Loja, Ecuador 🇪🇨
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Loja is a vibrant city in southern Ecuador, known for its rich cultural heritage and it's often referred to as the 'Music Capital of Ecuador'. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 190,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 10-20 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD; Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not recommended to drink; use bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Movistar and Claro, offering plans from around $10/month. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted; Santander and Banco Pichincha are recommended banks. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Available options include Airbnb, local hostels, and guesthouses, with long-term rentals starting around $200/month. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, but cash is still king in many places; expect to use cash frequently. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb offers various listings starting around $20/night in central areas. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel La Casa de Tono offers beds for around $10/night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Co-Working Loja, a comfortable space with reliable internet, available for $5/day. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café San Andrés is popular among nomads, offering WiFi and a good atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check social media for monthly meetup events hosted by local entrepreneur groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat community meets regularly at Café Paris for language exchange nights. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Cabify offers reliable ride services in the city. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Limited availability; renting bikes locally is possible but best to use taxis or public transport. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The coastal city of Machala is about 2 hours away by bus. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Avianca connects Loja to major cities like Guayaquil. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | LATAM Airlines offers flights to Lima and other major hubs. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Pan-American Highway (Ruta 1) provides access to major cities in Ecuador. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Estación Ferroviaria de Loja serves as the main hub for regional trains. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bus tickets usually cost about $0.25 for intercity travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses are the major means of transport to nearby cities, with tickets starting around $1. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Isidro Ayora is one of the largest and well-equipped facilities in the city. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Loja offers daily classes and wellness workshops. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gimnasio Body Fitness has various equipment and classes; memberships start at $20/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Local also offers self-service options and wash-and-fold services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi and Globo provide food delivery from various local restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Fanesca - a traditional Ecuadorian soup, popular during Easter season. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurante La Cuchara Verde offers a range of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pastelería La Estrella serves delicious local desserts like tres leches cake. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Plaza de Mercado offers a variety of fresh produce and local goods at reasonable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | MercadoLibre and Juntoz are popular online shopping platforms in Ecuador. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermaxi offers online grocery ordering and home delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Calle Sucre is known for its vibrant bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervecería Loja produces locally crafted beers you can taste in local bars. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wineria offers a good selection of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Try empanadas and llapingachos from street vendors around Parque Central. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza & Pasta has great Italian food options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Cathedral of Loja and Parque Central are must-visit places. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo de la Música offers insight into Loja's musical history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Iglesia de San Francisco is a beautiful historical site to explore. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Basílica de Nuestra Señora de El Cisne is an important pilgrimage site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Festival Internacional de Artes Vivas is a significant cultural festival held annually. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The downtown area is rich in colonial architecture and culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Bolivar hosts various cultural events and performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado de Loja offers a lively atmosphere with local products and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Join local music events at various bars, especially jazz nights. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art can be found throughout the city, especially in urban areas. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes with local chefs can be arranged through various tour companies. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería de Arte Loja showcases local artists' works. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Casa de la Cultura is a notable historic building with cultural activities. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Loja is known for its rich musical tradition and folklore. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cerro Trigo offers beautiful hiking opportunities with stunning views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Podocarpus National Park is accessible for day trips and is rich in biodiversity. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Several walking paths along rivers and parks provide scenic views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mirador de La Paz offers panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Podocarpus National Park is a prime spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain parks allow bonfires; check local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Correos del Ecuador provide reliable shipping options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops in downtown Loja can handle device repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers sometimes have tables available for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto de Idiomas offers Spanish classes for foreigners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Public Library of Loja is a quiet place to study and work. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural Loja hosts workshops and cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Limited availability; some bars have gaming zones. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino City Center offers gaming options in Loja. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $42,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $72,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $48,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Based on worldwide income for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% |
| 🧾 VAT | 12% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable in certain conditions. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 1.5%. |