FCDO relaxes Ecuador travel advice as civil unrest eases
James ChappleThe Foreign Office is no longer advising against all but essential travel to Ecuador now protests and demonstrations over the country’s government’s social and economic policies have abated.
Late last month, the FCDO warned against travel to the country following riots in capital Quito and unrest in several other parts of the country, although Ecuador did lift its state of emergency in several provinces – and its curfew in Quito – prior to the FCDO’s intervention.
The advice did not apply to passengers transiting through Quito Guayaquil airports, or those planning to travel onwards to the Galapagos Islands. On Wednesday evening (6 July), the FCDO updated its advice to read: "The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to mainland Ecuador."
However, it is continuing to advise against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the Ecuadorean border with Colombia, except the El Angel ecological reserve and the Rumichaca border crossing, the town of Tulcan and the Pan American Highway in Carchi province.
The updated advisory continued: "The nationwide political protests across Ecuador that began on 13 June 2022 ceased on 30 June following an agreement between the government and protestors. The situation in the country has calmed since the agreement."
In addition, the FCDO has stressed the security situation in the country can change quickly, and is advising people to travel in the country during daylight hours "with a reputable operator with official guides, emergency plans and good communication systems".
"If you are joining a volunteer or adventure expedition programme, where possible make sure the UK organisation responsible for the travel has an official local agent in Ecuador with sufficient autonomy and resources to handle an emergency situation," added the FCDO.
In a statement, Quito Tourism said the country was getting ready to resume welcoming tourists. "Quito Turismo would like to inform local, national and foreign tourists that, once the peace agreement between the government and the indigenous movement has been signed, the national strike will lift and tourism activity will resume as normal.
"Quito is continuing to provide all its basic services and internal and interprovincial transport services. Mariscal Sucre International airport has also operated throughout and is ready to receive visitors arriving by air."
’Back to business as usual’
Lata chief executive Danny Callaghan said: "We’re delighted the FCDO travel advisory for Ecuador has been swiftly lifted following the end of protests.
"We would like to note the swift actions of the Ecuadorian government in working with indigenous communities to reach agreement on their concerns.
"Lata members in the UK and in Ecuador are delighted to get back to business as usual, and British travellers can carry on exploring this incredible country."
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