We didn't think anyone was looking for us. QUITO, Ecuador Every night since March 26, when three Ecuadoran journalists were kidnapped near their country's border with Colombia, their colleagues have gathered to demand their rescue. Cmon). It truly has everything. The high Andes Mountains form the backbone of the country. The state prosecutor's office later tweeted that a second Canadian had died of their injuries. In 2007, the government shifted its approach to gangs by legalizing them and provided grants for these groups to serve their neighborhoods. The Department of State raised the Travel Advisory Level for Ecuador to Level 3 Reconsider Travel on June 22, 2022. In big cities you must heed warnings from locals to stay away from certain areas. Last Update: Reissued with updates to security situation in Guayaquil. During the rainy season lasting from December to May, you can expect common flooding and tsunamis. Two women tourists rescued from kidnappers in Ecuador near its border with Colombia told how they feared they would be killed by their captors. Once you become a member, youll also gain access to a variety of exclusive benefits that will help you make a smooth transition to Ecuador! Take the Online Income eCourse! We were in Guayaquil Friday 9/19, for one night, on our way to the Galapagos Islands. FactMan, Alek and who ever is reading thishistorically the black family for generations has been harassed and jailed for frivolous reason, while white folks have been committing heinous crimes for centuries against blacks, whites and other nationalities with impunity. Guayaquil is both the largest and most dangerous city in Ecuador. In most of the cities it is not safe to be alone outside after 10pm. What Are Your Rights? The most common items stolen from tourists are phones, laptops, cameras, cash, and jewelry. Ecuador experienced just under 1,000 murders in 2018, setting its murder rate at 5.7 per 100,000. There is always a rotten apple in some bags. U.S. government personnel have been directed to exercise extreme caution and maintain increased vigilance when traveling in and around Guayaquil. People are leaving the US too due to the diversity. Their crime family and organizations get glorified in the movies and on TV shows. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. The drugs are coming through there. JP & Amelia, I just want to thank you for your YouTube vlogs and well-written articles. Being black I blended in Esmeraldas I was scared to death but I made and yes I was robbed but it was my fault because I left my purse in a friends car but thats it really. Its generally safe to store large bags in the luggage compartment under the bus because an attendant monitors it while the doors are open and you must present a claim ticket to take a bag. Recommended for travel to regions under 2,200 metres elevation, excludes Guayaquil, Quito and the Galapagos Islands. Also don't wear an expensive watch or walk around on the street using your cell phone. Review the. The situation in the country has calmed. Some sources claim that the local government is suppressing the extent of the violence in an attempt to protect the tourist industry. August Reiger, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate, was on a graduation-present vacation. Keep your digital camera in your front pocket (the pickpockets usually bump into you from behind, while there is a distraction in front of you, like small kids asking for money). Country Summary: Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. The Interior and Environment. It also has a Pacific Ocean coastline which makes it especially interesting for summer lovers, but thats not the main reason people visit this country in South America. Ecuador is beautiful and worth visiting. This is Part 8 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. Short story: its a very safe place for people who are smart, and for those who arent so street smart but have a little luck. There have also been reports of armed robberies at restaurants in the fashionable areas of Urdesa and Samborondon. Lol. Express kidnappings, often in connection with carjackings, is a concern throughout Ecuador. The US is much more dangerous than Ecuador. When getting here also try to go to the Charles Darwin Research Station (take the BTS tour as it is well worth it). 2022 Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel 721 Santa Cruz, Ecuador from $191/night Hotel Colon Salinas 1,007 Salinas, Ecuador from $140/night Golden Bay Galapagos 197 San Cristobal, Ecuador 2022 Eb Hotel by Eurobuilding Quito 644 Quito, Ecuador We may request cookies to be set on your device. 2. Glad youre enjoying our videos! 8:52 PM EDT, Sat September 29, 2012. Its got better food. The State Department already issues travel advisories for every country around the world,withadvice oncrime, terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, health and other potential dangers. Tourist Police: 021/3399-7170. I didnt have them when I first visited but I was nonetheless pleasantly surprised by the diversity you can find in Ecuador, from scenic landscapes, rainforests as long as the eye can see, colonial architecture and a beautiful culture awaiting to be explored. Express kidnappings - short-term opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim - also occur. Ecuador is very safe the people are amicable, kind, and good-hearted. Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue Level 4: Do Not Travel. Hi Dorin When did you go and did you stay in Hostils, Stay away. Overall, its better to avoid the un-vetted taxi services in Quito, Guayaquil, Manta, Playas, and other coastal towns. Public demonstrations can take place for a variety of political and economic issues. Or step into a restaurant or store. [1] By 2014, this had decreased to 8.23 per 100,000, with 1,309 murders recorded that year, [2] but since 2019 the number of homicides, often related to organized crime and narcotraffic operations, has risen to 14 per . It is a warm and friendly city, with Spanish and Indian influences. This couldnt be further from the truth. So its making it unaffordable. This may be because of a lack of a functioning government, the ineffectiveness or policies of local authorities, armed conflict or poor governance.. A destination you must visit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Ecuador has a high level of COVID-19. Some of the companies vetted by the U.S. consulate include FastLine, Solservice, and Wayose. Since violent crime in the US is 68 times greater than in Ecuador, Americans at least, should feel safe traveling in Ecuador. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. https://liveabroadnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Quitoview.jpg, https://liveabroadnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/LAN-Logo-v1-300x180.png, Is Ecuador Safe? In a few cases, tourists were approached by a friendly-looking traveler who offered to share a cab. It is of no surprise that Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador's top ecotourism destinations. I agree with world traveler, this seems to be another attempt at Quito hotel operators to try to create some kind of fear in travelers to keep the majority of people who are on there way to the Galapagos's islands in Quito , for years now there have been more and more trips heading out of Guayaquil , which is very bad business for Quito , So don't believe everything you hear about Guayaquil being bad , it has come a long way, and there has been allot of effort to bring people to this wonderful cityRen. If that wasn't enough, the assailants left them broke and alone in remote locations. Ecuador is safe for gringo women. This is great information. Yes, Quito and Guayaquil can be very unsafe at night in certain neighbourhoods, but so is ANY large city in North America. Happy Valentine's Day! From the Amazon and the Andes to the Galpagos, here are the top things to do. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Crime does seen to be on the uptick for tourists and Ecuadorians. You can not even argue facts anymore and common sense is no where to be found. Visit the CDC page for the latestTravel Health Informationrelated to your travel. The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Colombian border area, as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi, and Sucumbos without permission from the Embassys security office. I agree with you Omar I spent 2 years in Ecuador and loved every moment Came back for family reasons and still communicate with friends there. 6.0 magnitude earthquake - 3 December, 2017. These officers can help you out in an emergency, such as a personal injury or to report a crime. Other common-sense tactics weve covered include avoiding nighttime travel and investing in safety products like cash belts, bags with zipper clips and personal safes. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. appreciated. No problems whatsoever and what we saw was WOW! Level 3suggests that travelers should reconsider travel. Level 2 means exercise increased caution. Level 1 means exercise normal precautions. Surprisingly,somecountriessaid to have ariskof kidnapping like Uganda and Mexico are only classified as a Level1 or2 overall. If you're travelling to these areas, consult your doctor before you leave. Cuenca is a wonderful place you can explore on foot. Weve assembled a supportive community of current and future expats who are eager to share their experiences, answer your questions and offer encouragement. You wont regret it. Tourist sites such as the Christ statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, the Malecon 2000, and Las Peas, though well-patrolled by police, are still targeted by criminals hoping to prey on unsuspecting tourists. Mosquito. 52 Ecuador : Safety by City Guayaquil Manta Quito Ecuador - safety as a country The City of Quito, whose official name is San Francisco de Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador, South America and has a population of 2,671,191 inhabitants, which makes it the second-largest city in Ecuador. Heres the list of 35 countries where youre most likely to get kidnapped, according to the U.S. State Department. Any downtown or inner city in any major US city will be significantly more dangerous than anywhere in Ecuador. Up to $20,000 each. TLDR: More whites get killed but a much larger percentage of black people are killed by cops. This travelers dream vacation soon turned into a nightmare. 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