Can I buy property in Ecuador on a temporary visa?

Yes. Ecuador places no citizenship or residency requirement on property ownership. Foreigners can buy real estate with a tourist visa, a temporary residency visa, or no visa at all. The process involves a title search (certificado de gravámenes), a purchase deed (escritura), and registration with the municipal tax office. You will need a cédula or passport for the transaction. Property taxes are very low by international standards — typically 0.25% of assessed value annually. However, buying property does not automatically grant residency or visa rights. If your goal is residency, you still need to qualify for a visa category independently of any property purchase.