While the overall crime rate has been in steady decline since 2011, following the pandemic and the resulting economic fallout, there has been an uptick in theft related crimes, at least anecdotally. Other factors, such as lack of judicial resources and weak border security, also played a role. Any downtown or inner city in any major US city will be significantly more dangerous than anywhere in Ecuador. So in raw numbers AND in percentages white people are killed more by police. a friend of ours who lives in galapagos has just got robbed & kidnapped in Guayaquil. In the wake ofthe kidnapping, the State Departmentannounced that it was adding a new indicatorto show which countries have the highest risk of kidnapping. From the Amazon and the Andes to the Galpagos, here are the top things to do. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. You should speak spanish if you travel alone but if not you will make it by. Ecuador is a place for the real nature loving tourist, and a paradise for visitors trying to immerse themselves in breathtaking beaches like Salinas, Bahia de Caraquez, Manta, Crucita, San Jacinto, and San Clemente. Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice . russian hoax is just that.. only communists would believe it. Cotopaxi in the Andes is the highest active volcano in the world. This beautiful country is a paradise everywhere you look at it. 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. Many parts of Ecuador are at high altitudes. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. The country is beautiful and the people are very generous and appreciative. Visit our website forTravel to High-Risk Areas. The Gringo Hunters were waiting. Saliva of Infected Animals. Kathryn Cox, a 23-year-old Briton, and Fiona Wilde, a 32-year-old Australian, were abducted while travelling by canoe in a group of seven five foreigners and two Ecuadoreans and two local guides in the Cuyabeno nature reserve in Sucumbios province on Friday. Children have also been kidnapped for the commission of sexual assault. The Interior Ministry reported only that it was likely a Colombian group that took the tourists. As tourists or embassy workers entered the taxi, a couple of men would enter the cab and force people to withdraw all the money at the nearest ATM. In this 2014 file photo, a Malaysian armed, policeman stands guard at Singmata Adventures and Reef resort, where suspected Filipino insurgents kidnapped a Chinese tourist and a hotel receptionist. Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to: This newsletter covers things we dont share ANYWHERE ELSE! Once inside, the tourists were robbed at knifepoint, threatened, or driven around to ATMs to make cash withdrawals. The Galpagos Islands, 596 miles (960 kilometers) west of the mainland of Ecuador are part of Ecuador and are home to unique reptiles, birds . Which areas of Guayaquil are worth visiting? The 35 million U.S. tourists who visit Mexico dwarf the number of their compatriots (1.5 million) who go to nearby destinations such as Jamaica. Including the two who were kidnapped, the tourist group totaled seven people, according to the Interior Ministry. August Reiger, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate, was on a graduation-present vacation. Ecuador is somewhat safe to visit, and though in other South American countries its common to get stabbed, mugged or kidnapped on the streets, the most common form of crime is petty theft and the weapons criminals use are mostly only there to scare you. Theres a wide variety of techniques used to snag your wallet. As with Guayaquil, Quito isnt a place you should wander around at night, but for the most part, tourists have a great time in Ecuadors capital city. 7.8 magnitude earthquake - 16 April, 2016. Gracias! Love a good meal with them. Far right people are the worst and they are the 46% of the country. Im not sure if thats really helping your argument that Ecuador, in Latin America, is no safer than other Latin American places in the US? When a local tells you to have caution in an area, not to mention -extreme caution- just listen to them! American Tourist Describes Kidnapping in Uganda. Some sources claim that the local government is suppressing the extent of the violence in an attempt to protect the tourist industry. 8:52 PM EDT, Sat September 29, 2012. I live in new york city, the bronx the toughest borough in new york, i have been going to ecuador for 6 years straight staying about a month and a half every year to visit my wife family, i never had any problems, everyone is welcoming, keep in mind i grew up in the hood of the bronx where a lot of craziness goes on, not once did i see anything happen in ecuador, the only thing i would say is to have common sense, wicked people exist everywhere, dress casual, dont flash ya phone or other stuff that cost money, guayaquil is the only place i felt where i had to be on guard to be honest, dont go out at night plain and simple. Comply and you wont die as the saying goes. The high Andes Mountains form the backbone of the country. Audrey Fox. Typically, a tourist boards a taxi where the driver is the accomplice, and the criminals hop into the cab right after the victim, robbing, assaulting and keeping the victim hostage. Transnational criminal organizations and gangs operate in Carchi, Sucumbos, and the northern part of Esmeraldas provinces, as well as in Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue. My daughter calls it Hawaii hit Arizona and it got dropped in Malaga Spain. August 12, 2014 a kidnapping took place in our home in Vilcabamba, Ecuador. However, there are many safe destinations for tourists to visit in the Philippines. The Ecuador Expat Now eCourse covers every step from A-to-Z! They were, we think, close to maybe killing us. That won't be destroyed anytime soon. During the rainy season lasting from December to May, you can expect common flooding and tsunamis. What Are Your Rights? A man has been arrested on. Updated Avoid walking alone at night, especially along dark streets and trails. And it contains an astounding number of . Volcanoes, beaches, Sierra, Amazon. Guayaquil to Loja flights? Theres also the risk of losing your belongings traveling throughout Ecuador. How are you going to tell me that the police didnt fill him with lead on the spot? Global AIDS Coordinator and Global Health Diplomacy, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Special Representative for Syria Engagement, U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Office of the U.S. In one month, I got robbed twice. So the OP has now returned from the Galapagos and replied.World Traveller you certainly did not read the original post properly-it was obvious the OP group was catching a taxi from opposite the Ramada to some other hotel.To me this story is believable and with the OPs return should be kept in mind. [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 also says armed criminals have robbed travellers staying at jungle lodges in the lower Rio Napo and Cuyabeno national reserves. Advice from me (the most paranoid traveler who prepares like crazy): Dont be vulnerable. I have never felt unsafe but then Im never out after dark unless on organised local tours, vetted by the hotel where Im staying at the time. The people are creative. The people are friendly, the landscapes are varied and stunning, and Ecuador's popular tourist places are in fact safe. Ecuador is somewhat safe to visit, though it has many dangers. This impressive, and very much active, volcano towers in the horizon from Quito and attracts both local and international tourists. U dont wanna be around that. I want to believe ANONYMOUS as I traveled extensively in South and Central America and always found kind, friendly and most helpful people. We heard gunfire during our stay in Quito on the way to & back from galapagos. I have a huge desire to visit Ecuador but my fear of it being safe is my only hesitation. Just in case you run into any trouble while seeing the sights of Rio, here are some numbers to call for assistance. It is a magical country with beautiful people (mostly). 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. Luckily, one of the guys in our group had the card of our hotel in his pocket, because the police showed up 45 minutes later and refused to help them, give them a ride back to the hotel, or take a police report. Lol. Snakes-on-a-Plane Titanic The-Hills-Have-Eyes Hostel Taken the impossible Brokedown Palace. A Warner Bros. Inside they capture their target:. This is not a review, its actually a search for reassurance. When youre traveling via bus, keep your valuable belonging on your person. Put them in the glove compartment, under the seat or in the trunk. Getty The State Department already issues travel advisories for every country around the. But the terrifying incidentmade women everywhereponder thedangers of traveling solo to risky destinations. 2023 Cable News Network. 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 A California woman who was kidnapped and held captive for almost five days while on safari in Uganda is speaking out about her experience for the . But if you follow some of the tips well cover below, youll find Ecuador is a very safe place for Americans and expats from around the world. Express kidnappings, often in connection with carjackings, is a concern throughout Ecuador. Will I be safe? Registered taxis also have a taxi cooperative logo. Road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities. Its also better to travel during the daytime since the robberies that have occurred on buses typically take place at night. Id like to note I was in the wrong place for a sola gringa to be in both of those situations and I had been warned of the risk before. Ecuadorian children are leaving, by the dozens, for the United States. Always check everything twice and negotiate everything in advance. Read up on preventable incidents so you can be prepared before you go. Marrying an Ecuadorian as a foreigner/ temporal residency, Exploring Guayaquil on foot from a Cruise Ship, Walking from Hotel Wyndham Guayaquil to Malecon, Best private/semi private van from Guayaquil to Cuenca. Since Ecuador is a relatively poor nation, flashing cell phones, laptops, portable music players, cameras or cash is highly dangerous. Make your own way and experience. With the internet, you have all the information you need to be safe in Ecuador from whatever preventable crime that could befall you- and you will absolutely fall in love with the place. TLDR: More whites get killed but a much larger percentage of black people are killed by cops. Read thecountry information pagefor additional information on traveling to Ecuador. Also be very careful about the taxies, now when we use taxies we are looking for middle aged drivers, not young guys. The bodies were found on Feb. 14 hanging from a pedestrian bridge over a major road in a neighborhood outside Guayaquil, a port city that is an epicenter of Ecuador's violence. Is Ecuador safe? Thats one of the most common questions future expats have when considering a move to this small Latin American country. If you are been held by any authority the first thing done is immediately report you to your countrys embassy or consul. Ecuador is very safe the people are amicable, kind, and good-hearted. The Interior and Environment. 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. 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? Read article Transportation The rugged Andes and tracts of impenetrable rainforest present formidable barriers to overland exploring in Ecuador. These officers can help you out in an emergency, such as a personal injury or to report a crime. We didn't think anyone was looking for us. Nah its the high taxes. Be prepared, keep your valuables low-key, and you'll-more likely than not-have the same experience. With that being said Most all Police are good. Just like anywhere in the world, its common for car windows to be broken when items of value can be seen through them. However, social reform efforts such as rebuilding the police and criminal justice system, installing street cameras, and increasing vital social spending, has increased safety in Ecuador. An Israeli Chabad rabbi working in Quito, Ecuador was kidnapped last week and held for four days by a gang of criminals who demanded $500,000 in ransom. Also, you can visit the beautiful Quito from which in about 40 min you can reach 4000m altitude and visit the closest volcano (Rucu Pichincha) or have days trip to Quilotoa crater lake or to visit Chimborazo. However, U.S. government personnel are permitted to travel to the northern bank of the Napo River in Sucumbos, an area approximately four miles wide, and the portion of Esmeraldas province that is south of Esmeraldas city. Use common sense and you should be fine. Heres the list of 35 countries where youre most likely to get kidnapped, according to the U.S. State Department. In big cities you must heed warnings from locals to stay away from certain areas. The kidnapping of 16 American missionaries and one Canadian in Haiti underlines the power that criminal gangs wield in the country and has many asking where the country is headed. Racism against blacks and indigenous people exist, its sad but true, someday when we all realized how important human beings are to our Heavenly Father, we will love one another. But a black man selling untaxed cigarettes gets put in a chokehold. Common sense says Cooperate and you wont get shot!!! Review the. Political demonstrations in Ecuador are common, and the police often retaliate using water cannons and deploying canisters of tear gas. A man trekking in Ecuador with his teenage daughter is kidnapped. It is a warm and friendly city, with Spanish and Indian influences. Most hotels allow their guest to set a custom password so youll know your belongings are safe as you explore everything Ecuador has to offer. Top 20 Places Women Are Traveling In 2019, Work From Home Or Anywhere: Top 25 Companies For Remote Jobs That Allow You To Travel, Dream Job Alert! Due to government efforts combating violence, Ecuador is seeing a rate trending similar to that of the safest cities in the United States. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. In terms of overall crime, the city ranks on the lower end when compared to similar cities in the United States. The other foreigners were not taken in the attack, which the BBC reported as having been carried out by a Colombian group. This couldnt be further from the truth. This is Part 8 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. Carchi, Sucumbos, and northern Esmeraldas Provinces Level 4: Do Not Travel. The incident is likely to make the Foreign Office consider strengthening its travel advice for the region. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Medical Emergency: 192. Criminals have conducted indiscriminate attacks without warning on public spaces across the city. Shift your backpack to the front, like a kangaroo pouch, while youre traveling through crowds. There have been robberies in public transport operating in Quito, Riobamba, and Baos. Those baseball hat wearing, hot dog eating, Mayflower descendant yankees in Miami act very similarly um hahahaha okay well thank you for that. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here. In the last few months, a Senior Police Officer and a Taxi driver were both murdered by drug cartels. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. The group [] 6.0 magnitude earthquake - 3 December, 2017. I travel to Ecuador almost every year and since I have family living there in different cities I am aware that the crime had increased a lot, so you have to be more careful and vigilant, dont take unnecessary risks. Little children wander the streets here in the late evening. For outdoor lovers this country is an amazing place to go to. If all the white people where arrested or charged for the crimes theyve committed including white collar and other acts such murder and rape of this would be a very different nation. 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