The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advisory for British nationals heading to South America, specifically warning against all but essential travel to areas within 20 kilometres of the Ecuador-Colombia border.
According to the official government guidance, this warning is due to the presence of organised crime linked to the production and trafficking of drugs. The security situation can change rapidly in regions outside the 20-kilometre border zone, including the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi and Sucumbíos, where illegal armed groups and criminal gangs are active.
Exceptions to the Advisory
However, the FCDO has outlined specific locations that are exempt from this warning. These include the El Ángel Ecological Reserve, the Rumichaca border crossing, the town of Tulcán, and the Pan-American Highway. Travellers are advised to exercise caution and follow local guidance when visiting these areas.
Safety Recommendations
For those who must travel within 20 kilometres of the border, the government recommends staying alert and taking local advice, paying close attention to warnings issued by Ecuadorian authorities, travelling during daylight hours with a reputable and official guide, and having an emergency plan with reliable communication systems in place. Additionally, travellers should be aware that some lodges are located far from major hospitals.
The FCDO also advises that if crossing the northern border at Tulcán via the Rumichaca official land border point, individuals should enter and exit the town using the Pan-American Highway. Lago Agrio, also known as Nueva Loja (the main town in Sucumbíos province), and San Lorenzo (in Esmeraldas province) both lie within the 20-kilometre border zone where all but essential travel is advised against.
