U.S. Department of State
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
There was no change to the advisory level. The "terrorism” risk indicator was added.
Full advisory →Is Ecuador safe? 🇪🇨
Americas · Updated
As of September 2026, Ecuador scores 55/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index (average across assessed destinations). The U.S. State Department rates Ecuador Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Of the 8 Ecuador destinations assessed, Cuenca scores highest (68/100), while Manta scores lowest (43/100).
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🇪🇨CuencaSafe · updated 30 September 202668#2🇪🇨LojaModerate · updated 29 July 202659#3🇪🇨BañosModerate · updated 29 July 202658#4🇪🇨OtavaloModerate · updated 29 July 202656#5🇪🇨QuitoModerate · updated 28 July 202655#6🇪🇨GalápagosModerate · updated 29 July 202653#7🇪🇨GuayaquilModerate · updated 28 July 202648#8🇪🇨MantaUse Caution · updated 29 July 202643
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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 | 72 | 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 · 2021 | 23.4 / 100k | 35 | WHO Global Health Observatory (2021) |
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 55/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 30 September 2026.)
What is the safest place to visit in Ecuador?
Of the destinations we've assessed, Cuenca currently scores highest at 68/100 (Safe). Manta scores lowest at 43/100.
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.