Ecuador Travel Advisory 2026

Current U.S. State Department advisory

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. Most popular travel destinations worldwide sit at this level. Advisory as of October 13, 2025.

Official source: travel.state.gov

US vs UK: how the advice compares

🇺🇸 United States — travel.state.gov

Level 2· Exercise Increased Caution

Level 2 of 4 · as of October 13, 2025

🇬🇧 United Kingdom — FCDO (GOV.UK)

Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country

Last updated June 19, 2026 · gov.uk advice

Latest UK update note: “New information about the introduction of a 60-day State of Emergency ('Warnings and insurance' page).”

See all countries where the two governments disagree on the US vs UK comparison page.

Advisory level timeline

October 13, 2025 — current
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Latest official advisory as captured in our snapshot.
No advisory level changes recorded for Ecuador since we began tracking in July 2026. We log every future change here, with dates and official change notes.

Is Ecuador safe? What the official advisory says

in Ecuador due to risk of crime , terrorism , unrest , and kidnapping . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime and kidnapping

Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Violent crime typically associated with narcotrafficking is common. It includes murder, assault, kidnapping, and armed robbery. Areas with transnational criminal organizations see much higher rates of violent crime. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping and extortion.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Ecuador. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations happen across the country.
They are usually driven by political or economic reasons.
Demonstrators often block local roads and major highways without warning, disrupting access to important infrastructure.

Local and U.S. Government Assistance

Most of Ecuador’s land is empty and remote, especially outside big towns and cities.
Local and U.S. government help may be very limited in remote areas. This may cause delays for U.S. citizens in remote areas.

Do Not Travel to these areas due to terrorism and crime:

Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue.

Condensed from the official State Department advisory of October 13, 2025 — read the full advisory before you travel.

Ecuador travel advisory FAQ

What is the current travel advisory level for Ecuador?

As of October 13, 2025, the U.S. State Department rates Ecuador at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. Most popular travel destinations worldwide sit at this level.

What does Level 2 mean?

Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) — Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. Most popular travel destinations worldwide sit at this level.

When did the Ecuador travel advisory last change?

The current advisory was published on October 13, 2025. No level changes have been recorded since we began tracking in July 2026 — this page will log every future change.

Does the UK government agree with the US advisory for Ecuador?

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) position: Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country (last updated June 19, 2026). The US and UK use different systems — the US assigns a 1–4 level, while the UK either advises against travel (entirely or in part) or issues no overall warning.