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Manta, Ecuador: Everything You Need To Know
Manta is a tourist, maritime, and fishing port in Ecuador. The city is in the western part of the province of Manabí, in the bay of Manta.
Manta is on the Pacific Ocean, and it’s an international port, with cruise ships arriving every week.
The city of Manta is a commercial center dedicated to the export of Panama hats, coffee, cacao, bananas, cotton, and textiles. It also is home to Ecuador’s major tuna fishing fleet.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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During indigenous times Manta was called Jocay, which translates to house of the fish. Labeled as La Puerta del Pacífico (gateway to the Pacific), it’s Ecuador’s fourth largest city.
Ecuador expats have caught on to Manta’s fantastic natural beauty and high quality of life. As a result, thousands of North Americans and Canadians already calling it home.
The cost of living is one of Ecuador’s top selling points.
Ecuador is about as inexpensive as it gets in Latin America. The savings come not just from cheaper goods and services but a lifestyle change. This also applies to the city of Manta as well.
Instead of the two cars in the driveway most expat couples had before leaving North America, most have none in Ecuador.
Expats get by with public transportation, resulting in hundreds of dollars in savings per month. But a car is important if you decide to set camp in one of Manta’s beach communities.
A taxi costs about US$3, and bus fare is 30 cents (half-price for seniors).
Manta’s regional bus terminal is open 24 hours, all year round. It’s five minutes away from the Manta International Airport and 800 meters from the commercial center of the city.
The biggest savings in Manta, Ecuador, are in housing. The average purchase price is less than 50% compared to property in the States. You can also save on utilities, as most homes in Ecuador don’t require heating.
Rent for a fully furnished, two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo with an ocean view can cost US$800 per month (including utilities). Monthly rent for luxury condos can go as high as US$1,300. Overall, Manta offers top real estate values in Ecuador.
Country-wide, the cost of living in Ecuador is inexpensive as it gets in Latin America.
Within Ecuador, cities like Cuenca and Loja have lower living costs. In fact, they are among the cheapest you’ll find for cities that still have the full complement of city amenities.
Get a clear breakdown of everyday expenses in Ecuador—including housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare—so you can budget accurately before you make the move.
Among the fun things to do in Manta, Ecuador, swimming at its beaches is a top activity. Also go to Machalilla National Park to enjoy outdoor activities.
Beach volleyball, sport fishing, and foodie tours of Manta’s restaurants are some of the top ways to spend time in Manta, Ecuador.
Manta’s beaches are among the best surf destinations in Ecuador. Beach resorts and spas are also part of Manta’s appeal.
In Tarqui, you can enjoy the various seafood stands on the east end of the beach.
Nearby you’ll find Manta’s boatyard, where wooden fishing boats are built by hand.
The best area to stay in Manta, Ecuador, is Playa Murcielago or Murcielago Beach.
It’s the main stage for the International Theater Festival, Manta for Dance, and the Spondylus America Dance Festival.
Playa Murcielago is a couple of miles northwest of downtown Manta. Above all, it’s the town’s most popular beach with snack bars, local markets, and restaurants. Nearby is a commercial zone with hotels and banks.
To learn more about the early settlers of this place visit the Manta Cultural Center Museum. It’s opposite El Murcielago beach.
Its permanent exhibits show a glimpse of the cultural heritage of Manta and Ecuador’s history.
Another popular beach in Manta is Santa Marianita, just 15 minutes west of the city.
It’s primarily a fishing village but it has also become known as the kite boarding capital because of its prime conditions. Santa Marianita is also an ideal surf spot.
This area is home to expats from all over North America and Europe.
To the south of the city of Manta, you’ll find Playa Barbasquillo. This beach has picturesque cliffs and soft sand. It’s at the center of new urban and hotel development projects in Manta.
A benefit to anyone considering a move to Ecuador is the cost of living. Nearly all locations within the country will be cheaper than what you’re used to in North America
The people of Ecuador are friendly and welcoming, so it’s easy to become a part of the community.
Also, English is spoken and understood by many locals, hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops.
See what retirement can look like in Ecuador—including lifestyle considerations, practical planning tips, and what to expect as you explore your options.
Everyone in Ecuador is guaranteed health care, no matter their ability to pay.
Ecuador has a two-tier public health system:
The Social Security plan has downsides, like long waits to see specialists for low priority surgery.
Most expats choose the Social Security system because fees are minimal. Plus, they often have a private insurance plan should they decide to seek private medical service.
Private health care costs are low, and the quality is high. Private hospitals offer modern facilities, and most doctors speak English.
Tourist dentistry and surgery are becoming more popular in Ecuador. Medications can be bought over the counter, and you’ll find generic equivalents to U.S. medications.
Explore how the healthcare system works in Ecuador, what expats typically do for coverage, and what to expect for day-to-day care—so you can plan with confidence before you move.
The coastal city of Manta experiences less crime than larger cities like Guayaquil. But be aware of petty crime, such as pickpocketing or theft of unattended items.
Common sense is your safest bet when you’re living in Manta, Ecuador. Here are a few general safety tips:
Ecuador has an easy path to permanent residency. Legal residents have the right to work and operate a business and access to a program of senior citizen discounts.
You need proof of income from a reliable source (like Social Security or a pension) for a pensioner’s residency visa in Ecuador.
The sales tax rate in Ecuador is 12%, which is the second-lowest in South America.
Ecuador also offers a good package of senior benefits (available to anyone of senior age, not just residents), including:
Best of all, you never have to stand in line. Seniors (those 65 and older) always go to the front.
Warm, tropical weather is another reason that expats choose to move to Manta, Ecuador.
The best time to visit Manta’s beach towns is in June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. The city has high temperatures year-round ranging between 86°F (30°C) and 90°F (32°C).
January, February, March, and April are when you’ll get the most rain.
When visiting any beaches in Ecuador, pack sunscreen, breathable shirts, bug repellent, a rain poncho, comfortable clothes, and footwear.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll send you a FREE report on the 12 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2026
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Manta is an international port on the Pacific Ocean, with dozens of cruise ships arriving each week. It’s home to Ecuador’s major tuna fishing fleet.
Manta is worth visiting because it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ecuador. It has beautiful beaches where you can enjoy swimming, diving, sport fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
Manta is a good place for expats. The cost of living is one of its top selling points, plus the people of Ecuador are friendly, and it’s easy to become a part of the community.
The best area to stay in Manta, Ecuador, is Playa Murcielago. It’s the town’s most popular beach with snack bars, local markets, and restaurants.
Yes, Ecuador recognizes dual citizenship.
Residents who have lived in Ecuador for three years or are married to a citizen are eligible for citizenship. The resident must have lived in Ecuador for two years.
You’re also eligible if you have a permanent civil relationship with a citizen of Ecuador.
The sales tax rate in Ecuador is 12%, which is the second-lowest in South America.
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