Is Guayaquil safe to visit right now? (September 2026)

Travel advisories for Ecuador

What the advice says

• The US State Department places Ecuador at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, and this is a country-level rating rather than one specific to Guayaquil.
• The UK FCDO notes that Guayaquil's murder rate is very high, mainly gang-related, and advises particular caution in the city center, southern districts, and port areas.
• Armed robbery, express kidnapping, and ATM-related robbery are documented risks; withdrawing cash inside a bank or shopping center rather than after dark is advised.
• Street demonstrations and strikes occur without warning and can turn violent, so staying alert to local media and avoiding large gatherings is recommended.
• On public transport and at bus stations, pickpocketing and bag theft are common, and keeping bags in sight rather than in overhead storage is advised.
• Solo travelers, and especially women, should avoid walking alone at night, be cautious hailing taxis from the street, and stay alert to drink-spiking risks in social settings.
• A car bomb exploded near a shopping center in northern Guayaquil in October 2025, and travelers should follow police instructions if near any similar incident.