Start planning, for free

Put your own numbers on paper and cover the essentials before arrival. No signup needed.

Build your Cuenca budget

Enter your own estimates or quotes in USD. Blank amounts stay unknown. Enter 0 for an expense already included elsewhere.

Known monthly costs

$0.00

One-time costs and deposits

$0.00

First-month cash requirement

$0.00

6 of 6 categories still need an amount.

Housing and building fees (monthly)

Utilities and connectivity (monthly)

Food and household shopping (monthly)

Transport (monthly)

Coverage, personal costs, and contingency (monthly)

Travel, deposits, and setup (one time)

Amounts are saved only in this browser when storage is available. Export a copy to keep or share them.

Want a plan tailored to your household? Explore the personal scouting plan — $149.

Your basic arrival checklist

Save your arrival address and host contact offline.
Confirm your accommodation, check-in time, and total cost.
Check that your phone is unlocked and compatible with your data plan.
Keep access to numbers used for account sign-in codes.
Make a list of your first housing and neighborhood questions.
Save official transport and utility links.
Set a first-month budget with a separate deposit and setup allowance.
Save emergency contacts and tell someone your arrival plan.

Your progress is saved only in this browser when storage is available.

The Scouting Trip Kit and First 30 Days are separate purchases. Both free tools remain available without buying anything.

Keep up with Cuenca

Newsletter signup is optional. Get local news as you plan your visit or settle in.

Cuenca Expat newsletter paused

Daily publishing and email signup are paused while we review the archive. You can still read the site and contact Chip with a question or correction.

Contact Chip

Emergency help in Ecuador: 911. Official ECU 911 information.

Start planning, for free

Put your own numbers on paper and cover the essentials before arrival. No signup needed.

Build your Cuenca budget

Enter your own estimates or quotes in USD. Blank amounts stay unknown. Enter 0 for an expense already included elsewhere.

Known monthly costs

$0.00

One-time costs and deposits

$0.00

First-month cash requirement

$0.00

6 of 6 categories still need an amount.

Housing and building fees (monthly)

Utilities and connectivity (monthly)

Food and household shopping (monthly)

Transport (monthly)

Coverage, personal costs, and contingency (monthly)

Travel, deposits, and setup (one time)

Amounts are saved only in this browser when storage is available. Export a copy to keep or share them.

Your basic arrival checklist

Save your arrival address and host contact offline.
Confirm your accommodation, check-in time, and total cost.
Check that your phone is unlocked and compatible with your data plan.
Keep access to numbers used for account sign-in codes.
Make a list of your first housing and neighborhood questions.
Save official transport and utility links.
Set a first-month budget with a separate deposit and setup allowance.
Save emergency contacts and tell someone your arrival plan.

Your progress is saved only in this browser when storage is available.

The Scouting Trip Kit and First 30 Days are separate purchases. Both free tools remain available without buying anything.

Keep up with Cuenca

Newsletter signup is optional. Get local news as you plan your visit or settle in.

Cuenca Expat newsletter paused

Daily publishing and email signup are paused while we review the archive. You can still read the site and contact Chip with a question or correction.

Contact Chip