Is there a lot of crime in Ecuador?

"Vilcambamba is a small village, now overrun with Americans, a ghetto that is a mugging and break-in mecca. It seems only yesterday that Vilcabamba was a somnolent little town with great weather..not worth more than a drive-through just before Xmas when the trees turn golden, with local nutty stories the locals used to tell wildly gullible tourists. Now known as such as an expat enclave it has attracted sorts like bees to honey. But expats bring their culture and guns with them and now it is a focus of much crime. It is no longer "Ecuadorian", per se. It is a colony. Lots of break-ins and muggings are the current reports. These events soon become armed on both sides," wrote a member who made the move to Vilcabamba, Ecuador.

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"¡Cuidado! That's the watchword. For many expats, unfamiliar with the language and customs of a foreign country, the experience of living in a "foreign" city or town can be disquieting and possibly downright scary. Learning the language, getting to know the people and customs ( and not locking oneself away in an English-speaking compound ), and practicing common sense regarding personal security can go a long way in ensuring a peaceful and pleasant life in that country. Yes, Ecuador has changed in the past few years, due to the major influx of Venezuelan refugees, a stagnant economy, and the proliferation of Mexican and Colombian drug mafias. There are areas in my city where I no longer feel comfortable walking at night. I find myself much more cautious than when I first began to live here full-time ... but of course, I'm 11 years older now, and aware of my physical limitations. Still, I wouldn't trade my life or lifestyle for all the money in the world or all the tea in China. For those of you living here, planning to move here, or just wanting to visit our beautiful and diverse country ... Come enjoy the life and lifestyle. Have fun! Love and laugh! But ... take the rose-colored glasses off and ... ¡CUIDADO," explained one expat living in Machala, Ecuador.