Why We Chose Ecuador to Start Our Family Travel Year
And What We’re Planning to Do Once We’re There
We’re a family of four getting ready to spend a year slow-traveling through Latin America. And after a lot of research, spreadsheets, YouTube deep-dives, and second guesses, we chose Ecuador as our very first stop.
Not because it’s the trendiest or the easiest, but because it felt like the right mix of approachable, affordable, and full of things we want our kids to experience.
If you’re wondering why Ecuador? or is Ecuador safe for families? — here’s what led us there and how we’re planning to start our long-term journey.
This blog is fuelled by caffeine and chaos, if it helps, support our journey.
Why Ecuador Just Makes Sense (For Us)
It’s a great first step for new long-term travelers
We’re not jumping straight into chaos. Ecuador is compact, relatively easy to navigate, and gives us a chance to settle into this new way of living without getting overwhelmed.
It feels like a country that meets you where you’re at.
The geography is next-level
You’ve got the Andes, the Amazon, the Pacific coast, and cloud forests — all in a country smaller than the UK. That’s a dream for slow travel. We can explore wildly different places without spending full days in transit.
Visas are simple and flexible
As UK citizens, we get 90 days on arrival. No pre-applications, no embassies, no stress. And even if we weren’t from the UK, Ecuador is known for being one of the most accessible countries in Latin America when it comes to entry and extensions.
The cost of living gives us room to breathe
We’re not doing this on a lottery win. Being in Ecuador gives us the chance to live well on a family budget — rent a place for a month, eat out now and then, and focus on experiences instead of just keeping up.
It’s known to be family-friendly
This was a big one. We’ve heard from other families that Ecuadorians are welcoming, especially toward kids, and that the pace of life is more relaxed than a lot of other travel hotspots.
We don’t need everything to be perfect, we just need a place where our kids can settle in from taking them out of school, we can slow down, and we all feel like we belong, even for a little while.
Is Ecuador Safe Right Now?
Short answer — it depends where you go and how you travel.
We’re being careful with our route, sticking to smaller towns, and checking travel advisories before we move between regions. Like anywhere, it’s about staying alert, avoiding known hot spots, and not being flashy. We’re not carrying laptops in beach bags or wandering through unknown neighbourhoods after dark.
We’re also part of a few family travel and expat groups, so we’re keeping an eye on how things shift locally.
The truth? No place is 100% safe. But Ecuador doesn’t feel off-limits — it feels manageable with common sense and a bit of prep.
Our Rough Ecuador Route
We’re not strict itinerary people, but here’s what we’ve mapped out (for now):
Quito — our landing point. Altitude, history, and time to find our feet.
Otavalo — a slower town known for its markets and surrounding nature.
Mindo — cloud forest, butterflies, and birds. Our son is obsessed already.
Cuenca — possible longer stay. Smaller city feel, lots of parks, relaxed rhythm.
The Coast — maybe Olón or Montañita. We’ll see how we’re feeling by then.
This will change, of course. But having a loose route helps us make smarter choices on housing, school rhythm, and budget.
FAQs: What People Keep Asking
Is Ecuador safe for families?
Yes — with smart planning. We’re avoiding riskier areas, checking updates regularly, and keeping things low-key. Lots of families travel here safely every year.
Why Ecuador instead of a bigger country?
It’s compact, welcoming, and full of variety. It’s also affordable, easy to get around, and great for learning Spanish in real-life situations.
What about health stuff and vaccines?
We’re following NHS guidelines and checking what’s required as we go. Yellow fever isn’t mandatory unless you’re coming from a risk area, but we’re speaking to a travel nurse beforehand.
Where are the best places to visit in Ecuador?
That depends on what you’re into we’re going for nature, small towns, and culture, so our list leans that way. Others might love the Amazon or more beach-heavy spots.
Why It Felt Right
We didn’t pick Ecuador because it was the easiest option. We picked it because it felt like a country that would meet us where we are, somewhere between excited and nervous, adventurous and practical.
It gives us space to learn, slow down, and ease into a new rhythm of family life. That’s what we’re after.
If you’re planning your own long-term trip and don’t know where to start, Ecuador might be worth a look.
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