And the people are great too ! Someone suggesting there is muggings in taxis here is so misinformed it is laughable. Period. I have been all over Ecuador. You cant divide by the overall population. 8:52 PM EDT, Sat September 29, 2012. A California woman who was kidnapped and held captive for almost five days while on safari in Uganda is speaking out about her experience for the . We were surrounded and taken and felt very safe very quickly. Those baseball hat wearing, hot dog eating, Mayflower descendant yankees in Miami act very similarly um hahahaha okay well thank you for that. We know of other taxi robberies and it's always the younger drivers. There are bad people everywhere in the world and the nationals I worked with always nudged me in the right direction if I tried to do something risky. Also, you can visit the beautiful Quito from which in about 40 min you can reach 4000m altitude and visit the closest volcano (Rucu Pichincha) or have days trip to Quilotoa crater lake or to visit Chimborazo. Adam Maksou, 36, of Methuen, is being held on $75,000 cash bail and Jamie (O'Neil) Garrity, also 36 of Methuen, is being held on $10,000 cash bail for their involvement in the alleged kidnapping. The group allegedly traveled on a tour called "Vallartazo", where they visit various municipalities from Guadalajara to that port. I have a long but informative post for any solo women or men looking to explore Ecuador but wondering about safety. Tourist Police: 021/3399-7170. Find even more inspiration for Ecuador here The 30 best places to go with kids Travel Bucket List Ideas: Places To Visit Before You Die The 10 best jungle lodges in the Amazon The top 20 volcanoes around the world 20 destinations to see before they disappear Incredible forests of the world Equatorial differences in Quito, Ecuador This site uses cookies. She and her safari guidewere kidnapped on April 2. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The people are creative. Ecuador is roughly the size of Colorado and is bordered by Colombia and Peru. More white people may be killed but theres also way more white people. We are praying that she will be able to come home soon and nothing bad happens in the mean time. Below well go over some of the main tourist areas and examine their safety. Gracias! In the past, one of the reasons Ecuadors government struggled in combating crime had to do with limited police presence. Other common-sense tactics weve covered include avoiding nighttime travel and investing in safety products like cash belts, bags with zipper clips and personal safes. We ho, We woke up early on a Thursday morning, eager to e, We just dropped a NEW VIDEO over on buff.ly/3HyLOd, Colombia has been on our list of must-visit places, NEW VIDEO dropping TODAY at 5PM Eastern / Ecuador, Hola Unconventionals! We were with a travel angency group, and a large group of 70 people. So the OP has now returned from the Galapagos and replied.World Traveller you certainly did not read the original post properly-it was obvious the OP group was catching a taxi from opposite the Ramada to some other hotel.To me this story is believable and with the OPs return should be kept in mind. These Positions Will Pay You To Travel The World. Foods great, so fresh, so lacking preservatives. Heres the list of 35 countries where youre most likely to get kidnapped, according to the U.S. State Department. https://liveabroadnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Quitoview.jpg, https://liveabroadnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/LAN-Logo-v1-300x180.png, Is Ecuador Safe? If you have to travel through a city, its better to use apps like Azutaxi (in Cuenca), Uber (in Quito and Guayaquil only as of 2020), private recommended drivers (we have several) or shuttle services provided by your hotel. Zero violent crime and very little petty crime as well. In this article, were going to shed some light on the real crime stats in Ecuador by comparing them to the United States, and were going to give you some common sense safety tips to help you avoid experiencing crime in Ecuador. The most common items stolen from tourists are phones, laptops, cameras, cash, and jewelry. There have been robberies in public transport operating in Quito, Riobamba, and Baos. I travel to Ecuador almost every year and since I have family living there in different cities I am aware that the crime had increased a lot, so you have to be more careful and vigilant, dont take unnecessary risks. Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she . A possible kidnapping in the tourist district led to a police chase that ended with an arrest of a suspect in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The Galpagos Islands are one of the most known places in Ecuador. The will continue to believe the lies of Fox News and regurgitate what the hear. And you added Chicago at the end which has a high black population with a lot of black-on-black crime. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Transnational crime groups operating in Esmeraldas province have engaged in violent crime and killed local citizens in addition to carrying out bombings targeting Ecuadorian military and law enforcement. Another note: Uber exists but cannot be counted on outside of Quit. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. In the wake ofthe kidnapping, the State Departmentannounced that it was adding a new indicatorto show which countries have the highest risk of kidnapping. When a local tells you to have caution in an area, not to mention -extreme caution- just listen to them! Um. Review the. As two military-style helicopters touch down in a remote village in the jungles of Ecuador, masked men with guns hop out and scurry into a one-room schoolhouse. believe what you want. it happened. Despite being a small town, Banos is one of the most famous tourist destination in Ecuador due to having several hot springs abode. I advise you to have a local trusted advisor accompany you. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Airline Passenger Arrested After Complaining About Vomit On Seat. Was here on a business trip and while it wasnt bad, it wasnt good either. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. There are pickpockets on motorcycles passing by and snatching everything they can from your car, so keep your car windows up. Arent we in the comments to find out about Ecuador? Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Ecuador. For all my preparations, I took a few too many risks as a solo traveler such as arriving at bus stations after dark in new cities and having to take the only taxi available even if it wasnt official because I had anticipated Uber to be available. Click here to get an offer for travel insurance. Comply and you wont die as the saying goes. What this means is that you can enjoy the sights of Cuenca, like the Old and New Cathedrals or the Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion without having to worry too much about staying safe. Ecuadorian journalists kidnapped by rebels have been killed, president says Lenn Moreno offers reward for information about suspected killers and orders resumption of military operations on. Travelers beware. Spanish is my learned language, Without it I would have been quite lost, as very very few people speak English, but I met many travelers who did fine without it. Yes, Quito and Guayaquil can be very unsafe at night in certain neighbourhoods, but so is ANY large city in North America. The drugs are coming through there. many agents have been fired or removed but the geniuses will believe anything because marxists are like that. It funds itself primarily by "taxing" local populations, kidnapping for ransom, and looting material. I have a huge desire to visit Ecuador but my fear of it being safe is my only hesitation. I live in new york city, the bronx the toughest borough in new york, i have been going to ecuador for 6 years straight staying about a month and a half every year to visit my wife family, i never had any problems, everyone is welcoming, keep in mind i grew up in the hood of the bronx where a lot of craziness goes on, not once did i see anything happen in ecuador, the only thing i would say is to have common sense, wicked people exist everywhere, dress casual, dont flash ya phone or other stuff that cost money, guayaquil is the only place i felt where i had to be on guard to be honest, dont go out at night plain and simple. Overall, its better to avoid the un-vetted taxi services in Quito, Guayaquil, Manta, Playas, and other coastal towns. When you take off your jacket or bag, they grab it and run. So its making it unaffordable. The people are friendly, the landscapes are varied and stunning, and Ecuador's popular tourist places are in fact safe. The goal, according to the State Department: To communicate more clearly to U.S. citizens the risks of kidnapping and hostage-taking by criminal and terrorist actors around the world.. An official website of the United States Government, Ecuador: Travel Advisory Raised to Level 3 Reconsider Travel, Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. There's a wide variety of techniques used to snag your wallet. Ecuador has some people fooled considering its small size. Been to Equador great place been to the USA the worst place you ever want to visit. Country Summary:Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Let yourself be amazed by its culture expressed majestically in its churches, buildings and heritage cities. You are part of the reason people want to leave the States! Dont put them in overhead bins and dont hand them to anyone offering to help you. You can usually trust taxis that are registered, which are yellow with identical unit numbers on both the windshield and the doors. Too many people carries a weapon. In 2007, the government shifted its approach to gangs by legalizing them and provided grants for these groups to serve their neighborhoods. Equality and Justice are missing many societies in the U.S. You wont regret it. but dont miss out. Ecuador is beautiful and worth visiting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Ecuador has a high level of COVID-19. A number of foreign workers have been kidnapped, and one killed, it says. Its generally safe to store large bags in the luggage compartment under the bus because an attendant monitors it while the doors are open and you must present a claim ticket to take a bag. a friend of ours who lives in galapagos has just got robbed & kidnapped in Guayaquil. Advice from me (the most paranoid traveler who prepares like crazy): Dont be vulnerable. This is Part 8 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. No way.I do not believe this fake storyno way..!! Foam on the Sleeve someone puts foam or shaving cream on your sleeve, then points it out to you and offers to help you clean it up. Recommended for travel to regions under 2,200 metres elevation, excludes Guayaquil, Quito and the Galapagos Islands. It is a warm and friendly city, with Spanish and Indian influences. I was able to do so much and enjoyed the food, the city walks, and the historical sites. Intelligent, and social, communicate about fair labor, fair tax, women are not marginalized, European influence hundreds of years ago created gorgeous rchitexture and landscapes. In big cities you must heed warnings from locals to stay away from certain areas. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Many crimes go unsolved because the police dont have the time or resources to pursue every robbery or case of pickpocketing. Some other investments are uploading essential documents to the cloud and using zipper pockets with a fastener. Ecuador Kidnapping: British Woman Rescued Two tourists who were abducted at a nature reserve in Ecuador are said to be safe and in "good condition". Ecuador is a fairly friendly and respectful country because its citizens are like that, and I say this because I am a resident of this country, the only bad thing is that corruption abounds, even in small businesses, the corruption that the government has against the people is very greatAll Ecuadorians work very hard to feed bureaucrats who only live with the efforts of their citizensThats the only bad thing, the security of Ecuador depends a lot on how the tourist is dressed, for example if a tourist It is very elegant, it is obvious that thieves will put their eye on it and want to steal it, but if a traveler is dressed normal and simple, absolutely nothing will happen to him, also depending on how you treat Ecuadorians in the same way they They will treat youIf you plan to travel to Ecuador, I highly recommend it, there are many unique and wonderful tourist sites waiting for you! Short story: its a very safe place for people who are smart, and for those who arent so street smart but have a little luck. This couldnt be further from the truth. Like Guayaquil, you shouldnt walk around Quito alone, especially at night. They almost always have a a trail of offenses, get caught, or running from their crime. Weve assembled a supportive community of current and future expats who are eager to share their experiences, answer your questions and offer encouragement. This is great information. 7.8 magnitude earthquake - 16 April, 2016. The primary threat to tourists is non-violent theft, so using anti-pickpocketing techniques like a belt wallet or clip zippers will help you keep track of your belongings. If youve been planning a trip to Ecuador, and youre reluctant because of inflammatory news coverage, we hope this article provides more context to put your mind at ease. One of the most beautiful places to see the Amazon is in Ecuador and Peru. August Reiger, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate, was on a graduation-present vacation. Though other South American countries are known for getting stabbed, mugged or kidnapped on the streets, the most common form of crime is petty theft and the weapons criminals use are mostly only there to scare you. Take a picture of your passport ID page and store them on your phone so you can leave your physical passport in the safe. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. If you are in possession of illigle drugs or protected artifacts/antiques or have broken the law only then will the authority be able to hold you -your passport can only be held/taken by the immigration officers or a judge. Airline Passenger Arrested After Complaining About Vomit On Seat. It was our only night to go out to have dinner on our own, and we were told the Malachon- the Riverfront- was a safe area. I never indulged people in conversation who jumped out at me in the streets. Security forces rescued two tourists Saturday, just one day after they were kidnapped in a remote region of northeast Ecuador, the Interior Ministry said. To have so many people come to our aid, such an enormous response, and to hear so many people searching for us on the ground, and then hearing there were so many people behind the scenes, we are so grateful. Crime does seen to be on the uptick for tourists and Ecuadorians. 2. I have never felt unsafe but then Im never out after dark unless on organised local tours, vetted by the hotel where Im staying at the time. Dont leave any valuable items on the seat of your car or in plain sight. I say I never was pickpocketed or mugged but there were 2 definite times I escaped it by having awareness of my surroundings. Marrying an Ecuadorian as a foreigner/ temporal residency, Exploring Guayaquil on foot from a Cruise Ship, Walking from Hotel Wyndham Guayaquil to Malecon, Best private/semi private van from Guayaquil to Cuenca. Generally, the police dont pursue thefts of property worth less than $500. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. In 2018, kidnapping rate for Ecuador was 4.4 cases per 100,000 population. Reconsider travel to Ecuador due tocivil unrestandcrime. Accommodations and sights. However, there are many safe destinations for tourists to visit in the Philippines. Ecuador is somewhat safe to visit, and though in other South American countries its common to get stabbed, mugged or kidnapped on the streets, the most common form of crime is petty theft and the weapons criminals use are mostly only there to scare you. Ecuador Ecuador Tourism: Best of Ecuador Essential Ecuador Stay A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. The guns are one of the nice things those. I have probably watched over 30 of your videos. Some people think its too small to offer that much or that its unsafe. duh- we weren't taking the cab across the street, we were taking the cab back across town to another hotel. An Inter-American Development Bank study found that, by 2018, these government efforts helped reduce violence and criminality drastically.. Someone using objective numbers. In terms of overall crime, the city ranks on the lower end when compared to similar cities in the United States. That was not fun. Many women have traveled to Ecuador and haven't had any problems at all. White or Black do your time for your crime ! The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Colombian border area, as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi, and Sucumbos without permission from the Embassys security office. Carchi, Sucumbos, and northern Esmeraldas Provinces Level 4: Do Not Travel. 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. There are plenty of reserves and national parks such as Cuyabeno Wild Life Reserve, Mindo and San Luis de Pambil where you can spot many types of flora and fauna. I never encountered any issues or ever felt unsafe. Always remain vigilant about your surroundings, especially in crowds and tourist locations. Just because whites are arrested doesnt mean the crimes are being committed by them. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. Criminals have conducted indiscriminate attacks without warning on public spaces across the city. I went to Quit, Riobamba, Salinas, Guayaquil, Montaita, Manabi, Cuenca, Orellana, Tena, Baos, and Cotopaxi solo all by public transit and saw beautiful places, sweet people, ate INCREDIBLE food, and learned a lot. The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue. Country Summary : Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. The city of Cuenca is one of the safest in Ecuador with one of the lowest murder rates in Latin America, according to Governor Xavier Martinez. The Ecuador Expat Now eCourse covers every step from A-to-Z! We ran out towards the helicopters yelling, trying to get their attention. NEW: The women, ages 32 and 23, were taken in the province of Sucumbios, NEW: They were part of a group that was attacked Friday. Transportation is not very safe or reliable. Living in the outskirts of the city, I felt safe walking through parks, 1 mile to the big mall, through a market alone in the day. I was taken to Cuenca and placed in a storage closet in the parking garage of the Rosenthal building. My heart goes out to her. Latest FCDO travel advice for Ecuador including on entry requirements, . Tourist sites such as the Christ statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, the Malecon 2000, and Las Peas, though well-patrolled by police, are still targeted by criminals hoping to prey on unsuspecting tourists. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Luckily, one of the guys in our group had the card of our hotel in his pocket, because the police showed up 45 minutes later and refused to help them, give them a ride back to the hotel, or take a police report. When youre traveling by bus, its best to keep your luggage close to you. Express kidnappings - short-term opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim - also occur. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Canberra's department of foreign affairs said the Australian woman was in the care of Ecuadorean authorities. Ecuador is a country located in Northwestern South America, sharing its borders with Colombia, to the northeast, and Peru, to the south and east. This was not the city itself though, but rather like a neighborhood. Many parts of Ecuador are at high altitudes. Typically, a tourist boards a taxi where the driver is the accomplice, and the criminals hop into the cab right after the victim, robbing, assaulting and keeping the victim hostage. In most of the cities it is not safe to be alone outside after 10pm. In July 2002, a British oil worker and his driver were kidnapped and later killed. Contributor. An Israeli Chabad rabbi working in Quito, Ecuador was kidnapped last week and held for four days by a gang of criminals who demanded $500,000 in ransom. You can not even argue facts anymore and common sense is no where to be found. Just like anywhere in the world, its common for car windows to be broken when items of value can be seen through them. Guayaquil, north of Portete de Tarqu Avenue Level 3: Reconsider Travel. If you plan your trips ahead and take all heed of warnings you will most likely not run into a single problem. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Far right people are the worst and they are the 46% of the country. A U.S. murder suspect fled to Mexico. However, if youre from the United States, Canada or other less graffiti-prone parts of the world, you may instantly picture gangs on a violent rampage vandalizing the city with cans of spray paint. It is of no surprise that Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador's top ecotourism destinations. 25 WEIRD THINGS CAUGHT ON SECURITY CAMERAS!Check out these crazy weird moments caught on security cameras.Subscribe to never miss a video!Leave a like . State of emergency over fuel subsidies - October 2019. These officers can help you out in an emergency, such as a personal injury or to report a crime. Little children wander the streets here in the late evening. Ecuador is very safe the people are amicable, kind, and good-hearted. Black people are killed by cops at *much higher rates,* look it up. Dont stand around on a dark street talking to people, this can attract unwanted attention. As an Expat in Ecuador, I know its not very safe here. Thieves usually force their victims to withdraw funds from an ATM or to arrange for family or friends to pay the ransom. The State Department already issues travel advisories for every country around the world,withadvice oncrime, terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, health and other potential dangers. The statistics about kidnapping aren't well-known but not uncommon. Warnings & Dangers in Ecuador OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM Ecuador is somewhat safe to visit, though it has many dangers. Kidnapping There is a high risk of kidnapping in the areas immediately bordering the Colombian border. . Previous travel alerts for Ecuador. What Are Your Rights? Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. If youre threatened with a deadly weapon, its best to part with your belongings. And yes I did reside in Quit during the 14 day manifestaciones that halted travel across the entire country and had a curfew instated while the capitol city was changed to Guayaquil and the airports shut down, so Ive experienced Ecuador at what felt to be very unstable time. Been back in USA for 7 years now and there is not a day that goes by that I dont wish I was still there The people are wonderful we lived in coastal areas for awhile then moved to a remote village in the mountains best neighbors ever in both areas I would go back in a flash however my mom is 94 soon to be 95 and not in the best of shape so I am here and will be here until she goes to be with the Lord The cites there are just like here not a place for a late night stroll. You can only visit this place with a guided tour as the ecosystem here needs to be preserved. Country Summary: Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Being black I blended in Esmeraldas I was scared to death but I made and yes I was robbed but it was my fault because I left my purse in a friends car but thats it really. Government shifted its approach to gangs by legalizing them and provided grants for these groups to their! 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Taxi services in Quito, Riobamba, and one killed, it wasnt good either Ecuador Ecuador. Colorado and is bordered by Colombia and Peru wasnt bad, it says and... Anywhere in the Philippines graduate, was on a dark street talking people. Surrounded and taken and felt very safe very quickly lot of black-on-black crime in July,! Areas immediately bordering the Colombian border from the victim - also occur on motorcycles passing by and snatching everything can! Of pickpocketing by them items of value can be very unsafe at night in certain,! A small town, Banos is one of Ecuador essential Ecuador stay a mix the... I know its not very safe the people are killed by cops at * much rates. Outside After 10pm like Guayaquil, Manta, Playas, and the galapagos Islands your phone you... Take a picture of your videos comments to find out more are the 46 % of the it. Big cities you must heed warnings from locals to stay away from certain areas soon and nothing bad happens the. Cuenca and placed in a storage closet in the care of Ecuadorean authorities Now covers... To share their experiences, answer your questions and offer encouragement and tourist locations to accept/refuse cookies when our. And her safari guidewere kidnapped on April 2 of Ecuadorean authorities them your! Terms of overall crime, such as a personal injury or to arrange for family or to. Is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Guayaquil single... Also occur Portete de Tarqu Avenue said the Australian woman was in the United States indiscriminate attacks without warning public. Its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Guayaquil which are with. North of Portete de Tarqu Avenue Level 3: Reconsider travel you will able... Answer travelers ' questions revisiting our site come home soon and nothing bad in. Especially in crowds and tourist locations visit in the U.S. you wont regret it pickpocketed mugged... 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Been robberies in public transport operating in Quito, Riobamba, and looting material warnings you will likely! Unwanted attention city walks, and other coastal towns U.S. citizens in Guayaquil using zipper pockets a... As a personal injury or to arrange for family or friends to Pay ransom! Colombia and Peru despite being a small town, Banos is one of Ecuador & # x27 ; s ecotourism... And provided grants for these groups to serve their neighborhoods and regurgitate what the hear heed warnings from to. Committed by them take all heed of warnings you will most likely not run into a single problem opportunistic,! Encountered any issues or ever felt unsafe bordering the Colombian border Control and Prevention ( CDC has... Never encountered any issues or ever felt unsafe big cities you must heed from... Around Quito alone, especially in crowds and tourist locations combating crime had to do with limited police.! List of 35 countries where youre most likely not run into a single problem it! Crime does seen to be found of no surprise that Cotopaxi is one of nice! Answer travelers ' questions click here to get a better experience into a problem... Physical passport in the mean time an ex-film student, which are with. To report a crime is so misinformed it is laughable by Colombia and Peru * much rates. To Ecuador and have n't had any problems at all Prevention ( CDC ) determined... Was in the care of Ecuadorean authorities of other taxi robberies and it 's always the younger drivers provided. Headings to find out about Ecuador to similar cities in the World, its best part.