Revolut Logo
Revolut Ultra offers premium banking with global perks like lounge access, data, subscriptions, and insurance, ideal for frequent travelers.

Revolut Ultra: Travel perks.

Affiliate disclosure

Vilcabamba, Ecuador 🇪🇨
#599 ,

Nomad Score: 64%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Vilcabamba is known for its low cost of living compared to major cities, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85% Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable, with options ranging from budget apartments to more upscale eco-lodges.
🍎 Food & Groceries
83% Weight: 40
Local markets and grocery stores offer fresh produce at low prices; eating out is affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
79% Weight: 20
Limited public transport but taxis and local buses are inexpensive.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but affordable, mostly centered around local events and nature activities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65% Weight: 10
Few gyms available, membership costs are moderate but options are limited.
💱 Currency Stability
90% Weight: 30
Ecuador uses the US dollar, providing high currency stability for foreign residents.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
58% Weight: 100
Internet is available but speeds can be inconsistent and slower than urban centers.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
34% Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most nomads work from cafes or accommodations.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
61% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
57% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but infrastructure is basic.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
42% Weight: 100
Vilcabamba is a niche destination for nomads seeking tranquility rather than community.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
82% Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to purchase and affordable.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89% Weight: 30
Peaceful environment promotes excellent work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
95% Weight: 15
Clean air and beautiful natural surroundings with minimal pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
78% Weight: 10
Generally clean town but some rural areas may have less infrastructure.
🗨️ Language Barrier
43% Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is not widely spoken outside tourist spots.
💨 Air Quality
97% Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to rural setting and abundant greenery.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
60% Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and quiet but limited schools and activities.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
56% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; more advanced care requires travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
84% Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
60% Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious conditions require travel.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
88% Weight: 80
Mild, spring-like climate year-round with plenty of sunshine.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
67% Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional heavy rains but generally safe.
🏞️ Green Spaces
98% Weight: 10
Abundant green spaces and natural parks surrounding the town.
❄️ Air Conditioning
41% Weight: 15
Limited use of air conditioning due to mild climate; some accommodations lack it.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
55% Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal changes; consistent mild weather year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
89% Weight: 10
Very low noise pollution due to rural setting.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
74% Weight: 20
Rich local culture with indigenous influences and expat community.
🌃 Nightlife
32% Weight: 15
Very limited nightlife; mostly quiet evenings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
96% Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and nature exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60% Weight: 10
Some local Spanish classes available but limited formal language schools.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71% Weight: 10
Good availability of cultural and nature tours.
🎳 Indoors Fun
40% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
73% Weight: 25
Good local cuisine with fresh ingredients; limited international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
62% Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
50% Weight: 15
Few fitness centers; mostly small gyms or outdoor activities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
80% Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables supports healthy eating.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
79% Weight: 20
Ecuador is in GMT-5, favorable for North and South American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
38% Weight: 25
Limited professional networking due to small expat community.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45% Weight: 20
Local job market is small; most remote work comes from outside.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40% Weight: 20
Minimal local freelance ecosystem; nomads rely on global platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
30% Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic facilities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
25% Weight: 15
Very limited startup activity in the area.
💳 Local Payment Services
55% Weight: 10
Basic banking and payment services available but limited fintech options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40% Weight: 15
Low adoption locally; some interest among expats.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
37% Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is several hours away; limited direct connections.
🚇 Public Transit
28% Weight: 20
Public transit options are minimal and infrequent.
🚶 Walkability
70% Weight: 20
Small town with walkable center but some areas require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
35% Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps are limited or unavailable; taxis are common.
🚲 Cycling
63% Weight: 10
Good terrain for cycling but limited dedicated bike lanes.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50% Weight: 15
Buses connect to nearby cities but travel times are long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
42% Weight: 10
Limited rental options for scooters or bikes.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
71% Weight: 20
Mobile coverage is generally good but can be spotty in remote areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80% Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no significant restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
68% Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable electricity supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
50% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited mostly to cafes and some public areas.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
75% Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; long-term options require some paperwork.
📊 Tax Friendliness
60% Weight: 30
Ecuador has moderate tax policies; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78% Weight: 15
Generally free speech environment with some political sensitivities.
🏛️ Political Stability
65% 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
30% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
55% Weight: 50
Moderately friendly to nomads seeking quiet and nature over urban amenities.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25% Weight: 25
Few organized nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40% Weight: 20
Small online community focused on Vilcabamba exists.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
70% Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime but petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
65% Weight: 50
Safe for women but cultural differences require caution in some areas.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70% Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; diverse but some social conservatism.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.