Ventanas, Ecuador

Capital City

At just over 41,500 residents, Ventanas is the fourth-largest city in Ecuador's Los Ríos province. However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in bureaucratic headaches. The city's tropical climate brings heavy rains for half the year, while the other half is sweltering. And despite its agricultural prominence as the "Corn Capital of Ecuador," the income tax collected here represents less than 10% of the provincial total. For those seeking an authentic small-town experience in Ecuador, Ventanas may scratch that itch - but the persistent red tape and unpredictable weather are likely dealbreakers for many expats.