Comments

Huntertd

I was walking down the street and someone bumped into me and managed to get a hundred dollars out my pocket without me being aware and I am pretty cautious. The next day I left New York City and flew back to Quito. Seriously I have never felt uncomfortable in Ecuador and my wife and I have been to almost every town by now. I am sure there is plenty of petty crime that you must be aware of, but I will always feel safer in Manta than most major cities back home.

EcuadorDean

I was pickpocketed in Atuntaqui on Dec 31st a small city near Cotacachi during a parade when a crowd suddenly formed behind me to see at the start of the parade. I even had my wallet in my front pocket. Fortunately I didn't carry my credit cards with me. Wear a money belt under your clothes here, it is especially dangerous on the Metro in Quito. You get lulled into a false sense of security here, because most people are good, but the bad here are really bad!

guest

These things are true in the vast majority of the world, especially throughout Central and South America. It can be a bit of a challenge to retrain the Gringo mindset and curb the almost autonomic reflex to accept something handed to you. It can be so easy to flag a taxi rather than call one or go to s designated taxi line. And it is all to often that we say "Nothing can happen in the daytime or in a crowded place." But you only have to be wrong once. SmartSafeTraveler.com

guest

We live in Punta del Este, Uruguay. It is very safe there but you also have to be careful. I do not wear my diamond ring, which is worth a lot of money nor do I flash my other jewerly, creit cards or money. I do not think it is any different in any large city in the US. I had my wallet and passport stolen on the train in Amsterdam.

rickally

i live in costa rica (8+yrs). we have a petty theft problem here requiring bars on windows, security guards (24/7),etc. outsied san jose at the beach. i did not see any comments on housing theft OUT of the city, ie beaches/country. comments anyone living in ecuador now?

JimmyLew

I am strongly considering retiring to Quito July 2012.What cities should I avoid to be as close to 100 per cent crime free as possible.Which cities are ok to travel?My name is Jimmy and email is [email protected] and I will appreciate your replies.

utopia

We are coming for a visit in January to look at several areas. I have done lots of research but i was on the Embassy page tonight and was reading about all the crime and now i am having some doubts. Are the rural areas with less population safer then the cities. We are in our mid-50 and i don't want to be afraid and looking over my shoulder all the time. From all my research i thought Ecuador would be a good retirement place for us.

guest

What are the stats on crime. No one said a crime had been committed against them.

guest

On sabbatical from my job, my wife and I decided to spend 6 weeks in Ecuador, traveling around the country on the best buses available. We left Quito on a bus south to Banos. As our bus approached the southern city limits, a group of about 5 young men were allowed to board the bus to sell stuff to the passengers. I was stupid and unaware that using the overhead compartment for small bags (as on an airplane) is something few locals ever do. A young man was showing my wife some DVDs that she had no interest in buying, but one of his friends apparently pulled her backpack backwards and out of the overhead bin while she was distracted. It contained her laptop computer, camera, cellphone and other valuables (luckily I had our passports and wallet in my pocket).. One of the men called out to the driver to stop and they all ran to the front of the bus and got out the door. The bus continued onward toward Banos. About 5 minutes later one of the Ecuadorian passengers said loudly..something like "Hey man, those guys stole your backpack". Well, thanks for telling us now that it is too late. My guess is that the bus drivers are well aware of this type of crime and may be willing participants. My advice......put your bags on the floor by your feet and loop your backpack strap around a leg, especially if you might doze off. Be on high alert when people come on the buses who are not regular passengers.