Is Ecuador safe?

As someone who was born and raised in Ecuador, I’ve never really asked myself if it’s a safe country to live or visit. That was until I heard a lot of people think it’s a scary place to visit because of crime. I remember the first time I heard someone ask me if I was scared, living in Ecuador, I found the idea laughable. I’ve never felt anywhere as safe as I feel in my country, although, to be fair, I know what I’m doing and where I’m going. It’s understandable that some people out there are scared, but I’m here to clear out your doubts and bring you some peace of mind.

Ecuador is very safe. As any other country in the world, you should always be aware of your surroundings and be careful. Here are some tips to stay safe while travelling Ecuador:

• As anywhere else in the world, there are neighborhoods that should be avoided at all times.
• Never leave your stuff unattended in public. The chances of you getting robbed in your hotel or airbnb are almost none, but if you leave something out in public unattended, it will probably be gone by the time you come back.
• When travelling by bus, do not put your things in the overhead railings. Always keep your valuables on your person. Storing your big luggage in the compartments under the bus is usually pretty safe, as long as you give your luggage to the proper attendant and watch it actually get stored, and don’t forget to ask for your luggage ticket.
• Taxis are usually very safe, since most of them have cameras and panic buttons by law. Do not get on a taxi that doesn’t have cameras. It’s usually still fine, but there are safer options. Also, I would always recommend using Uber, Cabify or InDriver. Taxi drivers might want to take advantage of the fact that you’re not from around and charge you more than they should, using Uber or Cabify eliminates that.

Try to remember, as a tourist you’re always going to be a little bit more vulnerable than a local, since people might try to take advantage of you. Always act like your in control of the situation and try to learn as much about the place you’re going as you can.

In my personal experience, I’ve never been robbed or anything else in Ecuador. Most people tend to think I’m not from here because I don’t look like it. I kinda look more like a tourist than I do a local, probably because my dad is an American. Ecuador is a safe country to travel, just don’t do anything here that you wouldn’t do in your own country and you will probably be fine.

I want everyone to feel safe in my home country and be able to enjoy all its wonders, so if you have any questions about how to be safe, please tap the button below and I will answer as best I can.