Ecuador

Ecuador: Quito’s Old City Now a Haven for Tourists

Date: September 25th, 2008 |

A decade ago, Quito’s old city was a dilapidated den of thieves where tourists wandered at their peril as the UNESCO World Heritage Site fell deeper into decay. But now all that has changed. Since the government launched a plan in 2000 to restore the Centro Historico, some 200 buildings have been rehabilitated including the [read more]

Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano Showing Seismic Activity

Date: October 25th, 2007 |

No Comments

Tungurahua Volcano, about 85 miles south of Quito near Banos, has been showing increased seismic activity and limited emissions of gas and ash. Geologists are closely monitoring the volcano and the U.S. Embassy in Quito encourages visitors to verify that roads and tourist facilities are open before traveling to the area. Geologists do not consider [read more]

Ecuador: Crime in Quito Hotel Zones

Date: August 2nd, 2007 |

No Comments

The U.S. Embassy in Quito issued a statement reminding U.S. citizens that the hotel zone around Avenida 12 de Octubre and Calle Cordero remains a prime target area for thieves and muggers. Criminals come to this and other hotel areas because that is where the affluent foreigners are. An employee of the U.S. Embassy was [read more]

Ecuador: Reventador Volcano Begins to Stir

Date: March 28th, 2007 |

No Comments

Seismic activity has increased at Reventador Volcano about 55 miles east of Quito, with limited emissions of ash and gas. Geologists are not predicting a large eruption, but in 2002 with only a day’s warning the volcano sent up enough ash to close the Quito airport, schools and businesses in the city. Avoiding the volcano [read more]

Ecuador: Demonstrations Likely the Next Two Weeks

Date: November 21st, 2005 |

No Comments

Demonstrations and other protests in Quito and Guayaquil are likely until approximately Dec. 1 because of final negotiations of the Andean Free Trade Agreement and a government request of a U.S. oil company to respond to charges of breaching a contract. Protests could target U.S. symbols or facilities and Americans should steer clear of demonstrations. [read more]

Ecuador: Armed Robberies on Pichincha Volcano Hiking Trails Outside Quito

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

No Comments

The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported that violent crime on Pichincha volcano on the outskirts of Quito has been increasing and recommends that visitors do not hike to the summit even if in groups or beginning at the top of the Teleferico cable car. Several armed assaults have occurred in recent months with groups as [read more]

Ecuador: Guayaquil Airport to Close for Repairs

Date: October 18th, 2007 |

No Comments

Maintenance work on the runway at Guayaquil’s Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport will force the airport to close on four weekends in November and December. Closures will run from 1 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday on the following dates: Nov. 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, and Dec. 1-3. Most international flights at those times will be [read more]

Ecuador: Call for Preservation Plans for Galapagos Islands

Date: April 18th, 2007 |

No Comments

Prompted by concerns raised by UNESCO’s World Heritage director about the fragile environment in the Galapagos Islands, President Rafael Correa urged his cabinet and local officials to meet and make preservation plans, perhaps restricting tourism and residency permits and flights to the islands. Correa signed an emergency decree calling for the meeting to take place [read more]

Ecuador: State of Emergency in Four Provinces

Date: March 21st, 2006 |

No Comments

After nine days of protests the government declared a state of emergency in Canar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi and Imbrabura provinces and the towns of Tabacundo and Cayambe March 21. Indigenous demonstrators mounted roadblocks to protest a proposed free-trade agreement with the U.S., and groups had vowed to march to Quito to try to block the deal. [read more]

Ecuador: Protests in Portoviejo

Date: July 13th, 2005 |

No Comments

Large anti-government protests are occurring in Portoviejo, with roadblocks preventing entry and exit into the city. Protesters and police have clashed and government buildings have been damaged. Authorities are concerned that the protests may spread to neighboring cities in Manabi province, including Manta, and that roadblocks will restrict travel throughout the province. The U.S. Consulate [read more]