Ecuador Q&A Forum

Tourist Visa – Date related

I was reading the requirements for the tourist visa. I'm not sure if I need a tourist visa or not. The first time, we entered Ecuador on July 12, 2011 and left Ecuador on August 23, 2011 for a total...

4 Answers In: Ecuador Living By: fancypaw [13 ]

Great experience with the Ec. Post Office

On Nov. 16, I mailed a parcel to Salinas. Somehow, it was never picked up. The Ec. Post Office opened the package, checked it and returned it to me in the USA. I received it at the end of March. Nothing...

1 Answer In: Ecuador Living By: fancypaw [13 ]

Music Keyboard

Is it easy to find a musical keyboard (full keyboaed) in GYE, like Mall del Sol? Thanks, Lucie

1 Answer In: Ecuador Living By: fancypaw [13 ]

Cell phone

I don't currently own a cell phone, but I'd like to buy one in case of emergencies when I go back to Ecuador next March. What is the cheapest way to go? There is a Claro close to the condo. I would leave...

5 Answers In: Ecuador Living By: fancypaw [13 ]

Importing 3 kayaks

We own a condo in Salinas. We want to bring 3 kayaks with us. We would get them at the Miami distriburship before flying to GYE. LAN can transport them in cargo. Has ayone done that (or something similar)...

3 Answers In: Ecuador Living By: fancypaw [13 ]

izaaak,

The rule said you need a tourist visa if you stay in the country 90 days out of 365. It’s not a calendar year (Jan/Dec), but from the date of your first entry.

OK. To add fuel to the fire: The Consulate, as I said in my previous post, told me we NEED a visa. I also checked with the Embassy. It turns out we DON’T need visas. So, I sent both responses to the Consular and the Embassy, and ask them to recheck their answer and confirm in writing. I’m not sure an email from the Embassy would be recognized at the Immigration office. For the three of us, it’s over 500$ for the visas.

On the other hand, I don’t want to be denied access to the country for 9 months…

In Toronto, we can get the visas the same day as we apply. So it’s no big deal, more of a hassle than anything else.

I found my answer. I’m allowed in the country until Aug. 5th. I need to get a visa!

Hi!

I am very particular and artistic. For me, I didn’t see any furnished condos I liked. A lot of them had bunkbeds, cheap furniture (like patio), etc. I bought everything from appliances to furniture (handmade – to encourage Ecuadorian artisans)to day to day items.

In March, we had DirectTV added to our condo. The cheaper package is mostly Spanish. An expat recommended us to ask the technicians to convert some stations to English (Spanish subs). They did and we have a good choice of stations. This is about 35$ per month. Another option, a bit more expensive, has all the US news channels, etc. I think with all the taxes, etc. it was about 45-50$. The monthly payment is taken out on our VISA. Just make sure you have some cash in hand when they come for the installation. We had to pay an extra 30$ for installation, as far ass I know because they needed extra cable. The service was great and also fast.

Thank you for all your answers. I went to Salinas, bought a cheap phone (50$). It also came with some minutes. It was perfect. I left it in the private area of our condo for our next visit.

I *MAY* be able to hel too: lucie.pichecantin@gmail.com

Depending on the dates and the area, I maybe able to help you. Pls contact me: lucie.pichecantin@gmail.com.
Thanks, Lucie

Hi!
It usually takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours to drive from the GYE airport to Salinas.

Hi!
It usually takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours to drive from the GYE airport to Salinas.