I posted this under another forum but thought you might want to be aware of it when choosing a place to live;
Something to be aware of, which I was not when I moved here two and one half years ago, is that it seems there are no sound regulations or ordinances. Anyone can make as much noise as they please and they do. In Quito it is very common for someone, or a group, to set up one or more of those ultra loud loudspeakers on their terrace or out in the street, and crank music full volume at all hours. Car alarms are very common and sometimes constant. Also altered mufflers on cars, which are illegal in the US (and probably Canada), are common here.
Same seems to be true of building codes, ordinances, and /or zoning. It is completely possible for someone to open a night club next to your home with extremely loud music until 2, 3, 4 in the morning.
I am still deciding if I can adapt. Fortunately I am retired, but if I had to get up for work in the morning I definitely would not stay. Peace and quiet is not a value in this culture.
I am not sure about Manta but suspect the rules, if they exist, are similar.