Job Discussion Forums

[pilgrim54]

I was just offered a voluntary placement teaching English in the Ecuadorian rainforest. I'd like to stay for a year. My contact from the school suggested I come on a tourist visa and then apply for a volunteer's visa or cultural exchange visa once I arrive. However, from everything I've researched, there is no possible way to "upgrade" from a tourist's visa. Is this correct?

Secondly, even if I hypothetically can "upgrade," I still need proof of a return ticket within 90 days, which is how long the tourist visa lasts. How difficult/expensive would it be to change the ticket's return date once I'm there?

Lastly, unrelated to visas, I'm also wondering how safe travel is in Ecuador for a single woman? The information I've gathered so far on the region I'd be traveling to, Esmeraldas, has been quite conflicting.

I would greatly appreciate any practical advice or wisdom of any kind regarding both the safety and visa issues. Thank you very much.

[Justin Trullinger]

Okay- first thing you should know is that Ecuador is beautiful, wonderful, magical, and very very very DIFFERENT.

The thing about visas is that however strangely, the organisation you're going to be volunteering with probably doesn't know a lot about visa laws. Strange but true.

Also, the Ecuadorian consulate nearest you probably knows only slightly more.

Nonetheless, the best info on this you're going to get comes from the consul nearest you, so contact them. If at all possible, do it by email- This way, you'll get responses in writing. Save them.

If it's possible to arrange a visa beforehand, the consul is the one who will tell you what you need to do to arrange it. If possible, DO IT. Saves a lot of hassles, no matter what the organisation thinks.

If it turns out that you go on a tourist visa, you should know a couple of things-

1) It is not allowed under Ecuadorian law for a tourist visa to be upgraded when the visa holder is in Ecuador.

2) Tourist visas are frequently upgraded while the visa holder is in Ecuador.

Sounds inconsistant, I know. BUt you should know that there isn't any one set procedure. If you arrive on a tourist visa, you'll most likely:

Get your new visa without problems within the 3 month tourist period.

OR

Have to leave the country to get your visa issued in a neighboring country.

It's unlikely that neither of these will work. If both fail, then you're looking at a return to your home country, though, so if you can arrange beforehand, you're better off. (Also saves you the hassle you mention about flights.)

Esmeraldas is one of the most fascinating regions of Ecuador, but also one of hte poorest. I've traveled pretty extensively there, and like it a lot. I know a lot of single women who also have traveled and volunteered there.

But let's be straight- poverty breeds crime, and foriegners are a likely target. In order to be safe and secure within Esmeraldas, you'll want to be careful.

Don't travel alone without others knowing when to expect you. Maintain contact with someone. Get/use a cheap cell phone to keep in touch when you travel.

Don't ostentatiously show off wealth. Ipods, laptops, and cameras are part of life for many people. They're also worth from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. In an area where many people don't make $100 in a month...you can see the temptation.

Make local contacts. (Through the volunteer organisation, at least at first.) Ask them about where it's safe to go, what it's safe to do...AND LISTEN TO THEM.

I've seen a lot of people have wonderful experiences without any security issues all over Ecuador.

I've also known people who have wound up in some pretty scary situations.

To put yourself pretty firmly in the first category, you just need to be a little careful and a little smart.

Don't be "brave," and don't be stubborn. Don't assume that you know better than locals about what to do or who to trust, and you should be just fine.


best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

Gotta love Latin America

[pilgrim54]

Thank you so much for all the useful information, Justin. I really appreciate it.

I emailed both the Ecuador embassy and consulate in Washington D.C., but unfortunately couldn't find an email address for any of the more nearby consuls. I've tried calling the two closest consuls to where I'm living as well, but strangely no one ever picks up and they don't have a voicemail. I guess I'll just keep trying!

Thanks again.

[Justin Trullinger]

Where do you live?


Best,
justin

[pilgrim54]

I live in northern Wisconsin, so my closest options are Minneapolis and Chicago.