Ecuador Announces New Curfew May 3–18 Across 9 Provinces — No Exceptions for Nightlife

What's Been Announced

President Daniel Noboa announced a new nighttime curfew (toque de queda) via X on April 23. Interior Minister John Reimberg confirmed the operational details.

Dates: Sunday, May 3 through Monday, May 18, 2026 Hours: 23:00 to 05:00 (11 PM to 5 AM) nightly

Where It Applies

Nine full provinces:

• Pichincha (includes Quito)
• Guayas (includes Guayaquil)
• Manabí
• Santa Elena
• Los Ríos
• El Oro
• Esmeraldas
• Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas
• Sucumbíos

Four individual cantons:

• La Maná (Cotopaxi province)
• Las Naves (Bolívar province)
• Echendía (Bolívar province)
• La Troncal (Cañar province)

Notably not included: Azuay (Cuenca), Loja (Vilcabamba), Imbabura (Cotacachi/Otavalo), Tungurahua (Baños), and the Galápagos.

No Salvoconducts

Minister Reimberg stated the curfew "will not have exceptions" despite requests from business groups for passes allowing nighttime circulation.

The only exemptions:

• Healthcare personnel and vehicles
• Armed Forces and National Police
• Security and disaster management agencies

Penalties

Under the Organic Integral Penal Code (COIP), violating a curfew carries prison sentences up to three years for non-compliance with legitimate authority decisions.

Business Sector Pushback

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from industry groups.

Xavier Rosero of the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters: "It has been two years since the government began this approach and the crime rate is higher than ever." He claimed the March curfew cost exporters $200 million.

Freddy Martinez of the Ecuadorian Confederation of Restaurants estimated 400,000 workers in restaurant and tourist trades will be affected, with multiple restaurants already operating near bankruptcy.

Minister Reimberg countered that the March curfew reduced the murder rate by 20%.

The Rationale

The government cited 2,086 violent deaths in Q1 2026 as justification for continued state-of-exception operations against criminal organizations.

What This Means for Expats

If you live in Quito, Guayaquil, or the coast: Your nightlife ends at 11 PM for two weeks starting May 3. No exceptions, no passes.

If you live in Cuenca, Vilcabamba, Cotacachi, or Baños: You are not affected. These provinces are not included.

If you have late flights or early arrivals: Airport operations continue — but ground transport may be restricted. Plan accordingly and confirm with your airline or transport provider.

If you own or work in a restaurant or bar: Expect a direct revenue hit. The 11 PM cutoff eliminates the profitable late-night window. Business groups say the last curfew was devastating.

If you're an exporter: Nighttime logistics disruptions could affect shipping timelines. The Exporters Federation is documenting losses.

This is Ecuador's latest in a series of curfews since 2024, and the business community's patience is thinning. Whether the security gains justify the economic costs is the central debate — and it's not close to resolved.

Sources: Primicias, CuencaHighLife