What should I do in the first week after arriving in Ecuador?

Priority order: (1) Buy a local SIM card at the airport (Claro or Movistar, $2–5), (2) Get to your pre-booked accommodation and rest (altitude adjustment if in Cuenca/Quito), (3) Register with your embassy (US STEP, UK FCDO), (4) Join local expat Facebook groups, (5) Start exploring neighborhoods, (6) Contact an immigration lawyer if you plan to stay long-term.

Can I ship my belongings to Ecuador duty-free?

Yes, but only if you hold a valid residency visa. The menaje de casa (household goods) exemption allows duty-free import of personal belongings with a certified inventory. You must obtain consular certification before shipping. Without a visa, imported goods face standard import duties of 5–30%. Most expats skip shipping and buy locally — it's cheaper and simpler.

How do I get a local phone number in Ecuador?

Buy a prepaid SIM card at the airport from Claro (best coverage) or Movistar for $2–5. Activation requires your passport. Monthly prepaid plans with 5–10GB of data cost $10–25. Claro has the best coverage nationwide, including rural areas. CNT (state-owned) offers the cheapest plans but has weaker coverage outside cities.

Do I need to speak Spanish before moving to Ecuador?

Not fluently, but survival-level Spanish is strongly recommended. Outside Cuenca's expat areas, English is rarely spoken. Start with Duolingo before arrival and enroll in intensive classes immediately upon landing — group classes cost $80–200/month and private tutoring is $10–20/hour. Many language schools in Cuenca cater specifically to expats.

How long does it take to feel settled in Ecuador?

Most expats report feeling settled after 3–6 months. The first month is about logistics (housing, SIM, banking, visa process). Months 2–3 are about exploring, building routines, and making friends. By month 6, most people have their visa, a long-term apartment, regular social activities, and a working knowledge of the local rhythm. Spanish ability is the biggest accelerator.

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🇪🇨 Ecuador

Moving Guide

Moving to Ecuador is logistically straightforward — fly in on a tourist stamp, explore for up to 90 days, then apply for residency if you decide to stay. The dollarized economy and low cost of living make the financial transition seamless for USD earners..

90 days

Tourist Entry

Visa-free for most Western nationalities

$2–5

SIM Card Cost

Claro or Movistar prepaid, available at airports

$3,000–6,000

Container Shipping (20ft, US)

Varies by origin port

$80–200/mo

Spanish Classes (Group)

Intensive; private from $10–20/hr

Required for visa

Health Insurance (Day 1)

Arrange before visa application

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏔️Cuenca 🌋Quito 🌊Guayaquil

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Key Takeaways

Health insurance: arrange a policy valid in Ecuador before departure — BMI, Saludsa, or international plans (SafetyWing, Cigna) satisfy the visa requirement
Airport arrival: buy a local SIM at the airport (Claro or Movistar kiosk — $2–5 prepaid); take a registered taxi or Uber to your accommodation
Luggage-only move: the recommended strategy — furniture and appliances are affordable locally; a fully furnished apartment costs $400–800/month
SIM card: Claro (best coverage), Movistar, CNT — prepaid SIMs from $2–5 at airport kiosks; monthly plans from $10–25 with generous data

Pre-Arrival Checklist

The most important preparation happens before you fly. Getting these items sorted saves significant stress during your first weeks in Ecuador.

Health insurance: arrange a policy valid in Ecuador before departure — BMI, Saludsa, or international plans (SafetyWing, Cigna) satisfy the visa requirement
Finances: activate a Wise card and/or Schwab debit card for fee-free USD ATM withdrawals — don't rely on your home bank card
Accommodation: book furnished housing for 4–6 weeks via Airbnb — don't sign long-term leases sight unseen; Cuenca and Quito have abundant short-term options
Spanish basics: complete Duolingo Spanish through the first 3 sections minimum — survival Spanish makes the transition dramatically smoother
Medications: bring a 3-month supply of prescriptions — some brands are unavailable locally; bring copies of prescriptions in Spanish if possible
Documents: apostille your criminal background check, birth certificate, and marriage certificate BEFORE leaving — this is critical for the visa process
Research: join Facebook groups ('Expats in Cuenca', 'Gringos in Ecuador', 'Quito Expats') for real-time advice from people already on the ground

First 90 Days: Arriving & Settling In

The first three months are about exploration, neighborhood discovery, and laying the foundation for long-term life — visa, banking, housing, and community.

Airport arrival: buy a local SIM at the airport (Claro or Movistar kiosk — $2–5 prepaid); take a registered taxi or Uber to your accommodation
Register with your embassy within the first week — US STEP program, UK FCDO, Canadian ROCA — important for emergency assistance
Explore neighborhoods: spend at least 2 weeks in different areas before choosing where to rent long-term — Cuenca's neighborhoods feel very different from each other
Join the expat community: attend meetups, language exchanges, and volunteer events — Cuenca has weekly expat gatherings at various restaurants
Start Spanish classes immediately — language schools in Cuenca and Quito charge $80–200/month for intensive group classes; private tutoring from $10–20/hour
Begin visa process: consult an immigration lawyer ($500–1,500) to prepare your application — the sooner you start, the smoother the transition from tourist to resident
Open a Banco Pichincha or Produbanco account once you have your cédula — until then, use Wise and ATM withdrawals

Shipping Your Belongings

Most expats move to Ecuador with luggage only and buy furniture locally. Full container shipping is possible but costs $3,000–6,000+ and involves complex customs clearance.

Luggage-only move: the recommended strategy — furniture and appliances are affordable locally; a fully furnished apartment costs $400–800/month
Air freight: DHL, FedEx for small volumes (<50kg) — budget $8–15/kg; good for essential items
Sea freight (LCL): 1–3 CBM of boxes — $1,000–2,500 from North America, 4–8 weeks transit
Full 20ft container from US: $3,000–6,000 depending on origin port; plus $500–1,500 in Ecuadorian customs fees and handling
Duty-free household goods import: available to visa holders only — requires a detailed inventory list (menaje de casa) and consular certification before shipping
Customs clearance: hire an Ecuadorian customs broker (agente de aduanas) — $300–800 for the process; SENAE (customs authority) can be slow and bureaucratic
Buying locally: furniture at IKEA-style stores (Sukasa, Casa Tosí, DePrati); electronics on MercadoLibre Ecuador or locally; appliances at Almacenes Japón

Administrative Setup: SIM, Banking & Registration

Building your Ecuadorian administrative foundation — phone, banking, and legal registration — takes 2–6 weeks depending on visa status.

SIM card: Claro (best coverage), Movistar, CNT — prepaid SIMs from $2–5 at airport kiosks; monthly plans from $10–25 with generous data
Banking: requires cédula (issued after visa approval) — Banco Pichincha (largest), Produbanco, Banco Guayaquil all open accounts with cédula + proof of address + $200–500 minimum deposit
RUC (tax ID): needed if you plan to work locally or start a business — obtained from SRI (tax authority) with your cédula
IESS enrollment: visit any IESS office with your cédula to register as a voluntary member — $85/month gives access to public healthcare
WhatsApp: essential — all appointments, deliveries, landlords, and services in Ecuador run through WhatsApp
Driver's license: your foreign license is valid for 6 months; after that, convert to an Ecuadorian license at ANT with your cédula and a medical exam

FAQs