Ecuador is in a state of ‘internal armed conflict’ and has a separate state of emergency due to crime. A car bomb exploded recently near the Sheraton Hotel and Mall del Sol shopping centre in Guayaquil and explosions were also reported on major roads in Guayas and El Oro provinces. The security environment may change at short notice. Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities (see ‘Safety’).

Do not travel within 20km of the border with Colombia, except the official border crossing at Tulcan, due to the high risk of kidnapping and violent crime associated with drug-related criminal organisations.

We advise:

Exercise a high degree of caution in Ecuador overall due to the threat of violent crime.

Higher levels apply in some areas.