12 Tips for Living in Catamayo and Loja, Ecuador

By hopeinYah

Expat Life in Catamayo and Loja

Two former Minnesotans: Our experience and decision,, after a long land and home hunt in vilcabama, was to move elsewhere. We found a warmer area having less expensive property, both for land itself, and for homes and have been here nine years. Catamayo is warm, much of the time, (80;s) though it does get cooler at night. Loja, which is a 50 min. bus ride from Catamayo, is about 10-15 (?) degrees lower..

Cost of Living in Catamayo and Loja, Ecuador

We have found the cost of living to be reasonable, especially foods at the market, on the streetsides. Tia Food stores are a little more. Supermaxi in Loja is a good place to shop occasionally to stock up on basic items and for some variety. Clothing is higher in comparison it seems, but when they have there "holidays" with people filling the streets to market their goods, then is the time to get good deals!

Local Clubs and Organizations

There are no expat clubs that we know of in Catamayo, however, there are likely a few in Loja. There are also more people who speak English in Loja. The place to live if one is wanting to join an expat club is Cuenca. There are organized group meetings for people in the neighborhood where we live in La Vega, a "suburb" of Catamayo, and other clubs in Catamayo associated with the arts and education.

International Schools in Catamayo and Loja

There are International Schools in Loja that teach English, and we have learned they re teaching more english in the schools in Catamayo. Both secular and religious schools offer english classes for the students. We know there is one mission school (non-Catholic) that teaches mostly in english, K-12, not spanish..

Shopping in Catamayo and Loja

It appears that most of the people like to shop on the special marketing days where people come from miles around to show their wares. As I mentioned, Tia has some good buys (specials) and SuperMaxi is great up in Loja.

Public Transportation

We live in La Vega, a small, low-income area, but good people, and a bus goes by our door every 15-20 mins., every day, (except a few Catholic religious holidays) to go into Catamayo where one can get off right at the Loja bus stop.

Climate

Rather warm, sometimes hot, but we have enjoyed warm after so many decades of cold in Minnesota. The rainy season has seemed long a few of the nine years we have been here, and it lasts nearly six months, (Nov. to April).

Restaurants and Nightlife

Good prices for eating out! Variety in both Catamayo and Loja. We can eat a very healthy, good meal for $5.00 in Catamayo. We have not participated in nightlife much just to go out to eat at different restaurants where sometimes you might have someone serenade you at your table!

What are local hospitals and emergency services like?

We are about 7-8 minutes away by bus from the hospital in Catamayo. We have not been there but for 3-4 incidents, and found they helped to assist with the trouble really quite well! You have an option of buying both for general or public insurance. More serious health issues require more distant hospitals such as Loja, Cuenca or Quito.

Recreational Activities in Catamayo and Loja

Of course, there is soccer! But I'm finding out from the youth that they are playing basketball and enjoy that very much also, as well as volleyball. They have a Water Slide and Fun place for the young people to go a few miles outside of Catamayo, and there are neighborhood volleyball matches for many ages, bingo, outdoor music concerts in the parks, and artists show their paintings occasionally. No golf clubs, that we know around here, sorry... But I am sure there would be in Cuenca and Quito.

Residency and Visa Requirements

That is a tough one! We made some mistakes, but the best way if one would choose to live in the area where we are to go to Cuenca. We know an ex-pat that told us after we had some serious problems, that we should have been able to get everything done there instead of traveling to Machala or Quito..

Crime in Catamayo and Loja, Ecuador

Depending on where you live, of course, but in large gatherings on the streets when they are have these large gatherings marketing their goods, we have been accosted by a couple of thieves.