Expat Advice: Living in Bahia de Caracruz, Ecuador

Comments Print

Create an Expat Profile for Your City or Town

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Bahia de Caracruz

How long have you lived there?

3 months

What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?

Here you meet others through shopping for food, necessities for the home, and dining out. There is a Rotary International group here but they only speak spanish.

If you have a talent, such as painting, you can set up in one of the parks and meet people.

There are a dozen expats here that speak english and most are very helpful for newcomers.

Also there are about 30 to 80 boats from all over the world at the marina, depending on the month, and most "boaties" speak English and are helpul. The marina owner, an American, also runs a restaurant there and he and his Columbian wife speak english.

In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.

The majority of people here are Catholic. There are a large number of Evangelical Prostestant Churches. Also many Mormons are here helping the poor.

They are very tolerant of all religious followers here, as long as you don't tell them their religion is wrong.

What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?

The main industries are building trades, making building supplies, Running small businesses, fishing and domestic services. For bi or multilingual persons there are jobs in businesses.

Young people go to trade schools or apprenticeships to learn trades. Many follow their fathers in the family business. Most people find jobs via a friends recommendation or going door to door of businesses. Work is hard to find for many who do not have a college or trade school certificate.

Working for foreigners is difficult unless you have specialized training and speak Spanish.

If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.

1. Learn some basic spanish before coming here.

2. Have a source of income to sustain you, don't expect to work to survive.

3. Keep an open mind and expect things to be very different from home.

4. Come for 3 to 4 weeks to see if you will like the country and city before making permanent immigration plans.

5. Have great patience and don't expect the people to act in a manner to which you are accustomed. Things here take time.

6. Remember you are a guest in their country so be respective of their customs, If you don't know what is expected-- ASK. Don't demand anything. They wll be nice if you are.

7. Always check your passport for visas and date stamps. They have been known to make errors on dates--quite often!

8. Be flexible, things are not under your control. Have Fun!

Moving to Ecuador soon?

More Expat Advice about Living in Ecuador