Safety Tips for Travel to Ecuador
Travel is one of the greatest things you can experience. You learn about different people and their cultures. You’re pushed out of your comfort zone. You even learn more about yourself along the way. However, as great as travel is, I wouldn’t be giving the complete truth if I ignore the “ugly” parts of traveling. Safety is always super important when planning my trips, especially as a solo female traveler. While I’ve been fortunate enough to not have encountered any super dangerous situations abroad, it’s still important to be aware of and prepared for the destination to which you are headed. Traveling to South America can be intimidating, especially to a developing country like Ecuador, which has its good and bad qualities. The risk of danger may be a bit higher in Ecuador compared to places like the U.S., but if you’re prepared and on your guard, your experience in Ecuador will be delightful! Here are safety tips for travel to Ecuador.
Currently, the U.S. has Ecuador classified under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory due to Covid-19 and high crime. Don’t let this scare you though. As with many other developing nations in South America, these ratings are quite common.
- Don’t travel with too many valuables.
Aside from necessities like your cell phone, camera and/or laptop, try not to take too many valuable with you. If you absolutely must, store these all in your carry on. While it’s not super common, there have been instances where airline workers attempt to break into passengers’ suitcases while they are being loaded on and off from the plane. Regardless of my destination, I always get a TSA approved lock for my luggage just to be on the safe side.
2. Pre-arrange your transportation out of the airport.
You will probably be flying into either the airport in Quito or Guayaquil. These are bigger cities, so you don’t want to walk around outside of the airport with all your luggage. This just gives more opportunity for theft. If you are taking a taxi cab, you can arrange this inside of the airport. While buses out of the airport are cheaper, they are not always the safest, for tourists and locals alike.
3. Avoid public transportation.
Like I mentioned before, public transport around much of Ecuador is the cheapest way to get around, but it’s not always safe. Being Ecuadorian myself, I’ve never taken any of the buses in Ecuador, and even my family living there doesn’t recommend it. In bigger cities, buses can get crowded, which opens the door to pickpocketing and theft. Take a taxi whenever possible.
4. Make sure your taxi driver follows the meter.
Some taxi drivers may turn off the meter and over charge you. Make sure the meter is on and running. In a case where the meter is off or not working, discuss the rates before getting in. If you give them your destination, the driver will give you the price before you agree to the ride. Also, do not accept rides from just anyone. Make sure the taxi is legit. Hotels will have a list of trusted cab companies. You can also see license and driver information just behind the driver’s seat to make sure the cab is legit.
5. Dress simple.
Do not wear any valuables that attract attention. Leave all your fancy jewelry/watches at home. If you’re carrying a purse, I suggest a crossbody bag that you can wear around your body, thus making it harder to snatch. If you wear a crossbody/ fanny pack, wear it in front of you instead of behind you. If you carry a tote, make sure to always have it zippered shut.
6. Watch what you eat.
While the water is generally safe in many parts of Ecuador, in less developed areas, the tap water can be dangerous. While I am used to the street food there, not everyone has the stomach for it. Only eat from busier restaurants/ street vendors, if they have a lots of clientele, you know they’re good.
7. Do not handle money on the street.
This is just a general tip that applies ANYWHERE you go. Count your money before going out into the street so you already know how much you have. Leave it in a pocket inside your purse or wallet where it’s quickly accessible to you. If you have to handle money outside, do so inside a restaurant or store bathroom. Also, don’t walk around with too much cash. Be mindful when withdrawing from an ATM as well.
8. Don’t walk around with your phone/camera in your hand.
Another obvious one, but this applies especially to countries in South America. While there have been instances where I’ve walked around with my phone out in public, I do so with caution. I try to get my maps and directions before going out into the street, but sometimes I need to look at my phone quickly. Do so inside a store or restaurant. Cities like Cuenca are safer, but DO NOT walk around with valuables in Guayaquil or Quito. Being two of Ecuador’s largest cities, theft is much more common here (especially Guayaquil).
Same goes for cameras. Of course, as tourists, you’ll want to snap photos to remember your trip by. Be careful with your camera gear. While there are many tourists that visit Ecuador, I find that I never really see people taking photos (other than in the more touristy spots), so having a professional looking camera will make you stand out for sure. If you must take out your camera, take your photos quickly and store it back in your bag.
9. If you are renting a car to travel around Ecuador, do not leave it parked out at night.
Parking in the street is quite common in the U.S., but in Ecuador, you won’t see cars left alone at night. Most people own garages or park their cars at city garages, even during the day. Plus, in the busier cities, parking is difficult to come across anyway. Inquire about weekly/monthly rates depending on your length of stay. (You may sometimes find a uniformed person standing outside restaurants or busy night areas, they are there to help watch out for your vehicle, so please tip when possible).
10. When driving around the mountains, beware of falling rocks and landslides.
As beautiful as the mountains in Ecuador are, there is the risk of pretty bad landslides. I always take the drive from Guayaquil to my family’s hometown of Cuenca, and a large part of that drive is through the mountains. I’ve come across lots of landslides from previous days, so drive with caution. Check in with authorities or the news before driving through the mountains to make sure it’s safe.
11. Don’t walk around at night or in dangerous parts of town.
If you have to walk at night, try to do so in a group and in a busier part of town. A lot of theft happens at night as one of the best opportunities for a thief is someone alone in a deserted area. Check in with locals on neighborhoods to avoid. Sometimes, a dangerous neighborhood and a safe neighborhood are just one block away from each other. For example, while the historic center of Cuenca is generally safe, areas around the popular Rotary market and Plaza San Francisco are hotspots for petty theft.
12. If someone comes tries up to you for anything, back up and walk away.
There was a time in Ecuador where criminals were using the scopolamine drug to take advantage of both tourists and locals. They would blow the drug into a person’s face, and this allowed them to have complete control over the victim. Once the victim inhales the powder, the drug affects a person’s reasoning abilities and they have no control over their actions. Many victims would snap out of it within 24 hours, but find out they had been robbed. This technique has not been heard of in quite some time, but it’s good to know regardless. It helps now during the pandemic by having a mask on, but be extra cautious with anyone coming up to you for things like directions.
13. Be careful in markets.
Markets are some of the busier spots you’ll come across in Ecuador and can get quite crowded, especially on weekends. You’ll come across some people begging for money, so make sure you keep your handbags close to you — crowded markets are another place of opportunity for pickpockets.
14. Always trust your instinct.
If you don’t feel safe walking around a neighborhood, trust your gut. Walk into a store or restaurant and try to call for a taxi from there.
15. Do not fight back or resist.
Sometimes, you do everything right and you can still get mugged. I’ve had family members who’ve been victims of pickpocketing just near their homes in broad daylight. In Ecuador, thieves have been known to ride around in motorcycles, as it makes it easier for them to just snatch and go. If someone tries to rob you, your first reaction is to pull back and resist. Scream as loud as you can. More often than not, this will probably scare them away, as their plan is usually to steal and disappear before getting noticed. However, if a weapon is involved, DO NOT RESIST. Your life is far more valuable than a cell phone or money.
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Again, these 15 tips are not meant to intimidate any traveler thinking about a trip to Ecuador, but it’s important for me to be transparent with you all about the potential risks. South America’s cities don’t have the best reputation in general when it comes to safety, but trust me, Ecuador is one of the most amazing places you will visit in South America. So, keeping these tips in mind, go out there, book your trip to Ecuador, and have a blast exploring! For more on Ecuador, check out the following posts:
