Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
I live in Manta, Ecuador, and one thing I’ve noticed since moving here is the amount of trash and pollution that’s everywhere — especially near the beach. This video shows what I deal with every morning when I walk down to clean up trash myself. I’m not talking about some forgotten back alley. This is an upscale neighborhood surrounded by luxury apartment buildings.
Instead of just complaining, I decided to do something. I’ve started going down to the beach early in the morning with trash bags and a grabber, picking up what I can and hauling it back to my building’s trash bins. In this short clip, I show the only easy access I have to the beach — a stairwell that’s dirty, covered in graffiti, and smells like urine. None of this was here a year ago.
I’m not trying to discourage anyone from moving to Ecuador or retiring here. I still believe Ecuador can be a great place to live. But if you’re considering Manta, especially in one of the so-called upscale areas, this is something you should see and think about before making that decision.
If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I read and respond to every message. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video.
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - facebook.com/groups/323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f4Wv3uBMulCX9OK6oNqS5a9wrS84cbUBYXzoq24JNA/edit?usp=sharing
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
My checklist for moving to Ecuador - docs.google.com/document/d/1ySNcEa6_ffaKutXgMdlhdwAoD46lkwqKvd_H7DlEYGY/edit?usp=sharing
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a YouTube video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
#MantaEcuador
#EcuadorExpat
#BeachPollution
#LifeInEcuador
#ExpatReality
I live in Manta, Ecuador, and one thing I’ve noticed since moving here is the amount of trash and pollution that’s everywhere — especially near the beach. This video shows what I deal with every morning when I walk down to clean up trash myself. I’m not talking about some forgotten back alley. This is an upscale neighborhood surrounded by luxury apartment buildings.
Instead of just complaining, I decided to do something. I’ve started going down to the beach early in the morning with trash bags and a grabber, picking up what I can and hauling it back to my building’s trash bins. In this short clip, I show the only easy access I have to the beach — a stairwell that’s dirty, covered in graffiti, and smells like urine. None of this was here a year ago.
I’m not trying to discourage anyone from moving to Ecuador or retiring here. I still believe Ecuador can be a great place to live. But if you’re considering Manta, especially in one of the so-called upscale areas, this is something you should see and think about before making that decision.
If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I read and respond to every message. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video.
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - facebook.com/groups/323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f4Wv3uBMulCX9OK6oNqS5a9wrS84cbUBYXzoq24JNA/edit?usp=sharing
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
My checklist for moving to Ecuador - docs.google.com/document/d/1ySNcEa6_ffaKutXgMdlhdwAoD46lkwqKvd_H7DlEYGY/edit?usp=sharing
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a YouTube video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
#MantaEcuador
#EcuadorExpat
#BeachPollution
#LifeInEcuador
#ExpatReality
