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Quito, Ecuador 🇪🇨
#592
,
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, situated high in the Andes mountains at 2,850 meters. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 2.8 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 30 Mbps, with availability of fiber-optic in major areas. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD (Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency). |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Claro, Movistar, and CNT. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; not all banks allow foreigners to open accounts. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and hostels; expect prices from $300 to $600/month for apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Moderately cashless; cards are accepted, but it's good to have cash on hand. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local short-term rental platforms are popular; prices vary widely. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostal Andino and Casa de la Cultura offer budget-friendly options starting from $10/night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | La Mariscal area, known for its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The Historic Center, offering coworking spaces, cafes, and cultural attractions. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Selina Quito offers coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and networking events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Candelas offers a quiet environment and good coffee for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check out Meetup.com for tech and entrepreneurship events in the city. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | InterNations Quito hosts regular gatherings for expats. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is widely used, along with Cabify. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Biking is popular; check out Ecovía for bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Manta is the closest beach, approximately 4 hours by bus. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Avianca operates many domestic routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Latam and American Airlines provide connections from Quito. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Pan-American Highway (E28) connects Quito to other major Ecuadorian cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe serves as the main bus terminal. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Quito has a TransMilenio bus rapid transit system with a rechargeable card. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses connect Quito to cities like Cuenca, Baños, and Otavalo. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Metropolitano is a top private healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga en Quito offers various classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Smart Fit has several locations across the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava Limpio offers laundry services with delivery options. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi and UberEats are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Locro de Papa', a traditional potato soup. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | La Biogreen and Aloha Vegan are popular choices. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | La Palma offers delicious pastries and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Central is a great place for local produce at low prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Novocommerce operates as a local e-commerce platform. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermaxi and Santa Maria offer online delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | La Mariscal is known for its nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervecería Nacional is a well-known brewery with local products. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Café del Teatro serves local wines and a cozy atmosphere. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors around Plaza Foch offer delicious quick bites. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizzerias and sushi places are abundant, with Zumi Sushi being a favorite. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Basilica del Voto Nacional and El Panecillo are iconic sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum of Ecuador showcases the country's rich heritage. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Quito's Historic Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The La Compañía de Jesús church is famous for its gilded interior. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Fiestas de Quito in December celebrates the city's founding. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | La Ronda is a charming street known for its arts and crafts. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Sucre hosts various performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal features local crafts and souvenirs. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Casa de la Música hosts live performances regularly. |
| 🎨 Street Art | La Mariscal features significant urban murals and graffiti. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Learn local cuisine at Centro de Quito's cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | La Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana promotes local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palacio de Carondelet is the presidential palace full of history. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Quito is famous for its colonial architecture and cultural traditions. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cotopaxi National Park, famous for its volcano, is about 1.5 hours away. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Chimborazo National Park offers breathtaking views and hiking opportunities. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | La Carolina Park has designated paths for biking and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | El Panecillo provides panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Botanical Garden in Quito attracts various bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | The parks around the city allow picnicking and campfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Servientrega and TCC are reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Quickfix offers electronic repairs for devices. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Parque La Carolina has public ping pong tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Spanish school located in the Mariscal, offers intensive language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Municipal offers quiet study rooms and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural Benjamín Carrión hosts various workshops and cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Geek Zone offers a gaming area with consoles and PCs. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Quito provides gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $60,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $108,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $90,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $168,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $128,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 22% for most companies. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | There is a 5% tax on dividends paid to non-residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Ecuador operates a progressive tax system based on residency. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 35%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard Value Added Tax rate is 12%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Ecuador has controlled foreign company rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax assessed by local municipalities. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 1% on property transactions. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Ecuador offers a range of tax incentives for digital nomads. |