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Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Loja is a city in southern Ecuador, known for its cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes.
πŸ‘₯ Population Approximate population is around 200,000.
πŸ’» Internet Speed Average internet speed is approximately 20 Mbps.
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking 1 USD is the official currency, easily accessible via various banks and ATMs.
🚰 Tap Water Tap water is not recommended for drinking.
πŸ”Œ Power Electricity is typically 120V, 60Hz, with Type A/B sockets.
πŸ“Ά SIM Card SIM cards available from Claro, Movistar, and CNT.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats Popular options include Banco Pichincha and Banco de Guayaquil; many accept international cards.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Average Airbnb price is about $25 per night; options range from shared apartments to entire homes.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Yes, but cash is still widely used.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb is popular, with various listings available throughout the city.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Hostal MontaΓ±ita offers beds for as low as $10 per night.
πŸ™οΈ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The Historic Center is ideal for tourists due to its attractions.
πŸ™οΈ 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.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work CafΓ© La Sitio provides a nice atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Look for local networking events on platforms like Facebook and Meetup.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Join the 'Loja Expats' Facebook group for gatherings and socialization.

Transportation

πŸš• 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.
πŸ–οΈ 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.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access Pan-American Highway (E35) provides good access to other regions.
πŸš‰ 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

πŸ₯ 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.
πŸ‹οΈ 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

πŸ“± 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 PÒtisserie de Loja is famous for its pastries and desserts.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots Plaza de Mercado is an excellent local market for fresh produce and affordable goods.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Local stores may lack e-commerce, but global sites like Amazon deliver.
πŸ›’ 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.
πŸ• 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.
πŸ›οΈ 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.
πŸ• Religious Sites The Iglesia de Santo Domingo showcases beautiful architecture.
πŸŽ‰ 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.
πŸ›οΈ 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.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes Local cooking schools offer traditional Ecuadorian cooking classes.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries GalerΓ­a de Arte Loja showcases local artists' work.
πŸ•°οΈ 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

πŸŒ… 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.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints Visit El Mirador for panoramic views over Loja.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations Podocarpus National Park is recognized as a top spot for birdwatching.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots There are designated areas in national parks for bonfires, especially near campsites.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service Correos del Ecuador handles parcel deliveries locally.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Various local shops offer tech repair services; Tech Loja is a good option.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots Clubs around parks often have table tennis facilities.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes Instituto de Idiomas offers Spanish language classes for expats.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots Biblioteca Municipal provides a quiet place to study.
🏘️ Community Centers Centro Cultural provides various community events and activities.
πŸ•ΉοΈ 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)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax 25% is the standard corporate tax in Ecuador.
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax Tax rate applied to dividends is 15%.
🏦 Tax System Ecuador has a progressive tax system based on local income.
πŸ“ˆ 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.
πŸ’» Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Ecuador offers a relatively favorable tax system for digital nomads with exceptions.

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