It’s a fair question to ask: “Is Ecuador safe?“. The answer: yes. Keep reading below to find out how to keep yourself and your belongings safe on your trip to the vibrant and gorgeous country that is Ecuador. Ecuador is situated on the Pacific coast of South America between Colombia and Peru. With everything from stunning coasts to rugged mountains to thriving metropolises, it’s easy to see why tens of thousands of people flock to the country each year.
How safe is Ecuador in the cities?
According to World Population Review, Ecuador has 16 cities with over 100,000 people residing in each one. Quito and Guayaquil are the two largest cities and are among the most popular cities for travelers. On their own, they are home to 1.4 million and 1.95 million, respectively. With population sizes that high, it’s important to realize that crime does occur. Petty crimes like pick-pocketing and scams are your biggest safety concern in the cities. Violence and drug trafficking does occur but it’s rare. The best way to avoid being the target of crime is to keep your wits about you. Don’t engage in risky behavior and you’ll be safe in any city you visit in Ecuador.
Below is a list of things to remember when visiting a city in Ecuador:
- Don’t flash your expensive jewelry or electronics.
- Carry only the amount of money you’ll need for the day.
- Don’t participate in drugs or illegal activities.
- Don’t wander around alone at night.
How safe is travelling inside Ecuador?
I spent 2 weeks in Ecuador in Spring of 2018, and I my experience traveling inside the country was wonderful. The infrastructure in Ecuador is pretty impressive. There are two major airports in Ecuador: one in Quito (UIO) and one in Guayaquil (GYE). Both are very busy and service lots of destinations. But, the bus system is robust and offers you a safe alternative which can get you anywhere you need to go at a fraction of the cost of flying.
Things to remember when travelling inside the country:
- Keep your belongings close to you at the airport or on a bus.
- In the mountain region guard rails and crash barriers are rare, so it’s best not to drive if you don’t have to.
- Avoid smaller bus companies when taking overnight buses.
- Taxis are required to have meters and use them. If your driver doesn’t turn theirs on, proceed with caution and agree on a price up front.
- Use extra caution if travelling near the Colombian border.
Do I need to have any immunizations to be safe in Ecuador?
When traveling to Ecuador, the CDC recommends that you are up to date on all of your standard immunizations. Depending on what parts of the country you plan on visiting and what you plan on doing, you may need to take additional precautions to protect yourself.
Most travelers will also need vaccines for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Both of which can be contracted by eating contaminated food or water. The water in Ecuador is generally not safe to drink, so be sure to take these precautions.
Some Travelers might also need:
- Hepatitis B – If you plan on being sexually active, it’s a good idea to get this vaccine.
- Malaria – There’s no shot for Malaria, but you can get a prescription to take daily starting a few days before your trip.
- Rabies – There’s a lot of stray animals all throughout the country, but if unless you plan on going into the Ecuadorian Amazon, you should be fine without this one.
- Yellow Fever – This one is a must if you’ll be going into the jungle, or if you plan on spending a lot of time in places like Baños
