Guides · Ecuador
The stakes: Ecuador’s security situation is complex, with record homicide rates in recent years and a government-declared internal armed conflict. Understanding where the risks are is crucial for anyone planning to live or travel there.
The facts: Homicide rates have fluctuated: 47.25 per 100,000 in 2023, dropping to 38.8 in 2024, but rising sharply in 2025. Coastal provinces like Guayas and Esmeraldas are the most dangerous, while Andean cities like Cuenca and Loja are relatively safe.
The context: Since January 2024, Ecuador has been under a state of exception and internal armed conflict, leading to military patrols and curfews in high-risk areas. Foreign governments, like the U.S., have issued travel advisories warning against travel to specific zones.
Homicide Rates: The Numbers
Ecuador’s homicide rate reached 47.25 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, the highest on record. This is according to government data cited in November 2025.
It was a significant increase from previous years. Intentional homicides rose 45.7% from 2021 to 2022, as reported by the Ministry of the Interior.
In 2024, the rate fell to 38.8 per 100,000, according to the same source. However, Human Rights Watch reported that homicides increased sharply by about 40% by September 2025.
This was based on Ministry of Interior data. It brought the country close to its highest recorded rate again.
No official figure for the full-year 2025 homicide rate has been published. However, a security briefing from July 2026 noted that in the first half of 2026, violent deaths fell by 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
There were 515 fewer cases.
That briefing also recorded 4,154 homicides between January and June 2026, with the semester rate dropping from 25.5 to 22.5 per 100,000. These figures, while showing improvement, still rank among the highest in Latin America.
The Internal Armed Conflict and States of Exception
On 8 January 2024, President Daniel Noboa declared a state of exception across all Ecuadorian territory via Executive Decree No. 110, citing ‘grave internal commotion.’ The next day, Decree No.
111 added the legal basis of ‘internal armed conflict,’ formally designating organized armed groups as parties to the conflict.
This was an unprecedented move in Ecuador’s constitutional framework, authorizing military intervention alongside the National Police. Since then, the government has kept the internal armed conflict decree in force, with multiple renewals and new decrees.
For example, a new internal armed conflict decree issued in June 2026 repealed earlier instruments. This included the original Decree 111, while maintaining the framework.
By March 2026, President Noboa had issued 11 states of exception and two renewals in 27 months.
These decrees have typically authorized military deployment in the streets. They expanded prison operations and allowed curfews and restrictions on movement in specified areas.
The measures have raised human-rights concerns. This includes reports of abuses by security forces, according to Human Rights Watch.
High-Risk Provinces and Cities
The security risk is heavily concentrated on the coast. Five coastal provinces—Guayas, Manabí, El Oro, Los Ríos, and Esmeraldas—account for approximately 88% of all homicides.
This is according to a March 2026 security brief.
Guayas province alone accounts for roughly 40% of murders nationally.
Guayaquil, the largest city, is the epicenter. It recorded 1,016 violent deaths in 2023, and around 2,322 homicides in 2025, according to a February 2026 analysis.
The U.S. State Department advises ‘Do Not Travel’ to Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue.
It advises ‘Reconsider Travel’ to areas north of that avenue.
Durán, adjacent to Guayaquil, is also under a ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory due to terrorism and crime. It recorded 235 violent deaths in 2024.
Esmeraldas city and all areas north of it are also ‘Do Not Travel’ zones. Huaquillas and Arenillas in El Oro are also included.
Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo in Los Ríos are also ‘Do Not Travel’ zones.
Other provinces with elevated risk include Manabí, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo, and Sucumbíos, which are under ‘Reconsider Travel’ advisories. These areas have been subject to repeated states of exception, with military patrols and checkpoints.
Calmer Areas: Cuenca, Loja, and Quito Neighborhoods
In contrast, the Andean highlands are relatively safe. Cuenca’s homicide rate in 2025 was about 1.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to a February 2026 report.
Azuay province, where Cuenca is located, saw a 53.85% reduction in homicides over the same period that national homicides surged.
Loja, in the southern highlands, has a security profile broadly comparable to Cuenca, with low homicide rates and calm conditions. The U.S.
State Department does not designate Azuay or Loja as areas of concern, and Cuenca is not mentioned in the advisory.
Quito, the capital, has mixed risk. Certain southern neighborhoods register higher crime levels, while the more affluent northern districts generally present lower risk.
The U.S. advisory includes Pichincha (where Quito is) in some states of exception, but not at the ‘Do Not Travel’ level.
For expats, these areas offer a safer environment, though it’s always wise to research specific neighborhoods and stay aware of your surroundings.
What the State of Exception Means Day-to-Day
In provinces under a state of exception, residents experience increased military presence on the streets. There are more checkpoints on highways and occasional nighttime curfews.
These measures are authorized by the decrees. They can affect daily routines, especially in coastal cities like Guayaquil and Esmeraldas.
In contrast, Andean cities like Cuenca and Loja have largely been spared such measures. They have fewer disruptions to normal life.
The April 2026 state of exception covered Pichincha (including Quito), Guayas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo, and Sucumbíos. It did not cover Azuay or Loja.
The June 2026 decree extended the state of exception for 60 days in 10 provinces and 3 cantons. These measures are part of the government’s strategy to curb criminal violence.
However, they also raise human-rights concerns, as noted by Human Rights Watch.
Foreign Travel Advisories
The U.S. Department of State rates Ecuador overall at Level 2 – ‘Exercise Increased Caution.’ However, it assigns Level 4 – ‘Do Not Travel’ to specific areas.
These include Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue, Durán canton, Esmeraldas city and areas north, Huaquillas and Arenillas, and Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo.
Other areas are under ‘Reconsider Travel’ advisories. These include Guayaquil north of Portete de Tarqui Avenue, and the provinces of El Oro (outside Huaquillas and Arenillas), Los Ríos (outside the listed towns), Sucumbíos, Manabí, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo.
Other countries, including France, Germany, the UK, and Israel, have issued similar advisories, generally recommending heightened caution but not outright travel bans. These advisories emphasize the regional risks on the coast and near the Colombian border.
For expats, it’s essential to check the latest advisories from your home country before traveling, as they can change frequently.
Trends and Shifts in Violence
Violence patterns have shifted over time. In the first half of 2026, El Oro became a new violence epicenter.
Homicides there were up 63% (from 319 to 521). Guayas and Los Ríos saw reductions of 23% and 28% respectively, according to a July 2026 briefing.
This shows that risk can change quickly. The government’s internal armed conflict strategy has had mixed results, with some periods showing reductions and others spikes.
For example, after declining in 2024, homicides increased sharply in 2025 by about 40% by September, according to Human Rights Watch.
The July 2026 briefing noted an 11% reduction in violent deaths in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. However, the overall numbers remain high.
This dynamic situation requires constant vigilance.
Safety Tips for Expats
If you live in or visit high-risk areas, avoid traveling at night. Use trusted transportation and stay in well-known neighborhoods.
In Guayaquil, southern zones like Suburbio Oeste, La Trinitaria, and Isla Trinitaria have high gang activity. Northern areas like Samborondón and Kennedy are safer.
In Quito, research specific barrios before renting, as some southern neighborhoods have higher crime. In Durán, exercise extreme caution, as it is considered one of the most dangerous areas.
For those in safer areas like Cuenca and Loja, maintain standard precautions. Even in calm areas, petty crime can occur, so secure your belongings and avoid displaying wealth.
Stay informed about the latest security situation through local news and government advisories. The situation can change rapidly, so flexibility is key.
| Area | Homicide Rate / Risk | Source & Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ecuador (national) | 38.8 per 100,000 (2024) | Mazo4F, Nov 2025 |
| Guayaquil (south of Portete) | Do Not Travel | U.S. State Dept, Jul 2026 |
| Durán | Do Not Travel | U.S. State Dept, Jul 2026 |
| Esmeraldas city & north | Do Not Travel | U.S. State Dept, Jul 2026 |
| Cuenca | 1.4 per 100,000 (2025) | MyEcuadorVisa, Feb 2026 |
| Loja | Low risk | MyEcuadorVisa, Mar 2026 |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, Human Rights Watch, U.S. Department of State, Mazo4F, ReliefWeb, La Hora, France 24, CNN en Español, Ecuador Chequea, AP News, IAWatch, MyEcuadorVisa, MovingToEcuador.com, SecurityStudies.info, Armedconflicts.org, Center for Global Development, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, UTPL
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