The Complete Moving to Ecuador Checklist

Moving to Ecuador is one of the most exciting decisions you can make — but it involves a lot of moving parts. Literally. From sorting out your visa to figuring out what to ship and what to sell, the process can feel overwhelming without a plan.

This checklist breaks every major task into a clear timeline so nothing falls through the cracks. Whether you are retiring to Cuenca, relocating to Quito for work, or settling on the coast for the lifestyle, this guide walks you through the entire process from first thought to first month on the ground.

12+ Months Before Your Move

This is the research and planning phase. You are not making any irreversible decisions yet — you are gathering information and laying the groundwork.

Research and Reconnaissance

• Visit Ecuador for at least two weeks. Spend time in the cities and regions you are considering. A vacation visit and a scouting visit are very different things. Walk neighborhoods, visit grocery stores, check out clinics, and ride the buses.
• Join expat forums and Facebook groups. Groups like "Expats in Cuenca," "Gringos in Ecuador," and "Ecuador Expats" are filled with people who have done exactly what you are planning. Read the archives before you post.
• Research visa options. Ecuador offers several visa pathways including the Retiree (Jubilado) visa, Professional visa, Investor visa, and UNASUR visa. Requirements and costs vary significantly. Start understanding which one fits your situation.
• Consult an immigration attorney. Even a single paid consultation (typically $50-$150) can save you months of confusion. Ask about current processing times and documentation requirements.
• Evaluate your finances. Calculate your expected income, savings, and monthly budget. Research the cost of living in your target city. A comfortable life in Cuenca or the coast can run $1,800-$3,000/month for a couple in 2026.

Get Your Financial House in Order

• Check your credit report and resolve any outstanding issues. You will want a clean financial slate before moving abroad.
• Open accounts at an international-friendly bank. Charles Schwab and Fidelity are popular with expats because they reimburse ATM fees worldwide. Capital One 360 is another solid option.
• Start building an emergency fund specifically for your move. Budget $5,000-$10,000 for moving expenses, initial deposits, and setup costs beyond your regular savings.
• Talk to a tax professional who understands expat tax obligations. US citizens must file taxes regardless of where they live. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) can help, but you need to plan ahead.

6 Months Before Your Move

Now the planning gets concrete. You are committing to a timeline and starting the paperwork.

Visa and Legal Documents

• Begin your visa application process. Most Ecuador visa applications require apostilled documents from your home country, which takes time. The Retiree visa requires proof of pension income of at least $1,450/month (2026 threshold, pegged to Ecuador's minimum wage).
• Get your documents apostilled. You will need apostilled copies of your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), criminal background check, and other documents depending on your visa type. In the US, apostilles come from the Secretary of State in the state that issued the document.
• Obtain a criminal background check. The FBI background check can take 12-16 weeks. Start this immediately. You can submit fingerprints through an FBI-approved channeler to speed things up.
• Renew your passport if it expires within two years. Ecuador requires at least six months of validity on your passport at entry, and you do not want to deal with renewal from abroad.
• Get a power of attorney drafted for someone you trust back home. This allows them to handle property sales, bank issues, or legal matters on your behalf after you leave.

Housing Research

• Start researching neighborhoods online. YouTube walkthrough videos, Google Street View, and expat blogs can give you a feel for different areas.
• Connect with a local real estate agent or relocation service in your target city. Many offer virtual tours and can help you line up short-term housing for your arrival.
• Decide on your arrival housing plan. Most expats rent a furnished apartment or Airbnb for their first 1-3 months while they search for longer-term housing in person. Do not sign a long-term lease sight unseen.

Healthcare Preparation

• Get a full medical checkup including dental and vision. Stock up on any prescription medications (bring a 90-day supply plus copies of your prescriptions with generic drug names).
• Research health insurance options. Ecuador's public system (IESS) is available to visa holders for about $80-$110/month. Private insurance plans from local providers run $100-$400/month depending on age and coverage.
• Get copies of your medical records including vaccination history, recent lab work, and any specialist reports.

3 Months Before Your Move

The logistics phase. You are downsizing, packing, and handling the operational details.

Shipping and Belongings

• Decide what to ship, sell, and store. Most expats recommend shipping far less than you think. Ecuador has IKEA-level furniture stores and well-stocked malls. Shipping a full container (approximately $3,000-$8,000 for a 20-foot container) only makes sense for sentimental or hard-to-replace items.
• Get quotes from international movers. Companies like International Van Lines, JetMovers, and local freight forwarders can provide estimates. Sea freight takes 4-8 weeks; air freight is faster but much more expensive.
• Start selling or donating furniture, vehicles, and items you will not ship. Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, and consignment shops can help you downsize efficiently.
• Digitize important documents. Scan and store copies of every important document in cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox). Include IDs, insurance policies, medical records, financial statements, and property records.

Banking and Money

• Set up a way to move money internationally. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the most popular option among expats for transferring funds to Ecuador at low fees and real exchange rates. Ecuador uses the US dollar, so currency conversion is not an issue for Americans.
• Notify your banks that you are moving abroad. Set up online access and make sure you can receive two-factor authentication codes internationally (use an authenticator app, not SMS if possible).
• Consider keeping a US mailing address. Services like Traveling Mailbox or Earth Class Mail give you a real US address that scans and forwards your mail digitally. This is essential for maintaining US bank accounts and receiving tax documents.

Administrative Tasks

• File a change of address or set up mail forwarding with USPS (forwards for up to one year).
• Cancel or pause subscriptions and memberships you will not use abroad.
• Download offline maps of your destination city on Google Maps.
• Back up your phone and computer to the cloud.

1 Month Before Your Move

Final preparations. You are tying up loose ends and packing your bags.

Last-Minute Essentials

• Confirm your arrival housing reservation (Airbnb, hotel, or short-term rental).
• Book your one-way flight. One-way tickets to Ecuador typically cost $300-$600 from major US cities. Quito (UIO) and Guayaquil (GYE) are the main international airports.
• Pack strategically. Bring two checked bags per person (most airlines allow this on international flights). Prioritize medications, important documents (originals and copies), electronics, and clothing for layering (Cuenca's climate ranges from 50-75°F year-round).
• Prepare a folder with all critical documents: passport, visa paperwork, apostilled certificates, medical records, proof of income/pension, and bank statements. Carry originals in your carry-on luggage.
• Set up a VPN on your devices. A VPN lets you access US streaming services and banking sites that may be geo-restricted abroad. ExpressVPN and NordVPN work well in Ecuador.
• Unlock your cell phone if it is carrier-locked. You will want to buy a local SIM card from Claro, Movistar, or CNT when you arrive. Plans with data start around $15-$25/month.

Emotional Preparation

• Host a farewell gathering. Say proper goodbyes. Moving abroad is exciting but the emotional weight of leaving is real.
• Set up regular video call schedules with family and friends. Consistency matters more than frequency.
• Accept that the first few months will be hard. Culture shock is normal. Homesickness is normal. Give yourself grace.

Your First Week in Ecuador

You have landed. The adventure is real. Focus on the essentials.

Your First Month in Ecuador

Now you are settling in. Shift from survival mode to building your new life.

• Begin your cedula (national ID) process. Once your visa is approved, you will visit the Registro Civil to obtain your cedula. This is your most important document in Ecuador — you will need it for banking, healthcare enrollment, and daily life.
• Enroll in IESS (public healthcare) if eligible through your visa. The enrollment process requires your cedula and takes 1-2 weeks to activate. Monthly contributions are based on your declared income.
• Start apartment hunting in person if you plan to move from your temporary housing. Walk neighborhoods, check bulletin boards, and ask locals. The best deals are rarely listed online.
• Set up utilities in your name if applicable (electricity through Empresa Electrica, water through ETAPA in Cuenca or EPMAPS in Quito, internet through Netlife, CNT, or Claro).
• Find your community. Attend expat meetups, language exchange events, or volunteer opportunities. Cuenca has weekly expat gatherings at various restaurants. Quito and the coast have similar communities.
• Start Spanish lessons if you have not already. Even basic conversational Spanish dramatically improves your daily life. Private tutors in Ecuador charge $8-$15/hour; group classes run $100-$200/month.
• Explore beyond your neighborhood. Take weekend trips. Ecuador is a small country — you can reach the coast, the highlands, or the Amazon in a few hours from most cities.

Documents Packing Checklist

Keep these in your carry-on luggage, not in checked bags:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Visa approval documents
• Apostilled birth certificate
• Apostilled marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Apostilled criminal background check
• Medical records and prescriptions
• Proof of income (pension statements, bank statements)
• Travel insurance documentation
• Power of attorney (notarized)
• Copies of all documents (physical and digital)
• Passport-sized photos (bring 10 — you will need them for various registrations)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Shipping too much stuff. Almost everything you need is available in Ecuador, often at lower prices. Ship sentimental items and specialty gear, not furniture.
2. Signing a long-term lease before arriving. Always rent short-term first and explore in person before committing.
3. Not learning any Spanish. English is not widely spoken outside of expat-heavy areas. Even basic Spanish opens doors.
4. Underestimating bureaucracy. Government processes in Ecuador move slowly. Bring patience and extra copies of every document.
5. Keeping all your money in one place. Maintain accounts in both your home country and Ecuador. Have multiple ways to access funds (debit cards from different banks, Wise account, cash reserve).
6. Ignoring altitude. Quito sits at 9,350 feet and Cuenca at 8,400 feet. If you are coming from sea level, take it easy for the first few days. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol until you adjust.

Moving to Ecuador is a process, not an event. Give yourself a full year of planning if possible, and remember that thousands of expats have done exactly what you are about to do. The challenges are real but manageable — and the rewards of life in Ecuador are well worth the effort.