Specific Requirements:

• Valid passport for more than 6 months.

• Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).

• Proof of economic means to support yourself during your stay in Ecuador (may be requested by Immigration authorities upon arrival).

Nationals of the following countries require a visa to enter Ecuador for any reason and should approach the Consulate of Ecuador in their home country before traveling (list may change without notice): Algeria, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine Authority, Panama, People's Republic of China, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, and Vietnam.

MAY I WORK IN ECUADOR?

Foreigners traveling on a 12-X visa may not take employment in Ecuador. Visa 12-X status cannot be changed in Ecuador.

Religious and Volunteer Visas
Specific Requirements:

• Certificate of the religious organization where the applicant will work in Ecuador, explaining why a foreign person is required, and a brief description of the tasks he/she will be assigned in Ecuador.

• A copy of the Decree in which the Government of Ecuador authorizes the organization to work in the country.

• A copy of the rules of the organization.

• A copy of the document stating the appointment of the legal representative of the organization in Ecuador.

Validity: Two years.
Fee: None.

Resident/Immigrant Visas
Foreign nationals may apply to settle in Ecuador and obtain resident status. Resident visas are approved by the Immigration Board in Ecuador. The documentation process takes at least 4 to 8 weeks. There are a number of different resident visa categories, including:

• 10­I Retired persons who receive pensions from their native countries (pension from a stable source, at least $8,000 USD per year).

• economically dependent on spouses or on a blood related family member (family).

Over stayed your visa?
If you overstay your tourist visa you must obtain a stamp on your passport before you may leave. These are referred to as "Salidas", and are obtained in Quito at the immigration office on Isla Seymour 1152, between Río Coca and Tomás de Berlanga, and in Guayaquil at the immigration office on Avenida Pichincha and Aguirre.

WHAT IS IT THE CUSTOM TO TIP IN RESTAURANTS & HOTELS?
With each purchase, you pay a tax of 12% IVA. Sometimes it's included in the price so you don't think that there is a tax. For hotels and restaurants services you pay another 10% service tax, kind of as an automatic tip. Tipping is completely to your discretion, but because of the 10% service tax in restaurants and hotels most people don't feel the need to tip, but if you are pleased with the service, feel free to leave a tip.

ARE BANKS & CHANGE PLACES READILY AVAILABLE?
Office hours are generally from 9:00 am to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday, a few stay open until 8pm (in Quito Banco del Pinchincha on Amazonas stays open until 8). Likewise, "casas de cambio" are open Monday through Friday from 9 to 6. A few banks and "casas de cambio" are also open on Saturday mornings. Shopping centers are open from 10:00 am to 8:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. There are limited bank machines which dispense a limited amount of cash, but the networks Plus and Cirus are represented.

MAY CANADIAN DOLLARS BE CHANGED ?  OR EUROS? 
As a result of dollarization, we recommend more than ever that you carry both US bills and traveler's checks while in Ecuador. Other foreign currencies can be difficult and in most cases are impossible to change outside of Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil. In Quito, the stretch of Avenida Amazonas (Gringo Ave.) between La Patria and Colón and also, more to the north, between República and Río Coca will cover most of your financial needs. There is quite a range of banks, ATMs, "casas de cambio" (money changing houses), and money transfer facilities. In Guayaquil you will find a similar area dedicated to financial services on the first few blocks of Avenida 9 de Octubre near the Malecón 2000 boardwalk and café area which is on the waterfront.

ARE CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED IN ECUADOR?
VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Diner's Club are the most widely recognized cards in Ecuador (Diner's Club, strangely, is the most widely accepted card). Credit cards are useful for purchases in hotels, shops, restaurants, and for cash advances from Automated Teller Machines or banks. Also, the emergency services offered by your credit card may be a saving grace if you fall ill or encounter some other serious problem. American Express has excellent emergency services for cardholders on the road, especially if you purchase your plane ticket with your card. Check with the card services division of the company handling your account to see the type of coverage they offer in emergency situations. You may also want to raise the limit on your cards before getting on the plane, so you have extra funds in the event of an emergency.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RENT AN APARTMENT IN ECUADOR?

What to Bring to the Jungle

Clothing
The weather in the Amazon Basin is very humid and warm. You will likely be fine bringing no more than one or two sweaters, as sometimes it can get a little chilly at night. Try to stick to relatively fast-drying material as far as pants and shirts go, it can get really humid there, and you're pretty much guaranteed to see rain, especially from March until September. Lots of cotton socks is a good rule of thumb to go by. Maybe even bring all the cotton socks you own, they get wet fast. A good quality rain jacket will really come in handy, or if you don't have one, at least buy a waterproof poncho or a big thick plastic bag (you can usually buy one for really cheap once you get to Coca, Puyo or Tena).
Temperature Range: 23º to 26º C (72º to 80º F)   

What to Bring to the Andes

Clothing
Light wool is ideal and a warm jacket is usually necessary in the highlands after the sunset. Try not to forget your bathing suit and comfortable shoes for walking, or good hiking boots if your planning on doing any heavy trekking. If you're planning on visiting the Cotopaxi National Park or other places of a rather high altitude, it is advisable to bring a thick sweater and a jacket. Remember that the higher you are, the colder the weather will be.
Temperature Range: 5º-25ºC (41º-77ºF)

Clothing
This place, as you can imagine, is hot! Probably, for that reason, bring all the sun protection you can get your hands on. The clothes worn in the coast are mostly shorts, a t-shirt and sandals. At night you might want to have a long sleeved shirt and light pants, but it won't get very cool there, even at night. As mentioned before, don't carry valuables with you (especially not your passport) when walking on the beach or going to a bar. There is a risk of malaria on the coast as well as in the jungle. Temperature Range: 24º-32ºC (80º-96ºF)