US Embassy Issues Travel Security Alert For Popular Latin American Country

Boasting captivating culture, gorgeous coastlines, bucket-list islands, wondrous wildlife, and affordability across the board, you’re likely wondering where to sign up, right?

Well, notice safety wasn’t listed…

All of us here at Travel Off Path have found ourselves at one point or another with extra eyes on us in the midst of our adventures, where we don’t wake up with a sore neck from the springy mattress in a run-down hostel, but more so from keeping our heads on a swivel.

In this case, that’s how some may feel visiting Ecuador.

The same week the bustling city of Lima, Peru was issued a state of emergency, Ecuador seems to be stuck on “repeat” as this isn’t their first go-around making less-than-stellar headlines.

After a spike in crime rates, Ecuador’s US Embassy issued a security alert, and it’s no quickie!

Let’s review a comprehensive list of concerns that could potentially impact tourists visiting Ecuador in the near future.

Ecuador Experiencing Influx Of Violent Crime

Traveling anywhere comes with risks. Just today, I had, let’s say a ‘transient’ stop me in downtown San Diego, dropping a legendary quote of “Wine is one thing. Afghanistan is another. And don’t get me started on Iraq…”

Where that convo would’ve led, who knows, but it didn’t seem like a happy ending.

Needless to say, I pulled the ol’ nod and smile maneuver, and that’s a practice you have to build as you explore the world and unavoidably stand out like a sore thumb.

My quick jolt of awareness is what tourists have likely been feeling lately in Ecuador for good reason.

Being no stranger to criminal activity, whether it’s the underrated capital Quito, popular entry-point Guayaquil, or even lesser-known sleepy yet beautiful shores, it’s hard to deem Ecuador safe considering there doesn’t seem to be improvement since the last state of emergency declaration we covered roughly a year ago — but no mention of a curfew this time.

According to the Embassy’s latest alert, their data shows a 37% increase in homicides across the nation from January to August 2025.

Though more recently and equally concerning, a ring of suspected ‘narco-terrorists’ detonated makeshift bombs, ultimately killing at least one bystander and injuring dozens more.

While this abhorrent act surely horrified locals, to make matters more concerning from a tourist’s perspective, this group of bad apples had no concern for outsiders either, since this attack took place in close proximity to name-brand hotels like Sheraton, as well as the popular Mall del Sol.

Should You Avoid Visiting Guayaquil?

For the record, Quito, Cuenca, the Galapagos Islands, and any other notable destination in Ecuador were not singled out for the uptick in crime spreading across the nation.

However, the alert was issued for the entire country rather than a single city, with the following provinces remaining under a state of emergency:

• Guayas
• Los Rios
• El Oro
• Manabi

Still, if there’s one city to keep an eye, it seems to be Guayaquil — more often viewed as a major gateway into Ecuador to visit such places as aforementioned Galapagos, or hit the mainland coast to go surfing and relax in an unsuspecting paradise.

Guayaquil is well connected to US airports, such as Miami, New York, and Fort Lauderdale, but appears to not be the most inviting right now as this is where the explosion took place (outside of the city’s Nobis Building) while another bomb fortunately failed to activate.

The government has seemingly taken a page out of El Salvador’s book by ordering a ‘large-scale security operation’, including weapons seizures, air strikes, and infiltrating criminal networks directly with no end date.

While Guayaquil hasn’t been a mainstay for most travelers, there’s no mention of avoiding the airport if you’re one of many seeking to reach the stunning Galapagos Islands made famous by Charles Darwin.

Tips To Remain Safe in Ecuador

There’s no blanket statement or statistics to imply if any destination in the world is truly safe or dangerous.

Crime is a fickle topic, but if it’s any consolation, the Embassy states tourists are not a direct target of attacks.

As such, the best thing you can do, especially in a foreign country, is to remain aware of your surroundings and go with your gut.

The US Embassy is urging Americans to follow these steps to stay safe:

• Avoid areas with a clear presence of heavy security operations
• Stay up to date by following local media and official sources (e.g., ECU911, Policía Nacional)
• Keep aware of your surroundings and practice personal security measures
• Obey the instructions of local authorities
• Report emergencies regarding US citizens to the US Embassy in Quito or the US Consulate General in Guayaquil
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.