Country Risk Report
Ecuador
Quito
Spanish (official), Kichwa and others
US dollar (USD)
Executive Summary
Ecuador is classified as a HIGH risk destination after a dramatic security collapse. Once one of South America's safest countries, it recorded roughly 9,200 homicides in 2025, a rate near 51 per 100,000, the highest in Latin America, driven by its role as a major cocaine transshipment hub between Colombia and Peru and the Pacific ports. In January 2024 President Daniel Noboa declared an internal armed conflict and designated more than twenty gangs as terrorist organisations. Violence is heavily concentrated on the Pacific coast, above all in Guayaquil and Guayas province, where fragmented gangs such as Los Choneros, Los Lobos and Los Tiguerones fight for control of ports and trafficking routes using targeted killings, car bombs and prison massacres. The government has relied on states of emergency, military deployment and, from March 2026, joint operations with the United States, with mixed results and reports of human-rights abuses. By contrast, the Andean highlands, including Quito and Cuenca, remain markedly safer, with homicide rates a fraction of the coastal figures. Extortion, kidnapping and illegal mining violence affect specific regions, and prison violence remains severe. Cover for Ecuador is available on a specialist basis. Major highland cities are manageable with precautions, while the coast, border provinces and prison-affected areas require specialist advice and support.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | High | Government-declared internal armed conflict against designated terrorist gangs, concentrated on the coast. |
| Terrorism | Moderate | Gangs designated terrorist organisations use car bombs and attacks, mainly in coastal cities. |
| Kidnapping | High | Kidnapping and express kidnapping affect the coast and border regions; foreigners can be targets. |
| Crime | High | The highest homicide rate in Latin America, concentrated on the coast, plus extortion nationwide. |
| Civil Unrest | Moderate | Protests and states of emergency occur, including over fuel subsidies and security. |
| Health & Medical | Moderate | Reasonable private care in major cities; limited in rural and remote areas. |
| Internal Travel | High | Coastal and border road travel and curfews constrain movement; highlands are easier. |
| Digital / Cyber | Moderate | Extortion calls, scams and monitoring in gang-affected areas. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Ecuador's security has collapsed under gang-driven violence concentrated on the Pacific coast, while the highlands remain comparatively safe. An internal armed conflict, states of emergency and US-backed operations frame a volatile environment that varies sharply by region.
Guayaquil and the Coast (Guayas, Manta, Esmeraldas)
Quito and the Highlands (including Cuenca)
The Northern Border (Sucumbios, Carchi)
The Amazon and Illegal Mining Areas
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
The government has declared an internal armed conflict against more than twenty gangs designated as terrorist organisations, deploying the military and, from 2026, cooperating with US forces. Fighting is concentrated on the coast and in prisons.
The coast is the main theatre of gang conflict and military operations.
The highlands see limited conflict.
The northern border sees armed-group and cross-border conflict.
The Amazon sees mining-related armed activity.
Terrorism
Designated terrorist gangs use car bombs, explosives and attacks on infrastructure and officials, concentrated in coastal cities, producing terrorism-like effects rather than ideological terrorism.
The coast sees car bombs and gang attacks.
The highlands face a lower threat.
The northern border sees armed-group violence.
The Amazon sees localised mining-related violence.
Kidnapping and Extortion
Kidnapping, express kidnapping and pervasive extortion affect the coast and border regions, targeting businesses, transport and, at times, travellers. Extortion has become a defining feature of coastal cities.
The coast has high kidnapping and extortion.
The highlands have lower but present express-kidnapping and scam risk.
The northern border carries armed-group abduction risk.
The Amazon carries risk in mining areas.
Crime and Lawlessness
Ecuador has the highest homicide rate in Latin America, concentrated on the coast, alongside robbery, extortion and prison violence. Policing is overstretched and human-rights concerns have risen under the crackdown.
The coast has severe violent crime.
The highlands have mainly petty crime.
The northern border is lawless in places.
The Amazon sees mining-related crime.
Internal Travel
Coastal and border road travel carries robbery, gang and checkpoint risk, and states of emergency and curfews can restrict movement at short notice. Highland travel and the main airports are generally manageable with precautions.
Coastal road travel is hazardous, especially at night.
Highland travel is generally manageable.
Northern border routes are dangerous.
Amazon and mining-area routes are remote and risky.
Health and Disease
Private healthcare in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca is reasonable, but rural and remote care is limited. Serious cases may require transfer, and travellers should hold appropriate cover.
The coast has reasonable private facilities in Guayaquil.
The highlands have good private care in Quito and Cuenca.
The northern border has limited services.
The Amazon has very limited care over long distances.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Ecuador is welcoming and predominantly Catholic, with strong Indigenous cultures in the highlands and Amazon. Travellers are generally well received, and normal courtesy and respect for local customs apply.
LGBT Travellers
Same-sex marriage is legal and there is relative openness in major cities, though discretion is advisable in conservative rural and coastal gang-affected areas.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
Ecuador is a democracy under President Noboa, who has pursued a militarised security strategy, close US cooperation and constitutional referendums. The Constitutional Court has repeatedly questioned the internal-armed-conflict declaration, and human-rights concerns have risen. Consular support is available.
Digital and Cyber Threats
Extortion calls and scams are common, and monitoring occurs in gang-affected areas. Travellers should practise good digital and financial hygiene.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Yellow Fever
Recommended for the Amazon region; carry certification.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to food and water risk.
- Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended for many travellers.
- Rabies
Consider for rural or long stays.
Other Health Hazards
- Altitude: Quito and the highlands are at high altitude; allow time to acclimatise.
- Malaria and dengue: Risk in coastal and Amazon areas; take bite-avoidance measures.
- Food and water hygiene: Take care outside reputable venues.
- Private care: Use reputable private facilities in major cities.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule. Consult a health professional four to six weeks before departure.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Cover for Ecuador is available on a specialist basis. Highland cities are manageable with standard precautions, while the coast, border provinces and prison-affected areas require specialist advice, and cover should include medical, evacuation and, where relevant, kidnap-for-ransom provisions.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
Military and police checkpoints operate under states of emergency; cooperate calmly. States of emergency can impose curfews at short notice. Carry ID and a clear travel purpose. Do not photograph security forces or operations.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
Kidnapping and express kidnapping are concentrated on the coast. Pervasive extortion targets businesses and transport. The northern border carries armed-group abduction risk. Risk is highest in coastal cities and at night.High-Risk Travellers
Coastal-area travellers face the highest risk without support. Business owners are targeted for extortion and kidnapping. Border and mining-area travellers face armed-group risk. Night travellers face robbery and abduction risk on the coast.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Match plans to the region and favour the safer highlands. Hold medical, evacuation and, where relevant, K&R cover. Use reputable transport, especially on the coast. Track states of emergency and curfews.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Guard against extortion calls and scams. Consider minimal sensitive material in gang areas. Limit public location sharing. Be alert to virtual-kidnapping scams.Movement and Operational Security
Avoid coastal hotspots and the northern border. Comply with curfews and checkpoints. Use reputable providers. Avoid areas near prisons.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Be courteous and respect Indigenous and local customs. Avoid displaying wealth. Never photograph security forces or operations.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
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