You want to visit Ecuador and wonder, “Is Ecuador safe for tourists?”? With what we can see in the media, I understand your concern. But the short answer to this question is YES!
I’ve been living here for a year now and before that, I have traveled all around the country for 6 months. If you are smart and aware of your decisions, you won’t have any problems.
Here are my tips for you to stay safe:
- Research the places you are going to visit
- Never leave your belongings unattended
- Don’t walk around at night
- Trust your guts
Research the places you are going to visit
Honestly, this should apply to any country you are planning to visit. As foreigners in a new place, it only makes sense to get to know the area before visiting. But if you are planning a trip to Ecuador these are the main areas that you should know about. (I am currently writing a whole article about it just for you).
Esmeraldas: This region is considered the most dangerous in Ecuador and the only thing that I can say is that I have never been and will probably never go. It is a shame because I’ve seen gorgeous photos, but hey, my safety (and yours!) comes first.
Guayaquil: Guayaquil is considered as dangerous and unsafe. I’ve been there more than once and if you are with a local (a Guayaco) you will be fine, but I wouldn’t risk it by myself. Also, there isn’t much to see there for a tourist.
Quito: The historical center of Quito is beautiful and definitely worth a visit, but be aware that it is not the safest area of Ecuador either. Nevertheless, I’ve been there various times and never had any problems.
Cuenca: I am totally biased about Cuenca as I live there. But to me, it is the most beautiful city in the entire country and one of the safest. As a French blond girl, I walk around by myself with my phone in hand without any concern. And believe me, I wasn’t sure I would be able to do that in Ecuador. (If you are planning on visiting Cuenca, check this article out!)
Generally speaking, the coast is more dangerous than the Andean part, but don’t be shy and ask your host or hotel receptionist for more details about the safety in the area you are staying.
Never leave your belongings unattended
“Duh, that makes sense” you might say.
But a little reminder never hurts. Let me tell you a story!
Two friends of mine were traveling from the coast to Guayaquil by bus. (The bus is generally super safe here, I’ve been traveling all around Ecuador by bus and never had a bad experience.) They were sitting on the bus with their bag on the floor at their feet. Once they got off the bus in Guayaquil, they realized that the men behind them had cut open their bags and stolen their computers.
I KNOW, CRAZY RIGHT?
I am not saying it is going to happen to you, but when I say watch your belongings I mean, watch them close!
Don’t walk around at night
Taxis in Ecuador are really cheap. So if you want to go out at night (for a drink or a Latin dance session in a club), just get a taxi. The best is to ask your hotel for the number of a known taxi company, or use an app. I always get taxis at night to go back home and never have a problem.
Trust your guts
Well, I believe this one applies to everything in life. Never stay in a situation where you don’t feel comfortable.
You see someone, looking sketchy, cross the street. If you are lost and don’t know where to go, go to the nearest coffee shop and ask for help. Avoid narrow and empty streets and walk on the bigger and busier ones. I find Ecuadorian people mostly sympathetic and happy to help, especially with foreigners, so if you have any issues, find a safe place and ask them for help.
When I moved here, most of my relatives in France told me that I was crazy to move to such an unsafe country. The issue is that, as a small and overlooked country, the only thing people know about it is what they see in the media.
Ecuadorians are welcoming, always happy to help, and love to share their culture and customs with foreigners. So as long as you stay aware of your surroundings and smart about your decisions, you will be TOTALLY SAFE.
Don’t miss out on this beautiful country just because of what you have been told, you will have a blast here.