Other Services and Amenities
- Table Tennis Spots
- Salinas Yacht Club (members/guests only)
- Language Classes
- Private tutors through the Salinas Expat community forums
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public Library at the Santa Elena Municipality
- Community Centers
- GAD Municipal de Salinas cultural center
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in downtown La Libertad
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Closed (casinos are illegal in Ecuador), but local bingo halls exist
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega for domestic; DHL (located in La Libertad) for international
- Tech Repair Services
- CellShop Salinas in Paseo Shopping
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $56,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $36,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $78,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $51,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $96,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $64,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard rate (reduced for micro-enterprises)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Up to 10% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Residence-based; taxed on worldwide income for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37%
- VAT
- 15% (increased from 12% in 2024)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applies if income is from tax havens
- Property Tax
- Annual; very low, usually $50-$200 for a standard condo
- Property Transaction Tax
- Alcabalas tax, approx. 1% of the registered value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Ecuador Nomad Visa exists (2 years); 0% tax on foreign-sourced income if structured correctly
Essentials
- City
- Salinas, Santa Elena Province, Ecuador
- Population
- Approx. 95,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-70 Mbps via fiber optic companies like Netlife or Puntonet
- Currency & Banking
- The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency; 1 USD = 1 USD
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 20L water jugs (bidones) cost approx. $2.50
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Claro or Movistar; $5 for SIM, $10 for 10GB/30-day data package
- Banking for Expats
- Banco del Pichincha and Banco Guayaquil; widely accept Visa/Mastercard
- Accommodation
- High-rise condos and beachfront rentals via Airbnb or local realtors
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; major hotels and supermarkets accept cards, but small shops/taxis are cash-only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; avg. $600-$900/month for a 1-bedroom condo
- Budget Accommodation
- Chescos Hostel ($15-$25/night) on the Malecón
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Malecón de Salinas (San Lorenzo); beachfront, restaurants, and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Chipipe; quieter, residential, better long-term apartment deals
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Chispa Coworking (Calle 17 & Av. 2); approx. $15/day or $150/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Sweet & Coffee on the Malecón; reliable Wi-Fi and good AC
- Networking Events
- Salinas Expat Group meetings at Jhonny's Gourmet (usually Tuesdays)
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night mixers at The Boardward or Salinas Yacht Club
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Indriver or Uber (limited); Yellow taxis are standard ($2-$5 per ride)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Salinas Bike & Tour; approx. $5/hour or $20/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de Chipipe; wider sand and calmer waters than San Lorenzo
- Top Regional Airline
- Equair or LATAM (flying via Guayaquil GYE)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, JetBlue, and KLM (all via Guayaquil GYE)
- Highway Access
- Highway E40 connects Salinas to Guayaquil in 2-2.5 hours
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Terrestre de Santa Elena (15 mins from Salinas)
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; metropolitan blue buses cost $0.35 per ride paid in cash
- Regional Travel
- SICA or CLP buses to Guayaquil; $4.50 one way
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital IESS Salinas or Clinica Santa Maria (Santa Elena)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Punto de Luz Yoga at Chipipe Beach ($10/class)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Salinas Fitness Center on Av. Principal; $35/month or $3/day pass
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Salinas on Calle 12; approx. $1.00 per kg
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa is the dominant delivery service
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Ceviche de Camarón (Shrimp Ceviche) or Encebollado ($5-$8)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Luv 'n Oven; offers plant-based pizzas and salads
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladería Pingüino on the Malecón for classic ice cream
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal de Salinas for fresh seafood and produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Ecuador or Amazon (via courier services in Guayaquil)
- Grocery Delivery
- Supermaxi (via Tipti app) or Mi Comisariato
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle 17 and the Malecón San Lorenzo section
- Local Brewery
- Umiña Cervecería Artisanal (nearby in Manta, shipped locally)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shed in Santa Elena; boutique selection and small plates
- Street Food Stalls
- Los Agachaditos area near the market for grilled Corviche
- Popular International Cuisine
- Cafe de Claudio for authentic Italian food
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- La Chocolatera; the westernmost point of mainland Ecuador
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de Ballenas (Whale Museum) on the Malecón
- Historical Sites
- Museo Amantes de Sumpa in nearby Santa Elena
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced
- Annual Events
- Carnival (February/March) and Whale Watching season (June-September)
- Cultural Districts
- The Libertad boardwalk area (La Libertad)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal de Santa Elena (15 mins drive)
- Local Markets
- Paseo Shopping Salinas for modern retail; Municipality market for local craft
- Music Scene
- Live tropical music at Blue Bay Hotel lounge
- Street Art
- Murals along the La Libertad Malecón pathway
- Cooking Classes
- Chef-led seafood workshops at local restaurants like El Manantial
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte Contemporáneo in nearby Ballenita
- Historic Buildings
- Salinas Yacht Club (modernist naval architecture)
- Local Heritage
- The Sumpa culture history, dating back 8,000 years
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lobería; home to a colony of sea lions
- National Parks Nearby
- Machalilla National Park (approx. 2.5 hours north)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The paved pathway through the FAE military base to La Chocolatera
- Scenic Viewpoints
- El Morro hill for panoramic views of the bay
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ecuasal Salt Lakes; famous for pink flamingos
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa Punta Carnero (southern end, away from residential zones)