Forum
Analytics
Vilcabamba, Ecuador 🇪🇨
#599
,
Nomad Score:
62%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Vilcabamba offers a low cost of living compared to many global cities, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are generally low, with options ranging from basic apartments to eco-lodges.
🍎 Food & Groceries
83%
Weight: 40
Local markets and grocery stores provide fresh produce at affordable prices; imported goods are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
79%
Weight: 20
Limited public transportation; taxis and local buses are inexpensive but infrequent.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but affordable, mostly centered around local events and nature activities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
62%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available; memberships are affordable but facilities are basic.
💱 Currency Stability
91%
Weight: 30
Ecuador uses the US dollar, providing strong currency stability for foreigners.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
54%
Weight: 100
Internet is available but can be slow and unreliable, especially during peak hours.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
31%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most nomads work from cafes or accommodations.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
60%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
58%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but lack dedicated workspaces.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
45%
Weight: 100
Vilcabamba is a niche destination for nomads seeking tranquility rather than community.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to purchase and affordable with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89%
Weight: 30
The relaxed lifestyle and natural surroundings promote excellent work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
93%
Weight: 15
Clean air, lush greenery, and low pollution levels characterize the area.
🧼 Cleanliness
78%
Weight: 10
Generally clean, though infrastructure is basic and some areas lack proper waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
42%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is not widely spoken, which can be challenging for non-Spanish speakers.
💨 Air Quality
95%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to rural setting and minimal industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and quiet but limited schools and activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
57%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare services are available locally; more advanced care requires travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
86%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
61%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious medical needs require evacuation or travel.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
88%
Weight: 80
Mild, spring-like climate year-round with little rain, ideal for outdoor activities.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
72%
Weight: 10
Low risk of earthquakes and hurricanes; occasional landslides during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
97%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, forests, and hiking trails surround the town.
❄️ Air Conditioning
40%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations lack air conditioning due to mild climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
35%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal changes; climate remains stable year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
89%
Weight: 10
Very low noise pollution due to rural setting and small population.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with indigenous influences and a small expat community.
🌃 Nightlife
28%
Weight: 15
Very limited nightlife; mostly quiet evenings with occasional local gatherings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
96%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, waterfalls, and natural reserves.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
63%
Weight: 10
Several local Spanish schools and informal language exchange opportunities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71%
Weight: 10
Guided nature tours and cultural experiences are available but limited in variety.
🎳 Indoors Fun
39%
Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment options; mostly small cafes and community events.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
67%
Weight: 25
Good local Ecuadorian cuisine with some international options; limited variety.
🧠 Yoga Studios
55%
Weight: 10
A handful of yoga studios and wellness centers exist but are small scale.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
50%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor activities are preferred.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
78%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant; organic options are available but limited.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
76%
Weight: 20
Ecuador is in GMT-5, convenient for North and South American clients but less so for Europe/Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
34%
Weight: 25
Small expat and nomad community limits networking potential.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local job market is limited; most nomads rely on remote work from abroad.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
37%
Weight: 20
Minimal local freelance ecosystem; community mostly consists of remote workers.
🏢 Coworking Quality
29%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces exist and lack modern amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
25%
Weight: 15
Very limited startup activity or tech ecosystem.
💳 Local Payment Services
68%
Weight: 10
Basic banking and payment services available; cash is still widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
41%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but infrastructure and acceptance remain limited.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
32%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is in Loja or Cuenca, requiring additional travel.
🚇 Public Transit
35%
Weight: 20
Limited and infrequent public transportation options.
🚶 Walkability
73%
Weight: 20
Small town center is walkable with most amenities nearby.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
27%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps are not widely available; taxis are the main option.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Good terrain for cycling but limited dedicated bike lanes.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
51%
Weight: 15
Buses connect to nearby cities but schedules can be irregular.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
43%
Weight: 10
Few rental options for scooters or bikes.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Mobile coverage is decent in town but weaker in surrounding rural areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
65%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
68%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages occur but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
49%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi hotspots; mostly available in cafes and accommodations.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
77%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain and extend; no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Ecuador has moderate tax policies; no special benefits for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
79%
Weight: 15
Generally respected with some political sensitivities.
🏛️ Political Stability
63%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable but occasional protests and political unrest occur.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
52%
Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic and requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
48%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves complex procedures.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of June 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but lacks infrastructure and community for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
23%
Weight: 25
Very few organized events or meetups for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40%
Weight: 20
Small online presence with limited active groups.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
71%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime but petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderately female-friendly; cultural norms are traditional but respectful.
✊ Racial Tolerance
65%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but some social conservatism exists.