Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2313 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!root From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Ecuador Consular Information Sheet 03/29/99 Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199908051514.KAA45358@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 15:13:42 GMT Distribution: wstd Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Lines: 204 Ecuador - Consular Information Sheet March 29, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Ecuador has a developing economy. Tourism facilities are adequate, but vary in quality. The capital city is Quito. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A valid U.S. passport is required. U.S. citizens who display a return/onward ticket are admitted without a visa for up to 90 days. Travelers without a visa cannot extend this stay beyond 90 days. It is important, therefore, that a visa be obtained if a traveler expects to stay longer than 90 days. For current information on entry and customs requirements, travelers should contact the Ecuadorian Embassy at 2535 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, tel. (202) 234- 7200, or the consulate in Chicago (312) 329-0266; Houston (713) 622- 1787; Los Angeles (213) 628-3014; Miami (305) 461-2363; Newark (201) 985-1707; New Orleans (504) 523-3229; New York (212) 808-0170; or San Francisco (415) 957-5921. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is available but varies in quality and generally is below U.S. standards. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, although many hospitals do take credit cards. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Travelers have found that, in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven to be useful. Malaria, yellow fever and cholera are reaching epidemic levels in some outlying regions and are encroaching on the outskirts of cities such as Guayaquil. Travelers with heart conditions should be aware that Quito9s elevation, at an altitude of close to 10,000 feet, may cause serious health risks. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers' hotline at telephone: 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax: 1-888-CDC- FAXX (1-888-232-3299); or by visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. CRIME AND SECURITY INFORMATION: The U.S. Embassy in Quito advises against travel to the northern province of Sucumbios. As of September 1996, U.S. Government personnel are restricted from travel there. Travelers are also cautioned against visiting the areas of Carchi Province adjacent to the Colombian border. Both areas are dangerous because of the significant incidence of common crime, extortion, and kidnapping. Caution should also be used in other areas bordering on Colombia, as local law enforcement is faced with growing challenges from Colombia-based organized crime, drug traffickers, and armed insurgents. In the past five years, five U.S. citizens have been kidnapped near the Colombian border. In 1998 and early 1999, the cities of Quito and Guayaquil experienced an increase in crimes such as armed robberies, assaults, and carjackings. Although most crimes are of a non-violent nature, such as pickpocketing, burglary of personal effects, or thefts from vehicles, thieves are often armed with guns and knives. House burglary and carjacking can result in violence. The Ecuadorian government has increased police patrols in tourist areas, but travelers in resort areas along the coast and in Quito and Guayaquil should remain alert to their surroundings and maintain constant control of purses, backpacks, and briefcases. Expensive-appearing jewelry and watches should not be worn. In Quito, extreme caution should be taken in tourist areas and crowded marketplaces, especially on the crowded streets of south Quito, the Panecillo, Old Quito, and all transportation terminals. In early 1998, there were robberies of tourists at the Cotopaxi National Park and Parque Carolina. Travelers should not frequent the city parks (La Carolina, El Ejido, La Alameda) before dawn and after dark and should not go into the interior of these parks at any time. Other areas identified as dangerous for tourists are El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastian, Mariscal Sucre, Avenida Cristobal Colon and Gonzalez Suarez. Backpackers are frequently targeted for criminal activity in Quito. In Guayaquil, extra caution should be taken downtown, at the dock (El Malecon), and in the airport area. Incidences of luggage thefts at the airport were reported in early 1998 and there have been a number of assaults on travelers from the U.S. who were followed from the airport. There have been numerous armed robberies of restaurants and their patrons, including in 3fashionable2 areas of Guayaquil. Political demonstrations occur sporadically in urban areas, usually to protest the Ecuadorian Government9s handling of the economy. Past demonstrations have been marked by burning tires, blocked streets, and Molotov cocktails. Handguns have been fired into the air, and occasionally at the police, during demonstrations. The police generally respond by using water cannons and tear gas. Public transportation tends to be disrupted during these incidents. Rural highways are also sometimes blocked by protesters. Travelers should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and keep informed by following the local press and radio and TV news, and consulting hotel personnel and tour quides. Travelers to Ecuador9s beach areas should be aware that strong currents, undertow, and underwater hazards are common and are not posted. In addition, many beach areas are relatively deserted at night and crimes such as rape and robbery have been reported. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet 3A Safe Trip Abroad.2 This publication, as well as others such as 3Tips For Travelers to Central and South America,2 are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov, or at the U.S. Embassy in Quito. DRUG PENALTIES: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties in Ecuador for possession or use of and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict. Offenders can expect prolonged pretrial detention without bail and lengthy jail sentences and fines if convicted. VOLCANO INFORMATION: In September 1998, the Guagua Pichincha volcano, located west of Quito, exhibited a significant increase in the number of tremors and an accompanying rise in the magma level. Since then, there has been an intermittent series of explosions. While the volcano9s activity has diminished, it is still unpredictable and unstable. In the event of an eruption, geological experts conclude that the city of Quito is protected from possible lava flows, avalanches, and lateral explosions by the bulk of Pichincha Mountain, which stands between the city and the volcano crater. Parts of Quito could be affected by ashfall and secondary mudflows caused by heavy rains that usually accompany an eruption. The Quito City government, in conjunction with the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute, continues to monitor the volcano and issue daily reports on its activity. Travelers are advised to pay close attention to the news media in Quito for updates on the situation. Besides Guagua Pichincha, other volcanoes in Ecuador may, from time to time, also exhibit increased activity. For further information, travelers can also access the Institute9s home page on the Internet at http://www.cybw.net/volcan. TRAFFIC SAFETY/ROAD CONDITIONS: Traffic accidents involving buses are frequent. Bus travel throughout Ecuador can be particularly dangerous, especially at night, because of the frequency of crimes, including robbery and rape, perpetrated against travelers. The 1997-1998 El Nino weather phenomenon caused road closures and bridge washouts. Many roads and bridges remain unrepaired, causing delays and less direct road travel. Caution should be exercised to guard against theft of personal belongings on all forms of public transportation. A peace treaty was signed on October 26, 1998, to end the border conflict between Ecuador and Peru, which had led to hostilities in the past. The border between the two countries is open, but crossing or approaching the Ecuador-Peru border anywhere except at official checkpoints is dangerous and not advisable. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS SAFETY: Maritime safety standards on some tour vessels in the Galapagos Islands are deficient. Travelers have found it useful to verify credentials of tour vessels in advance. In 1998, four U.S. citizens died when a tour boat capsized off the Galapagos Islands. Tourists should consider making reservations through agencies or organizations that verify vessel credentials and safety as a condition of the sale agreement. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Ecuador9s civil aviation authority as Category 2 - not in compliance with international safety standards for oversight of Ecuador9s air carrier operations. While consultations to correct the deficiencies are ongoing, Ecuador9s air carriers are permitted to conduct limited operations to the U.S. subject to heightened FAA surveillance. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at telephone 1- 800-322-7873, or visit the FAA9s Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) does not permit its personnel to use air carriers from Category 2 countries for official business except for flights originating from or terminating in the U.S. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at telephone (703) 697-7288. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Monitor the home page of the Department of State for updates on Y2K issues. OTHER INFORMATION: Under Ecuadorian law, a business dispute that normally would be handled by civil litigation in the U.S. may be converted into a criminal proceeding. This provision of law has been used to impose travel prohibitions against resident U.S. citizens, and also has led to the arrest and incarceration of U.S. business people while they await a hearing. EMBASSY LOCATION/REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens are urged to register and obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador at either the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil. The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at the corner of Avenida 12 de Octubre and Avenida Patria (across from the Casa de la Cultura), tel. (011-593-2) 562-890, after hours 561-749. The Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde), tel. (011-593-4) 323-570, after hours 321-152. The Consulate General in Guayaquil has jurisdiction over the Galapagos Islands. ***** This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 13, 1998, updating information on medical facilities, crime and security, volcano information, traffic safety and road conditions, Galapagos Islands safety, and Y2K information.