U.S. Department of State
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased cautionin Ecuador due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.
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Is Ecuador safe? 🇪🇨
Americas · Updated
As of October 2026, Ecuador scores 53/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index (average across assessed destinations). The U.S. State Department rates Ecuador Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Of the 14 Ecuador destinations assessed, Cotacachi scores highest (74/100), while Guayaquil scores lowest (34/100).
01 · Official Guidance
Government advisories
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)
Level 3Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Coastal Region FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region provinces of: Esmeraldas Manabí Santa Elena Guayas El Oro Los Ríos Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas This does not apply to airside transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas province.
Full advisory →Government of Canada
Level 2Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
Canada's official risk level for Ecuador: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).
Full advisory →02 · Destinations
Ecuador destinations by safety score
#1🇪🇨CotacachiSafe · updated 25 October 202674#2🇪🇨LojaModerate · updated 18 October 202663#3🇪🇨OtavaloModerate · updated 13 October 202660#4🇪🇨RiobambaModerate · updated 25 October 202658#5🇪🇨BañosModerate · updated 19 October 202658#6🇪🇨Santa ElenaModerate · updated 25 October 202656#7🇪🇨La LibertadModerate · updated 25 October 202656#8🇪🇨CuencaModerate · updated 13 October 202655#9🇪🇨SalinasModerate · updated 25 October 202653#10🇪🇨MantaUse Caution · updated 11 October 202647#11🇪🇨GalápagosUse Caution · updated 18 October 202641#12🇪🇨Finca - La GloriaUse Caution · updated 20 October 202640#13🇪🇨QuitoUse Caution · updated 13 October 202640#14🇪🇨GuayaquilUse Caution · updated 19 October 202634
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03 · Evidence Signals
Ecuador safety data
| Indicator | Value | Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government travel advisoryCA / US | Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution · 2 govts | 75 | CA / US |
| Homicide rateWorld Bank Open Data · 2023 | 45.7 / 100k | 6 | World Bank Open Data (2023) |
| Political stability & no terrorismWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025 | 54/100 | 54 | World Bank Governance Indicators (2025) |
| Rule of lawWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025 | 42/100 | 42 | World Bank Governance Indicators (2025) |
| Road traffic deathsWHO Global Health Observatory · 2023 | 19.8 / 100k | 42 | WHO Global Health Observatory (2023) |
04 · Questions
Ecuador safety FAQ
Is Ecuador safe to visit right now?
The U.S. State Department currently rates Ecuador Level 2 of 4 — Exercise Increased Caution. On our composite index Ecuador averages 53/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 25 October 2026.)
What is the safest place to visit in Ecuador?
Of the destinations we've assessed, Cotacachi currently scores highest at 74/100 (Safe). Guayaquil scores lowest at 34/100.
Where does this Ecuador safety data come from?
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.