Ecuador: The World's Top Retirement Haven
Looking for help finding your personal paradise? International Living has 30 years of on-the-ground experience in the countries that we think are the best spots under the sun for retiring, investing, and reinventing yourself right now. We've done the research...you've done the dreaming. With IL correspondents around the globe, we'll help you make those dreams a reality.
We have some especially bright lights on the International Living horizon to tell you about. Some of the places where the good life is calling at rock-bottom rates are Yucatan, Mexico; Panama; coastal Ecuador; Brazil's north coast; Uruguay; and southern Italy. Watch your daily IL Postcards and monthly IL magazine for more information on these, and other hotspots.
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Recent Articles
Where To Go For The Best Beaches in Costa RicaPosted on February 6, 2012 by Jason Holland
There’s an easy escape from gringo culture in Costa Rica. The sleepy town of Dominical is inhabited by a mix of bohemian expats, laid-back surfers (some on permanent vacation), and friendly locals. A few years ago, the trip from Quepos to Dominical took over two hours on a bone-jarring, potholed dirt road. But thanks to a recently paved two-lane highway, it’s now just 45 minutes.
IL’s Jen Stevens Talks to CNBC About Retiring OverseasPosted on February 3, 2012 by International Living
In this video, International Living Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens talks to CNBC about the growing number of U.S. retirees moving overseas — to countries like Panama, Mexico and Ecuador. Jen also talks about International Living’s just released retirement competition. We’re looking for someone to spend a month in the world’s top retirement haven—on us.
Retirees Wanted to Spend Month in Ecuador–FreePosted on February 2, 2012 by Len Galvin
We’re looking for someone to spend a month in the world’s top retirement haven—on us. If you like the idea of relaxing in a spring-like climate, exploring a colonial University city, making new and interesting friends from all over the world, trying new things and maybe even reporting about your adventures…this could be for you.
A Great New Neighborhood in Panama’s MountainsPosted on February 1, 2012 by Jessica Ramesch
“Lazy” isn’t quite the right word to describe the village of Santa Fe de Veraguas, located in Panama’s Veraguas province. Other words come to mind: “bohemian,” “quirky,” and “effortless.” A town of about 3,000 people, Santa Fe has no traffic. Even on the main road cars pass infrequently. And everyone—every single person—says hello or buenas as they pass.
Irish Castles, Mews and FolliesPosted on January 19, 2012 by anon
If you like gadgets and bustle when you go on vacation, look shells, and tumbling-down structures—anything that hints at a quaint chapter of Irish history. Using traditional methods, local craftsmen faithfully restore each lighthouse, cottage, castle, or 19th-century school house. The rescued structures stand as solid as they were back when they were in full use 150 to 600 years ago.
Healthier and Happier in UruguayPosted on January 19, 2012 by anon
The idea of moving to Uruguay came out of left field. If it hadn’t been for my health, it would never have happened. But the savings on health care are only one of the benefits of our new life.
Panama’s New Highland HideawayPosted on January 12, 2012 by Jessica Ramesch
There’s a highland village in Panama you probably haven’t heard of yet—a handful of North Americans are only beginning to establish a bohemian community. Pines and flowering shrubs, beautifully paved roads and neatly painted houses, where no-one locks their doors and everyone has reliable Internet.
The Best Retiree Benefits in the World in 2012Posted on January 10, 2012 by International Living
There are a number of special benefits, discounts and breaks you can gain access to as a retiree overseas. Some countries stand out for the amount and quality of benefits they offer foreign retirees. Panama tops the category with an organized program of discounts and perks called the pensionado. The program is open to foreigners and there’s no minimum age requirement.
Happy and Healthy in Caribbean BelizePosted on January 8, 2012 by Caren Abdela
In 2004—the day after returning from a sailing adventure in Placencia, Belize—Lucky made a routine trip to the doctor’s office. “His blood pressure was normal. The doctor was shocked,” says Erin. Belize was the reason. That helped focus the couple on a permanent move. They sat down and made out a five-year plan, developed a strict budget, and began downsizing.
The Best Climates on the PlanetPosted on January 6, 2012 by Eoin Bassett
Months ago, our far-flung editors and in-country advisers began collecting all the data and details that inform our just-released Global Retirement Index 2012. For the Index, we narrow down the countries we focus on to the top 19, and consider each across eight crucial categories: real estate, special retirement benefits, cost of living, ease of integration, entertainment and amenities, health care, retirement infrastructure and climate.
The Most Affordable Places in the WorldPosted on January 5, 2012 by Eoin Bassett
The country that takes the number-one spot in the Annual Global Retirement Index 2012 is also the clear winner in our cost of living category. A couple watching their spending here can live well on $800 a month.
Retire to ParisPosted on January 4, 2012 by Pamela Griner Leavy
Day-glow sunrises and sunsets over the River Seine, fresh breakfast croissants on your private balcony overlooking Notre Dame Cathedral, public transportation practically at your doorstep… Try retirement in Paris, France; it’s as romantic and magical as you imagine, and it’s easier than you think.
New List Reveals Best Countries to LivePosted on January 4, 2012 by Eoin Bassett
Look at the right places beyond our borders today, and you’ll find you have more good choices than ever for a comfortable—even a pampered—retirement. In any one of our top 19 havens for 2012, a lifestyle well beyond your reach in the States could be yours for pennies on the dollar.
Live in MalaysiaPosted on January 3, 2012 by Keith Hockton
On the terrace of the grand, British colonial E & O Hotel, evening light flickers through the coconut grove as a warm breeze drifts in from the Straits of Malacca. I’m sipping a gin and tonic, watching the sun go down. This has become one of my regular habits since moving to the island of Penang, off the west coast of mainland Malaysia, over a year ago.
Why This is the World’s Best Retirement HavenPosted on January 3, 2012 by Eoin Bassett
No matter where you choose to live in the country that takes top honors in IL’s 2012 Annual Global Retirement Index, there is no better retirement haven in the world. Across all eight of our crucial categories it scores strongly. It outright wins two.
The Scores and How Our 2012 Retirement Index WorksPosted on December 31, 2011 by International Living
In our Retirement Index this year, we’ve changed how we do things, narrowing down the countries we focus on to the top 19, and considering each across eight crucial categories: real estate, special retirement benefits, cost of living, ease of integration, entertainment and amenities, health care, retirement infrastructure and climate.
The World’s Top Retirement Havens in 2012Posted on December 31, 2011 by International Living
Look at the right places beyond our borders today, and you’ll find you have more good choices than ever for a comfortable – even a pampered – retirement. In any one of our top 19 havens for 2012, a lifestyle well beyond your reach in the States could be yours for pennies on the dollar. In this, our annual Global Retirement Index, we bring you the top choices available on the planet today.
Winter at the BeachPosted on December 22, 2011 by Steenie Harvey
I never imagined breakfasting outdoors in December. Not in Europe. Then again, I’ve never visited the Murcia region before.
The Problem With These IL Countries is…Posted on December 21, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
It’s impossible to compare and contrast the merits or disadvantages of entire countries. It’s not because there aren’t differences between entire countries… there are obvious and, sometimes, major ones. The visa choices and requirements of Belize may be a better match for you than those of Nicaragua. Panama’s tax laws may meet your needs better than those of Costa Rica right now.
- Central America’s Culinary Capital
Posted on December 20, 2011 by Jessica Ramesch
Amid the towers of steel and chrome waft the tantalizing smells of seafood and …
The World’s Best Retirement HavensPosted on December 20, 2011 by anon
Look at the right places beyond our borders today, and you’ll find you have more good choices than ever for a comfortable – even a pampered – retirement. In any one of our top 19 havens for 2012, a lifestyle well beyond your reach in the States could be yours for pennies on the dollar.
Are You Skeptical About International Living, Too?Posted on December 20, 2011 by Celeste A Wright
The approachability of all the speakers, the many tables set up with displays relevant to the presentations, and the absolutely priceless opportunity to mix and mingle with people who have actually made the move to South or Central America, and had nothing to gain by giving their opinions, completely demolished my skeptical view about International Living.
Flights to Cancun from $262 Round-TripPosted on December 16, 2011 by Len Galvin
You can fly from Florida to Cancun, Mexico in less than two hours. And right now, the round-trip airfare for the end of February is only $262. That’s with American Airlines from Miami. Another cheap flight at the same time is from JFK New York with Delta—$333 round-trip.
Two Big Benefits of Living in Costa RicaPosted on December 15, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
Healthier and happier. We hear that over and over from IL readers who move to Costa Rica. Ben Hill says “I was a junk food junkie…stopping at every 7-11 and buying a bag of chips and a coke, a candy bar…but now I eat healthy food, I feel better, I’m more flexible and I weigh a lot less than I did back in California.”
Cumbuco: A Great Place to Have a Beach Home in BrazilPosted on December 12, 2011 by Ronan McMahon
West of Fortaleza on Brazil’s northeast coast, wide white-sand beaches stretch to the horizon. You can drive for hours along these beaches. Charming fishing villages with cobbled streets and well-maintained town centers sit just off the sand.
Salinas, Ecuador: Rent From $450 a MonthPosted on December 9, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
A couple of years ago a friend came to visit us in Ecuador. Once here, he realized that the biggest expense of his trip was his airfare. With nice hotel rooms priced at $30 a night (including breakfast); full meals, including beverage, for $2.50; and beers for $1 or a glass of wine for $2, he was hardly spending anything to kick around the country.
Rent for $100 a Month in EcuadorPosted on December 8, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
Rent overseas before you buy. That’s good advice for anyone looking to try a new country on for size. Despite its incredibly low real estate costs, Ecuador is no exception. Fortunately, rental costs in Ecuador are very affordable, too.
Retire to France or Malaysia: International Living’s December Magazine is Now OnlinePosted on December 2, 2011 by Jennifer Stevens
Old beliefs die hard—but we’re doing our best here at IL to speed them on their way. From Penang, Malaysia to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico…Dublin, Ireland to the Pacific coast of Nicaragua…from Bilbao, Spain to Mérida, Venezuela…this month’s issue of International Living magazine is packed with boots-on-the-ground revelations about destinations you may think you know…
Beach Property Bargains in EcuadorPosted on December 1, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
There may be no better place in the world right now to buy beachfront real estate than Ecuador. But don’t just take it from me. In its annual International Home Price Comparison Index, global real estate giant Coldwell Banker has named Ecuador as the lowest-priced real estate market in the world for the past several years.
Great Lifestyle Options in the World’s Best Retirement HavenPosted on November 30, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
As far as I’m concerned, Ecuador rocks. It may be a small country, but it has more to offer than you can imagine…great cities and quiet villages….the majestic snowcapped Andes mountains…impossibly beautiful beaches…and the glorious Amazon rainforest. Importantly, Ecuador has a low cost of living and some of the world’s lowest real estate prices.
Bargain Hunting on Nicaragua’s Pacific CoastPosted on November 29, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
I first visited Nicaragua nearly a decade ago and fell in love with its rough-around-the-edges beauty and the genuine warmth of its people. In 2007, my husband and I lived for a while on this hilltop overlooking San Juan del Sur. We spent lazy days exploring hidden beaches and lively evenings with friends at the thatch-roofed seafood restaurants that line the beach.
“I’m Living My Dream in Coastal Ecuador”Posted on November 29, 2011 by Jo Nichols
Fourteen years ago, while on a Caribbean sailing trip, I decided that some day I would find my own place by the ocean. As time went on, that dream became ever-more important. I was sick and tired of corporate greed and useless politics in the U.S. It was time to make my dream a reality and check out moving overseas.
Small Town Beach Life in UruguayPosted on November 28, 2011 by Lee Harrison
I moved to Uruguay full-time in 2006. And since then I’ve explored more than a dozen different countries, from Spain to Argentina. I’ve lived in Brazil, have a second home in Colombia, and bought property in Nicaragua. Yet Uruguay is where I call home; and I can’t think of a better place to be right now. The lifestyle is unbeatable, and the cost of living and of properties is reasonable.
Why These Retirees Are Happy in Boquete, PanamaPosted on November 25, 2011 by Jessica Ramesch
In Boquete, Panama, you want a really good camera. That’s because the mountain views are lavish and rainbows appear nearly every day. Karl and Liz Parker fell for this landscape when they first arrived. Now they live in Panama part of the year, spending the rest of their time traveling or back in the U.S. with family.
- Island Life in Colonial Malaysia for only $1,719 a Month
Posted on November 24, 2011 by Keith Hockton
On the terrace of the grand, British-colonial E & O Hotel, evening light flickers through the coconut grove as a warm breeze drifts in from the Straits of Malacca. I’m sipping a gin and tonic, watching the sun go down. This has become one of my regular habits since moving to the island of Penang, off the west coast of mainland Malaysia, over a year ago.
Video: The Cost of Living in San Miguel de Allende, MexicoPosted on November 24, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
San Miguel de Allende is one of Mexico’s prettiest colonial towns and an expat favorite. But it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find properties there now starting at about $150,000, and enjoy San Miguel’s vibrant atmosphere and many amenities. And your cost of living in San Miguel will be low, too.
Retirement Rescue 101Posted on November 24, 2011 by Darius Fisher
If anyone needed a retirement rescue—it was Ron and Terresa Moore. But thanks to low-cost Ecuador, they’re enjoying a relaxing early retirement in a warm, sunny climate. They have quality health care for $133 a month. And today they “sleep like babies every night,” says Ron. Back in July 2007, Ron and Terresa were living easy. But fast forward to December 2008. After 30 years, they found themselves out of work.
Enjoy a Better Quality of Life in EcuadorPosted on November 22, 2011 by Darius Fisher
I was at the International Living Live and Invest in Ecuador Seminar 2011 that wrapped up about a week ago. I wish you were there, too. We learned why Ecuador makes so much sense for anyone looking to find a way to stretch their modest savings and social security checks…and yet enjoy a high quality of life.
Happier, Healthier and Richer in EcuadorPosted on November 21, 2011 by Dan Prescher
I’ve rarely seen such an explosion of interest and exploration in a country after one of our international events. The promise and potential of Ecuador has fired the imaginations of a huge percentage of our attendees here.
The Truth About Living in EcuadorPosted on November 17, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
When Patrick Robinson lived in Hawaii, he made a snapshot list of what the perfect society might look like. The more research he did the more convinced he became that this place was Ecuador. One place in particular jumped out at him. But still, he wasn’t sure he should go off on this adventure. After all, he was more than 80 years old.
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