Cuenca, Ecuador
Editor
March 12, 2023
The city of Cuenca, Ecuador is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and exciting place to work and explore. Located in the Andes Mountains, Cuenca is a vibrant city with a rich culture and history. With its mild climate, low cost of living, and excellent infrastructure, Cuenca is an ideal place for digital nomads to live and work.Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and is known for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant culture. The city is home to a number of universities, museums, and cultural attractions, making it an ideal place to explore and learn. Cuenca is also known for its excellent public transportation system, making it easy to get around the city.The cost of living in Cuenca is significantly lower than in other cities in Ecuador, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Cuenca is approximately 40% lower than in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. This means that digital nomads can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while still saving money.Cuenca is also a great place for digital nomads to find work. The city is home to a number of tech companies, startups, and freelancing opportunities. Additionally, the city is home to a number of coworking spaces, making it easy for digital nomads to find a place to work.Overall, Cuenca is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and exciting place to work and explore. With its mild climate, low cost of living, and excellent infrastructure, Cuenca is an ideal place for digital nomads to live and work.
Living in Cuenca, Ecuador: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
82%
Quality of life -
25%
Cost of living -
76%
Connectivity -
98%
Weather
58
General
| Currency | USD |
| Population (in millions) | 2.7 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 83 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | El Centro, San Blas |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 30 |
| Top selling local beer | Cerveza |
| Most popular local dish | Cuy (Guinea Pig) |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Cajas National Park, El Barranco del Rio Tomebamba, Cuenca Cathedral |
| Discount airline | Avianca |
| Major airline | TAME Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Cabify |
| Primary train stations | Estación del Ferrocarril, Estación de Trenes de Cuenca, Estación de Trenes de Azog |
| Primary airports | Mariscal Lamar International Airport, Chachoán Airport, and Camilo Ponce Enríquez Airport |
| Best rental car company | Europcar |
| Used car costs | 15000 USD |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Av. 12 de Abril N25-41 y Av. Solano, Cuenca, Ecuador |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 10 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A, B, C |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | Falabella |
| Best internet carrier | Movistar |
| Primary cellular carrier | Claro |
| Average monthly cost for internet | $30 USD |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Farmacias |
| Best restaurant chain | La Cabaña |
| The best grocery store | Supermaxi |
| The most popular fashion brand | Mango |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $7,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $14,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 12% |
| Income tax rate | 0% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 6.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 100 USD |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Banco Pichincha |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 911 (general), 060 (police), 061 (ambulance), 062 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 545 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 73 |
| Main religion | Catholic |
Quality of life
82%
-
55%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
112%
Property to income -
45%
Crime -
81%
Healthcare -
98%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $456 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 11.93% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | $254 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | $6,900 |
Cost of living
25%
-
Purchasing Power
31%
-
Rent
12%
-
Food
35%
-
Restaurant
26%
-
Workspace
48%
-
Transport
35%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | $409.23 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | $321.88 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | $691.67 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | $571.67 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | $14.12 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | $1.09 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $1.95 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $2.06 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $5.94 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $1.14 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $8.50 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $1.74 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $2.86 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | $6.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $5.66 |
| Apples (1kg) | $2.33 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $1.24 |
| Potato (1kg) | $1.21 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $0.75 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | $1.46 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $1.29 |
| Banana (1kg) | $1.08 |
| Onion (1kg) | $1.07 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $6.84 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $3.50 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | $25.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | $7.50 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | $3.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $4.25 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | $0.94 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | $0.75 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $2.31 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | $37.86 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | $0.11 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $36.38 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $34.75 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | $14.12 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | $6.65 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.35 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | $25.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $0.69 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | $30,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | $29,800.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $1.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | $1.58 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | $15.00 |
