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Ecuador is a wonderful country. It is home to a rich cultural heritage as well as iconic and breathtaking natural wonders.
But if you’re planning a trip to Ecuador right now, you need to be prepared.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Novoa declared another state of emergency for 60 days. This applies to the states of Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Orellana, Santa Elena and El Ora.
Two other areas will also be affected: the Metropolitano de Quito district of Pichincha and Camilo Ponce Henriques of Azuay.
In practical terms, this means a large police and military presence in the country, the right to assembly has been taken away, and the government has also introduced a curfew.
What’s happening in Ecuador?
Ecuador is a beautiful and culturally rich country, but it is in a state of so-called “internal armed conflict.” Gang violence and the fight to control it have a huge negative impact on this country.
Multiple roads have been blocked by gangs and in some cases tire fires have blocked roads and posed a threat to the public.
This is not the first time Ecuador has declared a state of emergency this year.
In January, gangs took over the city and occupied television stations, sparking widespread violence.
As a result, domestic criminal organizations are labeled as terrorist organizations.
Ecuador is a largely peaceful country, and many of the criminals and gangs causing these problems are believed to be involved in drug trafficking in other South American countries.
What advice is given to American travelers?
In a safety warning message, the U.S. mission to Ecuador advised U.S. citizens to abide by the curfew and local laws while in Ecuador.
If you decide to travel to Ecuador, you should be prepared for a heavy military and police presence in the country as a result of this state of emergency.
If you use the road, you may be subject to a police check.
It is also important to note that power outages are expected during this period and these outages create additional issues that travelers should be aware of.
Stay safe by staying inside your hotel room or accommodation whenever possible during dark hours in the countryside.
Being forewarned means you are prepared and can plan ahead. Stocking up on essentials like food, water, and medicine can help during power outages.
Most of the power outages introduced occur at night, so the impact is minimal. My advice is to sleep through them.
Finally, the Ecuadorian government also issued a curfew for everyone in the country (regardless of whether they are residents or tourists).
Curfew hours are from 10pm to 5am in most parts of the country. This is bad news for travelers planning to visit Ecuador to party all night long.
Can I still travel to Ecuador?
The short answer to this question is yes.
Although a state of emergency has been declared in the country, there’s nothing stopping you from hopping on a plane to Ecuador and enjoying the vacation you’ve planned.
Despite the state of emergency, curfews and power outages, the international airports of Quito and Guayaquil are open and fully operational.
However, we recommend that you monitor the status of your flight in case anything changes. Such a change in circumstances can occur quickly.
Don’t worry if your flight time coincides with your curfew time.
If you have a regular flight (and a passport and ticket to prove it), you can travel to and from the airport during the curfew.
Please keep your ticket and passport in an easily accessible place. You may be stopped and searched during your trip.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone and not of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any organization included in the post.
