Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
\nFCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region provinces of:
\n\nThis does not apply to airside transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas province.
\n\nFCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border, except for these areas in Carchi province:
\n\nFind out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
\n\nThe Ecuadorean government has declared a 60-day state of emergency as of 15 September, for security reasons in the following 8 provinces:
\n\nGuayas
\nManabí
\nSanta Elena
\nLos Ríos
\nEl Oro
\nPichincha
\nEsmeraldas
\nSanto Domingo de los Tsáchilas
\nThe state of emergency includes the following cantons:
\n\nLa Maná (Cotopaxi province)
\nLas Naves (Bolívar province)
\nCamilo Ponce Enriquez (Azuay province)
\nThe State of Emergency will mean greater police and military presence on the streets. It includes curfew hours (from 12am to 5am) for the provinces of El Oro, Guayas, Los Rios and Manabi, from 17 to 30 September. Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media.
\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nFCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Ecuador’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Ecuador set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Ecuadorean Embassy in the UK.
\n\nIf you wish to enter Ecuador via a land or river border from Peru or Colombia, you must present a criminal record certificate from the country where you lived for the last 5 years. The certificate must be legalised with the Hague Apostille and translated into Spanish if issued in another language. This mandatory requirement was announced on 11 January 2024 for implementation with immediate effect.
\n\nAlternatively, if you do not have a legalised criminal record certificate, you can ask the Ecuadorean immigration authorities at the border to carry out a check on their ’SIMIEC’ Ecuadorean Immigration System (which flags any travel prohibitions or INTERPOL alerts). The following people are exempt from the presentation of the criminal record certificate:
\n\nThere are no restrictions in place for anyone flying into Ecuador.
\n\nTo obtain a UK Police Criminal Record Certificate, check the ACRO website. For information about legalising the document with the Hague apostille check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Legalisation Office website site.
\n\nTo enter Ecuador, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit Ecuador without a visa for up to 90 days in any 12-month period.
\n\nIf you’re already in Ecuador and want to stay longer than 90 days, you can pay to extend your stay (in Spanish) by an extra 90 days. You must apply for an extension before the first 90-day period ends or you could be fined.
\n\nIf you overstay your visa, you will get a fine when you leave. You will not be allowed to return to Ecuador unless you pay the fine before you leave the country.
\n\nFor immigration information, see Ecuador Migration.
\n\nTo stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you must meet the Ecuadorean government’s entry requirements (in Spanish).
\n\nEcuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (MFAHM) has an e-visa application process (in Spanish). Find the relevant MFAHM district zone offices.
\n\nFor general guidance contact ssmc@cancilleria.gob.ec or call (02) 299 3200 extension 23064.
\n\nAll travellers entering Ecuador must register their entry and exit in the national immigration database. This is a mandatory requirement under Ecuadorean immigration regulations. At border control, you may be asked to:
\n\nprovide your reason for travel
\nshow proof of a return or onward journey
\nOn the northern border with Colombia, the Rumichaca checkpoint is open. On the southern border with Peru, the Huaquillas, Macará, Zapotillo, and Lalamor checkpoints are open to international travellers.
\n\nOther checkpoints remain closed until further notice.
\n\nIf you are entering Ecuador by land from Peru or Colombia, it is essential to use an official immigration checkpoint to receive the required passport entry stamp indicating your arrival date. Some buses may bypass immigration checkpoints, which can result in travellers not receiving the necessary stamp. This can lead to serious immigration issues.
\n\nEvading immigration control filters, regardless of the reason, is considered a serious offence. According to official sources:
\n\nit will result in denied entry (‘inadmisión’) on future entry attempts
\nimmigration fines are generally not applicable for this type of violation (but they apply for overstaying cases)
\nfor official enquiries or direct assistance, contact an immigration office (in Spanish) as soon as possible
\nTourists can stay in the Galapagos Islands for up to 60 days. To enter Galapagos, you must have:
\n\nIf you are travelling to or from Galapagos Islands via Guayaquil airport you should check with the airline before booking to ensure you will remain airside at Guayaquil airport. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Guayaquil, except for airside transit through the airport.
\n\nCheck the Ministry of Tourism’s accredited tourism service providers (in Spanish), which includes information on accommodation, transport, tour operators and restaurants.
\n\nBritish children, including British - Ecuadorean dual nationals, aged 17 and under must have a notarised consent letter (in Spanish) to leave Ecuador if they are:
\n\nIf they are tourists (not resident in Ecuador) British children (or British-Ecuadorean dual nationals) do not need a notarised consent letter (Art.137 Human Mobility Organic Law’ 2017).
\n\nIf one parent is deceased, the other parent must submit the death certificate to an Ecuadorean public notary to get an indefinite notarial permit to travel with the child.
\n\nIn more complex situations, such as legal disputes, a child will need judicial written permission (‘Autorización de Viaje Judicial’) issued by an Ecuadorian judge (‘Juzgado de la Niñez y Adolescencia’).
\n\nChildren entering Ecuador with someone other than a parent or legal guardian do not need a consent letter.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Ecuador guide.
\n\nFrom 29 July, every adult passenger or family group travelling to or from Ecuador carrying taxable goods or cash equal to or higher than 10,000 US dollars must:
\n\nThis form must be completed at least three days before travelling. Failure to declare goods can lead to fines, confiscation of goods or criminal charges.
\n\nYou must declare cash you’re carrying when you leave Ecuador. You will have to pay tax on amounts over 1,350 US dollars.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice.
\n\nThere is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorist attacks in Ecuador cannot be ruled out.
\n\nDue to the current State of Emergency, expect heightened police and military presence nationwide without previous notice, and potential travel disruptions due to extra security checks.
\n\nExercise caution around large gatherings. Street demonstrations, protests and strikes are common and can occur without warning. While most are peaceful, they can turn violent. You should:
\n\nEven peaceful protests can lead to travel disruption.
\n\nMugging and pickpocketing are common, take care in Quito’s old town and at transport hubs. The methods criminals use include:
\n\nTo reduce your risk:
\n\nFor more information on general travel safety in Ecuador, check the Ministry of Tourism website.
\n\nOn 14 October 2025, a car bomb exploded near the Mall del Sol shopping centre and the Sheraton Hotel in northern Guayaquil, resulting in multiple injuries and at least one fatality. Secondary explosions were reported on 15 October 2025 on a road connecting the provinces of Guayas and El Oro.
\n\nArmed robbery is a risk throughout Ecuador. Crimes with the threat of violence, such as gunpoint robbery and home invasion, can happen throughout Ecuador.
\n\nTake particular care in Esmeraldas, Guayas and Manabi provinces (currently the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to those provinces) and get local advice on where to visit. Armed thieves have stopped vehicles and threatened passengers.
\n\nMost violent crime is gang-related, but tourists can be affected. The murder rate in Guayaquil is very high, but is mainly gang-related. Be particularly cautious in Guayaquil city centre, southern parts of the city and port areas.
\n\nSince March 2023, organised crime gangs have caused small explosions and made false bomb threats in Quito and Guayaquil. If you’re near an incident, follow the instructions of police and local authorities.
\n\nGet local advice about the area you’re visiting and travel in a group when possible.
\n\nTake care when withdrawing money from a bank or ATM. Where possible use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres, and avoid withdrawing money after dark. There have been violent robberies outside banks. The Ecuadorean national police offers a free escort service if you are withdrawing or depositing large quantities of cash. To request this service, call 911. Only take out as much money as you need.
\n\nThere is a risk of robbery and pickpocketing on interstate transport and at bus stations, including on routes commonly used by tourists. To reduce your risk:
\n\nCriminals can pose as uniformed bus inspectors in some Quito bus stations. They might insist you place your luggage overhead so an accomplice can steal it later. You do not have to place belongings overhead.
\n\nIf you are robbed, do not resist attackers or do anything that puts you at greater risk. Report the incident to the police as soon as possible.
\n\nSerious sexual assaults and attacks against foreign women have happened in Ecuador, particularly in the tourist beach town of Montañita in Santa Elena Province. Check reviews of your accommodation to make sure it is reputable and secure, even if you’re travelling in a group. Avoid travel after dark and be alert to the use of date rape and other drugs in drinks. If you feel unwell, seek urgent help from the police or nearest health centre. Call 911 for the emergency services.
\n\nSee information for victims of rape and sexual assault in Ecuador.
\n\nYou can report gender-based violence to the Prosecutor Office (‘Fiscalía’) online.
\n\nKidnapping rates have risen in Ecuador. Express kidnappings – short term opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim – are common throughout Ecuador. Victims can be targeted or selected at random. They are held while criminals withdraw money from their bank accounts using their cash cards. Many cases involve victims who have hailed taxis (registered or illegal) from the street. In some cases, victims are subdued with scopolamine (causing amnesia). Be aware of your surroundings and always let someone you trust know your whereabouts, especially after dark.
\n\nBusiness people and visitors perceived to be wealthy may be targeted by kidnappers in search of pay-outs. Be discreet about discussing your financial or business affairs in places where you may be overheard by others, and when arranging meetings use a secure location.
\n\nIf you are a victim of kidnapping, follow the kidnapper’s instructions.
\n\nCriminals may use drugs to incapacitate victims and facilitate robbery. Homemade versions of the drug scopolamine can disorient individuals and impair their ability to resist or remember events. Scopolamine can be absorbed through the skin and may be applied to your hand, face or body without you realising.
\n\nRemain cautious if approached by strangers offering items such as food, drinks, leaflets or perfume samples, even if they appear friendly or well-dressed. Some British nationals have reported incidents involving this type of drug in private rented accommodation. You should exercise caution when inviting unfamiliar people into your home or rented accommodation.
\n\nThere has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.
\n\nEven small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Spiking and methanol poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.
\n\nSeek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
\n\nBy law you must carry ID. Always carry a printed copy of your passport, including the pages with your photograph and Ecuadorean entry stamp.
\n\nThe penalties for drug trafficking or drug use are harsh, and prison conditions are very basic.
\n\nIn Ecuador people use traditional hallucinogens such as Ayahuasca or San Pedro. These substances are marketed to tourists for ‘spiritual cleansing’ rituals. They often contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a strong hallucinogen that is illegal in the UK.
\n\nThere are many risks when taking these substances including:
\n\nConsumption of traditional hallucinogens is unregulated.
\n\nSame-sex relations are legal in Ecuador. However, local attitudes towards the LGBT+ community can be conservative and there is still societal discrimination. People may be less tolerant of same-sex couples showing affection in public than they are in the UK. Showing affection may attract negative attention, especially in small towns. Transgender people in particular could face unwanted attention.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nUS dollars and 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos coins minted in Ecuador are the only legal currencies. Credit cards and travellers cheques are generally accepted in cities but not elsewhere in the country.
\n\nIf you join a volunteer or adventure expedition programme, make sure the UK organisation responsible for travel has an official agent in Ecuador able to handle an emergency. Be wary of unauthorised intermediaries (‘enganchadores’) trying to offer you cheap hotels or tour deals.
\n\nBritish nationals have died while rafting, kayaking and on canopy walks and zip-lines. Make sure you’re fit enough for these activities and others such as bungee jumping and quad biking. For water adventure sports, make sure the weather conditions and river currents are safe.
\n\nYou should:
\n\nThere is a risk of drowning caused by strong, rapidly changing ocean currents. Beaches do not always have swimming safety warning flags. Seek local advice on tidal activity.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf you’re hiking or mountaineering in Ecuador, prepare for high altitude and unpredictable climates. Hire an accredited guide or tour operator for these activities.
\n\nYou should:
\n\nLightning has killed tourists climbing mountains. Watch the weather and reconsider your plans if conditions look bad. Turn off any electronic devices if you encounter a thunderstorm; this prevents electrical surges, stops devices from acting as lightning rods, and protects you from close-range strikes.
\n\nFor more information on climbing or mountaineering, see the Ministry of Environment, [Ecuador Tourism] (https://www.turismo.gob.ec/), and Chimborazo Local Government.
\n\nFor accredited guides, check the Ecuadorean Mountaineering Accredited Guides Association (in Spanish).
\n\nIt is illegal to do high mountaineering or climb a glaciated mountain without an official accredited guide.
\n\nTourists take day trips to Pichincha volcano on the cable car (‘teleférico’) from Quito. Cruz Loma arrival station is at 4.050 metres above sea level. There have been accidents on the route to one of the peaks, Rucu Pichincha, including deaths from hypothermia. You should:
\n\nThere may be access restrictions for Cayambe volcano depending on the weather and glacier conditions. Comply with safety regulations.
\n\nTo visit Chimborazo National Reserve, you must email chimborazo@ambiente.gob.ec at least 5 days in advance to register on the Biodiversity Information System (‘Sistema de Información de Biodiversidad’). The Chimborazo National Reserve is only open for tour operators and accredited mountaineering clubs after an avalanche killed 3 climbers in 2021.
\n\nHigh mountaineering in Cotopaxi National Park is restricted. Since November 2023, tour operators, mountaineering clubs and individual visitors can go high mountaineering in Cotopaxi National Park. However, they must comply with mandatory national park rules and safety regulations.
\n\nFor information, see the Ecuadorean Ministry of Environment.
\n\nIf you’re visiting Cotopaxi National Park, carry:
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Ecuador, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Ecuador for the first 6 months after you arrive. If you still have a paper UK driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well. After 6 months, you need to take an Ecuadorean driving test to get an Ecuadorean driving licence or carry out the driving licence exchange process.
\n\nAlways carry your passport, driving licence and vehicle registration with you in the vehicle.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as 6 months of driving experience, a minimum age of 18 years old and holding an IDP.
\n\nSome cities do not allow vehicles with Ecuadorean plates to drive on certain days or at peak times based on the last digits of their car’s registration plate. Check for restrictions before you drive. You could be fined if you do not follow the rules.
\n\nEcuador has one of the highest rates of road accidents in Latin America due to careless driving, speeding and badly maintained vehicles. There have been many deaths, including British nationals.
\n\nIn Ecuador:
\n\nAlways wear a seat belt. If you’re a passenger in a speeding vehicle, ask the driver to slow down.
\n\nBook taxis through your hotel or by calling a known radio-dispatched taxi service. Travel in a group if possible. Using unregistered taxis significantly increases your risk of becoming a victim of crime.
\n\nWhile taxi service apps do exist and provide the driver’s details, the services themselves are unregulated in Ecuador.
\n\nIf you’re using a yellow registered taxi in Quito or Guayaquil, make sure it has:
\n\nThere are authorised taxi booths at Quito and Guayaquil international airports, and potentially at other domestic airports.
\n\nIf you’re using a yellow registered taxi in Quito, make sure the driver resets the meter. In Guayaquil and other cities, taxis use fixed prices rather than meters. In these places, or if you or your hotel calls a taxi in Quito, agree a price before you get in.
\n\nThere has been piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Ecuador’s waters. Sailors should stay alert and take appropriate precautions.
\n\nIf you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.
\n\nThere have been several serious accidents in the Galapagos Islands involving tour company boats and smaller vessels transporting people between islands. Some of the smaller boats do not follow safety measures, such as holding the right licence, respecting maximum capacity for passengers, checking their motor or fuel and providing enough life vests. Use reputable boat operators and ask about safety features before you book, even for short trips. Check they provide life vests and lifeboats (if appropriate) before boarding.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nLandslides are common in Ecuador and can have a serious impact on travel. Heavy rains can lead to landslides, which frequently lead to road closures. Check the weather forecast if you are travelling by road.
\n\nThere is a high risk of earthquakes across Ecuador. Earthquakes and aftershocks can cause landslides, which block roads.
\n\nFamiliarise yourself with safety procedures and any instructions in your hotel. If there is an earthquake, follow instructions from the authorities and keep essential belongings, such as your passport and money, with you.
\n\nGet information (in Spanish) following an earthquake from the:
\n\nThe US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\nYou can also get earthquake alerts with an Android phone.
\n\nThere is a high risk of tsunamis along the coast and in the Galapagos Islands. If there is a tsunami alert, sirens will sound in Esmeraldas, El Oro, Guayas, Santa Elena, Manabí and Galapagos. See evacuation route maps and follow the advice of the authorities.
\n\nThe rainy season usually runs from October to May but can last until June.
\n\nDuring heavy rainy seasons:
\n\nThe weather can change quickly. Check weather forecasts. Get local advice on tides if you’re near the coast.
\n\nIf you’re climbing or mountaineering, get official advice from the authorities and tour operators.
\n\nForest fires happen in many areas, especially in Pichincha, Loja, Azuay and Cotopaxi provinces , due to high temperatures, strong winds, dry conditions and arson. Call 911 if you see a fire.
\n\nThere are many volcanoes in the highlands of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Some are currently erupting, active or potentially active. Check the current volcano alerts (in Spanish). Follow instructions issued by the local authorities.
\n\nAshfall from volcanoes can disrupt flights and close airports at short notice. Before going to the airport, check with your airline and on the airport website. Ash is also a health hazard, especially for travellers with respiratory problems.
\n\nThere is a high risk from mixed flows of water, mud, lava and debris (‘lahars’) around glaciated volcanoes, including Cotopaxi. These flows can be very destructive. The towns of Latacunga and Salcedo and low-lying areas in the valley to the east of Quito (Los Chillos and Rumiñahui) are particularly vulnerable.
\n\nAccess to the Reventador volcano (Napo province) is currently restricted.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"This section has safety advice for regions of Ecuador. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
\n\nYou should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
\n\nFCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region provinces of:
\n\nThis is due to a high level of gang-related violence linked to the presence of organised crime relating to the production and trafficking of illegal drugs.
\n\nTourists are not usually targeted. However, you could be a victim of violence due to mistaken identity or be caught up in a security incident involving others.
\n\nFCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region province of Guayas, except:
\n\nIf you are travelling to or from the Galápagos Islands via Guayaquil airport you should check with the airline before booking to ensure you will remain airside at Guayaquil Airport.
\n\nThis is due to a high level of gang-related violence linked to the presence of organised crime relating to the production and trafficking of illegal drugs.
\n\nThere are instances of express kidnapping, where individuals have been kidnapped for a short period of time, and are often driven to an ATM to withdraw money and then abandoned.
\n\nThere have been several security incidents in and around the city of Guayaquil in Guayas province since 2023 including an increase in murders and small explosions. There have also been fatal armed attacks against the police and prosecutors.
\n\nTourists are not usually targeted. However, you could be a victim of violence due to mistaken identity or caught up in a security incident involving others.
\n\nFCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border, except for these areas in Carchi province:
\n\nThis is due to the presence of organised crime linked to the production and trafficking of drugs.
\n\nThe security situation can change quickly in areas outside the 20km border zone, including Esmeraldas, Carchi and Sucumbíos provinces. There are illegal armed groups and criminal gangs in these areas. If you are travelling to these areas, including Cuyabeno, the Napo River, and the El Ángel Ecological Reserve, where there are ecolodges, you should:
\n\nIf you cross the northern border at Tulcán (Rumichaca official land border point), enter and exit the town on the Pan-American Highway.
\n\nLago Agrio (also known as Nueva Loja) the main town in Sucumbíos province, and San Lorenzo, in Esmeraldas province, are both within the 20km border zone where FCDO advises against all but essential travel.
\n\n","slug":"regional-risks","title":"Regional risks"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 911 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nYou can get emergency assistance and register medical issues using the ECU 911 smartphone application.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Ecuador, including Oropouche virus.
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Ecuador. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nUltraviolet radiation is a risk in Ecuador. Read more about sun protection on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nTo avoid getting sick, drink boiled, filtered or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nPharmacies in Ecuador may accept some UK prescriptions. They will accept antimicrobial prescriptions up to 3 days old and narcotic or psychotropic prescriptions up to 5 days old.
\n\nThe Ecuadorean public healthcare system provides the same level of care to locals and foreigners free of charge. However, it is currently facing challenges, including delays in obtaining appointments and limited access to medicines, due to funding constraints, increased demand and potential staff shortages. Private treatment can be very expensive, and private hospitals require a credit card guarantee for admission. Healthcare standards and access to specialised treatment can vary, and may be limited outside major cities.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Ecuador where some staff will speak English.
\n\nSee hospitalisation information pack for further details on healthcare in Ecuador, including a list of hospitals.
\n\nThere are limited medical facilities in the Galapagos Islands. You should ensure that your travel insurance includes air ambulance evacuation.
\n\nIf you travel to the Galapagos Islands by boat, you may be asked to supply information such as your blood group and emergency contacts when you board.
\n\nHealthcare provision varies across the islands. San Cristóbal has a relatively well-equipped public hospital, although it may face the same constraints as mainland facilities. Santa Cruz has a basic hospital that is currently undergoing refurbishment. Isabela Island only has a very small and extremely basic health centre.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro. You can find information about mental health support for British nationals in Ecuador.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nQuito has a tourism police unit with branches in the north, old town, airport and at bus terminals. There are also tourism police units in the cities of Guayaquil, Cuenca, Santa Elena and Galapagos provinces. Read more information on the tourism police from their website.
\n\nYou can report robbery and theft online in English to the Ecuador Attorney General’s Office (‘Fiscalía General’). This report is valid for insurance claims, however, once you leave Ecuador, following up a case report through this link may be complicated.
\n\nTo complain about tourism services, email the Ministry of Tourism: denuncias@produccion.gob.ec.
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Ecuador on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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