Ecuador
Last update 07 May 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Avoid non-essiential travel (Do not travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Republic of Ecuador
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Ecuador. Bulgarian citizens residing in Ecuador on a short- or long-term basis may address consular matters to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Brasilia, Federative Republic of Brazil.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Federative Republic of Brazil
Address: SEN Av. das Nações, Qd. 801, Lt. 08, CEP70432-900, Brasília DF
Tel: +55 61 32236193; +55 61 32239849
Fax: +55 61 33233285
Opening hours: 9:00 / 17:30
Working hours with citizens: 9:00 / 17:30
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/brazil
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Ecuador
Prof. Dr. Fausto Vinueza Rodríguez
Consular District: Republic of Ecuador
Address:Quito, Av. Amazonas y Corea
Edificio Unicornio 2, Of. 1008
Tel: +593 2 256-90-36
E-mail: [email protected]
Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador in Budapest, accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria
Address: 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 20. 1/2
Tel.: +36 1 345-0424; + 36 1 315-2124
Fax: +36 1 315 2104
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Honorary Consul of Ecuador in the Republic of Bulgaria
Mr. Zachary Kushev
1408 Sofia, ul. Dimitar Manov № 75-83
Tel: +359 2 915 05 00
Fax: +359 2 915 05 55
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
We advise Bulgarian citizens not to travel to the areas close to the border with Colombia because of the organized armed criminal groups operating in these areas!
There is a high risk of kidnappings, thefts and armed clashes between organized crime groups and law enforcement agencies.
We recommend that Bulgarian citizens refrain from traveling, except when absolutely necessary.
There are controlled power outages throughout the country, both during the day and at night. The duration of the breaks is several hours or more. Information is published on the official websites of the respective suppliers.
Criminal activity is high in major cities, including Quito and Guayaquil. Caution and vigilance should be exercised, including at international airports in these cities, and in the Cerro de Carmen, Malesón, and Las Peñas neighborhoods of Guayaquil.
Carrying expensive items and electronic devices as well as night walks are not recommended. There are a high number of kidnappings of foreigners by criminal groups for ransom, usually using unlicensed taxis. For this reason, it is recommended to use taxi services ordered by telephone or at the reception of large hotels and restaurants.
A high security risk due to the threat of kidnappings and drug-related crime exists within 20 km of the border with Colombia, specifically the provinces of Cusumbios, Oriana and Esmeraldas.
In Ecuador, the number of crimes related to credit card forgery is very high. For this reason, it is recommended that the use of a credit card should only take place in larger commercial establishments and in the presence of the credit account holder.
Victims of theft or other types of crime can register with the "Sistema de Registro de Noticias para Turistas" (www.fiscalia.gob.ec), which enables the electronic receipt of a report from the police stating that a crime has been committed.
National emergency numbers:
National Police - 101;
Medical and Fire - 911.
Health:
Private hospitals in major cities offer healthcare services at a relatively good level, but require payment in advance. In the rainforest areas and on Galapagos, there are no satisfactory health care facilities. For this reason, it is recommended to take out international health insurance when travelling to these areas to cover the cost of transport in the event of serious accidents and injuries.
In view of the widespread occurrence of the Zika, Dengue and Shikongunya viruses, it is recommended that Bulgarian citizens travelling to or residing in Ecuador exercise vigilance and caution, following strictly the sanitary and hygienic advice of the official authorities, and register on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or provide the contact details of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Brazil.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene tips:
Republic of Ecuador will implement, as of May 12, 2025, the mandatory requirement to present the Intemational Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever (YF) for all travelers arriving from Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil.
This requirement applies to:
-Travelers who are nationals or residents of Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil.
-Travelers of any nationality or residence who have stayed for more than 10 days in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, or Brazil, or visited the aforementioned countries prior to entry into Ecuador.
The aforementioned certificate must indicate that the vaccine was administered at least ten (10) days prior to entry into Ecuadorian territory.
Cases of malaria, dengue and tuberculosis have been reported in the rainforest, but also in some cities on the Pacific coast.
Cases of food poisoning are frequent, so visitors are advised to have gastrointestinal preparations purchased from local pharmacies. As a precaution, it is also recommended to consume only boiled or bottled water.
Specific features of local legislation:
Sentences for drug possession and trafficking are severe and conditions in Ecuadorian prisons are poor. The country has a program to combat drug trafficking. Airports are equipped with state-of-the-art control technology.
Carrying identification is compulsory. You must carry a photocopy of the pages of your passport, including your photo and Ecuadorian immigration stamp for entry.
Homosexuality was a criminal offence in the country until November 1997, but has subsequently been decriminalized . The 2008 Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador recognizes homosexual relationships and gender equality. The 2014 Penal Code penalizes all types of hate crimes based on sexual orientation. In June 2019, the Constitutional Court legalized same-sex marriage and the Ecuadorian Civil Registry Services offer this service.
In Ecuador, rules are in place to strictly control the entry of pets (dogs and cats) into the country, and it is mandatory to present a Sanitary Certificate "Certificado Zoossanitário de Exportação" (CZE), including information on vaccines and the general condition of the animals. On the basis of the CZE, the forms 'Solicitud Permiso Sanitario para la Importación' and 'Permiso Sanitario para la Importación' must be completed on entry into Ecuador.
Practical advice:
Important:
In order to ensure the environmental and social sustainability of tourist travel to the Galapagos Islands, entry fees apply.
https://www.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec/
Visitors are advised to be particularly vigilant during their stay in the country. Reports of armed robbery are increasing and petty crime is common. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery, keep an eye on bags and personal belongings. Carry a copy of your passport and visa and keep the original in a safe place. Carry little money.
A high security risk due to the threat of kidnappings and drug-related crime exists within 20 kilometres of the border with Colombia, with the exception of the town of Tulcan in the province of Karchi.
Ecuador is located in an area of intense seismic activity. There is a high risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. In the event of a natural disaster, citizens are advised to follow the recommendations of the local authorities and to monitor the news on the official websites of the Instituto Geofísicoand the Secretaría de Gestión de Riesgos-in Spanish.
Daily costs for travellers range between USD15.00 and USD70.00.
Electricity in Ecuador is about 120 volts and a special type of plugs is used.
For security reasons, it is recommended to carry photocopies of identification documents.
Local currency:
US dollar (USD).
Climate and potential for natural disasters:
The entire territory of Ecuador lies on a seismic zone (the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire) and earthquakes of varying magnitude are not uncommon. There are 80 volcanoes in the country, most of them active, but no casualties have been recorded in recent decades. In the coastal part of the country and especially in the Galapagos Islands, the risk of tsunamis and hurricanes is high. For these reasons, flights from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos or vice versa are frequently cancelled.
Travel papers and visas
Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. For stays of up to 90 days Bulgarian citizens do not need a visa. However, it is necessary to have a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds for subsistence during the stay. Visa extensions can be applied for at the National Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior before the visa expires. The stay may be extended for up to 90 days on payment of a fee.
Additional entry restrictions introduced on 11 January 2024:
1. Required presentation of a criminal record for all foreign nationals entering the country through the country's land and river borders with Colombia and Peru. This measure does not apply to entry by sea and air at any point in the country.
2. The presentation of a certificate of criminal record from the country of origin or residence for the last 5 years must be apostilled and presented in Spanish. If the certificate is issued in another language, it must be duly translated into Spanish, with a duly legalized or apostilled translation.;
3. In the event that a foreigner presents a certificate indicating that the person has a criminal record, entry in Ecuador will be refused.
4. In situations where the person fails to present the criminal record at official immigration checkpoints at the designated borders, entry in Ecuador will be refused.
5. Exempted from presenting a criminal record certificate are:
(a) Citizens with a valid visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador.
b) Citizens requesting entry into the country as members of the ground crew in accordance with Decision 837 of the Andean Community.
(c) Children and adolescents, in accordance with the constitutional principle of the best interests of the child.
(d) Those entering the country with migrant in transit status, who must prove that migratory status.
(e) Those who present a diplomatic, official or service passport in accordance with the international treaties to which Ecuador is a party.
(f) Those belonging to border integration zones, cross-border peoples and nationalities. In this case, they will be subject to the procedures established in accordance with the Bilateral Agreement to which Ecuador is a party.
(g) Persons identified as victims of trafficking.
(h) Persons who have applied for international protection.
6. The aforementioned restrictions will be in force until a new regulation is issued by the Undersecretariat for Migration, in accordance with the Declaration on State of Emergency and Internal Armed Conflict issued by the President of the Republic.
Consular service
Issuance of identity documents:
The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Federative Republic of Brazil accepts applications for Bulgarian identity documents.
Emergency Travel Document:
In case of an emergency (lost/stolen passport), Bulgarian citizens can seek on-the-spot assistance from a diplomatic mission of an EU Member State to obtain a temporary travel document. In case of need for such a document, citizens should contact the Bulgarian Embassy in Brazil for assistance.
Certificates and legalisations:
The Republic of Ecuador is party to the Hague Convention on Apostilles for the Authentication of Public Acts.