mercadolibre.com and the daily paper for a few days until I found this.

So, IMHO, it is very possible to live incredibly cheap in Ecuador (or at least in Quito). Public transport is extensive, taxis are relatively cheap ($2-4 at night for most anywhere you'd want to go, half that during the day). Eat at mom and pop food joints and you're paying $1-2 for lunch, make your own meals and you pay less. And it seems to me like you'd only find cheaper if you went somewhere outside of the capital. Buses between cities are also well-priced ($1/hour, give or take).

Laundry is a little pricey and so is internet ($.60-.80/hr), but other than that...

I do find the city dangerous and that IS a problem, but in terms of costs... it's nothing atrocious, and certainly nothing like the prices I found in Chile.

Hope this helps!

[Justin Trullinger]