Articles

Which hospital do you go to in an emergency in Cuenca? How much does the ER cost? A quick reference guide to Cuenca's hospitals, clinics, and emergency services for expats.

Comparing private health insurance in Ecuador? Here's a breakdown of the major providers — BMI, Humana, Confiamed, Ecuasanitas, and more — with costs, coverage, and which plans work best for expats.

Do you owe taxes in Ecuador as an expat? The short answer: probably not much, if anything. Here's how Ecuador's tax system works for foreign residents, including income tax, IVA, and the key deadlines.

Your cédula is your Ecuadorian ID card — you need it for everything from opening a bank account to enrolling in IESS. Here's exactly how to get it after your visa is approved.

Everything expats need to know about IESS (Ecuador's public health insurance) in 2026 — enrollment, costs, what's covered, appointment wait times, and whether it's worth it vs. private insurance.

Cuenca's biggest infrastructure project — the $43 million Monay-IESS interchange — is 24% complete, with new nightly highway closures starting today. Here's what's closed, what the detour routes are, and when you can expect relief.

Ecuador's Health Ministry just extended the national flu vaccination campaign by 60 days. Free flu shots are available at all 1,900 public health centers, public hospitals, and IESS facilities — no appointment needed. Respiratory viruses are circulating above normal levels. Here's what you need to know.

Ecuador's social security health system just announced follow-up visits will be halved from 20 to 10 minutes. Specialists still get 20. If you use IESS for healthcare, here's what's changing and how to make the most of shorter visits.

Medicine shortages, payment failures, and overwhelmed hospitals plague Ecuador's public system. But for expats in Cuenca, private healthcare remains remarkably affordable — if you know how to navigate your options.