Foreign Office lifts advice against travel to majority of Ecuador

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued the advice for the whole country after protests over government austerity measures started on 3 October.

Some demonstrations became violent, especially in Quito, and led to a number of fatalities.

FCO has now lifted that advice for the majority of the country, barring Tarapoa and Cuyabeno reserves in Sucumbios, El Angel Ecological Reserve in Carchi, and all areas of Esmeraldas.

The 20km exclusion zone along the Colombian border is also still subject to the advice, except for the official border crossing town of Tulcan.

“Despite most visits to Ecuador being trouble-free, the Latin American Travel Association (LATA) would advise travellers to consult the FCO advice ahead of their departure and speak to their tour operator,” chairman Colin Stewart said.

“We are pleased that dialogue is now under way to resolve tensions in the country and that the travel industry can continue to support the destination.”