Foreign travel advice

Ecuador

Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Ecuador.

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:
9 March 2026
Updated:
4 March 2026
Latest update:
Addition of information that State of Emergency has been renewed, a curfew has been announced in four provinces, and land border with Colombia will be closed during Colombian elections ('Warnings and insurance' page).

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Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel  

Coastal Region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region provinces of:

  • Esmeraldas
  • Manabí
  • Santa Elena
  • Guayas
  • El Oro
  • Los Ríos
  • Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas

This does not apply to airside transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas province.

Within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border, except for these areas in Carchi province: 

  • El Ángel Ecological Reserve 
  • Rumichaca border crossing 
  • the town of Tulcán 
  • the Pan-American Highway  

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. 

Regional state of emergency declared (internal disturbance and armed violence)

A 30-day state of emergency (SOE) was renewed on 28 February 2026 due to internal disturbance and armed violence. You should follow the instructions of police and local authorities. The SOE currently applies to the following provinces:

  • Guayas
  • El Oro
  • Manabí
  • Los Ríos
  • Santa Elena
  • Pichincha
  • Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas
  • Esmeraldas
  • Sucumbíos
  • Bolívar (cantones Echeandía and Las Naves)
  • Cotopaxi (cantón La Maná)

Due to the current SOE, expect heightened police and military presence nationwide without previous notice, and potential travel disruptions due to extra security checks.

Curfew

A curfew has been announced in four provinces:

  • Guayas
  • Los Ríos
  • Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas
  • El Oro

This curfew will apply between 11pm and 5am from 15 to 30 March.

Colombia-Ecuador border closure

Colombia’s border with Ecuador will be closed from Saturday 7 March at 6pm until Monday 9 March at 6am. Travellers should plan ahead and expect potential travel disruptions due to closures.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

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