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SUZAN HASKINS
ParticipantMike, your tourist visa is good for 3 months and you can extend that once for 3 months. After that, you’ll need to explore longer-term residency visas. In the rolodex on the Ecuador Insider website you can find resources for attorneys and others who can help with visa information. I’m not sure how to guide you in your research — check out the itineraries in the Travel Section. Do you want to be where there is an expat community? How big of a city do you prefer? How close to a major hospital do you want to be? I think a lot of your questions will be answered if you poke around on this website. But if it were me, I’d put Quito, Cotacachi, Cuenca and Vilcabamba on my list in the Sierra. (Cross off Cotacachi and Vilcabamba if you don’t like small villages. Cross off the other two if you don’t like big cities…or leave Cuenca on if a mid-size city is okay.) On the coast, there are LOTS of small towns, but the only sizeable cities are Salinas and Manta.
ParticipantMy husband and I also have different last names and have never had a problem. And yes, either of you can qualify as a dependent based on one of your financial statements or the other. Remember, in Latin America, everyone has two last names — and husband’s and wive’s aren’t the same. That’s not a hurdle here. You will have to have a copy of your marriage certificate. That’s all the proof you need.
ParticipantJust as in any country, city living in Ecuador will cost more. Of course, your cost of living depends on you. If you dig into your Ecuador Insider, you’ll find detailed info about the best places for expat living. But Ecuador isn’t like Costa Rica or Mexico…the expat communities aren’t organized into Canadian clubs, etc. We’re just starting to get enough critical mass to have bridge clubs and get-togethers and that sort of thing. Check out our suggested itineraries in the travel section and you’ll get some good ideas about where to go and who to contact.
ParticipantWe’ve never had a problem bringing our limit of stuff packed in suitcases back from the US or wherever we have traveled. And we’ve brought some odd stuff…ceramic fireplace logs, a bread machine, and of course…linens and towels (you’ll spend less and get better quality stuff in North America.) However, everything you bring should be for personal use, including electronics. I’ve found that usually means I can get through with two laptops, camera, video camera, ipad, and phone. There are rumors that Ecuador customs wants to get more serious about the amount of electronics coming in but unless you’re trying to bring lots of stuff for resale you should not have a problem. We also bring spices, Ranch dressing mix and that sort of stuff that’s hard to find here. You might have a problem bringing seeds and plants…that sort of thing. For alcohol I believe the current rule is 3 liters per person — that’s what I was told in Panama duty-free a few weeks ago. (We brought 5 between us, no problem.) And if you enjoy alcohol, I definitely recommend sticking up in duty free on the way here…on fine spirits, anyhow.
Participantgood news!
ParticipantHmmm, that depends on what your definition of “hot”…or “cold”…is…
Ecuador has four “regions” — Sierra (or mountains), the Oriente (Amazon basin), the Coast, and the Galapagos. I doubt you would choose to live in the Galapagos or the Oriente, so that leaves the Sierra and the Coast.
Sierra weather is, day in and day out, like Colorado mountains in the SUMMERTIME (we’re on the equator so we don’t have winter.) We live in Cotacachi in northern Ecuador at 8,000 ft. elevation and it’s perfect for me, (70F to 75F during the day and 50F at night) but some find it “too cold.” You’ll find much the same weather in Quito and Cuenca. If you think it would be too cold for you here, I’d suggest you check out Loja or Vilcabamba. They’re at lower elevations (4500 ft.) and therefore warmer.
Along the Coast, climates are fairly temperate, but you’ll find it gets hot and humid November – February. And weather patterns can vary along the coast – -you’ll find pockets that get more sunshine than others, thanks to the Humboldt Current that flows up from Peru.
ParticipantWe’re happy with Capital One…so far…
ParticipantMike, have you decided where you want your base to be? Let me know and I’ll see if I can point you in the right direction.
ParticipantIf you have any similar recommendations, I’d love to hear them Other favorites of ours include Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey — can’t wait ’til the next season of that one!
ParticipantHi Thomas, Ecuador adopted the dollar as its official currency in 2000 after hyper inflation and devaluation of its then-currency, the sucre. Dollarization has led to a long period of economic stability in Ecuador. I do not think you can use any other currency here. I’m certain that in very small communities you won’t find ATM machines, especially in the Amazon basin. But remember that this is a small country. You’re never very far from a larger town where you’ll find banking services.
ParticipantNo worries. Happens all the time. 🙂
ParticipantHi Thomas, it will not be easy to cash a personal check in Ecuador unless you have a bank account here. And then, it’s been my experience that you’ll need to have that amount of cash already in your account to cover the amount you want to withdraw. There are ATM machines everywhere. The fee will depend on your bank in the States. We switched to a Capital One online account as they don’t charge foreign transaction fees. I think maybe Citibank is another that doesn’t impose these charges. Credit cards are the same – -you can use them in Ecuador wherever they are accepted, but you’ll pay whatever fee your credit card company imposes. If you are from the US there should not be a currency conversion fee, but you may have to pay a foreign transaction fee. Ask your credit card company. One place to compare and contrast credit card fees and services is creditcards.com — we carry both Amex and Capital One cards for this reason.
That said, only major businesses (supermarket chains, stores in big malls, hotel chains, expensive restaurants, etc.) will accept credit cards. Small vendors will not. We usually withdraw the maximum amount allowed on our ATM card — usually $300 (some machines allow more) and when that’s gone, we withdraw more. $300 goes a long way here. We’ve functioned this way in Ecuador for three years now, and don’t see any reason (economic or convenience-wise) to change that.
If you ever get in a pinch, there are banks that allow a large sum withdrawal charged to a credit card. Banco Internacional offers this service in Quito, for instance.
ParticipantBill, you can find temporary rentals at http://www.vrbo.com — and You’ll find properties both rentals and properties for sale at viviun.com or quito.en.craigslist.org. Some real estate agents will also have listings. Price will depend on location, size, amenities, etc.
ParticipantAnd I do know that some people with asthma or other breathing issues may experience problems — if you have issues like that, it’s best to discuss with your doctor before coming to Ecuador.
ParticipantAnd I do know that some people with asthma or other breathing issues may experience problems — if you have issues like that, it’s best to discuss with your doctor before coming to Ecuador.
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