Foreign travel advice

Ecuador

! Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Ecuador.

Warnings and insurance

Download a more detailed map (PDF)

The Ecuadorean Indigenous Nationalities Confederation (CONAIE) Demonstrations - Road Closures

The Ecuadorean Indigenous Nationalities Confederation (CONAIE), have announced strikes from 3 December in the Amazon region. This includes the closure of many main roads which connect the Amazon and the Highlands. These road closures are causing severe disruptions to travel. Check road closures on the Ecuadorean government website. While most demonstrations are generally peaceful, they can sometimes quickly turn violent. You should stay alert and monitor local media and avoid large gatherings.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel  

Coastal Region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region provinces of:

  • Esmeraldas
  • Manabí
  • Santa Elena
  • Guayas
  • El Oro
  • Los Ríos
  • Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas

This does not apply to airside transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas province.

Within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border, except for these areas in Carchi province: 

  • El Ángel Ecological Reserve 
  • Rumichaca border crossing 
  • the town of Tulcán 
  • the Pan-American Highway  

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.