Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue, obeying the appropriate travel advice. Certain categories of travellers should consider employing security support services.

 

Crime

 

Muggings and pick pocketing are very common. In Quito, take particular care in ‘La Carolina’ and ‘El Ejido’ parks, the districts of ‘La Mariscal’, ‘La Floresta’ and ‘La Marin’, the old town including the central bus station the main square and ‘El Panecillo’ hill. Avoid travelling to ‘El Panecillo’ hill on your own or by foot. Use one of the standard tours or reliable transport instead. In Guayaquil, be particularly careful in the Kennedy, Alborada, Urdesa and the Malecon Simon Bolivar districts and the bus terminal.

 

Don’t wear expensive jewellery when walking around and watch your bags on public transport. Wear your rucksack on the front of your body. Where possible, don’t store anything under your seat or in the overhead storage on buses.

 

Carry a colour copy of your passport, including the visa entry stamp page, and keep the original safe. Only take out as much money as you need.

 

Take care of your belongings in restaurants or cafes and watch out for thieves. Criminals sometimes squirt liquids (ketchup, mustard, water, etc.) on you and then steal your bag while ‘helping’ to clean you up. Other methods of distraction include requests for assistance, staged fights and pushing or shoving. Don’t resist a robbery.

 

Take care when withdrawing money from a bank or at an ATM. The local authorities suspect that gang members inside banks inform others outside when a potential target withdraws cash.

 

Criminals often use drugs to subdue victims. Home-made versions of the drug ‘scopolamine’ leave victims in a sedated, compliant state and cause amnesia. Be wary if you’re approached by a stranger offering you food, drinks, leaflets, telephone cards or cigarettes, no matter how friendly or well dressed they appear.

 

Armed robbery is a constant hazard throughout Ecuador, but especially in Quito, Guayaquil and in remote areas. Seek local advice about the safety of the area you are visiting and travel in a group whenever possible.

 

Quito has a Tourist Police unit with branches in the north and old town of the city. The Ministry of Tourism has a tourist service complaints management system e-mail: denuncias@turismo.gob.ec; toll free number: 1800 turismo (8874766).

 

The Ecuador District Attorney´s Office (Fiscalia General) now has an English online tool for tourists to report robbery, theft and loss of belongings and documents.

 

There has been an increase in robberies on interstate transport and at bus stations, especially in Baños tourist town. Most incidents took place at night. You should avoid travelling by road after dark. Cases involving British nationals have been reported in the provinces of Pichincha, Guayas, Azuay, Manabi, Imbabura,Tungurahua and Loja. Avoid taking interstate buses with a reputation for stopping to pick up passengers at night as many criminals use this means to attack passengers.

 

Express kidnappings - short-term opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim - also occur, particularly in Quito and Guayaquil. Victims can be targeted or selected at random and held while criminals empty their bank accounts with stolen cash cards. This type of crime can involve illegitimate and registered taxis. Ecuadoreans and foreign visitors are targets.

 

In 2012, in the old town and in La Mariscal in Quito, 2 British couples were attacked by taxi drivers and accomplices who boarded the taxis to assist in the robbery. The passengers were pepper sprayed. The victims were later released in an isolated area of Quito. In March 2012, a taxi driver ran off with a British tourist´s rucksack and other bags when he stopped to withdraw money from a street cash point. On 28 December 2013, a Japanese tourist was murdered, and his wife seriously injured by a taxi driver in Guayaquil.

 

The use of unregistered taxis significantly increases the risk of becoming a victim of crime, including armed robbery and express kidnapping. Try to book a taxi through your hotel or by calling a known radio taxi service. If you are using an authorised taxi (yellow cab) in Quito and Guayaquil make sure it has the municipality registration number sticker displayed on the windscreen and doors; the orange license plates or the new white plates with an orange strip on the top and video cameras inside. Avoid hailing a taxi on the street. Larger supermarkets and airports have taxi ranks.

 

In 2012, the Municipality of Quito launched a ‘safe taxi passenger’ campaign in which a taxi passenger can send an SMS to 2468 with the taxi’s registration number to get an instant confirmation about the taxi’s status. In mid 2013, the Ecuadorean National Transit Agency launched the ‘Secure Transport’ project throughout Ecuador. This includes the installation of security kits - video cameras, panic buttons and GPS - inside interstate buses and registered taxis. You should only use the yellow registered taxis, with the ‘transporte seguro’ logo, if a radio taxi isn’t available.

 

You can also order a secure taxi from a new free smartphone application ‘Easy Taxi’, available for Android and iPhone. A photo, the name of the taxi driver and the vehicle description will be sent to the customer.

 

Local travel

 

There is a 20 km exclusion zone along the entire northern-border with Colombia under army control. We advise against all travel to this area except the official border crossing town of Tulcan in Carchi province. Guerrilla groups, drug traffickers and criminal gangs are active and there is a risk of kidnapping and a high risk of crime. Foreigners, including oil workers, are potential targets.

 

If you’re crossing the border at Tulcan (Rumichaca land official border point) you should enter and exit the town via the main highway. Lago Agrio (also known as Nueva Loja), the main town in the border province of Sucumbios, and San Lorenzo, in the border province of Esmeraldas, both lie within the 20km zone.

 

We advise against all, but essential travel to the area bordering Colombia in Carchi province inside the 20km exclusion zone. The border area in Carchi province is home to various eco-lodges, near El Angel Ecological Reserve. Illegal armed groups and criminal gangs are present in the area. If you’re travelling to this area, make sure you travel with a reputable operator with good communication systems, emergency plans in place and an official guide.

 

We advise against all, but essential travel to the area of Tarapoa and the Cuyabeno reserve in Sucumbios. In February 2012 a group of tourists including British nationals were assaulted at gunpoint by a criminal gang in the Cuyabeno reserve. In September 2012 a group of tourists were robbed and 2 tourists were kidnapped in the Cuyabeno reserve but subsequently released.

 

There is a higher risk of crime in southern parts of Sucumbios province, including Coca (also known as Francisco de Orellana). There are popular eco-lodges in the area along the Napo river, between Sucumbios and Orellana provinces. Use only reputable operators to visit this area. Some lodges are a long distance from the nearest major hospital and helicopter evacuation may be necessary in an emergency. Reputable eco-lodges in this area have good communications and emergency plans in place.

 

Take care if you travel to Quininde in Esmeraldas province. Violence and crime is on the increase. Tourists are not generally targeted, but you could be caught up in an incident.

 

If you’re joining a ‘volunteer’ or ‘adventure expedition’ programme, make sure the organisation is fully represented or partnered in Ecuador and has sufficient autonomy to act in an emergency. Be wary of unauthorised intermediaries ‘enganchadores’ trying to offer you cheap hotels or tour deals.

 

Road travel

 

You can drive a hire car using a UK licence or International Driving Permit.

 

The Ecuadorean police recommend that you also get a local temporary driver permit. Always carry your passport, driving licence, vehicle registration and proof of insurance with you when in the vehicle.

 

Road conditions are variable. Heavy rains and mudslides often close or wash away roads, which can cause significant delays and accidents.

 

Serious accidents are very common, mainly due to careless driving, speeding and badly maintained vehicles. Ecuador has one of the highest rates of road accidents in Latin America. In May 2014, near Papallacta region, a road collision involving a bus carrying foreign tourists caused the deaths of 2 British nationals and injury to others.

 

If you’re a passenger in a vehicle travelling at an unsafe speed, you should firmly instruct the driver to slow down.

 

Where possible, avoid travelling by road outside major cities after dark. If you take public buses, check the reputation of the bus company and make sure it’s insured with a ‘SOAT’, mandatory traffic accident insurance policy.

 

When taking yellow registered taxis in the major cities make sure the taxi meter is reset. As of May 2015, the minimum charge in Quito is US$1.45 during the day and US$1.75 at night, even if the meter registers less for your journey. If you or the hotel called a taxi, agree a price before you get in.

 

During the Pope’s official visit to Ecuador on 5 to 8 July 2015, the following roads in Quito will have restricted access:

 

‘Ruta Viva’ new route to Quito Mariscal Sucre international airport will be closed on Sunday 5 July from midday; on Monday from 6am and on Wednesday from 9am

the alternative ‘Collas’ airport route will be open as usual

during the Pope’s visit date to Quito, on Tuesday 7 July, the area surrounding the ‘Universidad Catolica’ will be closed from 8pm Sunday 5 July until midnight Tuesday 7 July

the “Bicentenario Park” and surroundings will be closed from Monday 6 July from 9am (El Inca Avenue (northbound), El Maestro Avenue (eastbound); and La Prensa Avenue (westbound). Private vehicles will be restricted from Mariana de Jesus (south) to Diego Velasquez (north), Eloy Alfaro (east) and Mariscal Sucre (west).

the following roads in the old town will have restricted access: Ambato street, southbound; Mariscal Sucre Avenue, westbound; Manabi street, northbound, and Pichincha Avenue, eastbound

in Guayaquil, on Monday 6 July, the “Samanes Park” and surroundings will be closed from 6am. The motorways Benjamin Rosales, Orellana and Luis Tamayo will be closed. Restricted access also in the following avenues: Plaza Danin, Americas, Juan Tanca Marengo, Perimetral and Leopoldo Carrera Calvo.

Rail travel

 

The national rail company, Ferrocarriles del Ecuador, offers a range of train routes along the Andean region in Ecuador. Most of the rail system has recently been repaired.

 

Travelling on the roof of trains is no longer allowed due to serious risks posed by overhead cables and bridges.

 

Air travel

 

The new Quito ‘Mariscal Sucre’ International Airport is in Tababela, at about 37 km towards the north-eastern part of Quito. The main connecting roads have now been completed. Journey times from the airport to central Quito can vary from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the time of day.

 

Sea travel

 

There have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Ecuador’s waters. Sailors should be vigilant and take appropriate precautions.

 

There have been several serious accidents in the Galapagos Islands involving boats operated by tour companies. You should ask about safety features before making a booking, and check that life boats and the life vests are provided before boarding.

 

Political situation

 

Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in February 2013. President Rafael Correa was re-elected and began his new term on 24 May 2013. Local municipality elections took place peacefully on 23 February 2014.

 

Street demonstrations, protests and strikes are common. Although most are peaceful, they can turn violent. You should monitor local media and avoid all demonstrations.

 

Since early June 2015, major demonstrations have been taking place across Ecuador, for and against new government proposals. More demonstrations against and in favour of the government took place at the end of June. You should monitor local media and avoid all demonstrations.

 

 

Health

Contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. 

 

Good medical treatment can be expensive and is not always available outside the main cities. Private hospitals will demand a credit card guarantee for admission. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

There are limited facilities on the Galapagos Islands. If you travel to the Galapagos make sure your insurance includes evacuation by air ambulance.

 

A number of swine flu (H1N1) cases were reported in 2013 and the Ecuadorean Ministry of Health began a preventative campaign throughout the country, including a vaccination period.

 

Parts of Ecuador (including Quito at 2,800m) are at high altitude. If you plan to travel to altitudes over 2,500 metres discuss the risks associated with travelling at high altitude with your doctor before you travel.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 131 or 911 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.  

 

Money

 

Apart from Ecuadorean-minted 5c, 10c, 25c and 50c coins, which are used in parallel with the US equivalents, the US Dollar is the only legal currency in Ecuador. Credit cards and travellers’ cheques are generally accepted in cities.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Drug production and trafficking has spread into Ecuador from Colombia and Peru. Any involvement in the trafficking or use of illegal drugs is a serious crime. The penalties are harsh and prison conditions are extremely grim. Over 90% of foreign prisoners are in jail for drug-related crimes.

 

It is a legal requirement to carry ID. You should keep a photocopy of your passport pages including your photograph and Ecuadorean immigration entry stamp with you at all times.

 

 Volcanoes

 

There are a number of active volcanoes in Ecuador. You should monitor media reports and the website of the National Ecuadorean Geophysics Institute (in Spanish) for the latest information on volcanic activity. If you are planning to climb one of Ecuador´s volcanoes, you should contract an official mountaineering guide.

 

Exposure to falling ash from a volcanic eruption can harm your health, especially if you have existing respiratory problems. Stay inside with windows and doors shut and place damp towels at door thresholds and other draft sources. If you go outside, wear a disposable face-mask and change it frequently. Wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers to protect your skin, and goggles to protect your eyes.

 

Reventador

 

The Reventador Volcano, in Napo province in the Amazon region has shown further increased volcanic activity since October 2012. On 26 March 2014, the Ecuadorean National Risk Control Agency placed an orange alert in the immediate areas around the volcano (along Napo, Orellana and Sucumbios provinces), due to renewed volcanic activity which remains at moderate.

 

The local authorities continue to advise visitors not to attempt to climb the volcano. Ash fall from Reventador volcano has the potential to affect flight operations around Quito (95 km northeast).

 

Tungurahua

 

The Tungurahua volcano erupted on 4 April 2014, spreading ash and debris over the surrounding area. On 14 April, there was a new significant explosion and a 5km high ash cloud with emissions towards the west of the volcano. The orange alert remains in place. You should monitor local media and follow instructions issued by the Ecuadorian authorities.

 

The Tungurahua volcano, overlooking the tourist town of Banos (135 km south of Quito), has been active since 1999, with occasional eruptions. There was significant volcanic activity in 2012.

 

The Ecuadorean authorities continue to restrict access to the volcano and an orange alert for the volcano surroundings in Tungurahua and Chimborazo provinces was issued on 2 February 2014 due to renewed volcanic activity. The volcano expelled burning rocks which affected the Banos-Penipe road. Volcanic activity remains moderate.

 

If you are in Baños when an emergency occurs you should try to reach the evacuation shelters on the east side of town, around the ‘Santa Ana’ neighbourhood. This is on the main road out of Baños towards Puyo. Evacuation routes are marked with yellow arrows throughout the town. There is also a siren system to alert people to evacuate.

 

For further information (in Spanish) contact the Baños Municipality Risk Management Unit on 00 593 3 2740 421.

 

You should also monitor media reports and the website of the National Ecuadorian Geophysics Institute (in Spanish) for the latest information on volcanic activity.

 

Chiles and Cerro Negro

 

Both volcanoes are located in the northern border with Colombia, 20km and 25km respectively from the city of Tulcan in the province of Carchi. Following unusual seismic and volcanic activity since end of April 2014, the Ecuadorean National Control Risk Agency has placed a yellow alert in the immediate areas around the volcanoes in the province of Carchi. This alert was issued on 1 May 2014.

 

Sangay

 

Sangay volcano, located between the provinces of Chimborazo and Morona Santiago in the Andean and Amazon regions has shown increased activity. The volcano is not located in a populated area of the country, and the Ecuadorean authorities don’t have a permanent monitoring system in place. However, Ecuador´s Geophysical Institute has advised against climbing the volcano.

 

Cotopaxi

 

Cotopaxi volcano in Cotopaxi province (south of Quito) is popular with amateur mountaineers. Its activity is closely monitored by the Ecuadorean authorities and the volcano is considered active, but not currently dangerous.

 

Earth tremors

 

Since Ecuador is located in an active seismic area, there are frequent earth tremors, but these rarely cause any damage or casualties. However, as Ecuador is located in the Pacific Ocean´s Ring of Fire, the earthquake risk is very high. To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, see the Genvisec advice page.

 

Rainy Seasons

 

The irregular ‘El Niño’ climatic phenomenon can cause heavy rains, widespread flooding and a hotter climate across Ecuador. Other ‘El Niño’ effects include the risk of landslides in various regions, including the central Andes.

 

Heavy rain often results in landslides, mudslides and flooding. You should avoid crossing rivers due to potential strong currents and take care in affected areas. In the coastal region you should seek local advice about the tidal activity and take relevant precautions.

 

At the end of January 2014, the provinces of Esmeraldas, Los Rios, Guayas, Manabi, El Oro, Santo Domingo, Chimborazo, Imbabura and Pastaza were seriously affected by the rainy season, including by river overflows. Further details can be obtained from INAMHI.

 

Forest fires

 

In 2012 forest fires occurred in many areas of Ecuador, but especially in Pichincha province on the outskirts of Quito.

 

Visas

 

EU nationals can visit Ecuador without a visa. On arrival in the country, you will normally be allowed to remain in Ecuador for up to 90 days. If you are planning to stay for longer, you should apply for a visa from an Ecuadorean Embassy before you travel. In certain circumstances, you may be able to apply for an extension at the Ecuadorean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

If you wish to work or study in Ecuador, check visa requirements with the Ecuadorean Embassy in your home country before travelling.

 

If you enter Ecuador via the border with Peru or Colombia you must insist on being given an entry stamp at the border showing the date of your arrival. There have been cases of buses not stopping at the border, which has caused great difficulties for foreign visitors. There should be no costs involved when entering the country from the Peruvian border.

 

If you have dual nationality and are travelling with two passports, you should register both passports with the Ecuadorean immigration authorities. This may avoid problems if one of the passports gets lost or if you are robbed.

 

Foreign visitors who overstay will be deported. You will not be able to return to Ecuador for 9 months and your name could remain on immigration records.

 

If you intend to marry to an Ecuadorean citizen in Ecuador you will need a non-immigrant visa from an Ecuadorean Consulate or from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, once in Ecuador. You must live in Ecuador for at least 75 consecutive days before being entitled to get married there unless you have registered children with Ecuadorean citizens. Contact your nations embassy in Quito for further information on how to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Ecuador.

 

Yellow fever

 

Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

 

 

 

Consular assistance

 

British Citizens

 

British Embassy

Citiplaza Building, 

Naciones Unidas Avenue and República de El Salvador, 

14th Floor 

(Consular Section 12th floor) 

PO Box 17-17-830 

Quito

Ecuador

 

Switchboard

(593) (2) 2970 800 / 801

 

Consular opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 09.00 to 11.00

 

Out-of-hours emergency assistance

British nationals who need emergency assistance outside normal office hours should call +593 22 970800 where they will be given details on how to proceed.

 

 

US Citizens

 

Embassy of the United States of America in Quito, Ecuador

 

Address for visitors and local mail:

 

Ave. Avigiras E12-170 y Ave. Eloy Alfaro (next to SOLCA)

Quito, Ecuador

 

Embassy Switchboard:

 

From abroad:  593-2-398-5000

From other Ecuadorian Provinces:  02-398-5000

From Quito and other cities within the Province of Pichincha:  398-5000 

 

Canadian Citizens

 

Canadian Embassy Quito

Street address:

Av. Amazonas 4153 and Unión Nacional de Periodistas

Eurocenter Building, 3rd Floor (one block north of the Supreme Court Building, near Amazonas and United Nations)

P.O. Box 17-11-6512

Quito - Ecuador

Telephone: (011 593 2) 2455-499

Fax:(011 593 2) 2277-672 

Email:General quito@international.gc.ca

 

Consulate of Canada in Guayaquil

Address: Ave. Francisco de Orellana No. 234, Blue Towers Building, Sixth Floor Office 604

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Tel: (011-593-4) 2631109 ext 101)

E-mail: cancongye@gmail.com

 

Honorary Consul: Basil Haylock

 

 

Hours of Operation

 

Embassy of Canada in Ecuador – Quito

 

Hours of attention to the public:

Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 12:00

 

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

Consulate of Canada in Ecuador – Guayaquil

 

The Honorary Consulate of Canada in Guayaquil – Ecuador will be closed on Friday May 16/2014 and open on Monday May 19/2014.

Hours of attention to the public:

Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 12:00

 

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 13:00

 

After hours emergency contact information

 (for Canadian citizens only)

 

Call collect: (613) 996-8885 / (613) 944-1310 (TTY) - The Emergency Operations Centre of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An experienced officer is always available to respond to emergency calls from anywhere in the world.

 

Norwegian Citizens

 

QUITO GENERALKONSULAT

 

Generalkonsul: Marcelo Almeida Zúñiga

Korrespondansespråk: Spansk, engelsk

Adresse: Real Consulado General de Noruega, 

Av. República de Salvador N° 1082 y Av. Naciones Unidas, Quito

Kontortid:  08.30-12.30 ma-fre, lørdag stengt

Tlf.:  +593 (2) 246 8558/246 1427

Telefax: +593 (2) 225 4345

E-mail: almeidam@uio.satnet.net

 

Swedish Citizens

 

Swedish Consulate Guayaquil

Km. 6 1/2 Vía A Daule

PO Box 09-01-1317

Guayaquil

Ecuador

Phone

+593-4-2258666

+593-4-2254111

Fax

+593-4-2254159

Email

mbohman@ivanbohman.com.ec

 

Swedish Consulate Quito

Avenida Diego de Almagro N32 - 27 y Whimper

Edificio Torres Whimper, piso 11, Oficina 1101

Quito

Ecuador

Phone

+593-2-223-3793

Fax

+593-2-255-8850

Email

vconsuec@uio.satnet.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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