Side-by-side city decision # Guayaquil vs Santa Teresa. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link GuayaquilEcuador2/6 VS Santa TeresaCosta Rica3/6 $1,025Guayaquil monthly budget $2,400Santa Teresa monthly budget 95 MbpsGuayaquil internet 70 MbpsSanta Teresa internet Decision summary Santa Teresa Santa Teresa leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Guayaquil Speed Fastest internet Guayaquil Vibe Best nomad vibe Santa Teresa Safety Highest safety Santa Teresa Air Cleanest air Santa Teresa Walk Most walkable Tie Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Guayaquil](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/ecuador/guayaquil.md) Ecuador 2/6 Budget$1,025 Internet95 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Santa Teresa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/santa-teresa.md) Costa Rica 3/6 Budget$2,400 Internet70 Mbps Vibe9/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricGuayaquilSanta Teresa Total estimated budget $1,025 $2,400 1-bed center rent $550 $1,400 Coworking desk $150 $250 Local meal $4 $10 Cappuccino $2.9 $3.8 Gym membership $35 $70 Transport budget $55 $150 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricGuayaquilSanta Teresa Internet speed 95 Mbps 70 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 9/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricGuayaquilSanta Teresa Safety index 35/100 72/100 Air quality 62/100 88/100 Walkability 5/10 5/10 Female safety 4/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricGuayaquilSanta Teresa Healthcare quality Good Average English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Tropical savanna Tropical savanna Best time to visit Jul - Sep Dec - Apr Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Guayaquil](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/ecuador/guayaquil.md) Ecuador → ### Strengths * Affordable USD-based daily costs * Fast flights and a convenient central airport * Strong private healthcare options * Excellent coastal Ecuadorian food * Warm weather year-round * Reliable fiber internet in central neighborhoods ### Trade-offs * Serious security concerns and visible crime risk * Hot, humid, and rainy wet season * Limited English outside international business settings * Heavy traffic and uneven walkability * Tap water is not recommended for drinking * Smaller nomad scene than Quito or Cuenca ### Common visa routes * 90-day tourist stay * Rentista for Remote Work visa * Temporary residence visa [Santa Teresa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/santa-teresa.md) Costa Rica → ### Strengths * World-class surf beaches and year-round outdoor lifestyle * Large, social international remote-worker community * Strong café, wellness, yoga, and coworking scene * Warm weather and spectacular sunsets * English is widely spoken in tourism-facing businesses * Relaxed small-town atmosphere with excellent nature access ### Trade-offs * Rental prices are high for a small, remote beach town * A scooter or ATV is often needed to get around * Roads become muddy, rough, and difficult in the rainy season * Internet and power reliability vary considerably by property * Limited medical facilities and services locally * Groceries, imported products, and nightlife can be expensive ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry permission, commonly granted for up to 180 days at the immigration officer's discretion * Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa for qualifying remote workers, valid for one year and renewable * Temporary residence routes such as rentista, investor, or family-based residency Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.