FCDO Advises Against All But Essential Travel to Parts of Ecuador – SOE & Curfew (May 2026)
The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several Ecuadorian coastal provinces and areas within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border due to internal disturbance and armed violence. A 60-day state of emergency was renewed on 2 April 2026 across 12 provinces, with heightened police and military presence nationwide. A night-time curfew (11pm–5am) is in effect from 3 to 18 May 2026 across all provinces under the state of emergency. Travellers are advised to follow police and local authority instructions, and travel insurance may be invalidated for those travelling against FCDO advice.
AI-generated from linked source reports. See our correction policy.
Impact verdict
Medium impact. The state of emergency and curfew affect a significant portion of Ecuador including major population centres and economic hubs such as Guayaquil and Quito (Pichincha), with direct implications for travel insurance validity and business operations. However, the advisory is partial (not against all travel nationwide) and the scale of insured losses is uncertain.
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Known6 lines
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Coastal Region provinces: Esmeraldas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Guayas, El Oro, Los Ríos, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas.▾
FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border, with exceptions in Carchi province.▾
A 60-day state of emergency was renewed on 2 April 2026 due to internal disturbance and armed violence.▾
The state of emergency applies to 12 provinces including Guayas, El Oro, Manabí, Los Ríos, Santa Elena, Pichincha, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Esmeraldas, Sucumbíos, and parts of Bolívar, Cotopaxi, and Cañar.▾
A curfew is in effect from 3 May to 18 May 2026 between 11pm and 5am in SOE provinces.▾
Travellers with valid boarding passes are exempt from the curfew.▾
Reported2 lines
Heightened police and military presence is expected nationwide without prior notice.▾
Potential travel disruptions due to extra security checks are anticipated.▾
Uncertain2 lines
The specific nature and scale of armed violence and internal disturbances driving the state of emergency are not detailed in the advisory.▾
Whether the curfew or state of emergency will be extended beyond 18 May 2026 is unknown.▾
Affected countries
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Initial Detection
The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several Ecuadorian coastal provinces and areas within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border due to internal disturbance and armed violence. A 60-day state of emergency was renewed on 2 April 2026 across 12 provinces, with heightened police and military presence nationwide. A night-time curfew (11pm–5am) is in effect from 3 to 18 May 2026 across all provinces under the state of emergency. Travellers are advised to follow police and local authority instructions, and travel insurance may be invalidated for those travelling against FCDO advice.
A 60-day state of emergency (SOE) was renewed on 2 April 2026 due to internal disturbance and armed violence... A curfew will be in effect from 3 May to 18 May, between 11pm and 5am, in the provinces listed above that are under a SOE.
Source: UK FCDO Travel Advisories (Official Advisory) · View source
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