About Retire to Ecuador
Helping Americans plan their next chapter with honest, detailed, and up-to-date information about retiring in Ecuador.
Our Mission
Retiring abroad is a big decision. The internet is full of outdated blog posts and vague advice. We built Retire to Ecuador because Americans considering this move deserve better — specific numbers, honest assessments, and guides that actually answer the hard questions.
Every guide on this site is researched against current 2026 data: real rental prices, actual IESS costs, up-to-date visa requirements. We cover what other sites gloss over — the bureaucracy, the altitude, the trade-offs — because you need the full picture, not just the highlights reel.
Whether you are running the numbers on Social Security abroad or comparing Cuenca to Vilcabamba, our goal is the same: give you the information to make a confident decision.
In-Depth Research
Every guide is thoroughly researched and regularly updated with current data, prices, and policies.
Written With Care
We know our audience. Large, readable text. Clear explanations. No jargon. Honest assessments.
Community Focused
Part of a family of sites serving the American expat community in Ecuador.
Meet the Founder
Chip Moreno
Chip Moreno is the founder of Iterative Systems LLC and the creator of Retire to Ecuador, along with its sister sites EcuaPass (visa services), FileAbroad (expat tax filing), ExpatEcuador.com (daily expat news), and CuencaExpat.com (Cuenca local news).
An American expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador, Chip holds a degree in Computer Science and is an Enrolled Agent candidate (Part 1 passed) — bringing both technical and tax expertise to the resources he builds for the expat community.
Everything Iterative Systems builds is focused on the same problem: Americans trying to figure out Ecuador. The visa process, the tax obligations, the day-to-day reality. This site handles the retirement-specific side of that equation.
Our Family of Sites
A connected ecosystem of resources for Americans in Ecuador
EcuaPass
Professional visa and residency services for Americans moving to Ecuador. From consultation to approved visa.
Visit siteFileAbroad
Simplified U.S. tax filing for Americans living abroad. Expat-specific forms, deductions, and compliance.
Visit siteExpatEcuador.com
Daily news and resources for the broader American expat community in Ecuador, beyond retirement.
Visit siteMovingToEcuador.com
Comprehensive relocation resource for Americans planning their move to Ecuador.
Visit siteCuencaExpat.com
Local news, events, and community coverage for expats in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Visit siteGet Our Free Retirement Guide
Weekly Ecuador retirement tips, cost-of-living updates, and visa insights — straight to your inbox.