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Last updated: 12/17/2020

Country-Specific Information:

Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?   Yes
    • Ecuador has moved to a Level 3 Travel Advisory: Reconsider Travel.
    • Ecuador approved resumption of commercial flight operations on June 1, 2020.
    • All travelers over 18 years of age arriving in Ecuador should provide proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken no more than ten (10) days before entering the country. As long as the traveler does not present symptoms of COVID, the traveler does not need to perform mandatory preventive quarantine (“aislamiento preventativo obligatorio”, or APO) and they may freely move within the continental territory of Ecuador (NOTE: Special rules apply for the Galapagos Islands; see below).
    • The Government of Ecuador requires all travelers who do not provide the results of a PCR test to undertake, at their own expense, a PCR test upon arrival.  The traveler must then proceed immediately to quarantine in a hotel, hostel, motel or other temporary accommodation authorized for such purpose.  If the traveler receives a negative test result, the traveler may terminate the quarantine.  If the traveler receives a positive test result, the traveler must continue the quarantine and necessary health care will be provided.  While the Government of Ecuador does not require travelers with a negative PCR test to quarantine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control notes that travelers (including children) pose a risk to family, friends, and community for 14 days after potential exposure to the virus.  CDC guidance on travel during the COVID pandemic is available here: “Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”  Thus, travelers are encouraged to self-quarantine after international travel and any possible exposure.
    • All U.S. government officials and their dependents are required to quarantine upon arrival in Ecuador.  They may take a PCR test 3-7 days after arrival.  Those who present a negative test, may be released from quarantine after the 7th day.  U.S. government officials and their dependents who do not test must quarantine for 14 days.
    • A traveler who presents symptoms of COVID upon arrival in Ecuador is required to perform a RT-PCR test at their own expense and proceed to quarantine even if the traveler presents a negative PCR test at the airport of entry.  For more information, please see the August 15, 2020, protocol released by the National Emergency Commission: https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/resoluciones-coe-nacional-15-de-agosto-2020/.
    • Please note procedures may change at any time. We recommend reaching out to the Ecuadorian embassy or consulate nearest you before traveling for the most updated information at https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/estados-unidos/.
  • Is a negative COVD-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry?  Yes
    • Travelers must provide the results of a PCR (polymerise chain reaction) COVID test taken within the last ten (10) days prior to arrival in Ecuador.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?  Yes
    • If a negative PCR test is not provided, testing will be conducted immediately at the airport at the cost of the traveler
  • If you are a U.S. citizen visiting Ecuador on a 90-day tourist visa:  The Ecuadorian government announced on March 20 a no-fault extension for tourists whose visa validity or 90-day visa-free stay expired during the health emergency.  Individuals can renew without paying a fine until 30 days after the emergency is lifted.  On December 11, the state of emergency was extended until March 14, 2021.  Consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for guidance on individual visa cases and for the latest guidance regarding the no-fault visa extension.
  • SPECIAL, ADDITIONAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: Any international traveler over the age of 18 wishing to transit via Quito or Guayaquil International Airport to the Galapagos should first arrive in-country with proof of a negative PCR test taken in the last 10 days (as per instructions above).  In addition, all persons over the age of 18 present in Ecuador (regardless of nationality or residence status) wishing to travel to the Galapagos Islands must present negative results from a PCR test taken no more than 96 hours prior to arrival in the Galapagos.  This can be the same test as the test used to get into Ecuador, assuming it was taken within 96 hours of arrival to the Galapagos. If the initial test was not taken within 96 hours of arrival to the Galapagos, the traveler will need to take a second test in Ecuador at a laboratory recognized by the Quality Assurance Agency of the Services of Health and Prepaid Medicine (ACESS), at their own expense.  They will need to wait for the results of this test before traveling to the Galapagos.  With the required negative results in hand, there is no quarantine required upon arrival in the Galapagos (nor to return to the mainland of Ecuador).  Travelers to the Galapagos also need a “salvoconducto” from their tour operator, and should contact the operator directly for that document.  For more information, please see the August 1, 2020 protocol released by the Special Regimen of the Galapagos Government Council, Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Public Health: http://www.ecuador.org/covid19/.

Movement Restrictions:

Quarantine Information:

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?  Yes
    • Travelers who do not provide the results of a PCR test must undertake, at their own expense, a PCR test upon arrival and proceed immediately to quarantine in one of the hotels authorized by the Government of Ecuador’s National Emergency Commission (“Comité de Operaciones de Emergencia”) until receiving the test results.  Travelers who provide proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken no more than ten (10) days before entering the country do not need to quarantine as long as the traveler does not present symptoms of COVID.
    • If a quarantined traveler receives a negative PCR test result, the traveler may terminate the quarantine.  If the traveler receives a positive test result, the traveler must continue the quarantine and necessary health care will be provided.
    • While the Government of Ecuador does not require travelers with a negative PCR test to quarantine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that travelers (including children) pose a risk to family, friends, and community for 14 days after potential exposure to the virus. CDC guidance on travel during the COVID pandemic is available here: “Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”  Thus, travelers are encouraged to self-quarantine.  As noted above, U.S. government officials and their dependents are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Ecuador.
    • Please note procedures may change at any time. We recommend reaching out to the Ecuadorian embassy or consulate nearest you before traveling for the most updated information at https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/estados-unidos/.

COVID-19 Testing:

  • The only type of test accepted is PCR, no rapid tests or IGG/IGM.
  • Travelers must provide the results of a PCR (polymerise chain reaction) COVID test within the last ten (10) days prior to arrival in Ecuador.  If a negative PCR test is not provided, testing will be conducted immediately at the airport.

Transportation Options:

  • Are commercial flights operating?  Yes
    • The U.S. Embassy is aware of the following airlines that may have flight options for U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States.  Contact the airlines directly for additional information or check with your preferred travel arranger/online travel agency.
      • American Airlines is operating flights out of Quito and Guayaquil:
        Customers can contact American Airlines directly at www.aa.com, by telephone at 800-433-7300 (English) or 800-633-3711 (Spanish), or through a travel agency.
      • Eastern Airlines is operating flights out of Guayaquil:
        Customers can contact Eastern Airlines directly by telephone at +1-855-216-7601, +1-877-971-0919, or +1-201-526-7616.
      • Jet Blue is operating flights out of Quito and Guayaquil:
        Customers can contact Jet Blue directly at www.jetblue.com, by telephone at +1-800-538-2583 (U.S. phone number for Ecuador), or through a travel agency.
      • Spirit Airlines is operating flights out of Guayaquil:
        Customers can contact Spirit Airlines directly at www.spirit.com, via WhatsApp at +1-801-401-2222 with “Hello”, or through a travel agency.
      • United Airlines is operating flights out of Quito:
        Customers can contact United Airlines at VentasEcuador@united.com, via WhatsApp to +593-9-8461-7257, at www.united.com or through a travel agency.
    • Do not travel to the airport without a confirmed itinerary and please make sure you are aware of current curfew restrictions.
    • Currently, we are not aware of any other airlines departing Ecuador to the United States. When we learn about additional airline options, we will post that information on this webpage.
    • COVID-19 Travel Restrictions:  At this time, there are no specific limitations or quarantine requirements for U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents entering the United States from Ecuador.  Restrictions are in place for individuals returning from Brazil, China, Iran, and certain European countries, which have all been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  For more information and the latest updates, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s COVID-19 website.  Note that individual cities and states may have additional requirements upon arrival.  See the CDC recommendations posted on their website.
  • Is public transportation operating?  Yes
    • Transportation within Ecuador to either Quito or Guayaquil Airports
    • Some provinces maintain local restrictions on movement and U.S. citizens should continue to comply with local laws and monitor local news for any updates.
    • Bring and wear a face mask and gloves.
    • U.S. citizens who wish to depart Ecuador should contact commercial airlines directly.

Fines for Non-Compliance: (if applicable)

  • Individuals who do not obey rules and regulations regarding quarantine requirements, mask-wearing, and other restrictions may be subject to fines.

Consular Operations:

  • For current status of operations for the American Citizen Services section click here. 
  • For current status of operations for visa services click here

Local Resources:

Assistance:

 

By | 17 December, 2020 | Topics: Alert, U.S. Citizen Services

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