Ecuador restricts transit in 9 provinces through May 18

Ecuador’s nightly 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew is still in force in nine provinces and four cantons through May 18, under Decree 370 signed by President Daniel Noboa on April 28. The order keeps transit rights suspended during curfew hours as security operations continue against gang violence.

The measure covers Guayas, Pichincha, Manabí, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and Sucumbíos provinces, plus La Maná, Las Naves, Echeandía and La Troncal.

Who is affected

Residents, expats, digital nomads and travelers in the listed areas all have to stay indoors during curfew hours. Authorities haven't issued safe-conduct passes and only limited exemptions apply for health workers and security or emergency personnel carrying official ID.

Late-night road trips and airport runs can get complicated, especially on routes such as Cuenca-Guayaquil via La Troncal. Foreign advisories say travelers heading to Quito or Guayaquil airports may need a boarding pass, passport or national ID to move through checkpoints.

What travelers should do

Carry identification at all times and plan to reach terminals before curfew begins. Police and military checks have been frequent and the first night of enforcement led to 124 detentions nationwide.

Schools in affected areas have shifted schedules, while universities decide independently. Areas including Cuenca, Vilcabamba, Cotacachi and the Galápagos are outside the curfew, but travelers should still check local rules before moving between regions. Read our full Ecuador guide for the complete picture. For broader alerts, see our visa updates.