Ecuador

By law you must carry ID. Always carry a printed copy of your passport, including the pages with your photograph and Ecuadorean entry stamp.

The penalties for drug trafficking or drug use are harsh, and prison conditions are very basic.  

In Ecuador people use traditional hallucinogens such as Ayahuasca or San Pedro. These substances are marketed to tourists for ‘spiritual cleansing’ rituals. They often contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a strong hallucinogen that is illegal in the UK.

There are many risks when taking these substances including: 

• serious illness and death 
• assault and robbery while intoxicated 
• lack of nearby medical help as these ceremonies often take place in remote locations  

Consumption of traditional hallucinogens is unregulated. 

Same-sex relations are legal in Ecuador. However, local attitudes towards the LGBT+ community can be conservative and there is still societal discrimination. People may be less tolerant of same-sex couples showing affection in public than they are in the UK. Showing affection may attract negative attention, especially in small towns. Transgender people in particular could face unwanted attention. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

US dollars and 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos coins minted in Ecuador are the only legal currencies. Credit cards and travellers cheques are generally accepted in cities but not elsewhere in the country.

Landslides are common in Ecuador and can have a serious impact on travel. Heavy rains can lead to landslides, which frequently lead to road closures. Check the weather forecast if you are travelling by road.  

There is a high risk of earthquakes across Ecuador. Earthquakes and aftershocks can cause landslides, which block roads.  

Familiarise yourself with safety procedures and any instructions in your hotel. If there is an earthquake, follow instructions from the authorities and keep essential belongings, such as your passport and money, with you.  

Get information (in Spanish) following an earthquake from the: 

• Ecuadorean National Geophysical Institute
• Secretariat for Risk Management (Secretaría Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos) – check current alerts
• ECU 911 emergency services

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake. 

You can also get earthquake alerts with an Android phone. 

There is a high risk of tsunamis along the coast and in the Galapagos Islands. If there is a tsunami alert, sirens will sound in Esmeraldas, El Oro, Guayas, Santa Elena, Manabí and Galapagos. See evacuation route maps and follow the advice of the authorities. 

The rainy season usually runs from October to May but can last until June. 

During heavy rainy seasons: 

• monitor local media 
• check your itinerary with your tour operator to avoid disruption 
• avoid river crossings due to potential strong currents  
• take care in affected areas 

The weather can change quickly. Check weather forecasts. Get local advice on tides if you’re near the coast. 

If you’re climbing or mountaineering, get official advice from the authorities and tour operators.  

Forest fires happen in many areas, especially in Pichincha, Loja, Azuay and Cotopaxi provinces , due to high temperatures, strong winds, dry conditions and arson. Call 911 if you see a fire. 

There are many volcanoes in the highlands of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Some are currently erupting, active or potentially active. Check the current volcano alerts (in Spanish). Follow instructions issued by the local authorities. 

Ashfall from volcanoes can disrupt flights and close airports at short notice. Before going to the airport, check with your airline and on the airport website. Ash is also a health hazard, especially for travellers with respiratory problems. 

There is a high risk from mixed flows of water, mud, lava and debris (‘lahars’) around glaciated volcanoes, including Cotopaxi. These flows can be very destructive. The towns of Latacunga and Salcedo and low-lying areas in the valley to the east of Quito (Los Chillos and Rumiñahui) are particularly vulnerable. 

Access to the Reventador volcano (Napo province) is currently restricted.