Americans warned of kidnapping, extortion as violent crime grips parts of tourist spot

The State Department is warning Americans to steer clear of parts of a South American country as violent crime, terrorism and kidnapping raise safety concerns among tourists.

The State Department this week issued a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for the nation of Ecuador.

In the advisory, officials warned of widespread crime across Ecuador, including murders, assaults, kidnappings and armed robberies linked to drug trafficking.

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“Areas with transnational criminal organizations have much higher rates of violent crime,” officials said. “U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents have been victims of kidnapping and extortion.”

The country sits between Colombia to the north and Peru to the south, along South America’s Pacific coast.

Ecuador is sought by many tourists for its dramatic Andean landscapes and historic cities, as well as the Galápagos Islands.

Americans make up Ecuador’s largest group of foreign visitors — accounting for roughly a third of international arrivals in 2025, according to Ecuador’s National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC).

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The heightened warnings cover several areas frequented by travelers, including parts of Guayaquil and the coastal provinces of Manabí and Santa Elena.

Popular destinations such as Quito, Cuenca and the Galápagos Islands are not among the areas designated “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Travel.”

The advisory also referenced terrorist violence and civil unrest and reported that demonstrations can block roads and disrupt transportation and essential services.

“Most of Ecuador’s land is empty and remote, especially outside big towns and cities,” the advisory added.

“Help from local authorities [and] the U.S. government may be very limited in remote areas, causing delays.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department for additional comment.

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The advisory follows a series of recent travel warnings issued by U.S. officials.

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Earlier this summer, the U.S. renewed a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for the Bahamas.

That advisory cited violent crime, burglaries, sexual assaults and armed robberies.

Officials also updated the Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for Turks and Caicos in July due to assaults, petty crime and scams targeting tourists, particularly in popular tourist areas.