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Updated with information about land border travel restrictions.
Exercise increased caution in Ecuador due to civil unrest, crime, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do not travel to:
Reconsider travel to:
Country Summary: Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, kidnapping, and armed robbery, is prevalent and widespread. The rate of violent crime is significantly higher in areas where transnational criminal organizations are concentrated.
Demonstrations occur frequently throughout the country, usually motivated by political and/or economic factors. Demonstrators routinely block local roads and major highways, often without prior notice which can lead to disruption in access to critical infrastructure.
Outside of Ecuador’s major towns and cities, much of the country’s territory is sparsely populated and isolated. Government assistance may be very limited and can lead to significant delays for assistance to U.S. citizens in remote areas.
Land Border Restrictions: All foreign citizens entering the country via land border crossings from Colombia or Peru are required to present an apostilled certificate showing a lack of criminal record. Further information is available on the Ministry of Tourism’s webpage and at Ecuador.Travel. All U.S. citizens planning to enter Ecuador via a land border should comply with this requirement. See Travel.State.Gov’s Office of Authentications webpage and Criminal Records Check webpage for information on how to obtain a criminal record check and apostille from the United States. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General in Ecuador cannot assist citizens crossing a land border in obtaining the required documentation.
Read the country information page for additional information on traveling to Ecuador.
If you decide to travel to Ecuador:
Level 4: Do Not Travel
Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue, due to crime.
The cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas in the Province of El Oro, due to crime.
The cities of Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo in the province of Los Rios, due to crime.
The canton of Duran, in the province of Guayas, due to crime.
Esmeraldas city and all areas north of Esmeraldas city in Esmeraldas province, due to crime.
Transnational criminal groups and local gangs regularly engage in violent criminal acts in these areas, including indiscriminate attacks without warning in public spaces. Violent crimes have included murder, targeted assassinations, armed robberies, bombings, kidnappings, and assaults, among others. Violence in these areas has steadily increased in frequency and brutality in recent months, posing an increased security risk to U.S. citizens. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to these areas without prior authorization. As a result, the U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these areas.
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Guayaquil north of Portete de Tarqui Avenue, due to crime.
El Oro province outside the cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas, due to crime.
Los Rios province outside the cities of Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo, due to crime.
All areas south of Esmeraldas city in Esmeraldas province, due to crime.
The provinces of Sucumbios, Manabi, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo, due to crime.
Transnational criminal groups and local gangs have sporadically engaged in violent criminal activity in these areas, with violence increasing in recent months. U.S. government personnel are directed to exercise extreme caution and maintain increased vigilance when traveling in and around these areas.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
6 months.
1 page per stamp.
Not for stays less than 90 days in any 12-month period.
None.
Travelers must declare currency in amounts greater than $10,000. See the Ecuadorian customs website.
There is a 5 percent tax on currency taken out of Ecuador above $1200.00. See the Ecuadorian Revenue Service website.
Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro
Quito, Ecuador
Telephone: 593-2-398-5000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 593-2-398-5000 or 593-9-9788-3222
Email: Consular Navigator (English), Consular Navigator (Spanish)
U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil
Santa Ana St. and Jose Rodriguez Bonin Ave.
San Eduardo Sector
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Telephone: 593-4-371-7000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 593-4-371-7000
Email: ACSGuayaquil@state.gov
See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Ecuador for information about U.S.-Ecuador relations.
Contact the Embassy of Ecuador in Washington, DC, for the most current visa information.
If you are traveling for business or tourism, you do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 12-month period. You can request an extension through provincial migration offices. Additional information is available on the Ecuadorian Ministry of Interior website.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ecuador.
Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.
Exercise increased caution when traveling in Ecuador, and do not travel to the province of Carchi, the province of Sucumbíos, and the northern part of Esmeraldas province, including Esmeraldas city due to crime. U.S. government personnel may travel to the northern bank of the Napo River in Sucumbíos, where tourist lodges are located, an area approximately four miles wide, and to the portion of Esmeraldas province that is south of Esmeraldas city.
All other U.S. government travel to the northern border area is prohibited without prior permission. This region has a high rate of violent crime. U.S. citizens are not targeted, but have been victims of crime there in the past.
Crime: Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador.
Civil Unrest: Demonstrations may occur occasionally. They may take place in response to local or international events or on politically significant holidays. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Protesters may block roads and sometimes burn tires, throw rocks, and damage property.
Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Quito or Consulate in Guayaquil for assistance. Report crimes to the local police by calling 911. In Quito, you can visit an Ecuadorian Tourist Security Service Attention Center. You can also contact the U.S. Embassy at +593-2-398-5000 or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil at +593-4-371-7000.
Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.
Information about victim’s assistance programs in Ecuador is available on the U.S. Mission in Ecuador website.
We can:
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy or Consulate General for assistance.
Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see the State Department’s website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General immediately. See our webpage for further information.
Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.
Seismic Activity: There are numerous active volcanoes, and earthquakes are common. Earthquakes can trigger deadly tsunamis. Visit Ecuador’s National Risk Management Secretariat and the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute for more information.
Hallucinogens: Traditional hallucinogens, often referred to as ayahuasca or San Pedro, are often marketed to tourists as “spiritual cleansing” and typically contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a strong hallucinogen that is illegal in the United States, Ecuador, and many other countries. Health risks are not well understood, and, on occasion, people suffer serious illness or death after taking these drugs. Intoxicated travelers also have been assaulted and robbed. These incidents often occur a great distance from medical facilities, making the risks even greater.
Galápagos Islands: Be aware of the following challenges:
Retiring in Ecuador: In recent years, Ecuador has become a top overseas destination for retiring U.S. citizens.
Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:
LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Ecuador.
See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Travelers with disabilities might have difficulty accessing buildings. Sidewalks in some areas are narrow and poorly maintained.
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
For emergency services in Ecuador, dial 911.
Ambulance services are:
Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance, particularly outside of Quito.
Adequate medical and dental care is available in major cities. In smaller communities and in the Galapagos Islands, services are limited, and the quality is generally well below U.S. standards.
We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.
Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.
We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.
Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the government of Ecuador’s National Customs Service to ensure the medication is legal in Ecuador.
The following diseases are present:
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Further health information:
Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
The U.S. Mission in Ecuador maintains a list of doctors and hospitals on its webpage. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.
Health facilities in general:
Pharmaceuticals:
Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy:
Water Quality:
Altitude:
Adventure Travel:
Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel.
Road Conditions and Safety: Some roads are poorly maintained and may lack crash barriers, guard rails, signs, and streetlights. Heavy fog and rain make conditions more treacherous.
Traffic Laws:
You may use your U.S. driver’s license for up to 90 days. If you are staying in Ecuador longer, you should contact the National Transit Agency to obtain a valid driver’s license.
Public Transportation: Intra- and inter-city bus passengers are often targets of crime, including robbery and sexual assault.
See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Ecuador's national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.
Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Ecuador’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Ecuador’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Ecuador should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings.
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