Ecuador Travel Guide

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Passports and Visas

Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival in Ecuador. All visitors should hold an onward or return ticket, and must demonstrate proof of sufficient funds for their stay in the country. Extensions are possible for travelers who do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

US citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of their arrival in Ecuador. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

UK Nationals

British citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of their arrival in Ecuador. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days, irrespective of the endorsement with regard to national status contained in the visitor's passport.

Canadians

Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of their arrival in Ecuador. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Australians

Australian citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of their arrival in Ecuador. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

South Africans

South African citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of their arrival in Ecuador. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Irish Nationals

Irish citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of their arrival in Ecuador. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

New Zealanders

New Zealand citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of their arrival in Ecuador. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Healthcare

A yellow fever certificate is required from those arriving from infected areas, and is recommended for everyone entering Ecuador, particularly for those traveling to the regions of the Amazon basin. There is high risk of malaria and dengue fever in areas below 5,000ft (1,500m). There has been a dramatic increase in the number of reported cases of dengue fever primarily in coastal and Amazon regions. The best prevention is to cover up and use mosquito repellent liberally throughout the day. High altitude can affect some people's health so visitors to Quito (6,500ft/2,800m), for example, are advised to take it easy for the first few days. It is advisable to take seasickness tablets on a Galapagos boat cruise. Tap water should not be consumed; bottled water is available. Milk is unpasteurized so it is best to avoid dairy products. Medical facilities are inadequate and medical insurance is highly recommended.

Safety

Ecuador is generally a safe country to travel to but visitors should be vigilant with their belongings as most crime is opportunistic. Travelers are warned not to store belongings in the overhead lockers or under seats on public buses and trains. Due to a risk of kidnapping and armed crime, travel to the north-eastern areas bordering Colombia is not advisable, and travel to the northern provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana should be avoided. Ecuador has many active volcanoes, which are poorly monitored. Recent eruptions have caused the evacuation of thousands of people, particularly in the Baños area. Tungurahua volcano near Baños erupted on 6 February 2008, and there has been heightened activity in July 2008; travel to Banos at this time is not recommended due to the possibility of further eruptions. You should avoid hiking to Volcan Pichincha via Cruz Loma as violent gangs are known to operate in the wooded areas; a cable car provides access, but there have been several recent cases of armed robbery and rape reported in the area. Several incidents have also occurred along the hiking trail up Cerro Mandango near Vilcabamba, Loja, in which hikers have been robbed of all valuables by masked men. There is an ongoing risk of disruption to travel due to social and political unrest; all public gatherings and demonstrations are to be avoided.