Ecuador
UK Foreign Office travel advice · 10 July 2026
Current safety guidance for Ecuador from UK Foreign Office travel advice. We cover 1 city in Ecuador, with reported scams for each.
Source: Ecuador travel advice — UK Foreign Office travel advice
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
On 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.
Armed robbery is a risk throughout Ecuador. Crimes with the threat of violence, such as gunpoint robbery and home invasion, can happen throughout Ecuador.
Take 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.
Most 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.
Since 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.
Get local advice about the area you’re visiting and travel in a group when possible.
Take 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.
There 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:
Criminals 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.
If 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.
Kidnapping 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.
Business 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.
If you are a victim of kidnapping, follow the kidnapper’s instructions.
Criminals 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.
Remain 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.
US 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.
Book 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.
While taxi service apps do exist and provide the driver’s details, the services themselves are unregulated in Ecuador.
If you’re using a yellow registered taxi in Quito or Guayaquil, make sure it has:
There are authorised taxi booths at Quito and Guayaquil international airports, and potentially at other domestic airports.
If 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.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice.
There 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.
UK 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.
Terrorist attacks in Ecuador cannot be ruled out.
Due 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.
Exercise 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:
Even peaceful protests can lead to travel disruption.
Mugging and pickpocketing are common, take care in Quito’s old town and at transport hubs. The methods criminals use include:
To reduce your risk:
For more information on general travel safety in Ecuador, check the Ministry of Tourism website.
Serious 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.
See information for victims of rape and sexual assault in Ecuador.
You can report gender-based violence to the Prosecutor Office (‘Fiscalía’) online.
There has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.
Even 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.
Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
By law you must carry ID. Always carry a printed copy of your passport, including the pages with your photograph and Ecuadorean entry stamp.
The penalties for drug trafficking or drug use are harsh, and prison conditions are very basic.
In 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.
There are many risks when taking these substances including:
Consumption of traditional hallucinogens is unregulated.
Same-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.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
If 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.
British 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.
You should:
There 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.
See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
If you’re hiking or mountaineering in Ecuador, prepare for high altitude and unpredictable climates. Hire an accredited guide or tour operator for these activities.
You should:
Lightning 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.
For more information on climbing or mountaineering, see the Ministry of Environment, [Ecuador Tourism] (https://www.turismo.gob.ec/), and Chimborazo Local Government.
For accredited guides, check the Ecuadorean Mountaineering Accredited Guides Association (in Spanish).
It is illegal to do high mountaineering or climb a glaciated mountain without an official accredited guide.
Tourists 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:
There may be access restrictions for Cayambe volcano depending on the weather and glacier conditions. Comply with safety regulations.
To visit Chimborazo National Reserve, you must email [email protected] 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.
High 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.
For information, see the Ecuadorean Ministry of Environment.
If you’re visiting Cotopaxi National Park, carry:
If you are planning to drive in Ecuador, see information on driving abroad.
You 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.
Always carry your passport, driving licence and vehicle registration with you in the vehicle.
Hire 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.
Some 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.
Ecuador 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.
In Ecuador:
Always wear a seat belt. If you’re a passenger in a speeding vehicle, ask the driver to slow down.
There has been piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Ecuador’s waters. Sailors should stay alert and take appropriate precautions.
If you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.
There 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.
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Landslides 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.
There is a high risk of earthquakes across Ecuador. Earthquakes and aftershocks can cause landslides, which block roads.
Familiarise 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.
Get information (in Spanish) following an earthquake from the:
The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
You can also get earthquake alerts with an Android phone.
There 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.
The rainy season usually runs from October to May but can last until June.
During heavy rainy seasons:
The weather can change quickly. Check weather forecasts. Get local advice on tides if you’re near the coast.
If you’re climbing or mountaineering, get official advice from the authorities and tour operators.
Forest 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.
There 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.
Ashfall 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.
There 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.
Access to the Reventador volcano (Napo province) is currently restricted.
This section has safety advice for regions of Ecuador. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region provinces of:
This 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.
Tourists 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.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region province of Guayas, except:
If 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.
This 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.
There 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.
There 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.
Tourists 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.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border, except for these areas in Carchi province:
This is due to the presence of organised crime linked to the production and trafficking of drugs.
The 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:
If you cross the northern border at Tulcán (Rumichaca official land border point), enter and exit the town on the Pan-American Highway.
Lago 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.
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