PORTS OF ENTRY

 

Entry Requeriments

 

Most visitors of North American and Latin American nationalities as well as a number of European and other nationalities do not require a visa to enter Ecuador. These visitors may remain in the country for up to 90 days. A valid passport is required for all foreign visitors.

 

For longer stays or for foreign nationals intending to live and/or work in the country, the corresponding visa must be obtained prior to traveling to Ecuador. For additional information about visas, consult your nearest Ecuadorian Consulate or Embassy, or with your travel agent or tour operator.

 

Departure Tax at International Airports

 

Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport                       US$40.80 (valid as of April 2008)

Guayaquil Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Intl. Airport               US$27.15 (valid as of April 2008)

 

Departure taxes are payable after the airline check-in procedures and can only be paid in cash. Fees are subject to change without previous notice.

Location of International Points of Entry

 

International Airports:

 

Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport

Guayaquil José Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport

 

Airports are also located in other cities, but only serve domestic or internal flights. Principal other airports include Latacunga and Manta (which function as alternate airports to Quito and Guayaquil, respectively, in the event of temporary closure). Other national airports serve Cuenca, Tulcán, Loja, Esmeraldas, Portoviejo in the Andean and Coastal regions; Baltra and San Cristobal in Galapagos; and Lago Agrio, Coca and Macas in the Amazon Region.

 

International Terrestrial Border Entry Points:

 

-          Rumichaca (northern border with Colombia)

-          Huaquillas (southern border with Peru)

-          Macará (southern border with Peru)

-          General Farfan (north-western border with Colombia)

-          Puerto El Carmen (north-eastern border with Colombia)

 

International  Seaports:

 

-          Guayaquil

-          Manta

-          Esmeraldas

-          Puerto Bolívar

 

Arrival Procedures:

 

The Migration Police is responsible for entry procedures for all visitors arriving at airports, seaports and land border crossings.  Officials will ensure that all individuals, whether national or foreign, arriving in the country comply with arrival inspection, registration and other required procedures. Once fulfillment with procedures has been verified, visitors’ passports are stamped with the respective seal indicating the migratory status.

 

Land Border Crossings and Integration Zone with Peru:

 

The Frontier Integration Zone between Ecuador and Peru includes the Ecuadorian provinces of El Oro, Loja and Zamora-Chinchipe and the Peruvian departments of Tumbes, Piura and Cajamarca.

 

Nationals of both countries may circulate freely within this zone upon presentation of their country’s identification document.  For those wishing to travel beyond the recognized bi-national Integration Zone, the county’s identity document together with the Andean Card are required.

 

Land Border Crossings and Integration Zone with Colombia:

 

The Frontier Integration Zone between Ecuador and Colombia includes the Ecuadorian provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi and Imbabura and the Colombian departments of Nariño and Putumayo.

 

Nationals of both countries may circulate freely within this zone upon presentation of their country’s identification document. For those wishing to travel beyond the recognized bi-national Integration Zone, the country’s identity document together with the Andean Card are required as well as the visitor’s “Police Record” or the equivalent document.  Some restrictions on these policies current (May 2008) apply in the Ecuador-Colombia border zone.