South America and South Atlantic Islands

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

On 30 September 2009, the Ecuadorian Government announced a 60 day ‘state of exception’ (state of emergency) for the cities of Guayaquil, Quito and Manta in response to the current crime wave.  This will enable Ecuadorian military forces to be used in conjunction with police units, with an increase in vehicle checkpoints.  Ecuadorian nationals and foreigners are advised to carry their identity documents at all times.  If driving, ensure you have your driving licence, vehicle insurance papers (SOAT) and registration card (matricula) with you at all times.

Cases of serious armed robbery are on the increase, and muggings and pick pocketing are common. Backpackers are seen as an easy target.   In Quito, you should be particularly wary in ‘La Carolina’ and ‘El Ejido’ parks, and in ‘La Mariscal’, 'La Carolina', 'La Floresta' and ‘La Marin’ districts, as well as in the old town and the central bus station.  In Guayaquil, be particularly cautious in the Kennedy, Alborada, Urdesa and Malecon Simon Bolivar districts.   You should avoid wearing expensive jewellery when walking in the streets and travelling on public transport.  We recommend that you wear your rucksack on the front of your body and avoid storing anything under your seat or in overhead luggage space.  Keep a close watch on your bags and belongings when in restaurants or cafes as thieves are constantly on the lookout to make a ‘grab and run’.

Rape and sexual assault is a growing problem in Ecuador. The most recent case involving a British national took place in November 2008 in Vilcabamba in the south of the country, where the victim was drugged. There have also been a growing number of reports of rape and armed attacks on visitors in both rural and urban areas.  British and other foreign nationals have been affected.  The areas surrounding the antennas of Volcan Pichincha and the 'Teleferico' (cable car), in Quito are particularly vulnerable. In July 2008 the police arrested a suspect thought to have been responsible for the attacks around the 'Teleferico'.  However, because of its isolation we continue to recommend that you avoid hiking in the area outside the 'Teleferico' upper platform, towards the Ruco Pichincha, and to be very wary when in the vicinity of the cable car installation.

For more information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.

A British national was shot dead in February 2009 in Pedernales, in the north west of Manabi province, in the coastal region of Ecuador, while undertaking conservation work. We advise you to seek as much local information as possible about the safety of the area you will be visiting before travelling.  We also advise you to be alert and to travel in a group whenever possible.

There has also been a large increase in the number of robberies outside banks in Quito, especially in the northern part of the city. The authorities suspect that gang members inside banks inform others outside when a potential target withdraws cash.  Both Ecuadorians and foreigners have been targeted. One US citizen was shot dead in mid-October as a result of an attack, which took place in the 'La Mariscal' area of the city. You should exercise caution when withdrawing money from a bank or cash point. Avoid isolated cash machines and/or ATM's in the street.

There has been an upsurge in cases of assailants using drugs to subdue victims. Home made versions of the drug 'scopolamine', which is made in Ecuador for medical use, leave victims in a sedated, compliant state and cause amnesia.  The drug is administered through food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols, or powder.  In at least one incident drugs were administered through a chemical soaked into a leaflet.  You should be wary of unsolicited approaches from strangers offering you food, drinks, leaflets, telephone cards or cigarettes, no matter how friendly or well dressed they appear.

Armed robbery is a constant hazard throughout Ecuador.  In early March 2008 a hotel in the Mindo area, north-west of Quito, was robbed at gunpoint.  Nine British tourists were among the victims, though none were physically injured. Armed robberies have also taken place over the years in other areas where jungle lodges are located.  For this reason we advise general caution when booking or staying in remote hotel locations throughout Ecuador.

Armed assaults involving serious violence continue to increase throughout Ecuador, especially in Quito and Guayaquil.  On 13 September, in an attempted robbery, a French citizen was shot by two men while in a taxi in the area of Guapulo in Quito, and later died, allegedly as a result of having not received prompt medical attention.  The clinic which treated her has been reported to have demanded prior payment guarantees as a condition for treatment.

‘Express kidnappings’ are a common crime in Ecuador.  Both Ecuadorians and foreign visitors are targets.  In June 2009 a British tourist was ‘express-kidnapped’ from a hotel in the north of Quito.  The kidnappings involve short-term opportunistic abductions aimed at extracting cash from victims who are selected at random. They are held while criminals empty their bank accounts using the victims’ bank cards.  Once the money has been taken the victim has usually been released in an isolated area.  However, victims are now often forced to take their abductors to their homes once the money has been withdrawn, and violence against victims is becoming more common. Be particularly aware of the dangers in Guayaquil and in the south of Ecuador, including at the Ecuador/Peru border crossings of Macará and Huaquillas, as most reported incidents happen in these areas.  

The number of cases of attacks by drivers of unregistered taxis has also risen.  For your own safety, you should only use authorised taxis (yellow cabs) that display their taxi registration sticker on the windscreen or doors.  You should avoid hailing taxis on the street, and should instead book one through your hotel or by calling a known radio taxi service.  Larger supermarkets and airports also have taxi ranks.

Armed gunmen regularly hold up buses at night.  You should not travel by road after dark, in particular on long distance and international buses. Cases involving British nationals have been reported at the Macará and Huaquillas Ecuador/Peru border crossings and in the provinces of El Oro, Los Rios, Guayas, Azuay, Manabi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo and Imbabura. You should also avoid taking interstate buses that have a reputation for stopping en route to pick up passengers as many bandits use this means to attack passengers.

For more general information see Victims of Crime.

Political Situation

Ecuador Country Profile

President Rafael Correa took office on 15 January 2007.  General elections took place on 26 April 2009 and President Correa was re-elected.

In September and October 2009 there were several demonstrations against the government. On 30 September, a demonstration in Macas in the province of Morona Santiago reportedly led to the death of at least one indigenous person and injury to others, including the security forces.  

Local Travel

Street demonstrations, protests and strikes are common in Ecuador.  Although most are peaceful, some can turn violent.  You should monitor local media and take care to avoid any area in which large crowds are gathering.

You should avoid all travel to the border areas in the northern province of Sucumbios including the town of Lago Agrio. Colombian guerilla groups and criminal gangs are known to have influence in all areas bordering Colombia. Foreigners, including oil workers, are targets in these areas and the crime rate is high.  In July 2002, a British oil worker and his driver were kidnapped and subsequently killed.

Travel to the areas immediately bordering Colombia in Carchi province (except Tulcan city) and San Lorenzo town in the north of Esmeraldas province are particularly dangerous as a result of criminal activity and organised crime, including drug trafficking, armed assaults, extortion, kidnapping, the illegal arms trade and violent murder.

Road Travel

To hire a car you must hold a valid British or international driving licence.  The Ecuadorian police also recommend the use of a local temporary driver permit.  You should carry your passport, driving license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance with you.

Road conditions are generally unpredictable in Andean and coastal areas. The situation around the country always deteriorates following heavy rains, particularly between January and June and heavy rains and mudslides often close or wash away roads.  There were serious landslides on the routes Aloag-Santo Domingo connecting Quito and Guayaquil, and Calacali-La Independencia as a result of heavy rains in February 2009.  The Loja-Vilcabamba route in the south of Ecuador was also damaged by heavy landslides on 4 April, and road access was restricted. 

Serious accidents are common due to poor road conditions. Driving can also be dangerous because of the poor condition of vehicles and careless driving.  On 12 April 2008 near the coastal town of Jipijapa in the province of Manabi, a collision between a bus carrying foreign tourists and a lorry resulted in the deaths of five British nationals.  When taking public buses in Ecuador, you are advised to check the reputation of the bus company and ensure that that the company is insured with a 'SOAT', a recently introduced ‘mandatory traffic accident insurance policy’.

Road conditions in the Amazon region are generally very poor and driving is hazardous. 

When taking yellow taxis in the major cities you should ensure that the taxi meter is reset. The minimum charge in Quito is USD 1, even if the meter registers less.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Rail Travel

Some tourists travelling by train on the Riobamba to Devil’s Nose route follow the local custom of travelling on the roof of the train. We advise against this because of the serious risks posed by cables and bridges along the route.  In early 2007 two Japanese passengers travelling on the roof died after being struck by a cable suspended across the track. Two British tourists were also injured.

Air Travel

You should reconfirm your onward flight at least 72 hours before departure, even if you have an electronic ticket.

Quito international airport departure tax is US$40.80. International departures from Guayaquil cost  US$27.16.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Sea Travel

There have been incidences of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Ecuador’s waters.  Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.