Which parts of Ecuador can I live where it snows?

@juliet1980 Ecuador means "equator" in English - since it's as far away from the North and South poles as you can get, it's also as far away from cold weather as you can get.

But of course when you factor altitude into the mix, you can get snow at higher elevations. The volcanoes Cotopaxi and Chimborazo stay snow-covered. In Ecuador you are going to find the snow line is around as low as 4800 meters (about 15,750 feet). It can occasionally snow below that altitude, down to 3500 meters (about 11,500 feet) but it doesn't stick around.

Quito is around 9500 feet give or take and can get quite cool at night. As you go further up the slopes of Pichincha which overlooks Quito it gets even cooler and can go below freezing.

There may be a few inhabited areas high up enough where it snows sometimes (but it will usually be rain) - but there won't be many people there or houses available, they'll all be taken. And there won't be much infrastructure like electricity, water, sewer, internet and cable TV, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, etc. etc. Many of the high areas are hard to get to and are also environmentally sensitive and protected from development.

You will have to visit the country, talk to people, travel to high areas, and persevere in your search. Your search is the reverse of wanting to live in the far north or far south, but with no snow ("Which parts of the Arctic and Antarctic can I live where there is no snow?")...

Also be aware that some people may have health difficulties adjusting to high altitude - some never get used to it.

Here are some links that may help you in your search.

https://tcktcktck.org/charts/coldest-pl … emperature

https://rtwferrer.wordpress.com/2010/08 … ator-ever/

https://www.worlddata.info/america/ecuador/climate.php

You may try Cuenca but I doubt if snow falls there

Hello @julliet1980,

I honestly don't think anywhere in Ecuador gets any regular snow, except high on a few mountains.  However, there are areas that are not humid and are, indeed, more temperate and even can be quite cool.  I happen to live in one and have done so for 9.5 years.  I live in Cotopaxi province within the Latacunga canton, meaning metropolitan area.  I actually live in the countryside close to a small village.  I am not sure where you are from but as I write this note, in the evening, I see the temperature says 50 F. and it will drop further in the night.  Daytime can be comfortable but by 4 pm, the temperatures start to drop so you cannot easily eat an outdoor meal unless you have patio heaters.   If you like to garden this is absolutely possible but tomatoes need a greenhouse.  My area is a dry valley with agaves that grow naturally.

From my window can be seen Cotopaxi volcano with its snow top.  Occasionally we get what locals call granisa which is like a corn snow that falls and then disappears in an hour or so.  Extremely few "expats" live in this area, so you would want to learn Spanish if you don't speak some already.  There is good bus service and the overall area is only about 2 hours south of Quito if you want some culture.  But there are lots of areas nearby that are somewhat more remote in feeling, if that is your preference.  I have a small website, that will give you a little feel for the area.  It is www.rosehavenfarm.net.  Linda

@juliet1980 … sure! if you don’t mind the rarefied air at the top of:

-Cotopaxi: 5897m

-Chimborazo: 6263m

😏

I am the same way, I am from Calgary, Alberta, Canada near Banff in the Rocky Mountains. There’s no way I could live near the coast, not only am I Canadian, I am Irish-Canadian ☘️… I might burst into flame at anything over 30°C lol.

I think you’ll be happiest somewhere in the Andes. Most of the more prosperous cities are to be found in mountains, you’ll just have to contend with much less ozone protect you from the sun at very high altitudes (sunblock is your friend). Fortunately, there’s plenty to choose from: Cotacachi, Quito, Cuenca, Loja (North to South),  though the further south you go the warmer it gets.

Cuenca is beautiful, green, becoming less polluting, A growing restaurant and events scene, health-conscious pathways and fitness parks, with a nice welcoming community culture, and more “modern” and sophisticated In the midst of Spanish colonial world heritage buildings, but it’s also a bit cool and rainy.

Quito is vibrant and a little warmer, a little dryer, but more impersonal, metropolitan and not as green; It has more smog (improved transit and subway system to come online in December?), and damn! walking a few blocks can involve climbing hundreds of feet in elevation! But great views… aka Virgin del Panecillo.

Loja Is a very pretty, smaller, walkable city, warmer, with a great restaurant, arts and entertainment scene, even though you have to look for it a bit… but surprisingly more “cosmopolitan” aka impersonal, businesslike and corporate culture oriented (lots of local Ecuadoreans looking very stressed, very rushed, but very stylish, very hard-working, very entrepreneurial, in their business suits and dresses).

Going somewhere at a lower elevation will improve the chances of finding a warmer climate. Every valley has a different micro climate, so plenty to choose from depending on whether you prefer dryer or wetter?

I found my happy place in Cotacachi, Imbabura… it has perpetual springtime temperatures, ranging from a cool 10° C (50° F) at night, to an average 21 to 24° (70 to 75° F) during the day… I often joke that the weatherman always says it’s 21° …whether it’s cold or hot, it just depends on whether the wind is blowing up the valley and the sun is out (warm), or the wind is blowing off of Volcan Cotacachi or Imbabura and it’s cloudy (chilly), either way, It’s always 21°. But Cotacachi is a very friendly, clean, walkable, safe (even at night), liveable smaller town/city, with a great restaurant and cafe scene, local craftsman and great shopping, tiendas, markets, fresh produce, coffee, chocolate, wine… music and cultural events, indigenous experiences and influences, social activism and charity, nearby hiking and nature exploration and adventure opportunities… And just big enough to find things to do, constantly meet new people in a very welcoming multicultural / international community, easy to get to know people that you see on a regular basis, but without being so small that everybody knows ALL of your business. Ideal for me.

@Lindaecuador Hello there, please what is the security situation like in Latagunca? I live in Quevedo but crime rate is so high and I am thinking of relocating to another area.

Thanks so much for all the replies!

I sit outside very comfortably in 40 degree weather... that is not cold to me at all. I'm a HUGE homebody... I'm not interested in restaurants (nothing a city offers is of interest to me... I am never ever bored and not into shopping etc). I just want to be near lots of nature and place for me to hike/jog a bit and for me to live my hermit life in peace surrounded by mountains and nature. I am super content living my life in nature in peace by myself and taking care of my health and eating healthy food (most consider that "too isolated" or boring life but for me it is pure heaven!). The only thing I would need is a place to buy fresh fruits/vegetables to buy certain things I cannot grow myself.

I did have melanoma 3 years ago, so kind of scary about the high elevation increasing risk. But there is NOWAY I can live near the coast or in lower elevation. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mountains.... the beach or coast on the other hand.... not really.

Right now I am just trying to put a list of places to visit in Ecuador so I can check it out. By the responses in this thread it appears I should check out the following if I need cooler and not humid weather…

-Quito

-Cuenca

-Cotopaxi province within the Latacunga canton

-Chimborazo

-Cotacachi

-Loja

If I have to give up my snow I can do that... but my body can't handle humid climate. Crossing my fingers up in the mountains it wont be humid. I will be tracking the dew point in all of the above places. This way I can get better feel for the weather....

I will certainly also check out www.rosehavenfarm.net Thanks!!

I am going to be tracking the dew points in Ecudaor. Today the dew points are listed below….

Quito (dew point today is 40... awesome!)

Cuenca (dew point today is 48... awesome!)

Cotopaxi (dew point today is 11... awesome!)

Chimborazo (dew point today is ... awesome!)

Cotacachi (dew point today is 46... awesome!)

Loja (dew point today is 50… awesome!)

Dew points NOT higher than 60 is amazing!! I wonder what is the most humid months in Ecuador? It appears it would be in March? I will be tracking it every single day

I never look at "humidity percentage". The dew point says the real story

So sorry I don’t mean to be such a nut about weather but I have suffered in various humid climates and I’m trying to avoid that again. I can handle not having snow but humidity would kill me.

Thanks!!

@Koksy Hi, I live in the countryside so there are some crimes but nothing super scary.  In 9.5 years I have had 2 incidents, one in Year 2 when some money was stolen but only because I stupidly left my home unlocked and a cash box not well hidden, close to an exterior door.  The second was much more recently where a person stole one of my full beehives (hope he really liked honey!), right from the front of my place. But again the beehive was quite visible.  As for nastly events like home invasions with guns or knives or major car related thefts, I have not heard of many.  This is a fairly tranquil area and there are very few visible non-ecuadorians.  The city of Latacunga might be a bit different, can't say.

@Lindaecuador

Forgive my question if it's dumb.... but can I get a security system installed? Or is this not as easy to get done in Ecuador? I can imagine it won't be as effective as it would be in the US because the "infrastructure" isn't there? I can imagine out in the country side AND in Ecuador it won't be feasible. Thanks!

When I lived in Budapest, Hungary (many years ago) I had no alarm... but now I would prefer it!

Hungary had such fresh FLAVORFUL food growing in my back yard! I need to escape the US. The extremely HIGH prices just getting worse and worse and worse. The prices are KILLING me and the produce is awful and flavorless in the US.

I have 4 citizenships. I am trying to educate myself on where can I eventually live to enjoy a peaceful life and that is 100% NOT in the US! I need decent healthcare... healthcare in the US is literally KILLING me. I am miserable here.

One of my citizenships is Hungarian... so I believe this means I can live anywhere in the entirety of the 27 member EU..... anywhere from Ireland to Greece to Portugal to Estonia... at least that is what google says.

Interesting... for the heck of it I checked dew point in Banos, Ecuador after seeing youtube channel say it is humid in Banos. They weren't kidding!

The dew Point in Banos today is 64. Yucky... that's humid. Thankfully Banos is nowhere near the other areas (Quito, Cuenca, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cotacachi, Loja) that seem to have non-humid climate.

I see elevation in Banos is only about 6,000ft. Perhaps that is why it is so humid? Or is it near the coast or something? It looks like a rain forest there... way too much green... even looks super humid. Thanks!

@juliet1980 Banos Agua Santa is a semi tropical area because of its much lower elevation and is due east of the city of Ambato which is in the Andes corridor. It's about an hour to the east. While it is humid, it is nowhere near as humid as the coast in places such as Guayaquil.  Baños is quite touristic with a combination of natural hot springs and therefore Spa facilities and a lot of extreme sports such as zip lining, Mountain kayaking, Etc. It's actually a nice place to visit and has some very good restaurants and is quite a safe and comfortable place. However I don't think it's at all the type of place you are looking for.

@juliet1980 Banos Agua Santa is a semi tropical area because of its much lower elevation and is due east of the city of Ambato which is in the Andes corridor. It's about an hour to the east. While it is humid, it is nowhere near as humid as the coast in places such as Guayaquil. Baños is quite touristic with a combination of natural hot springs and therefore Spa facilities and a lot of extreme sports such as zip lining, Mountain kayaking, Etc. It's actually a nice place to visit and has some very good restaurants and is quite a safe and comfortable place. However I don't think it's at all the type of place you are looking for.
-@Lindaecuador

Thanks for your reply.

I agree 100%. I only checked the dew point in Banos for fun. It's definitely not an area I would be interested in potentially living in nor visiting (super green "rainforest/jungle" humid climates are my worst nightmare). I will keep my fingers crossed those other areas higher up in the mountains will have a more "desert" like climate/landscape in Ecuador.

I am sure it will still have a LOT more green than I prefer and am used to. If money wasn't an issue I would totally live in Colorado or Washington near Twisp high up in the mountains (gorgeous there and more desert like terrain that I love). But unfortunately that is not my reality for numerous reasons. I need OUT of the US.

do not then bother with Loja, despite all its cultural values. It rains a fair bit there.  although it is cooler than Vilcabamba, which you would hate.  Sounds like you would not like to be in Ecuador at all.  Maybe someplace more to your very distinct taste...

@HelenPivoine

I don't mind rain (I love rain so long as it doesn't rain almost daily!)... it is humidity I hate, not rain. Depending on where you live it can be pouring rain with dew point well UNDER 60. So it doesn't feel humid and miserable at all.

I wouldn't say I have a  "very distinct" taste.. like millions of people... I cannot handle hot or humid/muggy climate. I will continue to monitor dew points in certain areas in Ecuador to see what it's like year round... and go from there...

@juliet1980 Hi Juliet, Have you thought about whether you want to rent or buy?  That might make a difference. Also did you get to look at the little website I sent to you? Maybe a place like mine that's sort of in the countryside with a large organic food Garden but in a cool but dry climate with non-humid rain might intrigue you? If you have my website, you can write to me on the email that's within it. If not, let me know and I'll send it to you.  Snow is out the window on the top of Cotopaxi. Linda in Cotopaxi.

@juliet1980 Hi Juliet! Yes, it does snow in Ecuador yet it's only at the tippy top of the Andes where no one lives.  I live in Southern Ecuador in a little town called Malacatos and love it here.  I moved here from Colorado three years ago and it continues to be the best decision of my life.  When I need a dose of snow I fly back to Colorado!  The weather here is wonderful and it allows me to grow food year-round which was one of my 'bucket list' items. The temperature here is lovely as it really never gets hot or too cold.  It's just right!

@juliet1980 I just read this post Juliet. It sounds as if you and I have much in common! I do hope that you find your perfect place. I actually have a beautiful property for sale here in Malacatos near me if you are interested in taking a look. It has tremendous potential for sustainability and is definitely peaceful and serene.

@juliet1980 Hi Juliet, Have you thought about whether you want to rent or buy? That might make a difference. Also did you get to look at the little website I sent to you? Maybe a place like mine that's sort of in the countryside with a large organic food Garden but in a cool but dry climate with non-humid rain might intrigue you? If you have my website, you can write to me on the email that's within it. If not, let me know and I'll send it to you. Snow is out the window on the top of Cotopaxi. Linda in Cotopaxi.
-@Lindaecuador

Thanks again for your reply! Are you referring to this website? rosehavenfarm

Yes I checked out the website and the organic garden with fruit/veggies looks AMAZING!!! Produce in the US have NO flavor unless you grow it yourself.

I have always dreamed of being able to eventually grow my own veggie/fruit trees like I used to have when I lived in Budapest, Hungary. I used to ride my bike with my pet rooster in the basket in the front to get fresh bread every morning in Budapest LOL. That is what life is all about!

To be honest it will be at least a couple of years or longer before I can even go an check Ecuador out. So it is quite a ways out sadly...

@juliet1980 Hi Juliet! Yes, it does snow in Ecuador yet it's only at the tippy top of the Andes where no one lives. I live in Southern Ecuador in a little town called Malacatos and love it here. I moved here from Colorado three years ago and it continues to be the best decision of my life. When I need a dose of snow I fly back to Colorado! The weather here is wonderful and it allows me to grow food year-round which was one of my 'bucket list' items. The temperature here is lovely as it really never gets hot or too cold. It's just right!
-@elcirculo090

Wow! That's amazing congrats on the move!! What part of Colorado? If money weren't an issue (and high taxes in the US etc) then Colorado would be my dream place... up in the mountains where you get four seasons and amazing nature with snow in your backyard. But sadly the US is not good for me... health insurance, high taxes and cost of living... I need out of the US. Things in the US just getting worse and worse. I love this youtube channel and they nailed tings on the head... I fear for my future.... the healthcare is a DISASTER in the US:  youtu.be/AdCA0irGbPE

My fav youtube channel is Nomad Capitalist who helps 7 and 8 figure entrepreneurs go where they're treated best. Sadly I don't qualify for that... I just want to live simple frugal life outside of the US when I can finally make the move.

I hope Ecuador won't become like Mexico... when too many people go to country... nothing but problems.

The good news is that I think most people would not want to live like me further out, they want to be in the city or very close to the city with "things to do". That is NOT me.

@juliet1980 I just read this post Juliet. It sounds as if you and I have much in common! I do hope that you find your perfect place. I actually have a beautiful property for sale here in Malacatos near me if you are interested in taking a look. It has tremendous potential for sustainability and is definitely peaceful and serene.
-@elcirculo090

Thanks for your reply! Sadly it will be at least couple years or longer before I am even able to visit Ecuador to check it out... so I have to wait quite some time longer. In the interim I'm just trying to learn much as possble.

I am confused about something. I keep reading that the tap water in Ecuador is not safe to drink because it is not chlorinated. What happens when I wash produce and then eat the produce with tap water on it? Is that unsafe? Because google claims you should not even use ice cubes in your drink...

Thanks!!

I am confused about something. I keep reading that the tap water in Ecuador is not safe to drink because it is not chlorinated. What happens when I wash produce and then eat the produce with tap water on it? Is that unsafe? Because google claims you should not even use ice cubes in your drink...
Thanks!!
-@juliet1980

I am sure the water in Ecuador in most places is much better than when I lived there over 60 years ago in Quito, and we used the tap water every day even to brush our teeth...and the population of the country is now over 3x larger, so whatever's in the water isn't hurting them.

You can always use bottled water, if you can trust its source. You could even set up up a rain water collection system and purify it yourself with not a great amount of effort - large plastic water storage tanks are readily available in sizes of 250 - 1000 liters and even larger because many people store water in anticipation of outages and shortages. This article outlines some of the challenges of potable water in Ecuador:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_sup … in_Ecuador

Here are some links to companies selling cisterns and water tanks:

https://rotoplas.com.ec/

https://listado.mercadolibre.com.ec/tan … es-de-agua

https://www.riegoecuador.com/index.php/ … e-plastico

The government of Ecuador even supplies potable water to distributors who must meet certain standards. The distributors then re-sell it (they buy it for $0.65 per cubic meter, which is 227 gallons) and deliver it by truck to anyone who wants it and pays for it, with a mark-up of course (local governments can set the price - for instance in the cantón of Durán, Ecuador they may charge $0.80 per 55 gallons, or $3.76 per cubic meter):

https://www.gob.ec/epmapsp/tramites/ven … s-tanquero

http://www.emapad.gob.ec/home/9-ultimas … 0-centavos

@juliet1980 ...as OsageArcher notes "the water is better.." it just depends on the municipality, and often times the age of the Home/building and water piping system in your community.

Better funded municipalities and provinces in the Andes are more likely to have upgraded or improved water systems than in the poorer coastal areas. Wealthier citizen base = wealthier municipal tax base. Check the municipal websites for where you want to live however, they will often have information about local water quality, treatment and upgrades going on.

Cuenca, Azuay and Cotacachi, Imbabura are both known for good quality, drinkable water available straight from the tap (again as long as your house isn't too old with poor quality pipes). They both benefit from volcanic soil filtering of water, along the ring of fire that forms many of the Andes peaks. Although they are the sources of stream and river water trickling down into the Amazon to the East, and eventually West to the coast (unfortunately running through quite a lot of farm and ranch lands 🫣🐴🐮🦙💩).

The Ecuadorean government is funding water system and treatment upgrades across the country. Coastal communities and larger cities have much bigger "challenges", and more extensive, older systems to upgrade. In the Andes on the other hand, small to medium towns and cities in the Northern Imbabura province in particular has recently gone through a large scale upgrade of primary water supply and distribution piping; From Ibarra to Otavalo, via San Antonio, Lago San Pablo, and Atuntaqui. Quito has been carrying out some upgrades as well, but again it's a large city, challenging terrain for a water system, and it's a big job to finish!

Living in Cotacachi I cautiously boiled my tap water for tea and coffee my first three months here, to slowly acclimatize to the local water source and taste difference from what I'm used to in Canada. Now I drink the water straight from the tap, with no problems. Not to say that if you already have digestive issues, or find issues with home or community piping that may be damaged and allowing contaminants to leak in, you won't avoid having health problems. Wherever you decide to live, you can take water samples from your preferred community for testing, and find out if there's any contamination or nasty biologicals swimming in it, to decide if you rely on bottled water.

@juliet1980 Hey Juliet! Because I live in a rural area on top of the mountain, my water comes directly from the mountain.  It took me a few weeks of intestinal discomfort to adjust to the new bacteria that my body wasn't used to and just to be safe I do a Grapefruit Seed Extract cleanse every quarter.  My water is delicious!

When I lived in the town there was NO WAY I would drink the water.  I didn't trust it at all and only drank bottled water.

I do keep bottled water in a rotation at my house strictly because when it rains my spring water becomes muddy water! ;-)

Hello, this is for @juliet1980.  from everything you have said, I think you might be happy on a place near but outside of the town of Cotacachi.  We have explored most of Ecuador, and I think the climate will suit you.  We do not like humidity either, and have lived in Cotacachi for 15yr. and love it.  If you feel the need for show, you can drive to the Refugio on Montana Cayambe about an hour away at 16,000 and walk on and play in the snow to your hearts content and then go back home, put a fire in the fireplace and hop into your cozy bed at home and feel complete.  I would definitely visit, and maybe you can save a little bit and get there sooner instead of later.  RT fares from Denver can be as low as $400 -500 .  Recommend it very much!