Your First 90 Days in Ecuador: The Arrival Roadmap

Landing Day: Deep Breath, You Made It

You have researched, planned, sold belongings, said goodbyes, and survived the flight. Now you are standing in Quito or Guayaquil with luggage and a head full of questions. The next 90 days will transform you from a bewildered newcomer to someone who knows their neighborhood, has a routine, and feels genuinely at home.

This guide breaks those 90 days into phases with concrete checklists. Not everything will happen on schedule — bureaucracy in Ecuador moves at its own pace — but having a roadmap keeps you from feeling lost when there is so much to figure out at once.

Week 1: Orientation and Essentials

Your only job in Week 1 is to get your bearings, handle immediate logistics, and resist the urge to make any big decisions about where to live permanently.

Get a SIM Card

Buy a prepaid SIM card on Day 1 or 2. The three major carriers are:

• Claro — largest network, best coverage nationwide
• Movistar — solid urban coverage, competitive data plans
• CNT — government-owned, cheapest plans but weaker rural coverage

You can buy a SIM at any of their stores or at small tiendas (corner shops) near the airport or in any city center. Bring your passport. A basic plan with 10GB of data costs $10-15/month. Activate mobile data immediately so you have Google Maps and translation apps available everywhere you go.

Settle into Temporary Housing

Do not sign a long-term lease in Week 1. Book an Airbnb or furnished apartment for 2-4 weeks. This gives you time to explore neighborhoods without commitment. Many expats who rush into a lease during their first week end up moving within 3 months because they discover a neighborhood they prefer.

Explore and Orient

• Walk your neighborhood extensively during daylight hours
• Locate the nearest supermarket (Supermaxi, Coral, or Gran Aki depending on your city)
• Find the nearest farmacia (pharmacy)
• Identify the closest ATM that works with your U.S. debit card
• Download the Uber and InDrive apps (taxis are cheap but these provide price transparency)
• Note where the local mercado (market) is for fresh produce

First Grocery Run

Ecuadorian supermarkets carry most staples you are accustomed to, though brands will be different. Local mercados offer fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood at dramatically lower prices than supermarkets. A week's groceries for two people typically costs $40-70 at the mercado, $60-100 at a supermarket.

Week 1 Checklist

• Buy and activate a local SIM card
• Confirm temporary housing for at least 2-3 weeks
• Walk the neighborhood and identify key locations
• Complete your first grocery shopping trip
• Set up Uber/InDrive on your phone
• Register with the U.S. Embassy (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at step.state.gov)
• Exchange or withdraw U.S. dollars at an ATM (Ecuador uses the USD)
• Connect with at least one expat group on Facebook or WhatsApp

Weeks 2-3: Critical Admin Tasks

This is when the real settling-in work begins. You will start interacting with Ecuadorian bureaucracy, which requires patience and often multiple trips to the same office.

Get Your Cedula (if you have a resident visa)

Your cedula de identidad is Ecuador's national ID card. If you arrived on a resident visa, obtaining your cedula is your top priority because nearly everything else requires it: opening a bank account, signing a lease, enrolling in IESS (social security), getting a driver's license.

Where to go: Registro Civil office in your city

What to bring:

• Passport with your visa
• Visa approval document
• Passport-sized photos (usually taken at the office)
• $15-20 for the fee

Timeline: The appointment itself takes 1-2 hours. The physical cedula card is typically ready in 3-7 business days.

If you entered on a tourist visa and plan to apply for residency from within Ecuador, your visa process will take priority and the cedula comes after visa approval.

Open an Ecuadorian Bank Account

Having a local bank account simplifies rent payments, utility bills, and receiving domestic transfers. The major banks for expats are:

Requirements to open an account:

• Cedula (some banks accept passport + visa, but cedula is far easier)
• Utility bill or lease agreement in your name (proof of address)
• Reference letter from your U.S. bank (translated into Spanish and apostilled, though some banks waive this)
• Minimum opening deposit (usually $200-500)

Expect the process to take 1-3 visits and 1-2 weeks from application to a functioning account.

Start Looking for Long-Term Housing

By Week 2, you have a sense of which neighborhoods feel right. Start your housing search:

• Online: OLX Ecuador, Marketplace on Facebook, Properati
• Walking: Many apartments advertise with "Se Arrienda" signs in windows that never appear online
• Expat groups: Facebook groups for your city often have listings and recommendations
• Real estate agents: Useful for higher-end rentals, typically charge one month's rent as a fee

Rental costs in 2026 vary dramatically by city:

Weeks 2-3 Checklist

• Schedule and attend your cedula appointment at Registro Civil
• Pick up your cedula card when ready
• Visit at least two banks and begin the account opening process
• Start actively searching for long-term housing
• Tour at least 5-6 apartments or houses
• Find a reliable taxi driver or establish your transportation routine
• Locate a doctor and/or dentist (ask expat groups for English-speaking recommendations)
• Get a haircut (seriously — finding a good barber/stylist early reduces stress)
• Begin learning basic Spanish if you have not already (even 30 minutes daily with Duolingo helps)

Month 2: Building Your Life

By now you should have your cedula, a bank account in progress, and either long-term housing or a strong lead on it. Month 2 is about building the systems that make daily life work.

Enroll in IESS (Social Security)

Ecuador's Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (IESS) provides healthcare coverage to enrolled members. If you hold a resident visa, you are legally required to enroll and make monthly contributions.

• Monthly contribution for voluntary affiliates (most expats) is based on a declared income, with a minimum of approximately $50-80/month in 2026
• Covers doctor visits, specialist referrals, medications, hospitalization, and emergencies at IESS hospitals and clinics
• Quality varies by location — IESS hospitals in Cuenca and Quito are generally good; smaller cities may have longer wait times
• Many expats use IESS as a baseline and supplement with private insurance or pay-as-you-go private doctors

Establish a Routine

The expats who thrive in Ecuador are the ones who build structure into their days. Without the anchor of a daily commute and office, it is easy to drift. Create routines around:

• Exercise: Join a gym ($25-40/month), find a running or hiking group, or explore the local sports culture (futbol pickup games are everywhere)
• Social connection: Attend expat meetups, join a volunteer group, or take a class
• Language learning: Enroll in a Spanish school (group classes run $5-8/hour, private tutoring $8-15/hour) or find a language exchange partner
• Work or projects: If you work remotely, establish a dedicated workspace and schedule. Coworking spaces are available in Cuenca, Quito, and other cities for $80-150/month

Find Your Community

Social isolation is the number one reason expats leave Ecuador within the first year. Proactively build your social network:

• Facebook groups: "Expats in Cuenca," "Gringos in Quito," and city-specific groups are active and helpful
• WhatsApp groups: Once you meet a few people, you will get added to various local groups
• Meetup events: Many cities have weekly expat meetups at restaurants or cafes
• Volunteer: Soup kitchens, animal shelters, and environmental organizations welcome English-speaking volunteers
• Religious communities: Churches with English services exist in major expat cities
• Hobbies: Art classes, hiking clubs, yoga studios, and cooking groups are all pathways to connection

Month 2 Checklist

• Move into long-term housing and set up utilities in your name
• Complete your bank account setup and receive your debit card
• Set up a Wise or Remitly account for transferring money from the U.S.
• Enroll in IESS as a voluntary affiliate
• Sign up for Spanish classes or a language exchange
• Join at least one social group or regular activity
• Register for a gym, yoga studio, or regular exercise
• Set up your home internet (CNT, Netlife, or ETAPATelecom depending on city)
• Buy a local phone plan if you have been on prepaid
• Create a monthly budget based on your first month's actual spending

Month 3: Putting Down Roots

By Month 3, the panic phase is over. You know where to buy groceries, you have a favorite coffee shop, and the rhythms of Ecuadorian life are starting to feel natural. Now you finalize the remaining administrative items and deepen your investment in your new home.

Get Your Ecuador Driver's License (If Needed)

If you plan to drive in Ecuador, you will need an Ecuadorian driver's license. Your U.S. license is valid for a limited period (typically the duration of your tourist entry or 30 days), but for long-term residents a local license is required.

Requirements:

• Cedula
• Valid or recently expired U.S. driver's license
• Medical and psychometric exam (conducted at authorized testing centers, costs $40-60)
• Written and practical driving exam (some municipalities waive the practical exam for foreign license holders)
• Fee of approximately $40-60

The process takes 1-3 visits and a few days to a couple of weeks depending on your city.

Furnish Your Home

If you did not ship a container, Month 3 is typically when you move beyond the basics and make your home comfortable:

• Local furniture stores: Colineal and Credicentro for mid-range furniture
• Artisan workshops: Ecuador has incredible woodworkers who can build custom furniture for a fraction of U.S. prices
• Mercado de pulgas (flea markets): Great for unique pieces and bargains
• Facebook Marketplace: Expats leaving Ecuador frequently sell entire households at steep discounts

Establish Your Long-Term Routine

By now you should have a clear sense of what a sustainable weekly rhythm looks like:

• Where and when you work
• Your exercise schedule
• Regular social commitments
• Language learning practice
• Household management (cleaning, cooking, shopping)
• Hobbies and personal time

Month 3 Checklist

• Obtain your Ecuadorian driver's license if needed
• Furnish your home to your comfort level
• Set up automatic bill payments through your Ecuadorian bank
• Schedule your first IESS medical appointment or checkup
• Establish a relationship with a local accountant (for Ecuadorian tax filing)
• Confirm your U.S. tax strategy with an expat CPA
• Evaluate your internet speed and consider upgrading if you work remotely
• Take a day trip or weekend trip to explore another part of Ecuador
• Review your budget — compare expected vs. actual spending
• Reflect on what is working and what needs adjustment

Dealing with the Emotional Curve

Nobody talks about this enough. The first 90 days follow a predictable emotional pattern:

Days 1-14: Honeymoon. Everything is exciting. The food, the weather, the adventure. You cannot believe how affordable everything is. You post enthusiastic updates on social media.

Days 15-45: Frustration. The bureaucracy grinds you down. You cannot communicate what you need. Simple tasks take three times longer than expected. You miss your family, your favorite restaurant, reliable Amazon delivery.

Days 45-75: Adjustment. You start to figure things out. You have workarounds for the frustrations. You have people to call when you need help. The bad days are fewer.

Days 75-90: Acceptance. Ecuador is not the U.S., and you stop expecting it to be. You appreciate it for what it is. You have a life here — messy, imperfect, and genuinely yours.

This curve is normal. Every expat experiences some version of it. The expats who make it through the dip at Days 15-45 almost universally say the same thing: it was worth it.

Essential Apps for Your First 90 Days

Final Thoughts

Your first 90 days are not about getting everything perfect. They are about building a foundation. The cedula, the bank account, the housing, the social connections — these are the building blocks that everything else rests on.

Be patient with yourself and with Ecuador. The country rewards people who approach it with curiosity and humility. Ask for help when you need it, say yes to invitations even when you are tired, and remember that the discomfort of the early weeks is the price of admission to an extraordinary life.

You moved to Ecuador for a reason. In 90 days, you will start to remember what that reason was.