Entering by boat: Ecuador (mainland)
What to do to enter Ecuador (mainland) by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.
Check with the authorities before you leave (last checked on 28 October 2026).
Before you arrive
- Notify the authorities 720 hours before arrival.
- Online procedure: Autógrafo (permis d'entrée des navires étrangers), via un agent
The steps
- Request the Autógrafo through a maritime agent 30 days ahead.
- Notify the Navy of arrival.
- Capitanía, immigration and customs (on your own at Salinas, Manta, Esmeraldas if the port captain allows).
Papers to have on board
- Passports for the whole crew
- Crew list
- Boat papers (registration certificate)
- Outward clearance from the previous country
- Going through an agent
Good to know
- Since September 2023 an Autógrafo is required for the mainland: ≈ USD 250-300, at least 3 weeks to 30 days, only through an agent.
- The Galápagos Autógrafo is valid for the mainland, not the reverse; not needed when arriving from the Galápagos.
- Security: state of emergency since January 2024; Esmeraldas not recommended, border areas dangerous.
Ports of entry
The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.
Prepare your arrival with Hullteam
In the app, free: the map of every port of entry and its offices with their contacts, the crew list and the entry forms filled in for you, ready to print or send to an agent.
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- noonsite.com/news/ecuador-autografo-now-required-for-the-mainland/
- noonsite.com/news/ecuador-security-and-entry-update/
- noonsite.com/place/ecuador/
This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.