Staying Safe in Ecuador

Latest U.S State Department Advisory

The U.S. Department of State regularly issues travel advisories from countries around the world. Click here for the latest Ecuador specific safety and travel information.

Areas to be Avoided and Best Security Practices

Stay particularly alert for crime on the crowded streets of south Quito, at the Panecillo, the Historic District, and in the areas of El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastian, Avenida Cristobal Colon, and Gonzalez Suarez. Quito’s Mariscal Sucre district, a popular tourist area with restaurants, bars, hotels, hostels, and shopping, is increasingly a site of crimes; reported incidents in recent years range from petty theft and sexual assault to shootings. In Mariscal Sucre, travel in groups when possible, avoid hailing taxis off the street or using unofficial taxis, and exercise caution in the early morning hours. Outside the city, stay alert if hiking to the summit of Pichincha, as violent crime has been known to occur there.

In Guayaquil, visitors should exercise extreme caution in the downtown area and the southern part of the city. Tourist sites such as the Christ statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, the Malecon 2000, and Las Peñas, though well patrolled by police, are still targeted by criminals hoping to prey on unsuspecting tourists.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (U.S. Citizens)

If you are going to visit or live in Ecuador, we recommend that you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. When you enroll, the U.S. State Department can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It can also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You can also enroll by visiting the Quito embassy or the consulates in Guayaquil or Cuenca. For detailed information, see our embassies and consulates in Ecuador section.

Public Transportation

Bus stations are places that criminals are known to target travelers (foreigners or locals alike). You need to watch your bags closely, before departure, during departure, even once on the bus. It is best not to put your luggage in the overhead shelving or under your seat, as you can be easily distracted and have all your key possessions stolen before realizing it.

When placing your bags in storage spaces beneath the bus, make sure you have an identifying sticker placed on your items. This numbered sticker will come with a ticket that allows only the ticket holder to claim the bag. Rest assured – for the most part, the bag-checker is on your side and knows whose bags are whose.

There are two important sorts of scams that you may encounter on buses:

1. One common one scam involves a thief impersonating bus staff (this can be easy because those of many companies have no uniforms) who will direct you to a seat and finding some excuse to ask you to put your bag in the overhead compartment or directly under your own seat where you cannot see it; an accomplice seated directly behind you will then slash open your bag and steal the belongings. Having the bag between your legs is not safe either as children are commonly used to climb down under the seat (from behind you), slash the bag, and remove belongings without you ever feeling a thing. Always keep your bag on your lap.

2. Another scam will often have an accomplice who will provide a distraction such as pretending to sell sweets before spilling them all over you, giving their friend the chance to steal your belongings. This can’t be over-emphasized: never let your belongings out of sight. If something suspicious is happening like this on a bus, just refuse to co-operate and hold your belongings close to you.

Robberies of this kind are common, particularly on buses leaving Quito and Guayaquil. It is worth considering paying $3 or $4 more for a trip on a more high-class bus as these often have additional security measures, which can prevent robberies of tourists and locals alike. On city buses, it is best to not bring a backpack. If you absolutely have to bring one, wear it on your chest, not your back.

Make sure to hold onto your belongings if you must wait at bus stations and terminals at odd hours. People at bus terminals will often shout at you asking where you are going. They either work for a bus company and want to get you to buy a ticket with that company or want to help you find the bus you are looking for in exchange for a tip.

If you arrive with a lot of luggage, it’s best to avoid the public transportation system altogether and simply take a legitimate taxi to your hotel.

Long-distance, nighttime bus robberies occasionally occur, and have been reported in the province of Guayas, in the area surrounding Guayaquil, and on buses between Quito and Riobamba. Take a day bus to avoid this risk.

Taxis

Across the world, taxi drivers are known as notorious con-men. This is no different in Ecuador. Some “taxis” are illegal operators posing as legit taxis. Most often they don’t have meters and they prey upon tourists. Registered taxis in Ecuador are usually yellow, display matching unit numbers on their windshields and doors, feature a taxi cooperative name on the door, and are identified with an orange license plate.

Legal taxis in Quito are yellow with orange license plates and display company names and have their meters activated. Only use legitimate cabs. Make sure to tell your driver “Por favor, prenda el taximetro” (Turn on the taximeter, please). The majority of taxis in Quito use their meters during the day, but at night (after 8pm) they turn them off. At these times ask the hotel to call you a metered taxi to avoid being ripped off.

In Guayaquil and many other cities throughout Ecuador, most taxis don’t use meters. If there is no meter and you must take that particular cab, always agree on a price before the taxi journey begins. Only use taxis that are registered and ask police officers or customs officials for advice about local secure taxi services.

While riding in cars or taxis, keep purses and bags on the floor and out of sight, and keep windows rolled up when stopped.

Taxi drivers have been known to pull weapons on tourists and steal their money, cameras, etc. This is generally a crime of opportunity (especially at night in non-tourist areas).

“Secuestro Express” Taxi Assaults

Robberies and assaults against taxi passengers, known as “secuestro express,” continue to present a significant safety concern, especially in Guayaquil and Manta, but also with increasing regularity in Quito. Shortly after the passenger enters a taxi, the vehicle is typically intercepted by armed accomplices of the driver, who threaten passengers with weapons, rob passengers of their personal belongings, and force victims to withdraw money from ATMs. Increasingly, victims have been beaten or raped during these incidents.

In the Guayaquil area, you should call a taxi by phone or use a service affiliated with major hotels. If you must hail a taxi on the street, seek out those that are officially registered and in good condition. Still, be aware that passengers have been victimized even in taxis that meet these criteria.

If you become a victim of express kidnapping and/or robbery, cooperation with the assailant usually results in the best outcome, as nothing material is as valuable as your life. Following a criminal incident, U.S. citizens are encouraged to immediately file a police report with the local authorities and to inform the American Citizens Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil.

Crime

Crime can be a problem in any country in the world; Ecuador is no exception. Ecuador is a safe and wonderful country for travel. No matter where you travel, it’s wise to get some travel insurance.

Tourists and foreigners are often targets because criminals rely on the fact that most foreigners don’t report crimes committed against them. By using common sense and being aware of your surroundings, you can avoid be a victim.

Sneak theft (pick pocketing, theft from bags or back packs, etc.) is the most common form of crime you will encounter in Ecuador. Always, always, ALWAYS watch your bags (and back pockets) in busy bus terminals, on trolleys and city buses, on crowded city buses and in bustling markets. All of these places are worked by bag-slashers and pick pockets.

If it can be avoided, do not carry valuables on day hikes, especially in areas commonly visited by tourists. Armed attacks have been reported on the hikes near Baños and on the trails near Vilcabamba.

Armed robbery is rare in Ecuador, although parts of Quito (especially the Mariscal Sucre neighborhood), Guayaquil and some coastal areas such as Manta can be dangerous.

Carrying your wallet or passport in a back pocket is advertising. Avoid lifting your shirt and whipping out your money pouch in public as well. Instead carry a wallet with a small amount of spending money in your front pocket and keep the important stuff hidden in your money pouch beneath your clothes.

Avoid using ATMs in dark, deserted areas as well as very busy areas. Criminals sometimes target foreigners at ATMs. Always use ATMs located inside banks or malls with a guard nearby. Security guards staff many ATMs in tourist areas, such as Quito’s Mariscal. Beware of someone standing too close to you — they may be trying to see your PIN code. When in doubt, walk away and use another machine later.

If your debit card is lost or stolen, immediately report the loss to your bankcard company. This can help avoid having your account emptied out by criminals.

Leaving money in the hotel safe deposit boxes is usually reliable, but make sure that it is in a sealed, taped envelope. A few travelers have reported a loss of money from deposit boxes in the cheaper hotels. Theft from hotel rooms happens only on those rare occasions when a crooked employee and a careless tourist (who leaves valuables in the open) cross paths.

Hotel rooms near bus stations will often save you a couple bucks, but can be dangerous and often double as brothels.

If you are driving a car in Ecuador, never park it unattended. Never leave valuables in plain view in the car – even attended cars will have their windows smashed by hit-and-run thieves.

On the off chance you are robbed, you should file a police report as soon as possible. This is a requirement for any insurance claim, although it is unlikely that the police will be able to recover the property.

If you are a U.S. citizen and become a victim of crime while in Ecuador, the U.S. State Department can help in two ways:

• Overseas: Consular officers, agents, and staff work with crime victims and help them with the local police and medical systems.

• In the United States: The office of Overseas Citizens Services will stay in touch with family members in the United States, and help provide U.S.-based resources for the victim when possible.

If you are the victim of a crime overseas:

• Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

• Consular officers are available for emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas can be found here.

• To contact the Department of State in the U.S. call 1-888-407-4747 during business hours, and 202-501-4444 after hours.

• Contact the local police to report the incident and get immediate help. Request a copy of the police report.

Consular Assistance to American Crime Victims:

When an American is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs. Consuls, consular agents, and local employees at overseas posts know local government agencies and resources in the country where they work.

Scams and Con Artists

Travelers in big cities like Quito and Guayaquil are likely to be approached at some point or another by con artists or persons with “sob stories.” Ignore such persons and be wary of anyone asking for money under any pretext, including children begging. If you feel charitable, Ecuador has many legitimate charities you can support.

Wearing “gringo” clothes (fishing vests, travelers pants, bright colored t-shirts, dirty sandals) will make you a target. A nice pair of black pants or dark jeans and a non-descript white/off-white t-shirt will make you look a businessperson who knows his way around.

Be wary of false or crooked police. Plainclothes ‘policemen’ may produce official-looking documents, but always treat these with suspicion, or simply walk away with a smile and a shrug. On the other hand, a uniformed official who asks to see your passport in broad daylight in the middle of a busy street is probably just doing a job.

Drugs

Avoid associating at all with the drug trade in Ecuador. Ecuador has strict laws against possession, transportation and use of illegal drugs and foreigners caught transporting drugs at the airports have been sentenced to long prison terms.

Unfortunately, any foreigner with a “alternative” or “hippie” appearance (such as men with long hair) may be assumed by some Ecuadorians to be looking for drugs. If you are approached about drugs in any context, it safe to assume the person approaching you is up to no good.

Some travelers have reported being unwittingly drugged and robbed after accepting food from a stranger. Use common sense and don’t be afraid to offend if you find the situation is not right.

Police

All Ecuadorian citizens and visitors are required to carry ID at all times. If your stay in Ecuador is for a few months or longer, sooner or later, you will encounter a roadside police check and be requested to show ID. You can show your passport; however, carrying your passport around all the time is not advised due to the risk of loss or theft. A better option is to have a copy of your passport certified by your embassy then carry that only. Students and long-term residents will be issued an Ecuadorian “censo” card that can also be carried in place of a passport for ID purposes.

If you are the victim of a crime it is suggested you report it to the Ecuadorian National Police (by law, you must report within 72 hours of the incident), as well as to your home country embassy and to the South American Explorers Club.

Criminal Penalities

While you are traveling in Ecuador, you are subject to Ecuadorian laws. Criminal penalties will vary from country to country. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is also a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Ecuador, your passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

If you are arrested in Ecuador, under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and customary international law, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Outside of Quito and Guayaquil, awareness of international protocols is uneven. If you are arrested in Ecuador, request that the Ecuadorian authorities do this on your behalf. Please note, however, that the U.S. government has no authority to intervene in Ecuadorian legal matters.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

Trouble Spots

Due to the spread of organized crime, drug and small-arms trafficking, and incursions by terrorist organizations near Ecuador’s border with Colombia, visitors should exercise caution when traveling to northern Ecuador, including the provinces of Sucumbios, northern Orellana, Carchi, and northern Esmeraldas. At least 11 U.S. citizens are known to have been victims of kidnapping in this region in the past 11 years. Tours into the Amazon region are almost invariably safe, but there have been a few isolated incidents of armed robbery in which no one was hurt. Lago Agrio is dodgy once you leave the main drag.

Medical Facilities and Pharmacies

Good medical and dental care is available in the major cities of Ecuador. In smaller communities and in the Galápagos Islands, services are limited, and the quality is generally well below U.S. standards. Ambulances, with or without trained emergency staff, are in short supply in cities, but even more so in rural areas.

Pharmacies are readily available in any city; however, you might find that the availability of some medications is sporadic, and formulations and brand names will differ from products available in the United States.

Pharmacists sometimes dispense medications without requesting a prescription. These individuals may have limited training and often prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics. Consider any advice from them accordingly.

Medical Insurance

Do not assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you travel whether your medical insurance will cover you overseas. Ask your insurance company two questions:

• Does my policy apply when I’m outside the United States?

• Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In Ecuador, doctors and hospitals expect payment in cash at the time of service. If your policy does not offer overseas coverage, you should take out another one for your trip. Even if you have insurance, you may have to pay in advance and seek reimbursement from your insurer. If you are unable to pay for medical care, you may be relegated to Ecuador’s public hospitals, where care is somewhat below U.S. standards. If you are staying in Ecuador long-term, consider taking out a local insurance plan.

Medical evacuations, particularly from the Galapagos Islands, can cost tens of thousands of dollars and are typically not covered by U.S. insurance policies. For this reason, travelers are advised to purchase travel insurance that includes evacuation insurance.

Natural Disasters

Ecuador has many active and potentially active volcanoes, including around the capital of Quito and other popular tourist destinations. Other potential environmental threats include flooding, earthquakes, and tsunamis. In the event of a natural disaster, transportation, water, communications, and power systems may fail due to damaged infrastructure or heavy ash fall. Roads may close and flights in or out of Ecuadorian airports might be cancelled due to adverse conditions.

Three active volcanoes within 100 kilometers of Quito threaten the city primarily with ash fall. Baños, a popular tourist destination, is located at the base of the Tungurahua volcano. Tungurahua has erupted explosively several times in the last decade, including several eruptions throughout 2010 and 2011 that produced significant ash fall. Travelers to Baños, especially on the western side of town, should be aware that mud or lava flows could pose a significant and immediate threat. If you are in Baños when a volcanic eruption occurs, stay alert to the sirens and instructions from local authorities, and follow the arrows on the street to reach the evacuation shelters in the Santa Ana neighborhood on the main road on the east side of town, towards Puyo.

Earthquakes sometimes trigger deadly tsunamis, which could strike coastal areas of Ecuador or the Galápagos Islands. Ecuadorian national authorities put out warnings of potential tsunamis, but the response on the local level is uneven, and on one recent occasion in the Galapagos Islands, there was no coordinated evacuation when a tsunami struck.

Safety in the Galapagos Islands

The Galápagos archipelago is located more than 600 miles to the west of continental Ecuador. Geographic isolation and the lack of local resources may present challenges to travelers there. Dangers posed by lax enforcement of marine safety laws and rudimentary medical facilities are exacerbated by the difficulty of performing evacuations from the islands.

A significant number of Ecuadorian tour vessels operating in the Galápagos do not meet international safety standards. The Government of Ecuador requires that vessels carrying more than 16 passengers comply with the International Safety Management Code established by the International Maritime Organization. However, the quality of oversight, crewmember proficiency, and other requisites for safe vessel operation may vary substantially.

Travelers should inquire about safety features when boarding vessels. Be sure to look for lifeboats, flotation devices and, if possible, take a moment to inspect the life vest you would be using if there were an accident.

Some cruise ships have on-board physicians available, who charge a fee for their services. Scuba divers in the Galápagos Islands should be aware of limited facilities for decompression.

Medical resources in the Galápagos Islands are severely limited. Acute surgical, cardiac, and other types of specialty medicine are not available. There are two hospitals, located on the Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands. These facilities have limited personnel and resources, and often do not have basic medical supplies.

Serious injury or illness in the Galápagos typically requires costly medical evacuation to the Ecuadorian mainland or the United States for treatment. Evacuations by air ambulance can run upwards of $50,000 and take significant time to arrange. For that reason, the purchase of traveler’s health insurance that includes air evacuation is strongly recommended.

Practical Tips for Staying Safe in Ecuador

Plan Ahead:

• Notify your embassy in Ecuador and sign-up for e-mail updates if available (you will get news of any risks while you are here).

• Try to have a contact (ideally in Ecuador, but at home is okay too) that you arrange to contact on a regular basis. This person will know to contact authorities if they don’t hear from you.

• Avoid traveling by bus or car near the borders with Peru and Colombia – they are high-risk areas, especially after dark. Huaquillas crossing to the Peruvian town of Aguas Verdes is not exactly the most secure border crossing and it is not recommended. It is strongly advised to do the crossing at Macara, which has less people and merchandise, and is on a nice highway. This is a more secure border crossing that avoids crowds. The best crossing from Colombia is to go for the pass at Ipiales. The crossing is actually at Rumicacha, two hours from Ipiales.

• Ask the concierge/owner at your hotel or hostel about the city or town where you are staying – safe & unsafe areas, where you can safely go after dark, etc.

Communicate Confidence:

• Plan out where you are going before you go out for the day. Taking your map out on the street makes you a beacon for theft. If you get lost, stop in a restaurant or store to get directions or read your map.

• Walk with purpose (even if you don’t have one) and respond politely to greetings. Always take care with well-dressed people in the street who want to interview you but who do not have the normal local accent. They work in groups and have different scams such as giving you money or asking for your documents. They are focused in your wallet, credit or debit cards, cash, digital camera or laptop.

• Prepare for your trip by brushing up on Spanish – you will be more capable to handle yourself in various situations.

• Learn how to be more “street smart” with these tips at How To Be Street Smart.

• You will need cash (not cards) to pay for almost everything you do or buy in Ecuador. Plan out how much cash you will need when you go out each day and bring only what you need. If you need to withdraw money from ATMs do it in malls and banks and do not do it alone. Always check for people behind you. There is a typical tactic called “tarjetaso.” The robbers set up cameras at the ATM machine and check your code. Then they will distract you by talking or doing a demonstration. While you are distracted they will take your card and replace it for another one. They get your PIN from the camera, insert the card and extract money from your account. Always get money in the morning and carry just the necessary for the day ahead.

• When you go out, don’t take anything that you are not willing to lose. Consider switching to a cheap watch for your trip, and bringing a small camera instead of a big SLR when you are touring around major cities. Always carry camera equipment on your front and in an older bag rather than in fancy new baggage, so as to not attract attention.

• Understand that the average salary in Ecuador is $200 to $500/month, so your new iPhone could double a family’s income. Avoid problems by not bringing valuables (including expensive jewelry and electronics) with you, or keep them tucked out of sight while in public.

• Always carry a copy of your passport with you.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings:

Avoid walking alone after dark.

If you are a woman traveler, know that machismo is a reality here. Be aware that Ecuadorian men may assume that you’re promiscuous just because you are a foreigner. Be clear about your intentions when chatting with men, and know that wearing short-shorts or revealing clothes will invite whistles, stares, comments and attention that you may not want.

Incidents of sexual assault and rape have increased, including in well-traveled tourist areas. Criminals generally target women who are alone, and use alcohol or incapacitating drugs on unsuspecting tourists to rob and/or sexually assault them. These so-called date-rape drugs disorient the victim and can cause prolonged unconsciousness and serious medical problems. To lower your risk, travel in groups, don’t leave food or drinks unattended in public places, and never allow a stranger to give you a drink.

In an Emergency:

• If someone asks for your money, or anything else – give it to him or her. Resistance can lead to violence, and nothing you own is worth your life (or anyone else’s). These people work in teams of two, searching for small amounts of money. Most of them are drug addicts and they usually carry knives. Keep yourself alive by giving them your money or anything else they ask for.

• If you are the victim of any crime, contact your embassy immediately.

• You will need to report crimes to the police (although the likelihood of getting stolen goods back is very low). Emergency phone numbers in Ecuador vary by region. In Quito and Ibarra, dial 911 for all emergencies. In Guayaquil, Cuenca and Loja, the number is 112. Elsewhere, dial 101 for police, 102 for firefighters or ambulance, or 131 for the local Red Cross. Operators typically speak Spanish only. Keep in mind that response can take at least 15 to 30 minutes, especially outside of major cities.

References

Staying Safe in Ecuador. (2015). Retrieved from http://yourescapetoecuador.com/travel/staying-safe-in-ecuador/

#crime #Ecuador