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Ecuador
Country Specific Information
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January 26, 2010
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country about the size of Colorado. It has a developing economy and a democratically elected
government. Ecuador is geographically and ethnically diverse. In general, tourist facilities are adequate but vary in quality.
Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar as its official currency in 2000. Both U.S. coins and Ecuadorian coins, which are equivalent
to the value of the U.S. coins, are used. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Ecuador for additional information.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito
Address for visitors, local mail and packages:
Ave. Avigiras E12-170 y Ave. Eloy Alfaro; Quito, Ecuador
Address for package delivery:
Ave. Guayacanes N52-205 y Ave. Avigiras; Quito, Ecuador
Telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) : (011) 593-2-398-5000
Emergency after-hours telephone: (011) 593-2-398-5000
Facsimile: (011) 593-2-398-5100
The Consular Section in Quito is open for American Citizen Services, including registration, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, excluding U.S. and Ecuadorian holidays.
The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil
Address for visitors, local mail and packages:
9 de Octubre y Garcia Moreno
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) : (011) 593-4-232-3570
Emergency after-hours telephone: (011) 593-4-232-1152
Facsimile: (011) 593-4-232-0904
In case of an emergency in the Galapagos Islands, contact the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil at 04-232-1152 (011593-4-232-1152 from the U.S.) or the U.S. Consular Agent in the town of Puerto Ayora on the Island of Santa Cruz at 05-252-6330 (011-593-5-252-6330 from the U.S.). In order to provide better customer service and reduce waiting times, the American Citizen Services section in Guayaquil uses an online appointment system. Appointments are available from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Notary appointments are Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., excluding U.S. and Ecuadorian holidays. Walk-in service remains available, but customers with appointments take precedence. To make an appointment, visit Guayaquil’s American Citizen Services website.
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A U.S. passport with remaining validity of at least six months is required to enter Ecuador. A valid U.S. passport is required
to depart Ecuador. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel, such as an airline ticket . U.S. citizens
traveling on regular passports for tourism or business do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less. Those planning a
longer visit must obtain a visa in advance of arrival. Travelers who stay in Ecuador beyond the allowed entry time are charged
a substantial fine and are barred from re-entering Ecuador for nine consecutive months from the date of departure. American
citizens (non-dual nationals) who enter Ecuador without a visa and as a tourist may only remain in Ecuador for a maximum of
90 days per 12-month period. Payment of an airport exit tax, in U.S. dollars only, is also required when departing Ecuador.
U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Ecuador must obtain a police report of the loss or theft to obtain a new
passport at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil. To depart Ecuador, they must present both
the replacement passport and the police report of the loss or theft to the main immigration offices in Quito or Guayaquil
prior to arriving at the airport in order to obtain permission to depart.
Ecuador’s exit procedures mandate that minors (under the age of 18) who are citizens or residents of Ecuador and who are traveling
alone, with one parent, or with a third party, must present a copy of their birth certificate and written authorization from
the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. When a parent is deceased, a notarized copy of the death certificate is required
in lieu of the written authorization. If documents are prepared in the United States, the authorization and the birth certificate
must be translated into Spanish, notarized and authenticated by the Ecuadorian Embassy or an Ecuadorian Consulate in the United
States. It is not uncommon for local authorities to insist that these documents be apostilled (authenticated). Documents
must be apostilled by the same U.S. state that issued the document. If the documents are prepared in Ecuador, only notarization
by an Ecuadorian notary is required. This paragraph does not apply to children who enter Ecuador with U.S. passports as tourists,
unless they hold dual U.S./Ecuadorian citizenship.
For further information regarding entry, exit, and customs requirements, travelers should contact the Ecuadorian Embassy at 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, telephone (202) 234-7200, or the nearest Ecuadorian consulate. Consulates are
located in Chicago (312) 338-1002/03, fax (312) 338-1004; Houston (713) 572-8731; Jersey City (973) 344-8837; Los Angeles (323) 658-5146, (323) 658-6020, fax (323) 658-1198; Miami (305) 539-8215; Minneapolis (612) 721-6468; New Haven (203) 752-1847; New York (212) 808-0331; Queens (718) 651-8797, or San Francisco (415) 982-1812.
Visit the Embassy of Ecuador’s website for the most current visa information.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ecuador.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Crime in Ecuador continues to occur at a dramatically high rate and is often violent. American citizens have been victims
of crimes, including but not limited to homicides, armed assaults, kidnappings, robberies, sexual assaults, and home invasions.
American citizens have also been victims of violent crime on beaches, both at popular tourist destinations and in remote areas.
Low rates of apprehension and conviction of criminals contribute to Ecuador’s high crime rate.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito advises caution when traveling to the northern border region of Ecuador, to include areas in the provinces of Sucumbios, Orellana, Carchi, northern Esmeraldas, and southern Esmeraldas, south of Atacames. U.S. government personnel are under strict limitations with respect to traveling alone and over-nighting in these areas due to the spread of organized crime, drug trafficking, small arms trafficking, and incursions by various Colombian terrorist organizations. In 2009, an American citizen was kidnapped and held for ransom near Ecuador's border with Colombia. At least 11 U.S. citizens are known to have been victims of kidnapping in this region over the past decade, including one U.S. citizen who was murdered by his kidnappers in January 2001.
Robbery of taxi passengers is a serious problem in the Guayaquil and Manta areas. Please see crime information below.
Political demonstrations occur frequently throughout Ecuador. Protesters often block city streets and rural highways, including
major arteries such as the Pan American Highway. Public transportation is often disrupted during these events. Protesters
may burn tires, throw rocks and Molotov cocktails, engage in destruction of property and detonate small improvised explosive
devices during demonstrations. Police response may include water cannons and tear gas. U.S. citizens and U.S. affiliated interests
are not usually targeted, but U.S. citizens are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are in progress and to be prepared
with back-up transportation plans. Although political demonstrations have not been directed at foreigners in the past, visitors
are reminded that peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning. Additionally, foreigners are prohibited
from protesting in Ecuador and may be subject to arrest for participating in demonstrations of any kind. Please see the Embassy’s security and safety page, or the security and safety page of the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil for the latest safety and security messages. U.S. citizens may also keep informed of daily happenings by following the local
news and police reports.
Ecuadorian authorities may declare states of emergency in provinces and regions affected by civil unrest, natural disaster,
or other disruptions. During states of emergency, authorities have expanded powers to restore order, including suspension
of some constitutional rights, expanded detention powers, and imposition of curfews.
Radicals in various locations in Ecuador, including Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, have occasionally placed small explosive
devices that release political literature, known locally as pamphlet bombs. Targets have included local and international
businesses and various Government of Ecuador buildings. Although no foreign tourists have been injured in these explosions,
American citizens visiting or residing in Ecuador are urged to take common-sense precautions and avoid suspicious-looking
packages.
U.S. citizens should carry identification at all times, including proof of U.S. citizenship. Due to increased passport theft
in Ecuador, it is recommended to carry a copy of your passport rather than the actual passport document. Travelers should
always leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place, or avoid bringing them at all. All visitors are encouraged
to make use of hotel safes when available, avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or designer clothing, and carry only
the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing. There have been significant numbers of incidents of pick-pocketing,
purse snatching, armed robbery, and hotel-room theft. Public transportation is a particularly popular place for pickpockets.
Travelers to Ecuador’s beach areas should be aware that strong currents, undertow, and underwater hazards may exist and are
not always posted. Most beaches lack staffed lifeguard stations.
Galapagos Islands: The Galapagos archipelago is located more than 600 miles to the west of continental Ecuador. Geographic isolation and the lack of local resources place at risk those U.S. citizens who choose to travel to the Galapagos Islands. International visitors should be aware that local medical capabilities are severely limited. , and access to even basic medical care may be at least 48 hours away. Serious injury or illness must typically be treated on the Ecuadorian mainland. Regulations to preserve the environmental integrity of the islands, and local permissions required to permit aircraft to land in Baltra or San Cristobal, may delay air ambulance flights even in the case of serious medical emergencies.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito and U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil strongly recommend that U.S. visitors to the Galapagos Islands register online with the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil prior to their trip, and to always leave an emergency contact with their hotel or tour operator. Given the limited medical care available on the archipelago and the costs related to air ambulance services, visitors to the Galapagos are strongly encouraged to purchase traveler’s insurance that includes air ambulance services. Medical evacuations by air ambulance to the mainland take at least 48 hours to arrange. More information on short term insurance that includes medical evacuation / air ambulance service may be found on the U.S. Department of State’s Travel website.
A significant number of Ecuadorian tour vessels operating in the Galapagos Islands are neither inspected nor operated in accordance with U.S. regulations, and do not meet U.S. safety standards. The Government of Ecuador requires that vessels carrying more than 16 passengers comply with the International Safety Management (ISM) code established by the International Maritime Organization. However, the quality of inspections, oversight, crewmember proficiency evaluation, and other requisites for safe vessel operation may vary substantially.
Tour boat accidents are more frequent among small vessels (those carrying 16 or fewer passengers), but travelers should inquire about safety features of any vessel, regardless of size. When boarding vessels be sure to look for the life boats, floatation devices and, if possible, take a moment to inspect the life vest you would be using if there were an accident.
Strikes and disturbances by local fisherman in the Galapagos Islands have become violent on occasion. While tourists have not been targeted, the incidents affected their movement and access to some sites. Such disturbances have been minimal since April 2004, but the issues remain unsettled and could resurface at any time.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' website, which contains current the Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador and continues to occur at a high rate. Visitors should be alert and cautious at all
times, even when in areas generally considered safe. Non-violent crime is common: hundreds of Americans are robbed every
year in Ecuador. Violent crime has increased dramatically in recent years. Thieves and small gangs armed with guns or knives
are sometimes active even in smaller cities such as Otavalo, Manta, and Cuenca. Tourists have been robbed at gunpoint on
beaches and along hiking trails, including on the well-populated trail to the summit of Pichincha Volcano in Quito. Incidents
of rape have increased, even in well-traveled tourists areas and when the victims traveled in groups for safety. Shootings,
kidnappings, and carjackings have increased in 2009 and American citizens have been victims of these crimes. The Ecuadorian
government has increased police patrols in tourist areas, but travelers should remain alert to their surroundings and maintain
constant control of personal belongings.
Travelers should avoid wearing expensive-looking jewelry and watches. Avoid deserted beaches, hiking trails, and infrequently
traveled roads, as well as the interior regions of large city parks, particularly at night. Robberies on public buses are
a continuing problem. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution when using public transportation, particularly taxis. Robberies
and assaults involving taxis present a significant safety concern, specifically in the Guayaquil and Manta areas and foreigners
are often targeted specifically. The U.S. Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens use radio-operated taxi companies instead
of hailing taxis on the street in the Guayaquil area, such as those listed on the U.S. Consulate General’s website. Public buses can be dangerous – from the point of view of both traffic safety and personal security.
Pickpockets and other petty thieves are particularly active in public markets, airports, bus terminals, restaurants, and crowded
streets. Backpackers are frequently targeted for robbery and “snatch and grabs;” business travelers carrying laptop computer
bags are similarly targeted. Many travelers who travel by bus store their luggage below the bus, where it is sometimes stolen.
Therefore, we recommend that you do not store your passport in your luggage. Always be aware of your surroundings, and try
to not travel alone. Thefts from vehicles are common. Thefts from vehicles have been known to take place both while the
vehicle is occupied – particularly by a single female driver - as well as when it is unattended. Do not leave anything of
value in plain view in a car, including sunglasses or sports equipment, and do not drive with purses, briefcases or valuables
in plain view, such as on a passenger seat. Carjackings have occurred in both rural and urban areas. Visitors are advised
to drive with doors locked and windows rolled up.
Travelers have been robbed after using automatic teller machines (ATMs) on the street and when exiting banks. In some cases,
robbers have used motorcycles to approach their victims and later flee the scene. Americans are urged to exercise caution
when making withdrawals from ATMs and banks and use machines only inside shopping malls or other protected locations. When
using an ATM, you should be on the lookout for anyone watching or following you.
Galapagos Islands: There have been at least three cases in which small quantities of drugs have been placed by unknown persons in unsecured
pockets of tourists' checked bags, including backpacks, en route to the Galapagos. Upon arrival, these drugs have been detected
by police canine units, and the owners of the bags have been arrested and detained for months while the cases are resolved.
Travelers are advised to secure all parts of their bags thoroughly before checking them on flights to the Galapagos. International
visitors who attempt to smuggle out the island’s flora and fauna in their luggage or on their person face serious sanctions
and jail time.
Quito: Travelers should be particularly alert on the crowded streets of south Quito, at the Panecillo, in Old Quito, and in the
areas of El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastian, Avenida Cristobal Colon, and Gonzalez Suarez. Due to the isolation of hiking
trails, the U.S. Embassy discourages hiking to the summit of Pichincha as violent crime has been known to occur there. Groups
as large as eight were robbed at gunpoint by masked men in 2008. Female hikers were sexually assaulted. There have been
no reported incidents in 2009. The Mariscal Sucre District is a popular tourist area in Quito with numerous restaurants,
bars, hotels, and shopping sites. U.S. government employees and private U.S. citizens have been victimized there, prompting
the U.S. Embassy to put certain bars off-limits and to declare a nighttime curfew in the area for its employees. Increased
police presence and better lighting in prime tourist squares of Old Quito have improved safety, but similar measures in the
Mariscal district have not been as effective.
Throughout coastal Ecuador, the rate of violent crime against U.S. citizens continues to rise. In Guayaquil, visitors should
exercise extreme caution in the downtown area, especially at night, and at all times in the street market area of La Bahia,
at the Christ Statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, in the airport area, and in the southern part of the
city. The Malecon 2000, a riverfront park area in the city’s center, and the passage up to the lighthouse in the Las Penas
area are generally safer and better patrolled than the surrounding areas. However, armed robberies have been reported at
night and caution should be observed. There have been armed robberies of restaurants and their patrons, including in the
fashionable areas of Guayaquil. Guayaquil has experienced an increase in kidnappings for ransom, often in connection with
vehicular hijackings, although tourists generally have not been targeted.
Guayaquil continues to experience very high rates of taxi-related crime, especially incidents known locally as "secuestro
express," where taxi drivers and accomplices threaten passengers, usually with guns, and hold them captive as they drive them
from ATM to ATM to withdraw the victim's money. Americans are strongly encouraged to use only vetted, radio-dispatched taxis,
such as those listed on the U.S. Consulate General’s website in the Guayaquil area. Yellow taxis, local buses, and other forms of public transportation are expressly off-limits to U.S.
diplomatic personnel in Guayaquil.
Leaving the Guayaquil airport, there have been repeated past instances of armed robbers following travelers from the airport
and using multiple vehicles to cut off and intercept the traveler. There is some evidence that those most at risk are those
individuals who appear to be returning from overseas travel laden with gifts and large amounts of cash.
Criminals sometimes use incapacitating drugs such as scopolamine on unsuspecting tourists in order to rob and/or sexually
assault them. These so-called date rape drugs are put into drinks in order to drug the unsuspecting victim. This drug can
render the victim disoriented and can cause prolonged unconsciousness and serious medical problems. Never allow a stranger
to “buy” you a drink and never leave your drink unattended.
Every year, 15 to 20 American citizens are arrested for attempting to traffic drugs between Ecuador and the United States,
or between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos. Suitcases with false bottoms and other packages are common methods of transporting
illegal substances. Many of these citizens claim to have been unaware that they were transporting drugs. As in any other
country, do not accept gifts, packages, or suitcases from other persons; even trusted travel companions have been known to
take advantage of their friends and family to traffic drugs through Ecuador’s airports. See the Criminal Penalties section
below for more details about Ecuador’s strict laws and sentences regarding illegal drug trafficking.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. More information on this serious problem is available at the U.S. Department of Justice web site.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see above). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of crimes committed in Ecuador are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to better understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. Victims of domestic violance, regardless of gender, may receive assistance from the Comisaria de la Mujer at Ave. 24 de Mayo y Calle Loja, telephone 593-2-228-4016 or the Oficina de Derechos de la Mujer, Guayanas E-331 y Inglaterra, Quito 593-2-252-9909.
Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
The local equivalent to the emergency line “911” in the United States is also 911 in Quito, and is 112 in Guayaquil. The
operators typically speak Spanish only.
Victims should also call the Embassy or Consulate to report the crime and for assistance.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
Persons violating Ecuadorian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Ecuador are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Other Legal Issues: Under Ecuadorian law, business disputes that normally would be handled by civil litigation in the United States may be converted into criminal proceedings. This provision of the law has been used to impose travel prohibitions against resident U.S. citizens, and it also has led to the arrest and incarceration of U.S. business people while they were awaiting a hearing on a civil matter.
When considering purchasing property in Ecuador, Americans should be aware that competing claims to property might only surface after an apparently legal sale has been made. Deficiencies in the Ecuadorian system for surveying and registering property and weaknesses in the judicial system mean that these disputes can last years. The Embassy is aware of several cases of American citizen land owners in Ecuador being threatened with physical harm and/or confiscation of their property by individuals claiming rights to the land, and, in at least one case, buildings have been razed. American citizens considering buying property in Ecuador should engage a competent attorney and carefully research land title issues before making a purchase.
Disaster Preparedness: Ecuador has 19 potentially active volcanoes, including nine that have shown recent activity. Earthquakes occur frequently. Three active volcanoes within 50-100 kilometers of Quito pose a significant threat to the city: Guagua Pichincha, Cotopaxi, and Reventador. The primary threat is from failures of transportation, water, communications, and power systems due to heavy ash fall and damage to infrastructure outside the city. Air transportation is especially vulnerable. Potentially serious respiratory problems are caused by inhalation of ash.
The town of Baños, a popular tourist destination approximately 120 kilometers south of Quito, is at the base of the Tungurahua Volcano. Tungurahua has erupted explosively several times since 1999, most recently in February of 2008, causing deaths and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Explosive eruptions can occur with little warning. The resulting flows of mud and lava could pose a significant and immediate threat to Banos and other population centers in the vicinity. Travelers should to be aware of these conditions when choosing to stay overnight in Banos, especially on the western side of the town, and should be ready to evacuate on short notice. If in Baños when a volcanic eruption occurs, it is advisable to try to reach the evacuation shelters on the east side of town, within the "Santa Ana" neighbourhood. This is on the main road out of Baños towards Puyo. Additionally, there is a siren system to alert people to evacuate.
Other volcanoes active in Ecuador include Reventador, 90 kilometers north east of Quito, and Cotopaxi, 50 kilometers south of Quito. In 2002, lava and mudflows caused by Reventador volcano closed a major Quito/northern-border highway and volcanic ash blanketed Quito, shutting down the Quito airport for several days.
The Quito City Government and the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute monitor these volcanoes and issue regular reports on their activity. In the event of eruptions, travelers should pay close attention to the news media for updates on the situation. Other volcanoes in Ecuador may also exhibit increased activity at any time. Further information is available via the Internet from the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Customs Regulations: Ecuadorian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Ecuador of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, electronic equipment, and currency. Contact the Embassy of Ecuador in Washington, DC, or one of Ecuador’s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Please see our Customs Information sheet.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Adequate medical and dental care can be readily obtained in the major cities of Ecuador. In smaller communities and in the
Galapagos Islands services are limited, and the quality is variable and generally below U.S. standards. Ambulances, with
or without trained emergency staff, are in critically short supply.
Galápagos Islands: In the Galapagos Islands, medical resources are severely limited. Acute surgical, cardiac services, and specialty medicines
are not available. The only hospitals are located on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands. These facilities have limited
resources, and often do not have the basic medical supplies required to treat serious injuries. Some cruise vessels have
on-board physicians available for fee-based services. Serious injury or illness in the Galápagos typically requires costly
medical evacuation to the Ecuadorian mainland or the United States for treatment. Medical evacuations by air ambulance take
at least 48 hours to arrange. For that reason, the purchase of traveler’s health insurance that includes air evacuation is
strongly recommended.
Scuba divers in the Galapagos Islands should be aware of limited facilities for decompression. A privately-owned hyperbaric
chamber is available in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. The Ecuadorian Navy operates a second decompression chamber at
the San Eduardo Naval Base in Guayaquil. Due to the high costs for these services and associated emergency transportation,
divers are advised to obtain adequate medical evacuation and diver’s insurance.
Pharmacies are readily available in any city. However, the availability of some medications is sporadic, and formulations
and brand names will differ from products available in the U.S. Narcotics and tranquilizers are extremely limited in availability.
“Pharmacists” sometimes prescribe and dispense medications. These individuals often have little training and prescribe broad-spectrum
antibiotics and other inappropriate medications. Travelers should not seek their advice. Folk healers and traditional markets
offer herbal and folk remedies which should be avoided as formulations are questionable and some components may interact with
other prescription medications.
Quito: Travelers to Quito (close to 9,400 feet) and other highland areas may require some time to adjust to the altitude, which
can adversely affect blood pressure, digestion, and energy level. Travelers are encouraged to consult with their personal
health care providers before undertaking high-altitude travel. In particular, travelers with heart or lung problems and persons
with sickle cell trait may develop serious health complications at high altitudes.
Travelers should be aware of the presence of malaria, dengue fever, Leishmaniasis, and yellow fever in areas of Ecuador below
4,500 feet elevation. Yellow fever has only occurred in the Amazon Basin. Certification of Yellow Fever vaccination is required
for travelers entering or leaving the Amazon basin or continuing travel to other areas of South America. Travelers who are
on an appropriate anti-malarial drug have a greatly reduced chance of contracting malaria, while a vaccine can provide protection
against yellow fever. These are all insect related illnesses. Avoiding mosquito via personal protective measures, such as
the use of insect repellents, help to reduce the risk of contracting all of these illnesses. Travelers who become ill with
a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a high-risk area should seek prompt medical attention and continue this precaution
for up to a year if these symptoms develop. For additional information on malaria or dengue, protection from insect bites,
and anti-malarials, consult the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization web sites listed below.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions andinsect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
Galápagos Islands: Because serious injury or illness in the Galápagos typically requires costly medical evacuation to the Ecuadorian mainland or the United States for treatment, the purchase of traveler’s health insurance that includes air evacuation is strongly recommended.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Ecuador is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance.
Road travel throughout Ecuador can be dangerous, especially at night. Many roads are poorly maintained or unmarked. Heavy
rains and mudslides often close or wash out roads. Heavy fog is common in mountainous areas. Driving practices differ from
U.S. standards. Inter-urban and inter-provincial bus passengers are often targets of crime, including robbery and sexual
assault.
Highways are often unmarked and do not have signs indicating destinations. Road safety features such as crash barriers and
guardrails along steep mountainsides are rare. In the countryside, livestock are often herded along roads or graze on roadsides.
Many roads are used for pedestrian and animal traffic as well as vehicular traffic. Driving habits vary from region to region;
however, country-wide, not all drivers obey traffic laws and observe traffic signals. Vehicles are reasonably well maintained.
On the coast, drivers have a more lax approach to vehicle maintenance and traffic regulations. In all areas buses, both intra-city
and intercity, will stop at any point on their route to pick up or drop off passengers. Speed bumps abound, even on major
highways such as the Pan American Highway, to slow traffic. Drivers often turn right and left from any lane and do not yield
for pedestrians and cyclists.
Intoxicated drivers can be encountered at any time, but they are especially prevalent on weekends and holidays.
Ecuador’s frontier regions are largely rural, poor, and lack police presence. Because drug traffickers, criminal organizations,
and smugglers of all types use clandestine border crossings to move their goods, the U.S. Embassy advises against driving
on all but the most traveled highways in these areas.
If you are the driver of a vehicle involved in an automobile accident, you will likely be taken into police custody, especially
if injuries are involved. You are almost certain to spend some time in jail until all parties are satisfied that responsibility
has been assigned and adequate financial satisfaction received. Drivers may face criminal charges if injuries or damages
are serious. When driving your own vehicle or a rented vehicle, be sure to have proper vehicle registration papers with you.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Ecuador’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Ecuador’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Ecuador’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Ecuador dated May 14, 2009 to update sections on Country Description, Registration/Embassy Location, Entry/Exit Requirements, Threats to Safety and Security, Crime, Victims of Crime, Special Circumstances, Medical Facilities and Health Information, Medical Insurance and Traffic Safety and Road Conditions.
