Revolut Logo
Revolut Ultra offers premium banking with global perks like lounge access, data, subscriptions, and insurance, ideal for frequent travelers.

Unlock £5k+ benefits.

Affiliate disclosure

Loja, Ecuador 🇪🇨
#594 ,

Nomad Score: 61%

Essentials

🏙️ City Loja is a city in southern Ecuador, known for its cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes.
👥 Population Approximate population is around 200,000.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is approximately 20 Mbps.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 USD is the official currency, easily accessible via various banks and ATMs.
🚰 Tap Water Tap water is not recommended for drinking.
🔌 Power Electricity is typically 120V, 60Hz, with Type A/B sockets.
📶 SIM Card SIM cards available from Claro, Movistar, and CNT.
💳 Banking for Expats Popular options include Banco Pichincha and Banco de Guayaquil; many accept international cards.
🛌 Accommodation Average Airbnb price is about $25 per night; options range from shared apartments to entire homes.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, but cash is still widely used.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb is popular, with various listings available throughout the city.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostal Montañita offers beds for as low as $10 per night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The Historic Center is ideal for tourists due to its attractions.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads The La Concordia neighborhood is popular among digital nomads for its cafes and coworking spaces.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Punto Cowork is a popular coworking space with good amenities.
Best Cafe for Work Café La Sitio provides a nice atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Look for local networking events on platforms like Facebook and Meetup.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Join the 'Loja Expats' Facebook group for gatherings and socialization.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Uber operates in Loja and is a safe choice for transportation.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals are available at various shops around the city; prices start at $5 per day.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby The nearest beach, Puerto Cayo, is about 2.5 hours away by car.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Avianca and LATAM provide regional air travel from Loja.
✈️ Top International Airline LATAM and Copa Airlines operate international flights.
🛣️ Highway Access Pan-American Highway (E35) provides good access to other regions.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub The Loja Transports Terminal is the main hub for buses.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Single fares for local buses are around $0.25.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses are the primary means of getting to nearby cities such as Cuenca and Vilcabamba.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital IESS Loja Hospital is the main healthcare facility providing various services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Centro de Yoga Niyama offers classes and wellness sessions.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gym Fit is a popular choice for fitness enthusiasts.
🧺 Laundry Services Lavandería López provides reliable laundry services at reasonable prices.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Rappi and PedidosYa are popular for food delivery services.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Try the 'hornado', a traditional pork dish, which is very popular in Loja.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Many restaurants in Loja offer vegetarian dishes; La Galleta Verde focuses on plant-based menus.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Pâtisserie de Loja is famous for its pastries and desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Plaza de Mercado is an excellent local market for fresh produce and affordable goods.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Local stores may lack e-commerce, but global sites like Amazon deliver.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Rappi can deliver groceries from local shops.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Las Tres Rutas offers several bars and nightlife options.
🍻 Local Brewery Brewery Loja produces local craft beers; tours available.
🍷 Wine Bars Wine and beer can be found in various bars across the city, particularly at La Cava.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Try 'empanadas' from local street vendors for an authentic experience.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Restaurants offering Italian and Chinese cuisine are prevalent in Loja.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Visit the Loja Cathedral and the Parque Central for local culture.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Museo de la Cultura is worth exploring for local history and art.
🏰 Historical Sites The historical center offers various colonial buildings from the 19th century.
🕍 Religious Sites The Iglesia de Santo Domingo showcases beautiful architecture.
🎉 Annual Events Festival Internacional de Artes Vivas is a major cultural event held annually.
🎨 Cultural Districts Explore the area around Parque Central for cultural experiences.
🎭 Theater Venues Teatro Bolívar hosts various performances and events.
🛍️ Local Markets Mercado de Loja is a hub for local foods, crafts, and culture.
🎼 Music Scene Various venues host performances, including small concerts at cafes and bars.
🎨 Street Art Look for murals throughout the city, especially in the La Concordia neighborhood.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Local cooking schools offer traditional Ecuadorian cooking classes.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Galería de Arte Loja showcases local artists' work.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The Casa de la Cultura, a historic building, hosts cultural events.
🏴 Local Heritage Loja is known for its rich cultural and musical heritage, especially the 'pasillo' genre.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Cerro Santa Ana offers great hiking and views of Loja.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Podocarpus National Park is nearby, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Paths along the Río Malacatos provide scenic walking opportunities.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Visit El Mirador for panoramic views over Loja.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Podocarpus National Park is recognized as a top spot for birdwatching.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots There are designated areas in national parks for bonfires, especially near campsites.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service Correos del Ecuador handles parcel deliveries locally.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Various local shops offer tech repair services; Tech Loja is a good option.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Clubs around parks often have table tennis facilities.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Instituto de Idiomas offers Spanish language classes for expats.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Biblioteca Municipal provides a quiet place to study.
🏘️ Community Centers Centro Cultural provides various community events and activities.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Cafes often have gaming setups for the community to enjoy.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Casino de Loja offers various gaming options for entertainment.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $36,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $90,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $144,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $112,000)
💼 Corporate Tax 25% is the standard corporate tax in Ecuador.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax Tax rate applied to dividends is 15%.
🏦 Tax System Ecuador has a progressive tax system based on local income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket The maximum personal income tax rate is 35%.
🧾 VAT Standard VAT rate is 12%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, strict rules apply for foreign entities.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax varies based on property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Usually around 1.5% for property transactions.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Ecuador offers a relatively favorable tax system for digital nomads with exceptions.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.