South America and South Atlantic Islands

Ecuador

Still current at: 07 September 2008

Updated: 22 August 2008

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

Muggings and pick pocketing are common, particularly in cities and in places regularly visited by backpackers.  In Quito you should be particularly wary in “La Carolina” and “El Ejido” parks, and the “La Mariscal” and “La Marin” districts.  You should avoid wearing expensive jewellery in the streets and on public transport.  When travelling on public transport, or walking in public areas, we recommend that you wear your rucksack on the front of your body.  Do not store anything under your seat or in overhead storage.  Keep a close watch on your belongings when in restaurants or cafes as thieves are constantly on the lookout to make a grab and run.

There has been an increase in so called "express kidnappings" in Ecuador. Both Ecuadorians and foreign visitors are targets.  This type of kidnapping involves 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 is usually released quickly in an isolated area.  Be particularly careful in Guayaquil and in the south of Ecuador, including at the Ecuador/Peru border crossings of Macará and Huaquillas, as many reported incidents happen in these areas.

In 2008 there has been an increase in rapes and armed attacks on visitors in rural and urban areas, especially in the surroundings of the antennas of Volcan Pichincha and the “Teleferico” (cable car), in Quito. Several cases of rape and armed robbery involving foreign tourists, including a British national have taken place in this area. In July 2008 the police arrested a suspect thought to have been responsible for the rapes. However we continue to recommend that you avoid visiting the area outside of the “Teleferico” (cable car) upper platform, towards the Ruco Pichincha, and to be very wary when in the vicinity of the cable car installation.

Rapes and sexual assaults have also taken place in the “El Lechero” area near Otavalo.  Single or small groups of female tourists have been targeted. We advise you to be cautious and travel in a group whenever possible.

For more information see the Assault, Sexual Assault and Rape Overseas.

On 9 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 robbery has also increased in the town of San Lorenzo in the north of Esmeraldas province. Similar armed robberies have taken place over the years in other areas such as the jungle lodges.  For this reason we advise general caution when booking or staying in remote hotel locations throughout Ecuador.

There have been several cases of assailants using drugs to subdue victims. The drug 'scopolamine', which is made in Ecuador for medical use, leaves victims in a sedated, compliant state and causes amnesia.  Victims have been drugged through food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols, or powder.  In 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 the individual looks.

There have been cases of attacks by drivers of unregistered taxis.  You should only use registered taxis (yellow cabs) that display their taxi registration sticker on the windscreen or doors.  Avoid hailing taxis on the street. Instead book a taxi through your hotel or by calling one of the many radio taxi services.  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 have been reported at the Macará and Huaquillas Ecuador/Peru border crossings and in the provinces of El Oro, Los Rios, Guayas and Azuay.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Ecuador Country Profile

Following elections in late 2006, President Rafael Correa, took office on 15 January 2007.  Elections for the Constituent Assembly to rewrite the constitution were held on 30 September and it was inaugurated on 29 November 2007. A referendum on a new constitution is expected to take place on 28 September 2008.

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 northern province of Sucumbios, which borders Colombia. Colombian guerrilla groups and criminal gangs are known to have influence in all regions bordering Colombia.  Foreigners, including oil workers, are targets for kidnappers in these areas and the rate of crime is also high.  In July 2002, a British oil worker and his driver were kidnapped and subsequently killed.

Road Travel

To hire a car you must hold a valid British or international driver's licence.  The Ecuadorian police also recommend the use of a local temporary driver permit: contact the British Embassy in Quito for further information.

Road conditions are generally precarious in Andean and coastal areas. The situation around the country has deteriorated following heavy rains.  Serious accidents are common due to bad 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 and injury of others.  When taking public buses in Ecuador, you should ask about 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.  Roads in the coastal province of Manabi were badly damaged by floods in 2005, 2007 and 2008. Similar road conditions exist in Guayas province.

Due to heavy rains in Quito, on 31 March 2008 a main traffic intersection (known as 'El Trebol') collapsed causing chaos mainly for those travelling to and from the south of Quito.  Preliminary estimates by the local authorities suggest that traffic conditions will remain difficult for many months until new routes are built.

Some bus robberies have been reported at the Macará and Huaquillas Ecuador/Peru border crossings and in the provinces of El Oro, Los Rios, Guayas and Azuay.

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 like to experience the local custom of travelling on the roof of the train. We do not recommend that you do this. If you do choose to travel this way you should be aware of the dangers as cables and bridges can be found along the route.  On 16 February 2007, there was a serious incident on a “chiva” train travelling on the Riobamba to Devil’s Nose route. 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.

 

Since 1 August 2007, Quito airport tax for international departures increased from US$37.93 to US$40.80.  Guayaquil international departure airport tax remains the same at US$27.16.

For more general information see Airline Security.

 

Sea Travel

 

There have been attacks 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.

Drug trafficking is a serious crime, penalties are harsh and prison conditions are grim.  Do not get involved in the trafficking or use of illegal drugs.

 

It is a legal requirement to carry some form of identification with you at all times.  A photocopy of your passport is sufficient.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

Immigration regulations for entry into Ecuador have recently changed to allow all nationals to visit the country without a visa. People who have been involved in criminal activity in Ecuador may still be denied entry. Before the change, British nationals did not need a visa as long as they were visiting the country for tourism. Now, on arrival in the country, the immigration police will normally stamp your passport allowing you to stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days. Previously, visitors could apply in Ecuador to stay in the country for an additional 90 days. We have been told unofficially that the immigration authorities have stopped granting extensions beyond 90 days. Until the authorities clarify the position, we advise you to seek up to date information and advice from an Ecuadorian diplomatic or consular mission closest to you on whether you should apply for a visa to stay more than 90 days.

 

Overstaying without permission from the immigration authorities is an offence and will result in a substantial fine and deportation.  In order to avoid a $200 fine, if you enter Ecuador via the border with Peru or Colombia you must insist on being given  an entry stamp at the border showing the date of your arrival.

If you are thinking of joining one of the “volunteering” or “adventure expeditions” programmes for gap-year students, ensure that the organisation is fully represented or partnered in Ecuador.  Also find out what sort of authority act the agent in Ecuador has (for example, that can they organise and pay for events brought about by an emergency).  To help us help you in an emergency we strongly recommend that you register with the Embassy on arrival in Ecuador. This can be done online using the LOCATE service.

 

If, as a British national, you intend to marry in Ecuador, you do not need to obtain a visa before travelling to Ecuador, as you may enter for up to 90 days with the entry stamp provided on arrival by the Ecuadorian immigration police.  However, you will need to fulfil some requirements before you can marry.  Please contact the British Embassy in Quito for further details or refer to Consular Section of the British Embassy, Quito.

 

If you wish to work or study in Ecuador or if you have been involved in criminal activity in Ecuador, you should check visa requirements with the Ecuadorian mission in London before travelling.

 

Passport validity

 

You must ensure that your passport has a minimum validity of six months.

 

Travelling with children

 

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting their children to leave the country.

Good medical treatment can be expensive and is not always available outside the main cities.

Malaria and dengue fever are health risks in all the coastal and jungle provinces, the interior and in the highlands up to 2000 metres. Malaria is found mainly in the coastal province of Esmeraldas.  In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region, for which there is no vaccination or immunisation.  Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  

 

On 21 May 2008, the Ecuadorian Health Ministry recommended yellow fever vaccinations for all travellers to the provinces of Morono-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Zamora-Chinchipe and Sucumbíos in the Amazon basin.

High altitude, e.g. in Quito (2,800 metres) can affect your health.  If visiting Quito you are advised to take it easy for the first few days and drink plenty of water.

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 22,000 adults aged 15 or over in Ecuador were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.3% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Ecuador and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

In late 2007 and early 2008 volcanic activity in Tungurahua, near the resort of Baños, increased significantly.  On 6 February 2008 Tungurahua erupted, expelling burning rocks towards the north-west and west of the volcano.  Ash fell heavily to the south-west and west of the volcano.  The ash affected many areas in Tungurahua and Chimborazo provinces, and parts of the province of Cañar.  Some rural families were evacuated.  The intensity of activity has been variable in 2008, but increased again at the end of May  and the beginning of July 2008. The Ecuadorian authorities have prohibited all access to the volcano itself.

Landslides,known locally as 'lahars' - created by rain mixed with volcanic rocksand mud - regularly cut off road communication between Baños and Ambatoand/or Puyo, but access has generally been re-established fairlyquickly.

We advise against all but essential travelwithin six miles of the volcano in all directions, including Baños, dueto the current possibility of further eruptions.  If you are travellingthrough Baños, we would advise you to do this as quickly as possible inorder to minimise the risk. If in Baños when an emergency occurs it isadvisable to try to reach the evacuation shelters on the east side oftown, around "Santa Ana" neighbourhood.  This is on the main road outof Baños towards Puyo.  Evacuation routes are marked with yellow arrowsthroughout the town.  There is also a siren system to alert people toevacuate.  

For further information, for those who speakSpanish, the Civil Defence Committee can be contacted on 00593 3 2741789 or 740.  You should also check the website of the National Ecuadorian Geophysics Institute (in Spanish) for the very latest information. For easier reference see the Baños Evacuation Map on the British Embassy Quito website.

Cerro Azul

On 29 May 2008, the Cerro Azul volcano, located in the south west ofIsabela Island in the Galapagos Islands, 48 km from Villamil Port,erupted with lava flows that descended down the south eastern flank ofthe volcano. nNeither the local population nor tourist  routes havebeen affected.

Reventador
 
On 28 July 2008, the activity of the Reventador volcano, in Napo Province, increased with explosions, low ash flow and burning lava in the crater area. The ash was moving towards the west, north-west and south-west, but it did not disrupt any of the nearest populated areas. Less lava is still flowing from the south side of the volcano.  It is not a current risk to the Baeza-Nueva Loja road. The volcanic activity and ash flow has decreased since 2 August. However, you are still advised not to attempt to climb this volcano and to avoid travelling to the immediate surrounding unpopulated areas, including specifically San Rafael Waterfalls, as the activity may increase further. You should to monitor local news reports on the status of the latest volcanic activity and to check with your tour operator before making travel plans to the area.
 
Sangay
 
Sangayvolcano, located between the provinces of Chimborazo and MoronaSantiago, has shown increased activity since the end of December 2006,and particularly during mid January 2007.  Ash clouds have been seen onthe south-eastern routes.  In 1976, some British climbers were struckby volcanic rocks on Sangay in a similar period of activity.  We adviseclimbers to avoid the volcano, given this recent activity.
 
Cotopaxi
 
Cotopaxi volcano, in Cotopaxi province, is closely monitored and considered active.
 
Earth tremors
 
Earthtremors happen occasionally.  Generally there are between 100 and 200noticeable tremors (4 and above on the Richter Scale) a year throughoutEcuador, most are in coastal regions.  There were a series ofnoticeable tremors in Quito in 2007, the most recent coming on 9September 2007, due to a moderate earthquake (6.8 at epicentre)  on thesouthern coast of Colombia.  On 15 August 2007, there were minortremors throughout Ecuador, although mainly in the southern coastalregions, due to the big earthquake in Peru.  No major material damagewas reported after any of the tremors. There have been more tremors inDecember 2007, mainly in the coastal region.
 
El Niño
 
Ecuadoris vulnerable to the irregular “El Niño” climatic phenomenon and waslast affected in 1997 and 1998.  Coastal regions are normally the mostaffected but also at risk are the jungle regions of Orellana, MoronaSantiago and Sucumbios (we advise against travel to this province),where heavy rains and widespread flooding can occur.  Other “El Niño”effects include the risk of landslides in the regions of Bolivar, Cañarand Azuay; and a hotter climate in all parts of Ecuador.

ThroughoutJanuary and February 2008 there have been heavy rains all over Ecuador,which have strongly affected the roads in the coastal areas (Guayas,Manabi, Esmeraldas, Los Rios and El Oro provinces) and the Sierra(Santo Domingo, Azuay, Cañar, Chimborazo and Bolivar provinces)regions.  Heavy flooding, landslides and rivers bursting their bankshave been commonplace in these provinces.  You should therefore monitorthe local news before travelling by road in these provinces, and planfor delays and blockages.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Money

 

The US Dollar is the only legal currency in Ecuador.  Credit cards and travellers’ cheques are generally accepted in the cities.  You should ensure you bring enough money, in the form of US dollars or travellers' cheques.

 

You should use your credit and debit cards with caution.  If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket or large commercial building.