Growing Food Close to the Equator

Hi,
My family and I are looking at moving to Latin America, most likely Ecuador but still open to Costa Rica, Nicaragua or other countries. We are plant based (mostly fruit based) and aspire to be close to 100% self sufficient.  I would love to hear from anyone here who has lived and gardened in Ecuador or anywhere close to the equator really, what has been your experience growing food there? Is it more or less challenging than temperate or subtropical climates?  I would be fine with just growing mostly bananas, papayas, jackfruit, and things that grow really well in the tropics, but ideally it would be nice to be able to have more of a varied diet with things like watermelons, tomatoes, cucumbers, salad greens, different fruit trees, etc.

Dareios and family, there is no pat answer to your query. Before uprooting yourselves and moving to a new country, it's important to spend time there and see if it suits you in all manners of ways: the community, prices, access to needed services (schools, hospitals, health care, transportation, agricultural help, etc.), the growing climate, the pest challenges. For example, in a tiny country like Costa Rica there are dozens of microclimates from hot / wet to cool / dry and everything in between. Pineapple plants may grow well and quickly in one area but just a few kilometers away might take years to produce a few fruits. You may have garden invaders such as monkeys, iguanas, coatimundis, and various others who like fruits, vegetables, legumes, edible roots, and fungi as much as people do. It's critically important to spend time in a place and get to know people who are knowledgeable about the area's offerings before taking such a big leap. Of course, speaking and understanding the language is step one. Good luck.

Sounds like a great adventure! What you can grow in the tropics will depend on your elevation. That can make a big difference.

One thing I've noticed with people in the tropics trying to live completely off what they grow. The overwhelming sediment is that fat is the limiting factor so that's something to consider.

Coconuts are great for this but can take years to a decade or more to produce if you're at elevation. There are many great tropical nuts too. Canarium indicumis one of my favorites.