Travel advice for Ecuador

Avoid non-essential travel to most of Ecuador because of civil unrest, violent crime, kidnapping and armed conflict. Do not travel within 20km of the Colombia border, Carchi except Tulcán and Sucumbíos, southern Peru border minefields, or Esmeraldas, El Oro, Guayas and Los Ríos provinces. Exercise high caution in Quito and Pichincha, while normal precautions apply in the Galápagos Islands. On Santa Cruz Island, avoid flooded areas and follow local instructions.

Japan advises against travel to Carchi outside Tulcán and the Pan American Highway area, northeastern Esmeraldas outside San Lorenzo and Eloy Alfaro, and most of Sucumbíos, while considering possible evacuation. Avoid non-essential travel to Guayaquil and specified parts of Carchi and Esmeraldas because drug related crime, killings and bombings are frequent and security is unstable. Elsewhere, take sufficient care amid state of emergency declarations and possible disruption.

Avoid travel to the Ecuador Colombia border, and make only necessary trips to orange areas: Esmeraldas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Guayas outside Guayaquil, El Oro and Camilo Ponce Enríquez. Elsewhere, use caution, but avoid Guayaquil's northern outskirts and areas south of Portete de Tarqui. Risks include police searches under emergency powers, armed robbery, kidnapping, drug violence, prison unrest and landmines near the Peru border.

Exercise increased caution in Ecuador because of crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Do not travel to listed areas because of crime and terrorism, and reconsider travel to Guayaquil north of Portete de Tarqui Avenue, other parts of El Oro and Los Rios, southern Esmeraldas, Sucumbios, Manabi, Santa Elena and Santo Domingo. Demonstrations can block roads and disrupt transportation, and local and U.S. assistance may be limited in remote areas.

Exercise normal precautions, but avoid travel to areas bordering Colombia because the security situation is unstable. A state of emergency with increased police and military presence applies in the named provinces and cantons. Vaccination against yellow fever is advisable. Estonian tourists must have a valid Estonian driving licence, recognised for up to 90 days after entry.

Avoid nonessential travel to Ecuador because possible threats of violent crime and increased terrorism risk require high caution, and emergency zones have been declared in several provinces and Quito. Demonstrations can block roads for weeks, while piracy and armed robbery have been reported in Ecuadorian waters. Avoid the identified high risk cities, border areas and zones with increased security activity, follow police instructions during incidents, and stay clear of demonstrations.

Avoid nonessential travel to Ecuador's Colombian border areas because armed groups create high risk, except for the Tulcán border crossing. Also avoid nonessential travel to Pacific coastal provinces, particularly Guayaquil and its surroundings and Esmeraldas city, because violent organized crime is widespread. Elsewhere, crime remains high, while protests, roadblocks and curfews require caution, and shark attacks warrant care during water activities in the Galápagos Islands.

Exercise increased caution in Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands are the safest area, while coastal provinces and Sucumbios have significant security risks and should be visited only if travel is unavoidable. Other areas require increased caution. Violent crime is concentrated along the coast, and emergency measures bring increased military and police activity. Most border crossings are closed except Rumicachi and Huaquillas, so travellers should avoid land entry and fly instead.

The government advises avoiding all but essential travel to parts of Ecuador. Land or river arrivals from Peru or Colombia need a legalised criminal record certificate, translated into Spanish if necessary, unless exempt, and must use official checkpoints to obtain an entry stamp. Breaches of immigration rules can cause denied entry, fines or serious immigration problems. Galapagos visitors need onward travel and accommodation evidence, insurance and a transit control card.

Avoid all travel to Guayas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Los Ríos and the Colombia border area; avoid non-essential travel to Pichincha, Santo Domingo de Tsáchilas, Esmeraldas, Sucumbíos and named cantons. Increased drug violence and organised crime have produced an internal armed conflict and states of exception, allowing house searches and arrests. Remain vigilant elsewhere and ensure you have emergency funds and insurance covering travel assistance, healthcare and repatriation.

Australia advises a high degree of caution for Ecuador.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Ecuador because of high crime, drug trafficking, gang activity, violent crime and landmines near Peru. Avoid all travel within 20 km of the Colombia border and within 2 km of the Peru border, and avoid nonessential travel in specified parts of Esmeraldas, El Oro, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí and Santa Elena. Follow local instructions and take standard precautions in the Galápagos Islands.

Travel to Guayaquil and Esmeraldas only when essential. In provinces and cantons under the emergency declaration, exercise heightened caution because of serious public disorder and organized crime, avoid large gatherings and street confrontations, obey curfews and follow security forces’ instructions. Land entry through Peru or Colombia requires a Spanish criminal record extract with an apostille, while this requirement does not apply to air entry.

Germany advises normal precautions for Ecuador.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Ecuador.

No travel advisory is in force; normal precautions apply. Guard against robbery, avoid displaying cash or jewellery, use official taxis, and engage reputable tour operators and guides; do not resist if robbed. Drug offences carry heavy penalties, identification must be carried, and travellers may be detained without it. Yellow fever vaccination requirements apply to certain arrivals in Singapore, while forest fires and earthquakes are possible.