Should You Visit Ecuador In 2025?

[@GMAceM]

Today (Thursday December 12th), there was a mini outage at around 3AM for about an hour in the coast. It’s not a huge blackout of course but it shows that there are still inconsistencies in the schedule and the possibility that blackouts can happen. There was also a report that the industrial zone will have blackouts for 15 days starting on December 15th. This still doesn’t change my verdict in the video and in fact it reinforces what I said in my conclusion around the end. Thank you for reading through this mini update and for watching the video!

[@Returntonature___1212]

I’m from the states and I’m coming in March checking out off grid eco villages to be my forever home. No doubt it’ll still be better than here. Thanks for the video I’m excited 🇪🇨

[@tidalcreeku2b]

My plans haven't been finalized, so this is very helpful since I am eager to visit in 2025. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you!!!

[@GMAceM]

Appreciate you taking the time to check the video out! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!

[@a.alexandrajimenez8437]

Great information Ace. Thanks for letting me know!🎉😁🎄💫

[@GMAceM]

Thank you for checking it out! 😁

[@LivingLovingAbroad]

Great video Ace, you're always on point!

[@GMAceM]

Thanks for checking the video out!

[@remote-solopreneur]

Great video and good advice. I've been here since Nov. 2nd and have endured the blackouts without major issue with some pre-planning and help from my host. I watch my back and use common sense to avoid crime. So far, so good! I don't regret my decision as I think Ecuador and the people are wonderful overall!

[@GMAceM]

Thanks for watching! Glad you’ve been enjoying your time and hopefully you can keep enjoying it. I also hope more people get to see this comment so that they can see that you can enjoy your time here. 💯

[@2freakout]

Thanks for the update. The facts and reality in Ecuador sound scary😁, but life goes on here, there, and everywhere.

[@GMAceM]

We always have to keep moving forward! 💯

[@debraprescott6144]

I’m looking forward to my visit in February.

[@GMAceM]

Hope it goes awesome!

[@KellyWhitehouse]

Thanks for the update. Hoping to be in Ecuador in September. Total bucket list trip.

[@GMAceM]

Hope you have a great time when you come!

[@andrefl4641]

As an American whose mom is from Ecuador 🇪🇨, I very much appreciate your content in English and with your perspectives from both worlds! Greetings from Las Vegas

I just returned a week ago from Ecuador: Stayed the week; the energy crisis didn’t really effect too much because most of the hours without power were in the early mornings when I was asleep, but you were always conscious of it and the blackouts did not always follow the advertised “schedule”.

[@GMAceM]

The randomness really did make it complicated to be on top of the schedule 100% of the time. That’s been one of everyone’s biggest complaints, aside from the fact that there are blackouts, since if you can’t coordinate around the blackouts then you become scared of when they’re going to happen or they end up happening at an inconvenient time. I’ve personally had inconveniences in the classes I give due to this and I can imagine the problems businesses may have had as well.

[@mgarcia2445]

Thank you, Ace! I love your channel, and I really appreciate your honest updates on the situation in Ecuador. How safe would it be for a US expat to live in a detached home in Cotacachi? I need a fenced yard for my dog to run and play a few times a day, even though she is an indoor dog. So apartments are not an option.

[@lvovodessa]

Colombia, Peru and several Asian countries are actually cheaper for food. As long as one sticks to local food it's cheap. Everything imported is quite expensive to ridiculous expensive.

[@GMAceM]

If there’s a food as good as encebollado that costs $2 or less then I have to try it, but it’s hard for me to believe that any dish at that price could surpass what was considered one of the worlds best fish soups (by TasteAtlas).

[@lvovodessa]

@@GMAceM You being an Ecuadorian it will be difficult to convince you :) but you should visit Peru.

[@mkrzyski916]

The states are becoming more and more difficult to live in because of cost of living increases/inflation. Plus the political divisions are huge. Step by step crime seems to go up and then down but it’s always present. I’m already wondering if I can retire and what the state of the country will be. It might be a good idea to eventually move to another country to retire. Retirement for me is still a relatively long time away but it’s never too late to think about if retiring in the states is a good idea or to explore other countries. It seems to work well for many people.

[@bobbyjett7047]

You asked about the cost of living in the US. It is horrendous, even for those who make a "decent wage" For example, the cost of a dozen eggs is over $7.00 now. Most renters pay over 50% of their salary to live in a very modest apartment. People graduating from college are leaving college with very large debt and are unable to find jobs. There are numerous food banks and homeless shelters in most cities, and these quickly fill up and run out of food. It used to be that people just supplemented their food needs at the food banks, but now most people using the food banks depend on them for all of their food. They have to choose between paying their utilities or medical needs OR buying food to feed their families. Many people are looking at retiring outside the US for these very reasons. And I won't even get into the EXORBIDANT cost of medical care. It is unbelievable and most people I discuss this with who live outside the US cannot believe the cost of medical care in the US. And these costs are only getting worse by the year.

[@ohthomas1973]

Don’t worry brother I’ll be in portoviejo in July. So, I’m coming 🤣

[@yvonnehaley8]

For visitors coming now do we need a health declaration form?

[@force10jc]

Our water bill in Houston is now $400 per month. That's near double my average electric bill

[@evlnte]

Most people either fear what they don’t know or they think the grass is always greener elsewhere. The truth is somewhere in between. Young people want opportunity and a path to prosperity. Old people want community and stability. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer places offering all the things that everyone needs. Corruption is replacing cooperation and we are all looking for an escape.

[@edwardoproductions138]

I man as a Norwegian ecuadorian, la economía here un Europe that have been affected by the wars, the situation is realy tense, so i am looking for leaving and moving to ecuador in 6-8 months, bc of the cost of living and that stuff As i like to say, europe have been a great place to live but now that we have seen the view on the top the only way is down, in ecuador where most things have been on the downside for a long time, the only way is up❤️

[@GMAceM]

It seems like the world is truly going through some tough economic issues. I’m not in the states but it seems to be tough living there right now, I had no idea how Europe was doing but I did have a feeling things were tough since war is literally happening over there. I hope when you come back to Ecuador that everything goes well! 💯

[@Curt.dammit]

Thanks for the nuanced answer. I’m still leaning towards a “no” for now, but damn. I’ve been wanting to visit for a long time now.

[@RyanGalt]

Are you safe to wear your silver chain in public - do you keep it tucked in or need to just not wear it in public?

[@joycepywell4481]

It’s not going good here in the US. I’m moving to Machala in June

[@talahsiddiqui]

Hi! Is there any job opportunity in Ecuador, like an RF/Satellite/Broadcast engineer job?

[@Wsdm7]

Hello, I am coming to Ecuador in Jan for 2 yrs. I have been watching this channel for a while now. I am teaching,Is there a place/hangout for expats?

[@GMAceM]

That’s great, glad you’re coming down! In terms of hangouts, it really depends on what city you’re in but you can try joining a Facebook group for that city. For example, Manta has a group called “Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos” and there’s of course tons of expats you can connect with. I also saw that there’s a group called “Expats in Quito” that you could join if you’re in Quito. You should try joining the group of the city you’re going to be in so that you can see if they do meet-ups and such.

[@tbimatpoboxcom]

Happy New Year! When I fly to Cuenca on Tuesday, is it an option to walk from the airport to my hotel which is about 20 min walk from the airport according to Google?

[@GMAceM]

Hey, happy new year to you too! I want to say that since you’re going to Cuenca that that is an option, seeing as how Cuenca is a generally safe city. That being said, I would always recommend a form of transportation such as a taxi just to be safe and more comfortable of course. Regardless, I hope you have a great time!

[@tomg1247]

Around the airport is not the most walkable. TranVia runs right from the airport for a $1 per person, and would probably get you closer to your hotel if you are anywhere near downtown. Taxis are cheap ($2-3) and generally readily available.

[@wtcneverforget8163]

I'm being told from a reliable source that that cartel are threatening the front line miltary personnel in and around Manta. So much so that some have quit and got out of Ecuador. Have you heard any like this?

[@emese956]

Beautiful country….nice , friendly people….One of the best place to live…..🌋⛰️🦅🇪🇨🌟😄💯💯❗️

[@25nickels99]

Hi Ace. Did your previous student survive his/her kidnapping? Are there any additional details you can share about it?

[@GMAceM]

Sad to say that my student didn’t. The reason behind it hasn’t been confirmed and unfortunately may not be confirmed for some time, all I know is rumors at the moment and the fact that the last time she was seen she had taken a taxi to go to the University.

[@LiveYourLifeWithJoy]

Y como explicas que Ecuador tiene cacao pero pagas como que unos 6$ por un chocolate negro? 😆🤪🤪🤪 Groceries are way too expensive. Idk how "average" Ecuadorians make their money, but they sure do not have much affording power.

[@byronjacomo1127]

USA is a beautiful country and I never feel unsafe here, but continually it is becoming more expensive and more divided politically. Racists are being emboldened by many leaders in the government and the media. At my age, the big question is whether it makes more sense to retire at 62 and move to Ecuador or to continue working until I'm 70 to sustain the lifestyle I have in the United States. What do these 8 years mean to me? Eight years where I can fully live my life while I'm young enough to travel and explore the world without major health issues. I'm leaning more on the Ecuadorian plan that minimizes my cost-of-living expenses. You said that "a successful business" puts a person in risk . . . that really bothers me. There's no Ecuadorian governmental agency that protects businessmen against mafias or cartels? Small businesses are the roads to economic freedom in the U.S. - it should be the same in Ecuador. This really bothers me.

[@GMAceM]

I appreciate your feedback on the situation in the states. As for the situation with the businesses, I feel like I’ll have to talk about that in more detail in a future video. The short answer I can give right now is that there should be protection but it doesn’t feel that way most of the time.

[@marikishtar]

People should stay in their countries as intended, this is your stance now that Trump won

[@byronjacomo1127]

Trump didn’t change my stance. It always sucked for a Hispanic to immigrate to the U.S. Americans typically don’t understand that there are different classes of people in Latin America - just like in the United States - there are educated people/professionals - there are uneducated people/laborers . . . Hispanics immigrate for different reasons. It’s not always for economic reasons. The uneducated American has to believe that they are better/superior than these subhuman immigrants. My stance has not changed. It always sucked. Now with the divisive rhetoric from the top, a$$holes are more empowered to discriminate. When a person leaves their home country, they leave their identity and self worth behind. It was always better to stay in your home country. I hope Noboa will get re-elected and minimizes the corruption and creates more opportunities for Ecuadorians to advance. I hope I was clear enough for you.

[@byronjacomo1127]

Thank you for your response.

[@lvovodessa]

Extortion of businesses is a huge problem in certain areas, especially on the coast. There are also regions where it's not a problem. Law enformcement has been weak for years in Ecuador. It's one of the reasons why the gangs have become so big in Ecuador. When deciding on Ecuador (and Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Brasil) it's best to have a regional approach. The differences between regions can be huge. And not only regarding crime, also regarding healthcare, culture, economy, etc.

[@FibonacciWhale]

Move here despite the crime, the energy crisis, the poor economy, and political uncertainty. Got it 😂

[@marikishtar]

This

[@Martinatheequestrian]

Look other countries also have their problems, but don’t just say those mean things to a country that is stuck in between countries with mafias and inflation that is all over the world.

[@FibonacciWhale]

@Martinatheequestrian I didn’t say those “mean things,” the creator of this video said them. In this video. I’m going to Ecuador regardless. I’m also from there 🇪🇨 much love

[@marikishtar]

@Martinatheequestrian every country has a crisis but Ecuador has had a corruption problem since its inception and has been carrying a collection of crisis that accumulates with modern day problems. It's not an option