Safety of traveling in Ecuador

Is traveling through Ecuador safe? Well, that answer really depends on who you ask and what you consider safe. If you look online for the security situation in Ecuador, you will probably come across more negative than positive stories. Unfortunately, negative stories attract more attention and followers. In addition, the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs often contains outdated and incomplete information about safety in Ecuador. By that I don’t mean that you should ignore the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but that not all information is reliable

Own experiences traveling Ecuador and Galapagos

I myself have been traveling through Ecuador regularly since 2004, I have guided volunteers and I have been organizing trips through Ecuador and Galapagos since 2011. I too know the stories about robberies, theft and being drugged in Ecuador. I know that it unfortunately happens, but in relation to the amount of travelers who visit Ecuador, the insecurity is not too bad. In all my years of traveling through Ecuador, I’ve been robbed once on a hike. They also once stole something from the front pocket of my backpack during a bus ride through Ecuador. The backpack was next to me and I had my arm through it, but I was sleeping…

Bus travel through Ecuador

The long-distance buses in Ecuador have become safer in recent years. All luggage that goes in the bottom of the bus is therefore safe against theft. It is important that you do not store any fragile items in the bottom of the bus, because people are often not very careful with your luggage. Unfortunately, you still have to keep a close eye on your belongings in the bus itself. Buses in Ecuador make frequent stops to pick people on and off at the side of the road. Vendors also regularly come into the bus trying to sell food. Because anyone can just get in and out, it is easy for experienced thieves to steal items from luggage racks and empty seats. So in Ecuadorian buses you should never store valuables above your head! If the space under your seat is open at the back, it is better not to store items under your seat. It is safest to keep your valuables on your body and your hand luggage between your legs, with one of the straps wrapped around your leg. The city buses in Ecuador are regularly overcrowded and offer an ideal place for handy pickpockets. So only travel on city buses if you are not carrying anything of value.

Roadblocks in Ecuador

You’ve probably seen it on TV, farmers’ protests in Ecuador. When the indigenous farming community is cornered by the Ecuadorian government, they take to the streets en masse and no one can stop them. The protests can last for days, sometimes even weeks, and are not always friendly. As a traveler in Ecuador, it is certainly not a safe place to go near these protests and that is my most important advice. If you cannot continue your travels through Ecuador due to roadblocks, do not try to pass the blockades on foot. The farmers have nothing against you, but tempers are often high and if things get out of hand, they won’t take you into account either. No, it is best to look for an alternative, safe route with your driver and/or local travel agent. If all routes are really blocked, then you will have to wait and see. It is also possible to arrange transport by helicopter, as a colleague of mine did during the last major protests. This was for an American family who had booked a trip to Ecuador and Galapagos with her and didn’t want to miss out on their Galapagos cruise. The mother of the family was quite burned on her back and shoulders during this Galapagos cruise. Apparently she didn’t put on enough sunscreen before snorkeling and she didn’t want to wear T-shorts while snorkeling. Safety tip for Galapagos tours: Always wear a T-shirt while snorkeling!

General tips for safe travel through Ecuador

Don’t dress and behave too flashy when traveling through Ecuador. In addition, a golden rule when walking on the street is that safety depends on the people around you. If there is a healthy mix of people of different backgrounds and ages, it is often safe. If no one is walking, there is often a reason for this, so it is better not to walk there either. However, if it is very busy, you have to be extra careful for pickpockets. Always go back to your hotel after using the ATM. Use taxis called by the hotel or restaurant. If you are roaming around the city and still want to take a taxi, make sure you pick a random taxi from the traffic, for example at a traffic light that is red. The vast majority of taxis in Ecuador are safe, but if a driver is in a bad mood, this taxi will be in a place where they know that many tourists come who need a taxi. Also make sure you have change before you get into a taxi. Carry two wallets with you, one with your important cards and cash and one with an old bank card and about US$30. In the event of a robbery, you can then hand over this second wallet.

Altitude sickness in Ecuador

Most travelers start their journey through Ecuador at Quito airport. Quito is located at 2850 m above sea level and that is certainly quite a large height difference for us Dutch people to bridge in one go. The higher you go, the less oxygen there is in the air and you will soon notice this upon arrival in Quito. You are out of breath faster, have less energy and a slight headache at the end of the day is also not uncommon. Partly for this reason, we often advise our customers to travel to Ecuador and Galapagos immediately after arrival to Otavalo, which is slightly lower (2530 m). If you really suffer from the height, this can pose a danger to your health and it is best to travel immediately to lower-lying areas, such as the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Rainforest, or Baños (1800 m).
More tips about altitude sickness in Ecuador can be found at: Altitude Sickness.