Here is some information about our experience in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, for those considering moving here. We are asked these things alot, so here are some basics. For more information, I suggest becoming a member of the Cuenca based website, Gringo Tree.You can ask questions on that site, and get answers. If you are curious about the Vilcabamba counter-culture, become a member of the FaceBook page, Vilcabamba Boletin.
1.Owning land and gaining legal status.
It is possible to own land outright. We bought land when we came down on our first vacation trip.
Investing in land (currently $25,000.minimum investment per family), is one way to get Residency, and gain eligibility for a Cedula (social security number) which gives you all the rights of a citizen, including voting rights. We have gone through this process . Five years at this status, and you can become a full citizen (and choose to maintain dual citizenship with your country of origin if you like). It is also possible to gain Residency status with a $25,000 investment in a bank (CD, or savings account).
This is one of the easiest countries to gain this level of Residency rights. But its not easy. The bureaucratic process was very frustrating!
but worth it! We love it here. We have so much more freedom than in the States. There are exciting and fulfilling ways to contribute to the birthing process of a world in peace and balance with nature.
If you do not have an application submitted for Residency (getting an application accepted is a big deal), you are restricted to a 3 month tourist Visa per year. It is not possible to extend a tourist visa by simply crossing a border and coming back–you get 3 months/year on a tourist visa.It is possible to extend this Visa for 6 months, but it is a process. For anyone seriously interested in coming down, these basic facts about visa’s and gaining residency are very important.
We own our 1 acre, which cost us $40,000. A prime location, 20 min walking from Vilcabamba so we don’t have to have a car. Vilca has very inflated land prices, because it is so cool. One of the most ideal climates anywhere. Excellent quality of water, coming right from huge Podocarpus park to the East of us. By the way, we are interested in buying the lot that is below us, but are looking for the right people to partner in it…
We use Taxi’s, $2./ride to town, or walk. Land is much less expensive around Vilcabamba. As in, Boulder’s satellite communities such as Longmont, Lafayette, ETC in Boulder County, CO.
Vilca is a happening place, with a lively counter-culture of global citizens interested in organic food, gardening, yoga, free dance, consciousness practice of all kinds–from all over the world. We have a lively social schedule, to be sure. AND the local Ecuadoreans may be the most wonderful thing about this place. The people are so warm-hearted and beautiful and open and friendly. We have lots of Ecuadorean friends.
2. Climate. It hovers right around 70 F all year round. Seriously. There is a significant difference between the rainy season–Oct or Nov to May–and the dry season. It gets brown in the dry season. Now, it is emerald green, everywhere. In the rainy season, it usually only rains in the afternoon for an hour or two, but sometimes in torrents. In the dry season, it can rain anytime, but can go for a few weeks without rain. Neither season are extreme.
3. Education. We hear the public school (elementary/high school) is somewhat lacking. But we have lots of extranjero friends that work with that by adding home-schooling. It is really a wonderful education to give a child to be bilingual and bicultural. So much learning involved there!
Roshni is working with a group to start a Waldorf School here in Vilca, it would be bilingual and bicultural. Lots of interest.
There are lots ( that is LOTS) of young people from around the world– all of the English speaking world, and Russia, Poland, Europe, other S. American countries to name a few–that have chosen this place to raise their kids. We love having all the kids. Lots of Ecuadoreans kids too.
It is fun that way.
4. The health care available here is very good. And very reasonable. There is a federal insurance system, but the thing is, health care is so affordable, that you don’t need it. For eg , we had about $6000. worth of dental work done for $400.
The medical profession is not owned and controlled by the pharmaceutical industry here. That is big! Doctors here are very high integrity persons in our experience, and many speak English.