Ecuador – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Last Update:  Reissued with updates to security situation in Guayaquil.

Exercise increased caution in Ecuador due to civil unrest and crime.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reconsider travel to:

• Guayaquil north of Portete de Tarquí Avenue due to crime.

Do not travel to:

• Carchi, Sucumbíos, and the northern part of Esmeraldas provinces, including Esmeraldas city, due to crime.
• Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue, due to crime.

Country Summary: Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. Transnational criminal organizations and gangs operate in Carchi, Sucumbíos, and the northern part of Esmeraldas provinces, as well as in Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue.

Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country. Public demonstrations can take place for a variety of political and economic issues. Demonstrations can cause the shutdown of local roads and major highways, often without prior notice or estimated reopening timelines.  Road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities.

Read the country information page for additional information on traveling to Ecuador.

If you decide to travel to Ecuador:

• Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before planning any international travel, and read the Embassy COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
•  Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Review the Country Security Report for Ecuador.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Carchi, Sucumbíos, and northern Esmeraldas Provinces – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Transnational crime groups operating in Esmeraldas province have engaged in violent crime and killed local citizens in addition to carrying out bombings targeting Ecuadorian military and law enforcement.

The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Colombian border area, as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi, and Sucumbíos without permission from the Embassy’s security office. However, U.S. government personnel are permitted to travel to the northern bank of the Napo River in Sucumbíos, an area approximately four miles wide, and the portion of Esmeraldas province that is south of Esmeraldas city.

Guayaquil, north of Portete de Tarquí Avenue – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Transnational criminal groups and local gangs operating in Guayaquil have carried out a series of violent crimes in the city, to include several murders, targeted assassinations, armed robberies, bombings, and assaults. Criminals have conducted indiscriminate attacks without warning on public spaces across the city. U.S. government personnel have been directed to exercise extreme caution and maintain increased vigilance when traveling in and around Guayaquil.

Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Due to a sustained high level of violent crime in Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarqí Avenue, U.S. government personnel cannot travel to this area without permission from the Embassy’s security office. The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.