Job Discussion Forums

[KyleK]

Early next year my fiance and myself are planning on flying into Xalapa, Vera Cruz, Mexico and staying with friends for a couple weeks before taking a bus trip down to Quito, Ecuador.

We are hoping to take classes at EIL Ecuador to become TESOL certified. We would hope to teach English there in Quito as well.

The visa issues has been the most confusing thus far. Does anyone have information or up to date links on the topic?

I've seen at some places, a round trip ticket was required. Since we want to fly into Xalapa and travel to Ecuador, we obviously will not have that.

[HLJHLJ]

It's not possible to travel by bus from Mexico to Ecuador. There is no overland route across the Dari�n Gap. Once you reach Panama you will either have to fly or take a boat down to South America. The cost is generally about the same.

An onward ticket is a visa requirement for most countries. It isn't usually enforced at the border. The airline is responsible for returning you if you don't have the correct paperwork, and so they sometimes enforce it. In your case, this would be when you try to board the aircraft to Mexico. The easiest way to deal with it is to be prepared to buy (or have someone else buy) a fully flexible one way ticket out of the country on a credit card, if you are challenged. This can then be cancelled once you are in the country. If you go down that route be aware that the tickets will be very expensive (probably thousands of dollars), and that you need to do your research in advance to ensure you can quickly buy one that has minimal fees.

When you travel overland between countries it's not an issue, as if you are refused at the border, 'returning' you simply means making you walk back across the border. There are no financial implications for the bus company. When you come to travel from Panama to South America, whether by sea or air, the onward ticket will be an issue again.

Once you arrive in Ecuador you want to have a 12-IX visa. This should usually be issued in your home country before you leave. I'm not sure how that will work with such an extended period of travel before arriving here. You would need to speak to your local consulate. That visa will allow you to stay in Ecuador for 6 months, and you can legally work on it. Also, unlike a regular tourist visa it can also be converted into another type of visa later on.

6 months will give you time to get certified, find work, and have your new employer apply for another visa for you. It will most likely be a cultural exchange visa, as most people are no longer eligible for work visas now.

[misteradventure]

Traveling thousands of miles overland is a trial for any couple; the OP my wish to reconsider given their obvious inexperience with ESL, international travel and related issues.

[BadBeagleBad]

[quote="misteradventure"]Traveling thousands of miles overland is a trial for any couple; the OP my wish to reconsider given their obvious inexperience with ESL, international travel and related issues.[/quote

And it�s a long way from Mexico to Ecuador, with some pretty rough travelling in Central America in between.

[KyleK]

Thanks for the replies,

My fiance lived in Mexico for almost half a year and has experience with extensive travel. We are aware that to get around the Darien Gap it requires boat or plane travel. The traveling by bus is still up in the air, mainly due to expenses.

Thanks for the tip on purchasing a fully refundable return ticket if it is inquired on.

[naturegirl321]

[KyleK]

Thanks for the heads up. Maybe we should reconsider such long traveling.

I'm up to date on the visas now. I think I have a decent grasp on that.

And yes, I suppose I do mean fiancee. I never actually realized there was a difference :p

[HLJHLJ]

The journey would be hard going.

You could probably do Mexico to Panama in a little less than a week, if you spent almost the whole time (day and night) on buses, with just occasional breaks to wash, etc.. Then the boat trip from Panama to Colombia is another 5-7days. If you aren't fussy about boat, route, and most importantly price, you can usually arrange it within a week or so. If you have preferences, or a tight budget, then allow up to a month to arrange the boat trip.

By the time you've paid all the bus fares and bought food and drink on the bus, then your flight or boat trip from Panama, it will probably cost as much as flying. Though you might find yourself backtracking to USA to get the flight.


(EDIT: A week, not a month... Sorry! )

[misteradventure]

Current airfares PTY-UIO compare with MIA-UIO give or take a tenner.

Bus travel, the random shakedowns by various govt officials and the heat/humidity wear on anyone.

Perhaps she should post on this topic as well?