Travel · Official advice · 4 November 2026
FCDO advises against non-essential travel to parts of Ecuador
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has published new travel advice for Ecuador, citing heavy rain and a state of emergency. Travellers are warned that insurance may be invalid if they travel against this guidance. The advice covers specific coastal provinces and border areas.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has issued updated travel advice for Ecuador, highlighting risks from heavy rain, flooding, and a declared state of emergency. The department advises against all but essential travel to seven specific coastal provinces. An exception is made for airside transit within Guayaquil Airport, which remains permitted under the current guidance.
Security concerns have led the Ecuadorean government to declare a 60-day state of emergency across 8 provinces, effective from 15 September. In four of these provinces, a curfew is in place from 12am to 5am between 17 and 30 September. Additionally, the government declared an emergency on Santa Cruz Island on 31 October due to flooding, which has resulted in road closures, power outages, and broader travel disruptions.
Travelers are also advised against travel within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border, with specific exceptions noted for Carchi province. The guidance instructs visitors to follow local authority instructions and to avoid flooded areas. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office notes that travel insurance may be invalid if individuals choose to travel against this advice.
The announcement does not specify when the state of emergency in the eight provinces will end, nor does it provide details on the specific exceptions in Carchi province beyond their existence. It also does not state whether the curfew hours will extend beyond the 17 to 30 September period.
Written by StreetOwl from Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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