Gap Year Visa

Hello Everyone

So I'm taking a gap year next year to volunteer in Ecuador. I will be staying for a minimum of 6 months but likely longer, and I have a few questions about visas and immigration policy. I'm a U.S. citizen so I will have an initial 90 day stay without a visa required

1.) I have read that you will not be fined for overstaying your visa, only barred from returning to the country for 90 days. So is it a good idea as some have suggested to simply overstay my 90 day initial stay? I am concerned about getting deported, however some people have told me that as long as I do not plan to return to the country anytime soon I can just stay for my entire trip without getting a visa, this just doesn't seem right to me.

2.) Is it worth trying to get a 90 day traveler's visa extension, or is there another type of visa that would make more sense to get. I have just heard that it is extremely difficult and frusterating to get any other type of visa, especially since I will not be staying right in quito (I will be about 30 minutes outside of Quito).

Thanks!