Curfew in Four Provinces Through March 30 — Guayas, Los Rios, Santo Domingo, El Oro

If you live on or travel through Ecuador's coast, you need to know about the curfew currently in effect across four provinces.

The Restriction

The Ecuadorian government has imposed a nightly curfew from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM in four provinces:

• Guayas (includes Guayaquil, Samborondón, Durán)
• Los Rios (includes Babahoyo, Quevedo)
• Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas (includes Santo Domingo)
• El Oro (includes Machala, Huaquillas)

The curfew is in effect through at least March 30, 2026, though it may be extended depending on security conditions. It was imposed as part of the broader state of emergency declared by President Noboa in response to escalating violence in these regions.

What It Means in Practice

During curfew hours:

• You cannot be on public streets, roads, or in vehicles without authorization
• Police and military checkpoints are active throughout the affected provinces
• Violators can be detained and face fines. Foreign nationals who violate curfew could face additional complications with their immigration status
• Exceptions are generally granted for medical emergencies, essential workers, and pre-authorized commercial transport — but you will need documentation

The U.S. Embassy in Quito has issued a security alert reminding U.S. citizens in the affected provinces to comply fully with the curfew and to carry identification at all times.

Why These Provinces

The four provinces under curfew share a common profile: they are coastal or lowland regions with high concentrations of narcotrafficking activity, gang violence, and organized crime. Guayas province — home to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city — has been the epicenter of the country's security crisis, with the highest rates of homicide, extortion, and drug-related violence.

MercoPress reports that the curfew is part of a multi-pronged security strategy that also includes increased military deployments, expanded police operations, and intelligence-sharing agreements with the United States.

What This Means for Expats

• If you live in any of these four provinces, plan your evenings around the 11 PM cutoff. Dinner reservations, social gatherings, and errands must end in time for you to be home before curfew
• Late-night flights arriving at Guayaquil airport could create complications. If your flight lands after 11 PM, have documentation ready and be prepared for checkpoints between the airport and your destination. Airlines operating red-eye or late arrivals may provide transit documentation
• Overland travel through these provinces at night is not possible. If you are driving from Cuenca to the coast or vice versa, plan your departure time so you arrive before 11 PM. The Cuenca-Guayaquil drive takes 3-4 hours under normal conditions
• Ride-hailing services (Uber, InDrive) will not operate during curfew hours in these areas
• Carry your passport or cedula at all times. Military and police checkpoints are frequent, and being unable to identify yourself during a curfew period creates unnecessary risk
• This does not affect the highlands. Quito, Cuenca, Loja, Ambato, Riobamba, and other sierra cities are not under curfew as of this writing

Sources: MercoPress, U.S. Embassy Ecuador