Travel, Visas & Extensions for Longer Stays At Gaia Sagrada

Have At Least 6 Months Left On Your Passport

First, make sure you have plenty of time left on your passport before you leave. Renew it if you need to far ahead of time because passports take some time nowadays. You MUST have at least 6 months left on your passport before coming to Ecuador. If you even have one day less than 6 full months on your passport, the airlines won’t  let you board the plane.

For more information see our page Getting To Gaia Sagrada page.

Round Trip Ticket Required

You cannot fly one way to Ecuador. You must have a round trip ticket or at least another ticket that goes to another country from Ecuador. Ecuador does not allow anyone to enter without an exit flight as well. If you don’t know how long you want to stay, what some people do is get a flexible or refundable return ticket that can be easily changed or refunded at the time of landing here.

How Long You Can Stay In Ecuador Without Visa?

Passports from most countries in the world get an automatic 3 months to be in Ecuador. No visas needed from most countries, especially western world countries.

You should check with your closest Ecuadorian Consulate (look on Google) to see if you need a visa or not, particularly if you are from a small or more obscure country. Most of the western countries are included in this 3-months-n0-visa deal.

If you DO need a visa, you an get one from the nearest Ecuadorian Consulate.

Visa Extensions

You can be in Ecuador for a total of 6 months per year by getting a 3 month extension to the already automatic three months you get when you enter on your passport.

3 Month Extension – Total of 6 Months

It is a very simple process, and doesn’t cost much (about $150-200). You do it right at the airport in Cuenca only an hour away from Gaia Sagrada. Lot’s of people do it!

What you will need to get a 3 month extension is:

  • a visa picture (there is a place in town you can get a picture made),
  • a printout of your bank statement while here in Ecuador (make sure your bank statement has your name on it as it appears on your passport, and you must have at least $2500 in your account to get the extension)
  • your passport

We know facilitators in Cuenca who can help you for a small fee if you need help.

2 Year Residency Visa

Not many people are literally ready to move to Ecuador permanently, but the first step for that would be to get the 2 year residency visa. This is pricey and much more complicated ($1500-$2000).

You will need all kinds of documentation from your home country such as state police and federal crime reports, fingerprints, birth certificate, diplomas, wedding and divorce papers, and much more. Proof through bank deposits will be needed as evidence that you have some sort of dependable income ($1350 or more per month). It’s time consuming but it’s worth it for someone who wants to make Ecuador a permanent home.

Most people will want to come to Gaia for 6 months or less. It will be easier to be a snowbird!

Travel To Gaia Sagrada

To get all the up to date info on traveling to Gaia Sagrada, please see our Travel Info page

Baggage

We recommend you bring everything you think you will need, including all your medications, as many of the items you may want are not available in Ecuador. Check with your airline how many bags you are allowed to bring and what the charges are.

Safety in Ecuador

It is perfectly safe to travel in Ecuador! You will be on the beaten track if you are in airports and use a taxi to go back and forth to hotels or Gaia Sagrada. You won’t be vulnerable since you won’t be traveling in obscure places or situations. Relax! You will be fine!  Here are some travel tips for staying safe in Ecuador. There are only two places to avoid, which is Guayaquil city (airport if fine, you’re just passing through) and near the border of Columbia. Everything else, and particularly the area of Gaia Sagrada, is very safe. The airports are very first world, as well. You won’t have any problems there.

The worst thing that is likely to happen if you’re not careful is theft of phones, cameras, or laptops, so make sure to never let those out of your site and don’t use them in public if at all possible. Keep them in your bags until you get to where you’re going! Ecuadorians don’t want confrontation. These are just opportunity for theft when they see the opportunity to sneak these things. So be vigilant about these items.

Dates and Reservations
Prices & What’s Included
Extra, Optional Costs
Logistics & Further Info