Ecuador Country-Specific Information

Recent Embassy Notices for American Citizens

Country Description

Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country about the size of Colorado. It has a democratically-elected government and national assembly. Ecuador is geographically and ethnically diverse. In general, tourist facilities are adequate but vary in quality. Ecuador has used the U.S. dollar as its official currency since 2000. Both U.S. coins and Ecuadorian coins, which are equivalent to the value of the U.S. coins, are used. Read the Department of State’s Background Notes on Ecuador for additional information.

Please visit our section on the Galapágos Islands for more information.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

If you are going to live in or visit Ecuador, please take the time to let our Embassy or Consulate General know when you’ll be here. If you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency.

Embassy Location

Local Embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of Embassies and Consulates General.

The U.S. Embassy in Quito
Address for visitors:
Ave. Avigiras E12-170 y Ave. Eloy Alfaro; Quito, Ecuador
Address for local mail and package delivery:
Ave. Guayacanes N52-205 y Ave. Avigiras; Quito, Ecuador
Telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.): (011) 593-2-398-5000
Emergency after-hours telephone: (011) 593-2-398-5000
Facsimile: (011) 593-2-398-5100

In order to provide better customer service and reduce waiting times, the Consular Section in Quito uses an online appointment system for passport renewals, first-time passports and additional passport pages, reports of birth abroad, notaries, immigrant visas, adoptions and re-entry permits. Appointments are required to submit your application for these services. You can find more information, including how to schedule an appointment, at the U.S. Embassy’s American Citizen Services website. We accept walk-ins Monday through Thursday between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. only for emergencies or for reports of death or to pick up passports and reports of birth abroad. All other services require an appointment.

The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil

Address for visitors, local mail and packages:
9 de Octubre y Garcia Moreno; Guayaquil, Ecuador
Telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.): (011) 593-4-232-3570
Emergency after-hours telephone: (011) 593-4-232-1152
Facsimile: (011) 593-4-232-0904

The American Citizen Services section in Guayaquil uses an online appointment system for passport renewals, first-time passport issuances, insertion of additional passport pages, and reports of birth abroad. Notary appointments are Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., excluding United States and Ecuadorian holidays. Walk-in service for those with questions regarding Social Security is available from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday. All other walk-in service remains available for emergencies only. For more information, and to make an appointment, visit Guayaquil’s American Citizen Services website.

Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands fall within the consular district of the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The U.S. Government also maintains a U.S. Consular Agent within the Galápagos Islands to provide support in case of U.S. citizen emergencies.

U.S. Consular Agent to the Galápagos Islands: Mr. Jack Nelson
Location: Av. Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
(At the former Hotel Galápagos)
Telephone: (05)252-6330 (From the United States, dial 011-593-5-252-6330)
Cellphone: 091-33-4815 (From the United States, dial 011-593-9-133-4815)
Contact the Consular Agent by E-mail

Travelers to the Galapagos Islands have experienced safety-related problems in the past. For important information regarding safety in the Galapagos Islands, read the “Threats to Safety and Security” section below. Additional information about travel and resources in the Galapagos Islands is included below as well.

U.S. citizens living in or traveling to the Galápagos Islands are encouraged to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may sign up directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General. Enrolling is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.

Entry/Exit Requirements for U.S. Citizens

If you are a U.S. traveler wishing to enter Ecuador, you must present a U.S. passport with at least six months remaining validity. Ecuadorian customs officials also require evidence of return or onward travel, such as an airline ticket. If you are traveling on a regular passport for tourism or business, you will not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or fewer per 12-month period. There are no provisions for a tourist to remain longer than 90 days per 12-month period in Ecuador. If you are planning a visit longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa in advance of your arrival. More detailed information and requirements for visas in Ecuador can be found at the website of Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Visit the Embassy of Ecuador’s website for the most current visa information, or for further information regarding entry, exit or customs requirements.

The Ecuadorian Embassy is located at 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009, telephone (202) 234-7200. Consulates are located in Atlanta (404) 746-5859; Boston (781) 400-1212; Chicago (312) 338-1002/03, fax (312) 338-1004;Dallas (972) 712-9107; Houston (713) 572-8731; Jersey City (973) 344-8837; Las Vegas (702) 384-8802; Los Angeles (323) 658-5146, (323) 658-6020, fax (323) 658-1198; Miami (305) 539-8215; Minneapolis (612) 721-6468; Newark, NJ (973) 344-6900; New Haven (203) 752-1947; New Orleans: (504) 523-3229 ; New York City (212) 808-0331; Queens (718) 651-8797; Phoenix (602) 693 5892; San Francisco (415) 982-1819; San Juan, Puerto Rico (787) 999-5226 or Tampa (561) 544-8946. If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen in Ecuador, you must obtain a police report (“denuncia”) of the loss or theft to obtain a new passport at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil. After obtaining a new passport and before departing Ecuador, you will also need to obtain an official record of your arrival and legal status in Ecuador (“Movimiento Migratorio”). You can do this by presenting both your replacement passport and the police report to the main immigration office in either Quito or Guayaquil. Ecuadorian Immigration charges a $5 fee for this service. The American Citizens Services section can suggest the most convenient location for you depending on your situation.

The closest Immigration Office to the U.S. Embassy in Quito is:
Av. Amazonas N32-171 y Av. República (across from El Jardin Mall)
Telephone: (02)-245-4122 / 246-9216
General Email: info@migracion.gov.ec
In Guayaquil, the closest location to the U.S. Consulate General is:
Jefatura Provincial de Migracion y Extranjeria
Av. Jaime Roldos Aguilera (across from Guayaquil bus terminal, or Terminal Terrestre)
Phone: (04) 213-0010

In order to depart Ecuador, you must present a valid U.S. passport. If you are departing via airplane, you will be charged an airport tax; the price depends on the city from which you depart. From Guayaquil, the departure tax is $29.78 and from Quito the departure tax is $40.80. Effective February 8, 2011, the airport tax to depart Ecuador is included in the price of your departure airline ticket. There is no charge to leave the airport in the Galapagos Islands. If you stay in Ecuador beyond 90 days or beyond the terms of your visa, you will be barred from re-entering Ecuador for nine consecutive months from the date of your departure. If you are a traveler seeking to depart Ecuador and your overstay began prior to April 18, 2010, a substantial fine may be imposed by Ecuadorian Immigration prior to your departure.

Special Exit Requirements for Minors: To prevent international child abduction, Ecuadorian law mandates that minors (under the age of 18) who are citizens or residents of Ecuador and who are traveling alone, with one parent, or with a third party, must present a copy of their birth certificate and written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. When a parent is deceased, a notarized copy of the death certificate is required in lieu of the written authorization. If documents are prepared in the United States, the authorization and the birth certificate must be translated into Spanish, notarized and authenticated by the Ecuadorian Embassy or an Ecuadorian Consulate in the United States. It is not uncommon for local authorities to insist that these documents be apostilled (authenticated)by the Central Authority of the same U.S. state that issued the document (the Central Authority is part of the U.S. state’s government, and is usually located in the capital of that state). The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General do not have the authority to apostille documents. If the documents are prepared in Ecuador, only notarization by an Ecuadorian notary is required. This paragraph does not apply to children who enter Ecuador with U.S. passports as tourists, unless they hold dual U.S./Ecuadorian citizenship.

Dual Nationality: Children born in Ecuadorian territory are automatically considered Ecuadorian citizens at birth. Therefore, a baby born to U.S. citizen parents in Ecuador – regardless of whether the baby qualifies as a U.S. citizen – is an Ecuadorian citizen and must depart Ecuador for the first time using an Ecuadorian passport. In order to do so, parents should first obtain an Ecuadorian birth certificate at their local Civil Registry office and then obtain a national ID card (“cedula”) for the child. With these documents, parents can apply for an Ecuadorian passport. Subsequent to the first trip out of the country, a dual national child may re-enter Ecuador either as an Ecuadorian citizen or as a U.S. citizen (as a tourist or on a particular visa). If the child’s U.S. passport states that he or she was born in Ecuador, Ecuadorian immigration authorities will treat him or her as a dual national and will allow the child to enter Ecuador on the U.S. passport alone, provided the child presents their Ecuadorian passport as well upon departure. For additional information, visit the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Documents website. Information about dual nationality or theprevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.

Reimbursement of Value Added Taxes: Beginning in 2011, the Government of Ecuador began a program to reimburse tourists for IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) paid on hotel bills and on the purchase of national products of more than $50 in value. Only purchases made at businesses displaying the tax-free logo and properly documented on the receipt (factura) for $50 and above can be reimbursed.

The Government of Ecuador is still working out the details of how the claim will be made. Please see the Internal Revenue Service of Ecuador’s website for more information.A current list of participating businesses can also be found at the program’s website.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ecuador.

Customs Regulations: Ecuadorian law imposes strict limitations concerning temporary importation into or export from Ecuador on items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, electronic equipment, currency and donated goods. If you would like to import certain goods to Ecuador, contact theEmbassy of Ecuador in Washington, D.C., or one of Ecuador’s Consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. Also see the U.S. Embassy in Quito’s Customs Information sheet.

Threats to Safety & Security

For information about the realities of crime in Ecuador, including the ongoing, serious problem of express kidnapping (“secuestro express”), please see the “Crime” section below.

Political demonstrations occur frequently throughout Ecuador. During demonstrations, protesters often block city streets and rural highways, including major arteries such as the Pan American Highway. Public transportation is often disrupted during these events. Protesters sometimes burn tires, throw rocks, damage cars and other personal property and on occasion detonate small improvised explosive devices. Police response to demonstrations varies and has included water cannons and tear gas. U.S. citizens and U.S.-affiliated interests are not usually targeted, but you should avoid areas where demonstrations are in progress and be prepared with back-up transportation plans. Although political demonstrations have not been directed at foreigners in the past, peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning, and you could become a target. Foreigners are prohibited from protesting in Ecuador and you could be arrested for participating in a demonstration.

Ecuadorian authorities sometimes declare a state of emergency or “exception” in provinces and regions affected by civil unrest, natural disaster or other disruptions. During a state of emergency or exception, authorities are permitted to exercise expanded powers to restore order. They sometimes suspend certain constitutional rights, expand detention powers or impose curfews. In late 2009 and early 2010 in response to rising crime, the Ecuadorian government issued a state of exception covering Quito, Guayaquil and Manta. After the police protests on September 30, 2010, the government declared a state of exception for several months, ending in December. In neither of these states of exception did the government suspend constitutional rights, but the declarations gave the armed forces license to work with the police on anti-crime initiatives. For more information about natural disasters in Ecuador, see the “Special Circumstances” section below.

Due to the spread of organized crime, drug trafficking, small arms trafficking and incursions by various terrorist organizations in the regions of Ecuador bordering Colombia, the U.S. Embassy in Quito advises caution when traveling in this region of Ecuador (including the provinces of Sucumbios, northern Orellana, Carchi and northern Esmeraldas). U.S. Government personnel are under strict limitations with respect to traveling alone or over-nighting in these areas. In October 2009, a U.S. citizen was kidnapped and held for ransom for three weeks near Ecuador’s border with Colombia. At least 11 U.S. citizens are known to have been victims of kidnapping in this region over the past decade, including one U.S. citizen who was murdered by his kidnappers in January 2001.

Strong Surf on Coastal Ecuador’s Beaches: If you travel to Ecuador’s beach areas, be aware that strong currents, undertow, and underwater hazards exist in many of Ecuador’s coastal areas. These dangers are infrequently posted and not always obvious.Most beaches lack staffed lifeguard stations. Take safety precautions when surfing, boating or swimming, as drowning and near-drowning accidents have occurred.

The Galápagos archipelago is located more than 600 miles to the west of continental Ecuador. Geographic isolation and the lack of local resources may present challenges to those who choose to travel to the Galápagos Islands. Poor marine safety, rudimentary medical facilities, and difficulty of evacuation are the key problems U.S. citizen travelers may encounter.

The U.S. Embassy in Quito and U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil strongly recommend that U.S. visitors to the Galápagos Islands enroll online through theSmart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to their trip, and to always leave an emergency contact with their hotel or tour operator.

A significant number of Ecuadorian tour vessels operating in the Galápagos Islands are neither inspected nor operated in accordance with U.S. regulations, and do not meet U.S. safety standards. The Government of Ecuador requires that vessels carrying more than 16 passengers comply with the International Safety Management (ISM) code established by the International Maritime Organization. However, the quality of inspections, oversight, crewmember proficiency evaluation and other requisites for safe vessel operation may vary substantially. Travelers should inquire about safety features when boarding vessels. Be sure to look for the life boats, flotation devices and, if possible, take a moment to inspect the life vest you would be using if there were an accident.

In past emergency situations, including the February 2010 tsunami warning (following the earthquake in Chile) that prompted preventive evacuation orders by local authorities, the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil received unconfirmed reports that several hotels failed to inform visitors of the potential threat or to take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and welfare of their guests. In some cases, travelers reported to the Consulate General that hotel staff evacuated themselves only and locked guests inside the hotel premises. In other cases, travelers reported that hotels charged guests to transport them to safety in the highlands. In the March 2011 tsunami warning (following the earthquake in Japan), evacuation orders were much more thoroughly enforced by Ecuadorian officials, and most hotels were reportedly in compliance. We encourage visitors to the islands to take safety considerations into account when choosing a hotel, and to ask about the steps that will be taken in case evacuation from coastal areas becomes necessary. We also encourage you to check the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil’s website for updated information on hotel safety in the Galápagos Islands.

Fishing in the Galápagos Marine Reserve is highly controlled by local authorities, and illegal fishing can result in fines and/or jail time. Visitors interested in fishing in the Galápagos should check with the Galápagos National Park prior to engaging in these activities to ensure consistency with local law. Travelers are advised to secure all parts of their bags thoroughly before checking them on flights to the Galápagos. International visitors who attempt to smuggle out the islands’ plants and animals in their luggage or on their person face serious sanctions and jail time.

Please see the Embassy’s security and safety page, or the security and safety page of the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil for the latest safety and security messages. U.S. citizens may also keep informed of daily happenings by following the local media.

Stay up-to-date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page onFacebook as well.

You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Take some time before travel to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States. Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

Crime

Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador. Crimes against American citizens in the past year ranged from petty theft to violent crimes, including armed robbery, home invasion and sexual assault. Several U.S. citizens have also been the victims of murder and attempted murder in the last several years with some of the cases still unsolved. Very low rates of apprehension and conviction of criminals – due to limited police and judicial resources – contribute to Ecuador’s high crime rate.

Non-violent crimes, including pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, robbery, bag-slashing and hotel room theft are the most common types of crimes committed against U.S. citizens in Ecuador. They occur in all parts of Ecuador and incidents have increased significantly in the past two years. Pickpockets and other petty thieves are particularly active in airports, restaurants, public transportation, crowded streets, bus terminals, public markets and grocery stores. Backpackers are frequently targeted for robbery as are travelers carrying laptop computer bags. On buses, luggage stowed below the bus or at a traveler’s feet is sometimes stolen. One particular method used by thieves in Ecuador is to distract the victim, sometimes by purposefully spilling liquid on the victim and pretending to help the victim clean it up, while accomplices snatch the victim’s bag or pick the victim’s pocket. Thefts from vehicles (“smash and grabs”) have been known to take place not only when the vehicle was unattended, but also when it was occupied, particularly by a single, female driver in slow-moving or stopped traffic.

To lower your risk of being a victim of petty theft or other non-violent crimes, consider leaving valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place, or not bringing them at all. Make use of hotel safes when available, avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or designer clothing, and carry only the cash or credit cards that you will need on each outing. Stay alert to pickpockets when in crowds and when taking public transportation. Also, stay alert to schemes to distract you, which could result in pick-pocketing. We recommend that you do not store your passport in your luggage. Do not drive with or leave anything of value in plain view in a car, including sunglasses, sports equipment, purses, briefcases or valuables. Always be aware of your surroundings, and try to travel in groups.

Armed or violent robberies can occur in all parts of Ecuador. Thieves and small gangs armed with guns or knives are active not only in Quito, Guayaquil and Manta, but also in smaller cities. Multiple U.S. citizen travelers have been robbed after using ATMs on the street and when exiting banks. Travelers should avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash at one time from banks and ATMs. In some cases, robbers have used motorcycles to approach their victims and flee the scene. Tourists have also been robbed at gunpoint on beaches and along hiking trails.

Cellular phones are also a popular target. A study in 2010 indicated that over 4,000 phones were stolen in Ecuador during the calendar year. Higher-end models such as Blackberrys and iPhones can bring a considerable amount on the stolen goods market. There are reportedly hundreds of cell phone dealers in Quito and other parts of the country who will take a stolen phone in trade without requiring paperwork.

“Secuestro Express” Taxi Assaults: Carjackings have occurred in both rural and urban areas. Robberies and assaults involving taxis present a significant safety concern, most specifically in Guayaquil and Manta, but increasingly in Quito since 2009. Foreigners have been and are continuing to be targeted specifically in a particularly dangerous type of crime known as a “secuestro express.” Shortly after a rider enters a taxi, the vehicle is intercepted by armed accomplices of the taxi driver, who is normally complicit in the crime. The accomplices enter the vehicle, threaten passengers with weapons (typically guns and/or knives, but also more recently, pepper spray or scopolamine, a “date rape drug”), rob passengers of their personal belongings and then drive to various ATMs and attempt to withdraw money using the victims’ debit cards. In some instances, victims of a secuestro express were beaten, tortured and sexually assaulted. In one particularly brutal incident, a U.S. citizen was burned with an aerosol can and lighter to try and extract a pin number for their debit card.

If you find yourself involved in an express kidnapping and/or robbery, it is best to be non-confrontational and cooperate with the perpetrator. Nothing material is as valuable as your life. Following a criminal incident, U.S. citizens are encouraged to immediately file a “denuncia,” or “police report,” with the local police and to inform the American Citizens Services Office at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil.

To lower your risk of being a victim of carjacking or “secuestro express,” drive with your doors locked and windows rolled up. In the Guayaquil area, where 842 “secuestro express” cases were reported in 2010, it is recommend that you use radio-operated taxi companies such as those listed on the U.S. Consulate General’s website instead of hailing taxis on the street (see more information under “Crime: Guayaquil and Coastal Ecuador” below). In areas other than Guayaquil consider using radio-operated taxi companies or taxis associated with hotels. If you must hail a taxi on the street, increase your security by seeking out taxis that are officially registered and in good condition. Registered taxis in Ecuador are usually yellow, display matching unit numbers on the windshields and the side doors, each printed on an orange placard, feature a taxi cooperative name on the side, and are identified with an orange license plate.

Incidents of sexual assault and rape have increased, including in well-traveled tourist areas. In many instances, criminals targeted women who had become separated from their group. Criminals sometimes use alcohol or incapacitating drugs such as scopolamine on unsuspecting tourists in order to rob and/or sexually assault them. So-called “date rape drugs” are put into drinks in order to disorient the victim and can cause prolonged unconsciousness and serious medical problems. To lower your risk of being a victim of sexual assault, travel in groups, be aware of alcohol or drugs, never allow a stranger to buy you a drink or leave your drink unattended.

Murder of U.S. citizens occurs in Ecuador. Often, the suspects or perpetrators of the murders were personally known to the victims. Since September 2009, three brutal murders of U.S. citizens have occurred in Ecuador. The investigations of these murders have not proceeded with the speed and thoroughness we are accustomed to in the United States. The Ecuadorian government has established the following emergency hotline that callers can use to inform police about murders or contract killings. The number is 1-800-DELITO (1800 335486). The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General are also actively involved in pursuing justice in the case of violent crimes against U.S. citizens.

In 2010, there was an increase in the number of reports regarding unauthorized charges made on U.S. credit or debit cards. “Skimming” is the process of stealing credit card information used in an otherwise legitimate transaction, usually by a dishonest employee of a legitimate merchant. The thief obtains a victim’s credit card number using basic methods such as photocopying receipts, or more advanced methods such as using a small electronic device to swipe and store hundreds of victims’ credit/debit card numbers. Common locations for skimming are restaurants or bars where the skimmer has possession of the victim’s credit/debit card out of the owner’s immediate view.

Restaurants are among the most difficult places to keep tabs on your credit/debit card. If you have the opportunity, take the credit/debit card to the register yourself; this is one of the best ways to avoid skimming. If you use a credit/debit card regularly, monitor your bank account or credit card statement frequently. U.S. citizens are advised to be vigilant when making purchases and as much as possible, make sure that you can see your credit/debit card at all times.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even though they are widely available. Not only are these bootlegs illegal in the United States,but if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

Crime in Quito:Stay particularly alert on the crowded streets of south Quito, at the Panecillo, the Historic District and in the areas of El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastian, Avenida Cristobal Colon and Gonzalez Suarez. Quito’s Mariscal Sucre district, a popular tourist area with numerous restaurants, bars, hotels, hostals and shopping sites, is increasingly a site of crimes; reported incidents in recent years range from petty theft to sexual assault to shootings. In the Mariscal Sucre, try to travel in groups when possible, avoid hailing taxis off the street or using unofficial taxis, and exercise caution in the early morning hours. U.S. Government employees and private U.S. citizens have been victimized in the Mariscal Sucre. Outside of the city, stay alert if hiking to the summit of Pichincha as violent crime has been known to occur there. In 2008, groups as large as eight were robbed at gunpoint by masked men and female hikers were sexually assaulted. There have been no reported incidents since 2009.

Crime in Guayaquil and Coastal Ecuador: Throughout coastal Ecuador, the rate of violent crime against U.S. citizens continues to rise, as well. In Guayaquil, visitors should exercise extreme caution in the downtown area, especially at night, and at all times in the street market area of La Bahia, at the Christ Statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, in the airport area, the southern part of the city, as well as along Malecón 2000, and the nearby passage up to the lighthouse in the Las Peñas area, popular with both tourists and locals. There have been armed robberies of restaurants and their patrons, including in the fashionable areas of Urdesa and Samborondon as well as at night in Las Peñas. Guayaquil has experienced an increase in kidnappings for ransom, often in connection with vehicular hijackings, although tourists generally have not been targeted.

As mentioned before, there is an alarming number of reports of U.S. citizens who are kidnapped and robbed in taxis in Guayaquil and Manta, incidents known locally as secuestro express, or express kidnappings. Express kidnappings have occurred even in the more affluent areas of Guayaquil, and target both local citizens and international visitors. Incidents involving U.S. citizens are most frequently reported at the north end of the Malecón 2000 near Las Peñas, outside of the San Marino Mall, and in the Urdesa restaurant/bar district, but have been reported in all areas of the city. Incidents have also been reported in the coastal cities of Manta, Playas and Machala.

Due to the seriousness of the taxi situation in Guayaquil, all personnel working for the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Ecuador have been prohibited from riding in taxis hailed off the street in Guayaquil, even yellow taxis. In addition, local buses, and other forms of public transportation are also expressly off-limits to U.S. diplomatic personnel in Guayaquil. As an alternative, employees have been told to use their personal vehicles or to call one of the vetted taxi services listed on the U.S. Consulate General’s website.

It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks associated with using taxis in Guayaquil, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a victim of crime. U.S. citizens should avoid hailing taxis on the street, and to exercise caution when selecting a taxi in all areas of Guayaquil, regardless of location or time of day. We strongly encourage U.S. citizens in the Guayaquil area to use only vetted, radio-dispatched taxis, such as those listed on the U.S. Consulate General’s website.

Leaving the Guayaquil airport, there have been repeated instances of armed robbers following travelers from the airport and using multiple vehicles to cut off and intercept the traveler. There is some evidence that those most at risk are those individuals who appear to be returning from overseas travel laden with gifts and large amounts of cash.

Every year, between 15 to 20 U.S. citizens are arrested for attempting to traffic drugs between Ecuador and the United States, or between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos. Suitcases with false bottoms and other packages are common methods of transporting illegal substances. Many of these U.S. citizens claim to have been unaware that they were transporting drugs. As in any other country, do not accept gifts, packages, or suitcases from anyone you do not know and trust; even trusted travel companions have been known to take advantage of their friends and family to traffic drugs through Ecuador’s airports. See the “Criminal Penalties” section below for more details about Ecuador’s strict laws and sentences regarding illegal drug trafficking.

Victims of Crime

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should immediately contact the local police to file a crime report (“denuncia”) at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General (see theDepartment of State’s list of Embassies and Consulates General). If in Quito, the Ecuadorian Tourist Security Service has opened a number of service centers throughout Quito which both provide general information and a location to file police reports.

If your passport is stolen we can help you replace it. For violent crimes such as assault and rape, we can help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and help them send you money if needed. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an Ecuadorian attorney. If you are a victim of domestic violence, regardless of your gender, you may receive assistance from a local branch of the Commissioner’s Office for Women and Family Issues, which has a listing of their branches available on their website.

The local equivalents of the “911” emergency line in Ecuador are: 101 (for local police or ambulance, or to be forwarded to other help as appropriate), 102 (for firefighters or ambulance) or 131 (for the local Red Cross). If you are in Quito or Ibarra, you may also dial 911. If you are in Guayaquil, Cuenca or Loja, you should dial 112. The operators typically speak Spanish only.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States for crimes committed overseas.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. Driving under the influence of alcohol in Ecuador could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in Ecuador, but still illegal in the United States, and you could therefore be prosecuted under U.S. law. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in both Ecuador and the United States.If you break local laws in Ecuador, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

If you violate Ecuadorian laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Ecuador are severe; jail sentences average eight years. If you are convicted for drug charges, you can expect a long jail sentence and a heavy fine.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Ecuador, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General of your arrest. They also should forward your communications to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General.

Special Circumstances

Natural Disaster Preparedness: Ecuador has 30 potentially active volcanoes, including three that are currently erupting. Earthquakes occur frequently, usually with little warning. Tsunamis have occurred as well in coastal areas. If a volcano or earthquake occurs, you could also be affected by failures of transportation, water, communications and power systems due to damage to infrastructure or heavy ash fall. In the case of a volcanic eruption, your flight in or out of an Ecuadorian airport might be cancelled due to airport closures. Ash in the air can also cause potentially serious respiratory problems.

Three active volcanoes within 50-100 kilometers of Quito pose a significant threat to the city: Guagua Pichincha, Cotopaxi and Reventador. In 2002, lava and mudflows caused by Reventador volcano, 90 kilometers northeast of Quito, closed a major Quito/northern-border highway and blanketed Quito with volcanic ash, shutting down the Quito airport for several days.

The town of Baños, a popular tourist destination, is located at the base of the Tungurahua Volcano. Tungurahua has erupted explosively several times in the last decade. A 2006 eruption caused deaths in the rural areas and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. In May, June and again in December of 2010, the volcano registered intense activity, affecting the provinces of Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Guayas, Bolívar and Los Ríos.If you choose to stay overnight in Baños, especially on the western side of the town, be aware that mud or lava flows could pose a significant and immediate threat. Baños has developed an advanced disaster preparedness program. If you are traveling to the city, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the plan. Baños’ siren system might alert people to evacuate; be ready to evacuate on short notice. If you are in Baños when a volcanic eruption occurs, follow the arrows on the street to reach the evacuation shelters in the “Santa Ana” neighborhood on the east side of town, on the main road out of Baños towards Puyo.

Earthquakes in Ecuador or other countries sometimes trigger tsunamis, which could affect you if you are in a coastal area of Ecuador or on the Galápagos Islands. A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest can last 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas. The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest. All shores are at risk no matter which direction they face. Extremely strong and unusual currents can accompany a tsunami. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power. Simultaneous high tides or high surge can significantly increase the tsunami hazard.

The National Risk Management Secretariat, the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute and the Quito City government monitor Ecuadorian volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis in Ecuador, issuing regular reports on their activity. In the event of an eruption, pay close attention to the news media for updates on the situation. Further information is available via the internet from the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Legal Status: U.S. citizen travelers in Ecuador are required to carry identification, including proof of U.S. citizenship, at all times. We have not received any recent reports of incidences, but if you are stopped and cannot present evidence of identity and legal status in Ecuador, it is possible that you could be arrested and deported. Because of the frequency of passport theft in Ecuador, you should carry a photocopy of your passport (including the personal data page and the entry stamp and/or visa) rather than the actual passport document.

Legal Disputes: Occasionally, business disputes in Ecuador that would normally be handled by civil litigation in the United States are converted into criminal proceedings, especially when one party is charged with fraud. If you are charged with fraud or any other criminal charge while in Ecuador, you might be prohibited from departing the country, arrested and incarcerated while awaiting a hearing of your case.

When considering purchasing property in Ecuador, be aware that competing claims to property sometimes surface after an apparently legal sale has been made. Deficiencies in the Ecuadorian system for surveying and registering property and weaknesses in the judicial system can mean that these disputes can last years. In several cases in the past few years, U.S. citizen land owners in Ecuador were threatened with physical harm and/or confiscation of their property by individuals claiming rights to the land. In at least one case, a building located on the land was razed. If you are considering buying property in Ecuador, carefully research land title issues. We also strongly recommend hiring a competent attorney before making a purchase.

Accessibility: While in Ecuador, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you expect in the United States. The constitution of Ecuador prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, and the provision of other state services. The interagency National Council on Disabilities oversees government policies regarding persons with disabilities. Although the law mandates access to buildings for persons with disabilities, the government does not fully enforce it.

The new constitution extends benefits to persons with disabilities, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and access to social security. The law requires the hiring of persons with disabilities in all public and private enterprises with more than 25 employees. An initiative, “Ecuador without Barriers,” led by the Vice President, helped create an unspecified number of jobs for persons with disabilities.

Medical Facilities & Health Information

You can readily obtain adequate medical and dental care in the major cities of Ecuador. In smaller communities and in the Galápagos Islands, services are limited, and the quality varies and is generally below U.S. standards. Ambulances, with or without trained emergency staff, are in short supply in cities, but even more so in rural areas.

Pharmacies are readily available in any city. However, you might find that the availability of some medications is sporadic, and formulations and brand names will differ from products available in the United States. Narcotics and tranquilizers are extremely limited in availability. Pharmacy staff sometimes prescribe and dispense medications. These individuals often have little training and prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics and other inappropriate medications. You should not seek medical advice from them. Folk healers and traditional markets offer herbal and folk remedies. You should exercise caution when exploring these remedies, as the formulations can be questionable and some components may interact with other prescription medications.

Malaria, dengue and yellow fever (which are transmitted by mosquitoes below 7,500 feet of altitude for Yellow Fever, and below 5000 feet for malaria and dengue), leishmaniaisis (which is transmitted by sand flies), Chagas disease (which is transmitted by triatomine bugs) and tuberculosis (which is transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets) are all endemic in Ecuador. Primary prevention (using insect repellants, clothing treated with permethrin and bed nets) helps to protect from all insect borne diseases.

In Ecuador, yellow fever is only found in the Amazon basin. Ecuadorian authorities might require you to show a certificate of yellow fever vaccination when entering or leaving this area, or when continuing travel to other areas of South America. Yellow fever vaccine is encouraged prior to departure from the United States and may be obtained in Guayaquil from the Jefatura Provincial de Salud, Panama y Padre Aguirre, (tel): 230-3160, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The vaccine is free if the traveler does not need an international certification, otherwise it costs $10.40. Antimalarial medication significantly reduces the risk of contracting malaria. There are neither vaccines nor prophylactic medications for dengue, leishmaniaisis or Chagas. If you become ill with fever or flu-like symptoms while traveling in a high-risk area, you should promptly seek medical attention. As the onset of these diseases may be delayed, continue taking this precaution for up to a year after leaving the affected areas.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern inEcuador. For further information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The UV index registered in Ecuador – not only in the highlands, but also on the coast and in the Galápagos Islands – has been extremely high for the past several years. Sunscreen, hats and clothing that covers the skin can help you protect against strong UV rays.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

Highlands: If you travel to Quito (close to 9,400 feet) or other highland areas, you will typically require some time to adjust to the altitude, which can adversely affect your blood pressure, digestion and energy level. Consult with your personal health care providers before undertaking high-altitude travel as there are medications available to help combat the effects. If you have heart or lung problems or the sickle cell trait, you may develop serious health complications at high altitudes. If you plan to travel to extreme high altitudes (greater than 10,000 feet), for example, mountain climbing, take precautions to avoid High Altitude Illness.

Galápagos Islands: Located on the equator, the Galápagos Islands have a hot, tropical climate. Travelers should be prepared for high temperatures and intense sun, and must negotiate rocky, uneven terrain at some visitor sites. Visitors should carry potable water with them and remain well hydrated. Consumption of local tap water is not recommended in the Galápagos or anywhere in Ecuador.

Medical resources in the Galápagos Islands are severely limited. Acute surgical, cardiac, and other types of specialty medicine are not available. There are two hospitals, located on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands. These facilities have limited personnel and resources, and often do not have the basic medical supplies required to treat serious injuries. Some cruise ships have on-board physicians available for fee-based services.

Serious injury or illness in the Galápagos typically requires costly medical evacuation to the Ecuadorian mainland or the United States for treatment. Transiting by boat between Puerto Ayora and remote islands such as Darwin or Wolf can take approximately 22 hours. In the case of an incident at or around these remote islands, those affected may find themselves more than 24 hours away from even basic medical treatment at a local hospital facility. Medical evacuations by air ambulance are costly (as much as $50,000 or more) and take significant time to arrange. For that reason, the purchase of traveler’s health insurance that includes air evacuation is strongly recommended.

Scuba divers in the Galápagos Islands should be aware of limited facilities for decompression. A privately-owned hyperbaric chamber is available in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. In the past, the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil has received complaints that divers suffering symptoms of the bends were not able to obtain prompt access to the hyperbaric chamber in Puerto Ayora. The Ecuadorian Navy operates a second decompression chamber at the San Eduardo Naval Base in Guayaquil. Due to the high costs for these services and associated emergency transportation, we strongly advise divers to obtain adequate medical evacuation and diver’s insurance.

Medical Insurance

You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

• Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
• Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy does not go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

Ecuadorian hospitals and health providers do not always accept international travel insurance, preferring to ask for a cash or credit card payment instead. If you are staying in Ecuador on a long-term basis, consider taking out a local insurance plan.

Galápagos Islands: Because serious injury or illness in the Galápagos typically requires costly medical evacuation to the Ecuadorian mainland or the United States for treatment, we strongly recommend that you purchase traveler’s health insurance that includes air evacuation.

NOTE: The Social Security Medicare Program does not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside of the United States.

Traffic Safety & Road Conditions

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Road travel throughout Ecuador can be dangerous, especially at night. Many roads are poorly maintained. Heavy rains and mudslides often close or wash out roads. Heavy fog is common in mountainous areas. Highways are often unmarked and do not have signs indicating destinations. Road safety features such as crash barriers and guardrails along steep mountainsides may be absent. In addition, slow-moving buses and trucks can stop in the road unexpectedly. In the countryside, livestock are often herded along roads or graze on roadsides. Many roads are used for pedestrian and animal traffic as well as vehicular traffic. Speed bumps abound, even on major highways such as the Pan American Highway.

Driving habits vary from region to region; however, country-wide, driving practices differ from U.S. standards and not all drivers obey traffic laws or observe traffic signals. In all areas buses, both intra-city and inter-city, stop at any point on their route to pick up or drop off passengers. Drivers often turn right and left from any lane and do not yield for pedestrians and cyclists. You might encounter intoxicated drivers at any time, though the chances of a drunk driving accident are higher on weekends and during Ecuadorian holidays. Vehicles are reasonably well-maintained. On the coast, drivers have a more lax approach to vehicle maintenance and traffic regulations than in other parts of Ecuador.

If you register a vehicle in Ecuador, you will be required to buy local liability insurance, called SOAT. Whether driving your own vehicle or a rented vehicle, be sure to have proper vehicle registration papers with you. If you are the driver of a vehicle involved in an automobile accident, even if you are not at fault, you may be taken into police custody, especially if injuries are involved and if you do not have SOAT insurance. In such a case, you are almost certain to spend some time in jail until the local authorities have assigned responsibility and are satisfied that all financial claims (for example, medical treatment bills) have been settled. You may face criminal charges if injuries or damages are serious.

Bus Travelers: Inter-urban and inter-provincial bus passengers are often targets of crime, including robbery and sexual assault. Numerous bus accidents also occur every year in Ecuador, and many buses are overcrowded and unsafe. Ecuador’s frontier regions are largely rural, poor, and lack police presence. Because drug traffickers, criminal organizations, and smugglers of all types use clandestine border crossings to move their goods, consider driving on only the the most-traveled highways in these areas. For more information regarding the Ecuadorian border with Colombia, see the “Threats to Security and Safety” section above.

Public transportation in general is a major concern in Guayaquil. Crimes involving the local bus transportation system are also on the rise as armed criminals will board local city buses and rob persons of jewelry, money and other valuables. Often, the crimes are facilitated by minors who are aware that Ecuador has almost no laws punishing minors for these types of crimes. Traveling between cities via tour buses, especially from Guayaquil to the beaches, should be kept to a minimum. There have been some instances in which routes between cities are blocked by criminals, forcing the bus to stop and allowing the criminals to board the bus and rob tourists as well as locals. In one instance in 2010, male passengers on a hijacked tour bus were forced off the bus and locked in the storage compartments under the bus until assistance arrived to release them.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Ecuador’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Note: The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General cannot apostille U.S. driver’s licenses so that they become valid in Ecuador. Apostille services may be requested before departing the United States. Addresses of such locations in each state can be found at the website of the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Aviation Safety Oversight

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Ecuador’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Ecuador’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Childrens Issues

For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.