LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
PRACTICAL INFO 
Luisa Rangel
24 June 2008: Radio Journalist Gunned down in Guayaquil
29 February 2008: Former editor of "El Telégrafo" tortured, murdered
22 March 2006: Military officers detain journalist
17 February 2006: 2 Journalists Killed in 24 Hours
27 April 2005: Chilean Photographer Dies Covering Protest
Ecuador: Overcoming Instability? (07 August 2007)
You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Basic Facts
Capital
Language
Ethnic Groups
Religion
Local Laws and Customs
It is a legal requirement to carry identification with you at all times.
Crime
There have been occasional cases of rape and armed attacks against visitors both in rural and urban areas. Remote sites should be visited in groups.
There have been several cases of assailants using drugs to subdue their intended victims. Drugs can be administered through food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols, or powder. In one incident drugs were administered through a chemical soaked into a leaflet. You should be wary of unsolicited approaches from strangers offering you food, drinks, leaflets, telephone cards or cigarettes, no matter how friendly or well dressed the individual appears.
There have been cases of attacks by drivers of unregistered taxis. Only use registered taxis, which display their taxi registration sticker on the windscreen or side doors. If possible do not hail taxis on the street but book through hotels or taxi radio services. Larger supermarkets and airports also have reliable taxi ranks.
There have been several incidents of armed gunmen holding up buses after daylight hours. You should therefore avoid travel by road after dark, in particular on long distance and international coaches.
Useful Information
Time Zone
Climate
Telephone dialling code
Currency
You should use your credit and debit cards with caution. If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket or large commercial building.
Travel
Visa Requirements
Airport tax for international departures is US$25
Overstaying without permission from the immigration authorities is an offence and will result in a substantial fine and deportation. Your passport must have a minimum validity of six months.
Driving (Left/Right)
Road Safety
Air Safety
Sea/River Safety
Local Travel
On 21 March 2006, a State of Emergency was declared in the provinces of Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Cañar. Also, in the northern districts of Tabacundo and Cayambe in the province of Pichincha. The States of Emergency were called in response to widespread public protests across Ecuador. These demonstrations caused serious disruption to road travel between 13 and 23 March 2006. There remains a risk of further protests. You should monitor local reports for updates and take care to avoid any area in which large crowds are gathering.
Heavy rains during March 2006 have caused prolonged flooding in the provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Manabi and Los Rios. This has caused disruption to road travel in these provinces. Further heavy rainfall is predicted.
You should avoid Volcano Pichincha via Cruz Loma, west of Quito, as violent gangs are known to operate in the wooded areas.
Natural Disasters
There are many active volcanoes in Ecuador given that the country lies on a destructive plate boundary. Cotopaxi Volcano, in Cotopaxi province, is closely monitored and considered very active. Reventador Volcano, in Napo province, has shown increased signs of activity since April 2005. From July to October 2005 there was a slight increase in explosions with moderate ash content.
Before visiting the town of Baños and the surrounding area, you should ensure you are aware of the current levels of alert for the Tunguraha volcano, the areas of highest risk in the event of an eruption and also evacuation plans. We also advise that you consider what action to take in the event of an eruption.
Earth tremors also happen occasionally. In 2005, Ecuador experienced a number of earth tremors, which were most prominent in coastal regions. On 14 June 2005, earth tremors were felt in Quito and the surrounding region.
Health
You should obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Good medical treatment can be expensive and is not always available outside the main cities.
High altitude, e.g. in Quito (2800 metres) can affect some people's health. You should take sensible medical precautions and seek advice from your doctor before travelling. If visiting Quito you are advised to take it easy for the first few days and drink plenty of water.
Diseases
Landmines
Ecuador has acknowledged using antipersonnel mines during the Cenepa border war with Perú in 1995
Ecuador’s mine problem along its border with Perú is a result of the 1995 Cenepa border conflict. Five areas are mine-affected: Cordillera del Cóndor region in the provinces of Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe; Cusumaza-Bombuiza region in Morona Santiago province; the Tiwinza square kilometer inside Peruvian territory; Loja province; and El Oro province.
24 mined areas were identified in Loja province, affecting inhabitants in Zapotillo, Guásimo Norte, Sector los Cocos, Laguar and Macará. In Morona Santiago, impact studies determined that 15 Shuar communities are affected by the presence of antipersonnel mines and explosive remnants of war. Most of these communities are in Tiwinza canton. Five areas of Morona Santiago are affected by antipersonnel mines: Teniente Ortiz, Soldado Monge, Soldado Cisneros, Remolinos and Etsa.
The Ecuadorian authorities reported that some antipersonnel mines might be still in the ground on either side of the Chira River, due to changes in the banks of the river
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15 February 2007: 
23 March 2006:
