Ecuador
Warnings and insuranceSummary
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YourBefore travelyou insurancetravel, couldcheck bethe invalidated‘Entry ifrequirements’ section for Ecuador’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel againstadvice FCDOfor advice. the country you’re transiting.
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Travelling to areas within 20km of the Ecuador-ColombiaEcuadorean border
border with Colombia to which the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areascarries withinsignificant 20kmrisks due to the presence of organised crime linked to the Ecuador-Colombiaproduction border,and excepttrafficking of drugs.
Starting on 27 October, there will be regular power cuts nationwide. Each electrical company, from each city/town, is responsible for organising the calendar of power cut times. The information on these areastimes incan Carchibe province: found on the official social media channels (X, Facebook and Instagram) of the electrical company and other official websites.
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FindPeaceful outelections morewere aboutheld whyon FCDO15 advisesOctober againstand travel. a new President elected. He will likely take power in late November 2023.
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Since March 2023 there have been a series of small explosions and also false bomb threats in both Quito and Guayaquil, linked to organised crime. The explosions resulted in some property damage, but no injuries or deaths. Some threats have been detonated by security forces in controlled explosions. Should an incident occur near where you travel are, follow the instructions of police and local authorities..
NoThe travelsecurity situation in the areas of Esmeraldas, Carchi and Sucumbios provinces, which lie outside the 20km border zone can bechange guaranteedquickly. safe.If Readyou allare travelling to these areas, including Cuyabeno, the adviceNapo river, and the El Angel ecological reserve where there are a number of eco lodges, you should take local advice, pay close attention to warnings issued by the Ecuadorean authorities and be particularly cautious and vigilant. Illegal armed groups and criminal gangs are present in thisthese guideareas. Travelling during daylight hours and seewith supporta forreputable Britishoperator nationalswith abroadofficial forguides, informationemergency aboutplans specificand travelgood topics. communication systems will reduce risks. Some lodges are a long distance from the nearest major hospital and helicopter evacuation may be necessary in an emergency. See Local travel
FollowIt is more important than ever to get travel insurance and contactcheck it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s travelguidance on Twitterforeign travel insurance,.
Around Facebook20,700 British nationals visited Ecuador in 2022. Most visits are trouble free.
Terrorist attacks in Ecuador cannot be ruled out. See Terrorism
Ecuador is situated in an area of intense seismic activity. There is a high risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and Instagram.tsunamis. You canshould alsomake signsure upyou toare getaware emailof notificationsthe risks and are familiar with the relevant safety and evacuation procedures. In the event of a natural disaster, you should monitor official channels – the Ecuadorean National Geophysical Institute whenand thisthe National Service for Risk and Emergency Management (both Spanish only) – and follow the advice of the local authorities. See Natural disasters
Cases of armed robbery are increasing and petty crime is updated. common. See Crime
UK health authorities have classified Ecuador as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For more information and advice, visit the website of the National Travel insurance Health Network and Centre website.
If you’re abroad and you chooseneed toemergency travel,help researchfrom yourthe destinationsUK andgovernment, getcontact appropriatethe travelnearest insuranceBritish embassy, consulate or high commission. InsuranceConsular shouldsupport covermay yourbe itinerary,limited plannedin activitiesparts of Ecuador.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and expensesadvice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Altitude sickness is a risk in anparts emergency. of Ecuador, including Quito. See Health.
Update history
2024-04-23 09:36
A 60 day state of emergency (SOE) declared due to the energy crisis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-17 11:05
Information on a referendum that will take place on 21 April and that energy rationing nationwide has been announced (‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-04-10 14:46
End of the nationwide state of emergency. Information about access restrictions to Cayambe volcano (Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-11 13:17
State of Emergency has been extended a further 30 days in the country (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2024-01-25 11:40
Information about revised curfew hours (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-01-18 11:01
Additional information about documents required to enter Ecuador by land or river borders (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-01-15 15:36
Clarification that FCDO advice against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region provinces of Ecuador does not apply to airside transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas province, including onward or return travel to the Galapagos Islands (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-01-12 09:51
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Coastal Region provinces of Ecuador (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ page).
2024-01-12 08:28
Update on documents required for entry via land border (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-01-10 20:04
Latest update: Update on information following the introduction of a State of Emergency (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-01-09 23:56
Information on the introduction of a State of Emergency (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2024-01-09 21:23
Information on the introduction of a State of Emergency (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2024-01-09 15:25
Information on the introduction of a State of Emergency (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-12-19 16:23
Information on kidnaps (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-12-13 15:07
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-01 18:57
Latest update: Information on daily power cuts nationwide (‘Summary’ page).
2023-10-27 15:39
Information on daily power cuts nationwide (‘Summary’ page).
2023-10-26 18:10
Addition of information regarding strikes, demonstrations and road closures (“summary”, “safety and security”)
2023-08-16 10:35
Information about upcoming elections, to expect a heightened police presence and potential travel disruptions (‘Summary’ and under ‘Crime’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-10 18:32
Information about upcoming elections and declaration of a nationwide ‘State of Emergency’ (under ‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-26 17:44
(Correction) Information about having proof of your flight available if you are due to travel to or from the airport during curfew hours introduced by the state of emergency on the 24 July (under ‘Crime’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-26 16:58
Information about having proof of your flight available if you are due to travel to or from the airport during curfew hours introduced by the state of emergency on the 24 July (under ‘Political situation’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-28 13:47
Updated information about political developments, crime, personal safety, health and overstaying visas (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’, ‘Entry Requirements’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2023-06-22 11:17
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-17 16:02
Updated information about political developments and advice on demonstrations (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2023-04-25 16:51
Updated information about altitude sickness (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2023-04-15 19:57
Update about the State of emergency (see ‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-04-02 18:22
State of emergency called in Ecuador’s Zone 8, which includes the cities of Guayaquil, Samborondón and Duran, and areas in the provinces of Santa Elena and Los Ríos (see ‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-10 15:27
New information on State of emergency declared in Esmeraldas province from 3 March 2023 and Ministry of Tourism recommendations when visiting Cotopaxi National Park (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2023-02-18 06:54
Latest update: Changes to entry requirements (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-11-23 15:21
Updated information on the timing of the curfew currently in place in three provinces (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-10 09:43
Updated information on the timing of the curfew currently in place in three provinces (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-07 16:04
Updated information on the state of emergency which is now in place in three provinces (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-02 14:29
Updated information on explosions across certain areas in Ecuador and a declaration of a state of emergency in two provinces (‘Summary’ page) and (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-11-02 09:39
Updated information on explosions across certain areas in Ecuador (‘Summary’ page) and (‘Safety and security’ page). Additional information on Cotopaxi Volcano (‘Natural disasters’ page)
2022-10-21 15:48
Removal of vaccination requirements to enter Ecuador and updated information on quarantine requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-19 11:36
Updated information on a new state of exception in the Guayas area (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages). Addition of information on recent volcanic activity (‘Natural disasters’ page)
2022-07-20 12:56
Undated information on visas and removal of testing/screening on arrival (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-07-06 21:18
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to mainland Ecuador, but continues to advise against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuadorean border with Colombia, except the El Angel ecological reserve and the Rumichaca border crossing, the town of Tulcan and the Pan American Highway in Carchi province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages)
2022-07-06 20:39
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to mainland Ecuador, but continues to advise against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuadorean border with Colombia, except the El Angel ecological reserve and the Rumichaca border crossing, the town of Tulcan and the Pan American Highway in Carchi province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages)
2022-06-30 22:47
Announcement of the end of the nationwide demonstrations and national strike (‘Summary’ page).
2022-06-30 16:15
Addition of information on a 30-day state of emergency for the provinces of Azuay, Imbabura, Sucumbios and Orellana, declared on 29 June (‘Summary’ page)
2022-06-30 14:20
Update to information on the threat of terrorism in Ecuador (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-06-26 05:24
Updated information on the state of emergency being repealed on 25 June 2022 for Pichincha (and a curfew for Quito), Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Tungurahua and Pastaza provinces (‘Summary’ page).
2022-06-24 19:10
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to mainland Ecuador, and continues to advise against all travel to some areas adjacent to the border with Colombia. This advice against non-essential travel does not apply to transit through Quito or Guayaquil Airports, or onward travel to the Galapagos Islands.
2022-06-22 00:33
Current state of emergency continues due to ongoing protests. Updated advice on hotels and travel including to Quito airport. (‘Summary’ page)
2022-06-21 15:30
Updated information on the addition of the provinces of Chimborazo, Tungurahua and Pastaza to the current state of emergency (‘Summary’ page)
2022-06-18 08:19
A state of emergency for Pichincha, Imbabura and Cotopaxi provinces has been declared by the government, starting at midnight on 17 June for 30 days. In addition, and only for Quito, a curfew has been announced from 18 June between 10pm and 5am, for the same period of 30 days. (See ‘Summary’)
2022-06-17 19:05
Possible travel disruption due to Quito bus terminal not operating and the land border with Colombia closing from Saturday evening to Monday morning (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-16 20:50
Political protests in Ecuador; foreign tourists in country can contact the Ecuadorean Ministry of Tourism (MinTur) for direct help and guidance (Summary)
2022-06-15 17:32
Update on political protests in Ecuador (Summary page)
2022-06-13 17:21
Updated information on crime and travel safety (‘Safety and security’ page). Update to information on transiting through Ecuador (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-05-04 09:58
Added information on state of exception in three provinces: Guayas, Esmeraldas and Manabí (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security pages’). Updated information on COVID-19 restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-02-21 11:44
Updated information on COVID-19 restrictions in Ecuador (‘Coronavirus’ page) and full review of ‘Entry requirements’ page