Ecuador Travel Status

WATCH

Travel to Ecuador continues, with international flights, airports and immigration services operating. However, a state of emergency is currently in force across several provinces, nighttime curfews apply in some areas, significant security warnings remain in place, and Quito International Airport has a scheduled temporary runway closure on 26 September.

State of emergency

A 60-day state of emergency took effect on 15 September in Guayas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, El Oro, Pichincha, Esmeraldas and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, as well as several additional cantons. Travellers can encounter an increased police and military presence.

Nighttime curfew

A midnight to 5:00 a.m. curfew is currently in force in El Oro, Guayas, Los Ríos and Manabí through 30 September. Travellers staying in affected areas should follow instructions from local authorities and check whether transport arrangements are affected.

Quito Airport closure

Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport is scheduled to suspend flight operations between 2:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 26 September, for preventive runway maintenance. Airlines are adjusting domestic and international schedules around the closure.

Security warnings

Crime, kidnapping, terrorism and unrest remain concerns in parts of Ecuador. Current foreign travel advisories recommend avoiding or reconsidering travel to several areas, particularly parts of the Pacific coast and regions close to the Colombian border.

Guayaquil

Guayaquil remains accessible by air, but some districts of the city are subject to particularly strong security warnings. Travellers should check advice for their specific neighbourhood rather than treating security conditions as uniform across the city.

Colombia border

Strong travel warnings apply to some areas near Ecuador’s border with Colombia. The Rumichaca crossing, Tulcán and the Pan-American Highway are treated differently from some of the higher-risk surrounding border areas in current UK guidance.

Land entry requirements

Foreign travellers entering Ecuador through land borders with Colombia or Peru can be required to provide an apostilled criminal-record certificate from their country of origin or residence during the previous five years, or have their information checked through Ecuador’s immigration system.

Passport requirements

Foreign visitors should generally have a valid passport with at least six months of validity. Visa requirements depend on nationality.

Volcanic activity

Ecuador has several active volcanoes. Volcanic ash can occasionally affect aviation and road travel. Aviation authorities currently have notices concerning volcanic ash from Sangay and Reventador.

Galápagos Islands

Travellers visiting the Galápagos have additional requirements. A Transit Control Card is required before boarding a flight from mainland Ecuador, and foreign tourists must have private health insurance. Visitors also pay the Galápagos National Park entrance fee.

New state of emergency

A new 60-day state of emergency began on 15 September across eight provinces and several additional cantons because of the security situation.

Temporary curfew

A midnight to 5:00 a.m. curfew applies in El Oro, Guayas, Los Ríos and Manabí from 17 through 30 September.

Quito Airport closure on 26 September

Flight operations at Quito International Airport are scheduled to stop for 12 hours from 2:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on 26 September while preventive runway maintenance is carried out. The passenger terminal itself is expected to remain open.

Volcanic ash notices

Ecuador’s civil aviation authorities have issued current aviation notices relating to volcanic ash from Sangay and Reventador. Air traffic control can impose route restrictions when ash affects airspace.

Normal international travel continues

Despite these issues, Ecuador has not closed to international tourism. Quito and Guayaquil continue handling scheduled domestic and international flights outside specific temporary restrictions.

If flying through Quito on 26 September, check your flight directly with your airline because the scheduled 12-hour runway closure is expected to result in timetable changes.

If staying in Guayas, Manabí, El Oro or Los Ríos, be aware of the current midnight to 5:00 a.m. curfew and check for any changes before travelling at night.

Check security conditions for your exact destination. Conditions vary considerably between Quito, the Galápagos Islands, major tourist destinations and higher-risk coastal and border areas.

Travellers entering overland from Colombia or Peru should check Ecuador’s additional land-entry documentation requirements before reaching the border.

Travellers heading to the Galápagos should arrange their Transit Control Card, health insurance and other island-specific requirements before departure.

Travel Status is designed to highlight significant changes that could affect a trip. It is not a replacement for official immigration, airline or government advice.