Eco Beach City Community Membership Explained
The Eco Beach City community membership costs €1,500 (or 10 × €150 interest free). It gives you 2 member cards, a stay of 1 to 6 weeks every year on Sumba (one week guaranteed, more when there is space), 30 top experience retreats (one every year for 30 years, each led by a top expert), and access to member talks, dinners and events. It is not property: you don't own a home, a share or a leasehold, and flights and meals are not included.
Below is exactly what it is, what it isn't, how to pay and who it suits.
What Eco Beach City is
Eco Beach City is a beachfront community on Sumba Island, in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, inside a private seafront residence with 2 km of beach. It is already running: 24 homes are built and open, there is a beachfront coworking space with Starlink internet (200+ Mbps reported), padel and tennis courts, and guests already stay on site.
The membership is the simplest way to be part of this community without buying a home.
What the membership includes
- 2 member cards
- A stay of 1 to 6 weeks every year. One week is guaranteed; more weeks are available when there is space
- 30 top experience retreats. One every year, led by a top expert, for 30 years
- Member talks, dinners and events with the rest of the community
What the membership is not
Being clear about this matters, so here it is plainly.
- It is not property. You don't buy a home, land, a leasehold or a share in a company. If you want a home of your own, see the Beach Cabin or the villa
- It is not an investment. There is no return, no yield and no rental income attached to it
- Flights are not included. You book your own way to Sumba. Our guide on how to get to Sumba from Bali explains the route
- Meals are not included
How much it costs per year
The membership costs €1,500. Spread over the 30 yearly retreats it includes, that works out to €50 a year, before flights and meals. Stays, talks, dinners and events come on top of that.
How to pay
You can pay the membership in two ways:
- €1,500 in one payment, or
- 10 instalments of €150, interest free
The first €150 is paid with Wise to Eco Beach City Ltd. There is no bank and no financing company involved, and no interest.
All three ways into Eco Beach City state the same thing on their offer: "All profit goes to charity."
What to budget on top
The membership price is fixed, but a yearly trip has other costs. Plan for:
- Flights to Bali and on to Sumba
- Meals during your stay
- Travel insurance, ideally one that covers remote areas
- Your Indonesian visa, if your nationality needs one. According to WeRoad's guide, the Visa on Arrival or e-VOA costs IDR 500,000 for 30 days. Check the official immigration website for current rules
Knowing these numbers in advance makes it easier to decide how many weeks you want to stay each year.
Questions to ask yourself before joining
- Do I want to come back to the same place every year, or try somewhere new each time?
- Is one week a year enough for me, or will I want more when there is space?
- Am I looking for community and shared experiences, or a private holiday?
- Do I want to own something, or do I prefer to stay free of property?
If your answers lean towards returning, community and staying light, the membership is likely a good match.
Who the membership is for
The membership tends to make sense if:
- You want to try Sumba before buying anything. Spend a week or more, see the island in different seasons, meet the people
- You work remotely and want a few weeks a year by the sea, with a beachfront coworking space and Starlink internet
- You want community, not just a holiday. Talks, dinners, events and a yearly retreat give each stay a shape
- You don't want the responsibility of owning a home abroad
It is probably not the right fit if you want to live on Sumba most of the year, or if you want an asset you can rent out or sell. For that, the homes are the better option. Our cost breakdown compares all three side by side.
Membership vs Beach Cabin vs villa
| Membership | Beach Cabin | Villa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €1,500 | €36,500 | €295,000 |
| Is it property? | No | Yes (leasehold or PT PMA) | Yes (leasehold or PT PMA) |
| Furniture | n/a | Included | €15,000 + transport |
| Instalments | 10 × €150 | 10 × €3,650 | 10 × €29,500 |
| Time on Sumba | 1–6 weeks a year | Your own home | Your own home |
Homeowners pay a €65 monthly community fee once their home is ready.
Membership first, home later
The options are not either/or. Some people start as members, get to know Sumba and the community over a few stays, and only then decide whether a home makes sense for them. Others never buy and simply enjoy their yearly weeks by the sea. Both are fine.
How to see it before joining
- Walk the town online in our 3D game at Live It
- Watch the recorded video call with founder Carlos at /call
- Book a visit
- Read the FAQ
FAQ
Is the Eco Beach City membership a timeshare or property?
No. It is not property. You don't own a home, land, a leasehold or company shares. It gives you yearly stays, retreats and community events.
How many weeks can I stay each year?
Between 1 and 6 weeks every year. One week is guaranteed, and more weeks are possible when there is space.
What are the 30 retreats?
They are top experience retreats included in the membership: one every year, each led by a top expert, for 30 years.
Are flights and food included?
No. Flights and meals are not included.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. You can pay 10 × €150 interest free. The first €150 is paid with Wise to Eco Beach City Ltd.
Next step
If you want a yearly place by the sea and a community to share it with, without buying property, the membership page has the full offer and the way to join. It is a simple, honest first step, and you can always decide about a home later.