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TRAVEL REPORT
Ecuador

1. RECENT UPDATES

A Travel Warning has been added to this report.

The information contained in this Travel Report has been thoroughly reviewed and updated.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Ecuador

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

On October 2, 2009, the Ecuadorian Government declared a State of Exception in Quito, Guayaquil and Manta. Although civil liberties have not been suspended, the police and army have set up checkpoints throughout the country. Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution, and are reminded that it is a legal requirement in Ecuador to carry identification with them at all times. 

Regional Warning

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the areas immediately bordering Colombia (namely both provinces of Carchi and Sucumbíos, with the exception of the city of Tulcán), and the town of San Lorenzo, located in the north of Esmeraldas province.

Travel to and within these areas is dangerous due to the presence of drug traffickers, criminal organizations and refugees from Colombia, and to the risk of violence, including during demonstrations, kidnappings, armed assaults, and extortion. There have been reports of Canadian tourists and foreign oil workers being held against their will  in these areas. Armed robberies have also been reported at jungle lodges in the areas of Lower Rio Napo and Cuyabeno National Reserve.

Regional Warning

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel south of Cuenca, including the provinces of Zamora-Chinchipe, Morona-Santiago, and El Oro, due to landmines and unmarked minefields in the Cordillera del Cóndor, near the Peruvian border.

The hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30. For more information, please see our Global Issue on the hurricane season.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Curfews and states of emergency may be declared in regions affected by civil unrest, natural disasters or other disruptions. During states of emergency, authorities have expanded powers to restore order, including suspension of some constitutional rights and expanded detention powers.

Petty crime

Street crimes, including purse snatching, car break-ins, thefts, pickpocketing, and violent carjackings, are daily occurrences in major cities. Thieves often work in teams, in which one thief diverts the victims’ attention while the other snatches their possessions. Groups of street children who sell candy are often engaged in these types of team operations. Luggage theft is common at airports, bus terminals,buses (city and regional) and other transit points.

In urban centres, thieves target cars stopped in traffic for break-ins. Travellers should hide their valuables and be aware of their surroundings when driving. The hotel zones in Quito, which are frequented by a high number of foreign tourists who are believed to carry valuables, are often targeted by thieves and muggers. It is recommended to remain aware of your surroundings at all times and to maintain a low profile when walking in these areas. Avoid walking alone, especially women, and avoid travelling after dark. Carry only small amounts of money. Do not show signs of affluence and keep any valuable item or electronic equipment out of sight. Ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times, while carrying photocopies of your identification documents.

In case of robbery, it is advisable to remain calm and not to offer resistance. Most of the criminals in and around Quito use weapons.

Assault

Assaults have been reported against female travellers in the area of El Lechero near Otavalo, Imbabura province, and sexual assaults against tourists are reported monthly in different locations of the country. Canadians should always exercise caution, avoid isolated areas, travel in groups, and remain aware of their surroundings. Do not accept food or drink from strangers even if sealed or wrapped, and do not leave your food or drink unattended, as it may be drugged. Incidents can occur in various locations, including buses, nightclubs, and bars.

Sexual assaults and armed robberies have also been reported in the area of the Pichincha volcano. Canadians should not walk outside the limits of the Teleferico or its pathways, and avoid hiking to the antennas of the volcano via Cruz Loma, west of Quito. Robberies at gunpoint have also been reported along the hiking trail up Cerro Mandango near Vilcabamba Loja. Those robbed, often foreigners, report being accosted by a group of masked, armed men while hiking along the trail. Thieves have resorted to undoing or opening articles of clothing to locate valuables and personal items to steal.

Armed assaults can occur in public parks in and around transportation terminals, especially in Guayaquil, Quito, Manta, and Cuenca. In Quito, exercise caution in the areas of El Panecillo, Carolina Park, Guapulo, Old Quito, South Quito, and particularly the popular tourist sector of Mariscal Sucre. Sexual assaults can also occur in the Mariscal Sucre district. There have been reports of criminals using incapacitating drugs such as scopolamine on unsuspecting tourists in order to rob and/or assault them.

In Guayaquil, tourists should be vigilant when visiting the downtown area, the waterfront (El Malecón), the market area, and the Christ Statue (Sagrado Corazón de Jesús) on Cerro del Carmen. Avoid wandering on deserted beaches, especially at night. Random attacks at gunpoint, robberies, and sexual assaults involving Canadians have occurred in the Riobamba area.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping for ransom and express kidnappings, often in connection with carjackings, are of particular concern in Guayaquil. Express kidnappings involve the brief detention of an individual, who is released only after being forced to withdraw funds from an ABM or after arranging for family to pay a ransom. Canadians should exercise caution when using taxis, as taxi drivers have been reportredly conducting express kidnappings. Travellers should always use reputable radio taxi companies.

Civil Unrest

Public transportation is often disrupted during demonstrations. Protesters may burn tires, throw rocks and Molotov cocktails, engage in destruction of private and public property and detonate small improvised explosive devices during demonstrations. Police response may include water cannons and tear gas. Canadians are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are in progress and to be prepared with alternate travel arrangements. Although political demonstrations have not been directed at foreigners in the past, visitors are reminded that peaceful demonstrations can become violent with little or no warning. Foreigners are prohibited from protesting in Ecuador and may be subject to arrest for participating in any demonstrations.

Strikes and disturbances by local fishermen in the Galápagos Islands sometimes impact the movement of tourists and access to some sites. Tourists travelling to the Galápagos Islands should obtain written confirmation from their travel agent or tour operator that their tour vessel is certified by the Ecuadorian Navy (Armada del Ecuador) to meet the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention standards.

Recreational Activities

Treks and hiking excursions into Ecuador’s mountains should be undertaken in groups, with experienced, certified tour guides only. Climbers should be well informed on possible hazards, exercise extreme caution and ensure their tour guides possess all required safety equipment.

Canadians should carry travel and health insurance. Insurance should include provision for helicopter rescue, medical evacuation, and treatment for accidental injury and medical emergencies. Canadians intending to trek in Ecuador should also register with the Embassy of Canada in Quito (see section 5 below), and read our publication entitled Out on a Limb: Advice for the Adventure Traveller.

Travellers to Ecuador’s beach areas should seek advice from local authorities before swimming, as strong currents, undertow, and underwater hazards may exist and are not always posted. Most beaches lack consistently staffed lifeguard stations.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Ecuadorian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador or its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Ecuador. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Ecuador.

Tourist Visa: Not Required (for stays of less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Not Required (for stays of less than 90 days in a year)
Student Visa: Not Required (for stays of less than 90 days in a year)

Travellers must leave Ecuador before the departure date stipulated on the visa stamp they receive in their passport upon arrival. After this date, they will be required to pay a fine before they are permitted to leave. The validity of the visa stamp for stays of less than 90 days cannot be extended. The process of paying the fine requires that travellers leave the airport and go to the Migration Police and a bank; this may cause visitors to miss their flights and may delay their departure.

Canadians who overstay their visa must wait six months before re-entering Ecuador. Attempting to re-enter Ecuador without a visa pre-issued by Ecuadorian authorities in Canada will result in deportation to the traveller’s port of embarkation. Canadians may apply for this visa during the 6-month penalty period.

Canadians entering Ecuador by land from Colombia are required to register with the Ecuadorian Immigration Office at the border. Travellers are required to provide their passport and indicate where they are going and how long they intend to remain in the country. For further information, please contact the National Direction of Migration (Dirección Nacional de Migración).

Unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 years who hold dual citizenship (Ecuadorian and Canadian) and are travelling with both passports, or who are landed immigrants in Ecuador, should have a letter of consent from both parents, preferably legally certified and translated into Spanish, authorizing the travel and stipulating the destination and duration of the intended trip. This document should be notarized at the Embassy of Ecuador or at a consulate in Canada. Canadian unaccompanied minors travelling as tourists with Canadian passports do not need this authorization letter.

Dual Citizenship

Dual citizens may enter Ecuador on an Ecuadorian passport and stay indefinitely.  If dual citizens enter on a Canadian passport, they will be considered a tourist and only be granted a 90-day non-extendable stay.

Children born in Ecuador to a Canadian parent must be registered with the Ecuadorian Civil Registry, obtain an Ecuadorian passport and must present valid Ecuadorian and Canadian passports in order to leave the country.  Ecuadorian immigration authorities do not allow children born in Ecuador to depart only on their Canadian passport.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Ecuador - QUITO, Embassy of Canada
Address: Av. Amazonas N37-29 and Union Nacional de Periodistas, Eurocenter Building, 3rd Floor (one block north of the Supreme Court Building, near Amazonas and United Nations), Quito, Ecuador
Postal Address: P.O. Box 17-11-6512, Quito, Ecuador,
Tel.: 593 (2) 245-5499
Fax: 593 (2) 227-7672
E-Mail: quito@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.ecuador.gc.ca

Ecuador - GUAYAQUIL, Consulate of Canada
Address: Juan Tanca Marengo Av. and Joaquín Orrantia Av, Nobis Executive Center Building, 7th floor, Office # 702, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Tel.: 593 (4) 215-8333
Fax: 593 (4) 215-8333, ext. 102
E-Mail: consulc1@nobis.com

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Quito and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Local authorities have implemented screening measures at all ports of entry in response to the H1N1 Flu Virus outbreak.

Quito is at an altitude of 2,800 metres; several days of acclimatization are recommended as high altitude can affect pulmonary function  blood pressure, digestion and energy level.

Medical care is available, but it varies in quality. In Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, private hospitals offer medical services similar to those found in Canada; however, in smaller towns and in rural areas, health services are below Canadian standards. Ambulances, with or without trained emergency staff, are in critically short supply. Visitors to the Galapagos Islands are advised that acute surgical and cardiac services are not available. Serious cases must be evacuated to the Ecuadorian mainland or to Canada for treatment.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Sentences for involvement in illegal drug trafficking are severe. Individuals may be found guilty by association if they have criminal associates. Drivers should not accept hitchhikers in their vehicle, as they could be held responsible for them as well as for the content of their luggage. Travellers should monitor their luggage at all times when travelling, especially at airports, and never accept to carry items for another person.

Canadian citizens should carry identification at all times, including proof of Canadian citizenship.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

The Lago Agrio Airport, which is the main entry point for jungle destinations, will be closed from September 14 to December 13, 2009. Travellers intending to visit the Ecuadorian jungle should verify their itinerary with their travel agent.

The Puente Internacional de Rumichaca border crossing, located between Ipiales, Colombia, and Tulcán, Ecuador, is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Travellers should allow enough time for border-crossing formalities.

Road travel is slow due to poor conditions, unmarked speed bumps, and frequent military or police roadblocks. Heavy rain and mudslides often close or wash out roads. Heavy fog occasionally poses hazards in mountainous areas.

Driving in Ecuador is hazardous and unpredictable. There are all types of vehicles on the road that do not meet the acceptable safety standards. Drivers involved in accidents causing physical injury are immediately detained. In many cases, detention lasts until responsibility has been assigned and all parties are satisfied.

Pedestrians should cross streets only at designated cross-walks. By law, jaywalking and walking off the sidewalk are punishable by a fine.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

Robberies and assaults continue to be reported regularly on intercity and urban Guayaquil buses, especially after dark. Bus drivers often make illegal stops to pick up new passengers on express routes, especially on the routes between Guayaquil and Cuenca and between Guayaquil and Riobamba. Travel after dark, either by long-distance or international coaches, must be avoided.

You should only use registered taxis, identified by a blue  or red and white numerical sign on the side.

Boaters should be aware of the risk of attacks and armed robberies against ships in Ecuadorian waters.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the U.S. dollar (US$). Credit cards are accepted by many businesses, and U.S. traveller's cheques are easily changed in tourist areas and in major hotels. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not accepted.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Hurricanes and heavy rains

The hurricane season extends from June 1st to November 30th. You are advised to visit the National Hurricane Center's Web Site for information on weather conditions.

Heavy rains at various times of the year produce landslides in many areas, particularly in the sierra (mountainous area), where road damage contributes to traffic accidents. Severe flooding has also occurred in many areas of the western provinces of Manabí, Los Rios and Guayas, particularly in Chone, Portoviejo, and parts of Guayaquil. Travellers should monitor local news reports and plan accordingly. During flooding, transportation, utilities, emergency and medical care, as well as food, fuel, and water supplies, may be disrupted. Water-borne and insect-borne diseases may also become a threat.

Volcanoes

Ecuador is located in an active seismic area. There are several active volcanoes on its mainland and on the Galapagos Islands. Four of these volcanoes have shown increased signs of activity.

Cerro Azul, located near Villamil Port, erupted on May 29, 2008, with lava flows that descended down the south-eastern flank of the volcano.

Reventador, located 95 kilometres east of Quito, has started a new eruptive period and is showing increasing signs of volatility. The volcano has recently shown increased activity and Quito could be affected because of ash fall. Canadians should be aware that the Mariscal Sucre airport could close, in which case, Canadians should expect flight delays.

Tungurahua, located south of Quito, intermittently emits ash, mud flows and gas. Road travel near Baños is periodically affected. The activity of this volcano has risen since the end of December 2007 and has now reached high levels. Eruptions could occur at any time and without warning. Canadians should be aware of the most current information and familiarize themselves with local evacuation plans (available at most hotels).

Sangay, located south-east of Riobamba, has frequent eruptions.

Canadians travelling near these volcanoes should monitor local news reports, pay careful attention to all warnings issued, avoid restricted areas, follow the advice of local authorities and be prepared to leave the area or modify their travel arrangements if necessary.

As ash falls can be hazardous for those who suffer from respiratory ailments, Canadians travelling to central Ecuador should consult a physician or travel medicine specialist well in advance to determine associated health risks.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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