ECUADOR TRAVEL WARNINGCANADA GOVERNMENT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT5 June 2007 Ecuador
1. INTRODUCTION AND GEOGRAPHYEcuador (capital: Quito) is located on the Pacific coast of South America, between Colombia and Peru. The Galápagos Islands are also part of Ecuador. Tourist facilities are extensive in Quito and Guayaquil, but vary in quality and availability elsewhere. Spanish is the official language, but Quichua and other indigenous languages are also spoken. 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONSFor security information on the Reventador, Tungurahua and Sangay volcanoes, see our Current Issues page. The hurricane season extends from June 1st to November 30th. For more information, please see our Current Issues on the hurricane season. OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the region(s) specified below. You are advised against all travel to the areas immediately bordering Colombia (with the exception of Tulcán), Sucumbíos province, the town of Shushufindi in Orellana province and the town of San Lorenzo located in the north of Esmeraldas province. Travel to and within these areas is dangerous because of the presence of refugees from Colombia and the risk of violence, including during demonstrations, kidnappings, armed assaults, and extortion. Canadian tourists travelling to these areas have been held against their will as recently as May 2007. Foreign oil workers are targets for kidnappers in these areas. There have been several reports of armed robberies at jungle lodges in the areas of Lower Rio Napo and Cuyabeno National Reserve. Demonstrations are a frequent occurrence in Ecuador. Protests often include roadblocks and may disrupt travel. Canadians should not attempt to cross blockades, even if they appear unattended. Because of the unpredictable nature of these demonstrations and the potential for violence, Canadians should exercise caution, avoid large gatherings and public areas where disturbances could occur, monitor local news reports and contact the Embassy of Canada in Quito should they require assistance. Foreigners participating in public demonstrations may be detained and/or deported. Curfews and states of emergency may be declared in regions affected by civil unrest, natural disasters or other disruptions. There have recently been several reported assaults against female travellers in the area of El Lechero near Otavalo, Imbabura province, and there is a monthly report of at least one sexual assault against tourists in different locations of the country. Canadians should always exercise caution, avoid isolated areas, travel in groups, and remain aware of their surroundings. For similar reasons, Canadians should also avoid hiking to the antennas on Volcano Pichincha via Cruz Loma, west of Quito. There have been several reports of robberies at gunpoint along the hiking trail up Cerro Mandango near Vilcabamba Loja. Those robbed, often foreigners, report being accosted by a group of masked, armed men while hiking along the trail. Thieves have resorted to undoing or opening articles of clothing to locate valuables and personal items to steal. There are landmines and unmarked minefields in the Cordillera del Cóndor near the Peruvian border. Off-road travel south of Cuenca, including the provinces of Zamora-Chinchipe, Morona-Santiago, and El Oro, should be avoided. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians who choose to travel to the region(s) specified despite this warning should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting other areas of the country for three months or more should also register. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 5 below). 3. SAFETY AND SECURITYThe decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Street crimes, including purse snatching, car break-ins, thefts, pickpocketing, and violent carjackings, are daily occurrences in major cities. Thieves often work in teams, in which one thief diverts victims' attention while another snatches their possessions. There have been numerous reports that groups of street children who sell candy are engaged in these types of team operations. Carry only small amounts of money and do not show signs of affluence. Ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Luggage theft is common at airports, bus terminals, and other transit points. Armed assaults have increased in public parks and in and around transportation terminals, especially in Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca. In Quito, exercise caution in the areas of El Panecillo, Carolina Park, Old Quito, South Quito, and particularly the popular tourist sector of Mariscal Sucre. In Guayaquil, tourists should be vigilant when visiting the downtown area, the waterfront (El Malecón), the market area, and the Christ Statue (Sagrado Corazón de Jesús) on Cerro del Carmen. Kidnapping for ransom and express kidnappings, often in connection with carjackings, have increased in Guayaquil. Express kidnappings involve the brief detention of an individual, who is released only after being forced to withdraw funds from an ATM or after arranging for family to pay a small ransom. Armed gangs have followed and attacked travellers, including Canadians, en route to and from Guayaquil's Simón Bolívar Airport. Random attacks at gunpoint, robberies, and sexual assaults involving Canadian citizens have occurred in the Riobamba area. Assaults and armed robberies continue to be reported regularly on intercity and urban Guayaquil buses, especially after dark. In August 2003, three Canadians were assaulted and robbed on buses leaving Guayaquil and Manta, and one near-fatally shot. Bus drivers often make illegal stops to pick up new passengers on express routes. The routes between Guayaquil and Cuenca and between Guayaquil and Riobamba have been affected more than other interprovincial routes. Travel after dark, either by long-distance or international coaches, must be avoided. Resisting a robbery or assault has led to serious physical harm to Canadians. It is advisable to hand over items to thieves without resistance. Do not accept food or drink from strangers even if sealed or wrapped, as it may be drugged. Incidents can occur in various locations, including buses, nightclubs, and bars. Exercise extreme caution when swimming in the ocean, rivers, or lakes. Always seek advice from local authorities about riptides, currents, undertows, stingrays, and piranhas before swimming. Strikes and disturbances by local fishermen in the Galápagos Islands sometimes impact the movement of tourists and access to some sites. Tourists travelling to the Galápagos Islands should obtain written confirmation from their travel agent or tour operator that their tour vessel is certified by the Ecuadorian Navy (Armada del Ecuador) to meet the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention standards. 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTSThe following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Ecuadorian authorities, and was valid on May 18, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs Canada's Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Ecuador. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Ecuador. Tourist Visa: Not Required (for stays of less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Not Required (for stays of less than 90 days in a year)
Student Visa: Not Required (for stays of less than 90 days in a year) Foreigners, including Canadians, are now required to register with the Immigration Office at the border when entering Ecuador by land from Colombia. Travellers are required to provide their passport and indicate where they are going and how long they intend to remain in the country. For further information, please contact the Dirección Nacional de Migración (country and area codes: 593-2/ tel.: 245-4122, Avenida Amazonas 2639, Quito, Ecuador). Unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 years who hold dual citizenship (Ecuadorian and Canadian) and are travelling with both passports, or who are landed immigrants in Ecuador, should have a letter of consent from both parents, preferably legally certified and translated into Spanish, authorizing the travel and stipulating the destination and duration of the intended trip. This document should be notarized at the Embassy of Ecuador or at a consulate. Canadian unaccompanied minors under 18 travelling as tourists with Canadian passports do not need this authorization letter. The Puente Internacional de Rumichaca border crossing, located between Ipiales, Colombia, and Tulcán, Ecuador, is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Travellers should allow enough time for border-crossing formalities. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. 5. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROADYou can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses: Ecuador - QUITO, Embassy of Canada
Address: 2816 Avenida 6 de Diciembre and Paul Rivet, Edificio Josueth Gonzalez, 4th Floor, Quito
Postal Address: P.O. Box 17-11-6512, Quito, Ecuador - QUITO
Tel.: 593 (2) 250-6162 or 223-2114
Fax: 593 (2) 250-3108
E-Mail: quito@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.quito.gc.ca Ecuador - GUAYAQUIL, Consulate of Canada
Address: 810 Avenida General Córdova and Victor Manuel Rendón, Edificio Torres de la Merced, 21st Floor, Guayaquil
Tel.: 593 (4) 2563-580 or 2314-561
Fax: 593 (4) 2314-562
E-Mail: consulc1@gye.satnet.net For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Quito and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMSYou are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. There is a minimum sentence of twelve years' imprisonment for involvement in illegal drug trafficking. Individuals may be found guilty by association if they have criminal associates. 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCYRoad travel is slow due to poor conditions, unmarked speed bumps, and frequent military or police roadblocks. Heavy rain and mudslides often close or wash out roads. Driving in Ecuador is hazardous and unpredictable. Canadians should be aware that drivers involved in accidents causing physical injury are immediately detained. Boaters should be aware of the risk of attacks and armed robberies against ships in Ecuadorian waters. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. The currency is the U.S. dollar (US$). Credit cards are accepted by many businesses, and U.S. traveller's cheques are easily changed in tourist areas and in major hotels. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not accepted. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency. 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATEThe hurricane season extends from June to the end of November. You are advised to visit the Web site of the National Hurricane Center for information on weather conditions. Heavy rains at various times of the year produce landslides in many areas, particularly in the sierra (mountainous area), where road damage contributes to traffic accidents. Severe flooding has also occurred in many areas of the western provinces of Manabí and Guayas, particularly in Chone, Portoviejo, and parts of Guayaquil. Travellers should monitor local news reports and plan accordingly. Ecuador is located in an active seismic area. There are nine active volcanoes: Tungurahua, Guagua Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Reventador, Cayambe, Sangay, Pululahua, Sumaco and Antisana, as well as several others in the Galapogos Islands. Three of these volcanoes have erupted in the last eight years: Tungurahua, located 120 km south of Quito and overlooking the tourist town of Banos; Reventador, located 95 km east of Quito; and Guagua Pichincha, situated 12 km west of Quito. There are four alert stages: white, yellow, orange, and red. Many communities south of Tungurahua are experiencing ongoing explosions and ash falls. The alert level for Banos remains at yellow. Visitors there should ask their hotel for a copy of the town's evacuation plan, since eruptions could occur without warning. Road travel near Banos is periodically affected by explosions and lahar (mud and ash flows). Ash falls can be hazardous for those who suffer from respiratory ailments. Canadians travelling to central Ecuador should consult a physician or travel medicine specialist well in advance to determine associated health risks. Travellers should closely monitor activity levels of the volcanoes near their destinations and follow the advice of local authorities in the event of explosions or an eruption. Further information on volcanic activity is available on the Internet, including the following Web site: http://www.igepn.edu.ec. 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAMThe Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATIONQuito is at an altitude of 2,800 metres; several days of acclimatization are recommended as high altitude can affect blood pressure, digestion and energy level. Outbreaks of diarrheal diseases have been reported, particularly during the rainy season. Waterborne diseases (e.g., cholera and typhoid), mosquito-borne diseases (e.g., malaria), dengue fever, bubonic plague and skin rashes are reappearing in coastal areas. Medical care is available, but it varies in quality. In Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, private hospitals offer medical services similar to those found in Canada; however, in smaller towns and in rural areas, health services are below Canadian standards. Ambulances, with or without trained emergency staff, are in critically short supply. Visitors to the Galapagos Islands are advised that acute surgical and cardiac services are not available. Serious cases must be evacuated to the Ecuadorian mainland or to Canada for treatment. | 
