Travel Advisory · Quito, Ecuador
Ecuador Curfew May 2026: What Travelers Need to Know About Quito
A new state of emergency has been declared in Pichincha and other provinces from May 3–18, 2026. Nightly curfew applies from 11 PM to 5 AM — but Quito's airport, hotels, and tourist sites remain fully operational.
Hotel Boutique Casona 1914 · Quito Historic Center · May 3–18, 2026
⚠ Active Advisory Ecuador's President has declared a new state of emergency under the framework of "internal armed conflict," in effect from May 3 to May 18, 2026. A nightly curfew restricts civilian movement in several provinces, including Pichincha (Quito), from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
Ecuador's government has issued a new emergency decree targeting organized crime. While this measure affects Quito and several other provinces, it is crucial for travelers to understand exactly what this means — and what it does not mean — for their plans.
The short answer: Quito is open, safe, and fully operational during daytime hours. Flights continue, hotels are welcoming guests, and tourism activities are running normally. The restriction applies only to nighttime movement between 11 PM and 5 AM.
Provinces Under the Curfew
The state of exception and nightly curfew is active in the following provinces from May 3 to May 18, 2026:
Pichincha (incl. Quito)
Guayas
Los Ríos
El Oro
Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas
Manabí
Curfew Hours — Every Day
🌙
11:00 PM — 5:00 AM
Restricted movement · Daily · May 3–18, 2026
⚠ Legal Notice Violating the curfew constitutes a criminal offense under Article 282 of Ecuador's COIP (Organic Comprehensive Criminal Code) and carries prison sentences. All civilian movement is prohibited during curfew hours in the listed provinces. Limited exceptions apply for essential activities that can be duly justified before security personnel.
International Flights & Airport Access
Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito remains fully open and operating on its normal schedule. Travelers with early-morning or late-night flights can still travel to and from the airport during curfew hours — but must be prepared to show documentation justifying their movement.
✈️ If You Have a Flight During Curfew Hours (11 PM – 5 AM)
- Carry your printed or digital boarding pass at all times
- Have your passport accessible and ready to show
- Keep your flight itinerary or booking confirmation on your phone
- Security checkpoints may ask you to justify your transit — your travel documents serve as that justification
- Allow extra travel time to the airport in case of checkpoint delays
- Consider booking a private airport transfer rather than using rideshare apps during curfew hours — a professional driver knows the protocols
✓ Good News for Travelers Airport staff, hotel transportation, and licensed transfer operators are considered essential services and are permitted to operate during curfew hours. Your movement to catch a flight is a recognized exception — just carry your documents.
What This Means for Your Quito Visit
During daytime hours — the majority of any traveler's itinerary — Quito operates completely normally. Museums, markets, restaurants, walking tours, and the Historic Center are all open and accessible.
- Daytime movement — fully unrestricted throughout the city
- Mariscal Sucre Airport — open, normal flight schedule
- Hotels and restaurants — operating normally
- Tourist sites and museums — fully open during regular hours
- Walking tours — available daily (departures at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM from Casona 1914)
- Inter-city transport — accessible during daytime hours
- Nighttime movement (11 PM – 5 AM) — restricted, carry travel documents if necessary
For most travelers, the practical impact is minimal: plan evening dinners and activities to conclude before 11 PM, and ensure airport transfers are arranged with a licensed operator who can navigate checkpoints if your flight falls within curfew hours.
🚕 Need Airport Transport? If you need a transfer to or from the airport — including during curfew hours — write to us and we'll take care of everything. We coordinate private, reliable transfers so you arrive and depart without any hassle, even with security checkpoints in place. Message us on WhatsApp →
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Visiting Quito with Confidence
Quito remains one of the most extraordinary destinations in Latin America — a UNESCO World Heritage city where Andean culture, colonial grandeur, and contemporary life converge. The state of exception is a government measure targeting criminal networks and does not affect the day-to-day experience of international visitors.
Travelers continue to arrive, explore, and depart without incident. The Historic Center, the city's markets, viewpoints, and neighborhoods are fully open and welcoming.
🗺 Recommended Experiences — All Available Now
- Quito Historic Center — largest preserved colonial center in South America
- La Compañía de Jesús — baroque masterpiece and UNESCO landmark
- Mercado Central and local gastronomy
- TelefériQo — cable car to 4,000 meters with Pichincha views
- Cotopaxi National Park and the Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Mindo Cloud Forest and birdwatching
- Otavalo indigenous market
- Galápagos Islands — Quito as gateway hub
Hotel Boutique · Historic Center · Quito, Ecuador
Hotel Boutique Casona 1914 — Your Home in Quito
Located in the heart of Quito's Historic Center, we are ready to welcome you and assist with airport transfers, itinerary planning, and any questions about traveling safely during this period.
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