Passport/Visa | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? |
| British | Yes | No | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | No | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | No | Yes |
| USA | Yes | No | Yes |
| Other EU | Yes | No | Yes |
Passport NotePassports must be
carried at all times.
PassportsPassport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
VisasNot required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: (a) A measles vaccination certificate is required by all nationals traveling from Germany and Italy and must be shown on arrival. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see
General Info).
Visa NoteExtensions of a further 90 days are available through the local immigration authorities.
WarningMost visits are trouble-free.
It is advised against all travel to the province of Sucumbios, which borders Colombia. Armed groups are active in this province and there is a risk of kidnapping and crime.
Visitors are advised against all travel within 16 km (10 miles) of the Tungurahua volcano in all directions due to an eruption on 6 February 2008. At present, the Ecuadorian authorities have forbidden all access to the volcano and have restricted access to Baños, Pelileo and the immediate surrounding areas. Visitors should also monitor local media for updates.
Street demonstrations, protests and strikes are commonplace in Ecuador, and they sometimes turn violent. Take care to avoid any area in which large crowds are gathering, particularly under present political circumstances.
It is a legal requirement to carry some form of identification with you at all times. A photocopy of your passport is sufficient.
Travelers should be aware of the risks of crime in all areas and take sensible precautions at all times. You should be particularly vigilant in poorer urban areas, after dark and on public transport. It is recommended not to travel alone.
Some bus robberies have been reported at the Macará and Huaquillas Ecuador/Peru border crossings and in the provinces of El Oro, Los Rios, Guayas and Azuay.
’Express kidnappings’ are on the increase. Visitors should exercise caution when arriving in, and traveling around, Ecuador and be aware of the general risks of crime for visitors. Although tourists were not initially targeted, there has been an increase in this kind of robbery and some tourists have been affected. Visitors should be particularly aware around the city of Guayaquil and in the south of Ecuador, including the Ecuador/Peru border crossings of Macará and Huaquillas, as the majority of reported cases come from these areas.
The threat from terrorism is low. But travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website:
www.fco.gov.ukUS Department of State Website:
http://travel.state.gov/travelHealth | Special Precautions | Certificate Required? |
| Diphtheria | Yes | |
| Hepatitis A | Yes | |
| Malaria | Sometimes* | |
| Rabies | Sometimes | |
| Tetanus | Yes | |
| Typhoid | Yes | |
| Yellow Fever | Sometimes** | |
Health CareThere are plenty of pharmacies in urban areas. Good medical care is available in Quito, Guayaquil, and most of the big cities. Medical facilities outside the major towns are limited. Acute surgical and cardiac services are not available on the Galápagos Islands; therefore, for more serious illnesses, patients may be evacuated to the USA. Health insurance (to include emergency repatriation) is strongly recommended.
Note* Malaria risk exists throughout the year below 1,500m (4,920ft), with moderate to high transmission risk in El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha and Sucumbios. There is no risk in Guayaquil or Quito.
** A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended if traveling to the east of the Andes. There is no risk in Quito, Guayaquil or the Galapagos Islands.
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