Britons have been warned that a popular tourist destination in South America has become increasingly unsafe.
According to new research, Ecuador has seen the largest decline worldwide in its Peace Index score since 2023.
Ecuador is known for the Galápagos Islands, an archipelago described as the “living museum and showcase of evolution”, according to the World Heritage Collection.
A visitor to Tortuga Bay Beach, a Galápagos Islands visitor site, praised its “stunning diversity” on TripAdvisor. They said: “Quite a diverse beach offering sights of unique flora and fauna. There is so much to see.”
‘Ecuador has the largest decline in its peace score’
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Ecuador is also home to a small part of the Amazon rainforest, where visitors can enjoy tours that promise wildlife-watching, hiking, canoeing, swimming and boat rides.
There are an abundance of opportunities for adventurers, from horse riding to snorkelling to sky biking.
However, despite the endless beauty of the South American spot, holidaymakers are advised to be very cautious if visiting.
The international health insurance experts at William Russell identified that, globally, Ecuador has the “largest decline” in its peace score.
They stated: “A lot of this has been attributed to a lot of gang and drug-related violent crime in the region, with 70 per cent of Ecuadorians admitting to not feeling safe in their city or neighbourhood at night.
“It reached such heights that the new President, Daniel Noboa, declared a state of emergency, officially branding 22 gangs as terrorist organisations.”
This comes as Ecuador saw a 47.7-point change in its Peace Index score from 2023 to 2024.
Countries that have seen their Peace Index score decline since 2023 (top 10)
- Ecuador: 47.7 score change
- Haiti: 43.2 score change
- Israel: 40.9 score change
- Palestine: 33.4 score change
- Gabon: 30.4 score change
- Sudan: 30.4 score change
- Lesotho: 27 score change
- Senegal: 25.7 score change
- Togo: 25.1 score change
- Eritrea: 24.3 score change
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provided essential guidance for Britons planning a visit to Ecuador.
This includes the most up-to-date information on the country’s state of emergency.
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Ecuador’s President branded 22 gangs as ‘terrorist organisations’
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The FCDO stated: “A 30-day state of emergency (SOE) was renewed on March 3, 2025, due to internal disturbance and armed violence. You should always follow the instructions of the police and local authorities.”
Ecuador’s SOE currently applies to the following provinces: Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Manabí, Orellana, Sucumbios, Los Ríos, Quito Metropolitan District (Pichincha province), Camilo Ponce Enríquez district (Azuay province) and La Troncal (Cañar province).
Curfew hours (10pm until 5am) are also in place until further notice, across several districts (‘cantons’) and or parishes (parroquias).
For Britons planning a holiday in 2025, the experts at William Russell warned that 127 different countries have seen their Peace Index Score decline since 2023.
They explained: “Declines in global peacefulness are due to various factors, including internal conflicts, political instability and economic challenges.”
Travel destinations that saw their Peace Index score drop include Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia.
Before going abroad, Britons should always consult the FCDO’s guidance to ensure a safe, well-informed trip.
Holidaymakers were recently told they are at risk in a South American country that “does not meet European standards”.
