Ecuador offers unparalleled biodiversity from the Amazon rainforest to the Galápagos Islands, with colonial cities like Quito and Cuenca nestled in the Andes. This compact South American nation delivers volcanic landscapes, indigenous markets, and world-class wildlife encounters.
Ecuador is generally safe for tourists in major cities and popular destinations, but requires vigilance in certain areas. Quito and Guayaquil have experienced increased urban crime in recent years, particularly bag snatching and express kidnappings. Avoid the Colombian border regions and Esmeraldas province entirely.
Current safety advisory
Moderate
Exercise increased caution throughout Ecuador. Do not travel to the Ecuador-Colombia border region (Esmeraldas, Carchi, Sucumbíos near the border) due to drug trafficking and gang activity. Urban crime including bag snatching and express kidnappings has increased in Quito and Guayaquil.
Last updated: 2025-01
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution in Ecuador due to crime and civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk.
Do Not Travel
Do not travel to Esmeraldas Province, the border with Colombia, and certain rural areas in Manabí and Guayas provinces due to drug trafficking and violent crime.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Avoid displaying valuables and use official taxis or rideshare apps
Stay in well-traveled tourist areas especially in Quito and Guayaquil
Do not travel to Esmeraldas province or areas near the Colombian border
Keep copies of passport and important documents separate from originals
Be vigilant in crowded markets and tourist sites for pickpockets
Register with your country's embassy online before arrival and save emergency contact numbers; Ecuador's tourist police (1800-TURISMO) are available nationwide.
Use only app-based rideshares like InDriver or Cabify, or radio-dispatched taxis booked through your hotel — never hail unmarked taxis from the street.
Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended if visiting the Amazon; consult a travel clinic about malaria prophylaxis for jungle areas below 1,500m altitude.
Altitude sickness (soroche) is common in Quito (2,850m) and high-Andes areas — ascend gradually, drink coca tea, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours.
Express kidnappings (secuestro exprés) have occurred in Quito and Guayaquil — if targeted, comply calmly and report to police afterward; never resist armed criminals.
Drink only bottled or purified water outside major cities; in the Amazon region all water should be treated or bottled regardless of the source.
Use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls during daylight hours only; cover your PIN and be aware of anyone watching you withdraw cash.
Do not leave drinks unattended in bars or nightclubs — drug-facilitated robbery is a risk in tourist nightlife areas, particularly in La Mariscal district of Quito.
Petty theft and bag-snatching are common on public buses and at markets; use a hidden money belt and keep electronics out of sight on local transport.
Check for volcanic activity before visiting Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, or other active volcanoes — Ecuador's IG-EPN institute posts real-time alerts.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Express Kidnapping (Secuestro Exprés)
Criminals force victims into taxis or vehicles, drive to ATMs and force cash withdrawals, then release them. Primarily in Quito and Guayaquil, usually involving unlicensed taxis hailed from the street.
How to avoid: Never hail a taxi from the street — always use InDriver, Cabify, Uber, or hotel-arranged transport
Fake Police Officers
Scammers posing as plainclothes police officers approach tourists claiming to check for counterfeit currency, then rob them of cash and valuables. A legitimate police officer will never ask to inspect your wallet on the street.
How to avoid: Never hand your wallet or documents to anyone claiming to be plainclothes police; ask for uniformed officers or go to a police station
Drugged Drinks in Nightlife
Strangers offer drinks or friendly encounters in La Mariscal bars that may be spiked with sedatives, resulting in robbery. This is reported regularly in Quito's main nightlife district.
How to avoid: Never accept drinks from strangers; keep your drink in sight at all times; go to bars with trusted companions
Taxi Overcharging
Unlicensed taxi drivers overcharge tourists enormously, particularly at Quito and Guayaquil airports. Some will quote 5-10x the normal price to tourists unfamiliar with local rates.
How to avoid: Use app-based rideshares with fixed pricing; if using taxis insist on the taxímetro (meter); know standard rates before travel
Gem and Gold Scam
Strangers approach tourists claiming to be gemologists or miners who have found precious stones and want to sell at bargain prices. The gems are always worthless fakes.
How to avoid: Never purchase gems, gold, or valuables from strangers on the street regardless of the story told
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Routine vaccines recommended (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A). Yellow fever required if arriving from certain countries and strongly recommended for Amazon regions below 2,300m. Hepatitis A and typhoid recommended for most travelers. Consult travel clinic 6-8 weeks before departure.
- Water
- Not safe to drink tap water in most areas. Stick to bottled water which is widely available ($0.50-$1 per liter). Hotels may provide filtered water. Avoid ice in drinks outside tourist establishments.
- Food
- Cooked food at established restaurants is generally safe. Street food is popular and generally fine but choose busy stalls. Peel fruits yourself. Salads and raw vegetables in tourist restaurants are washed but take care in rural areas.
- Facilities
- Quito and Guayaquil have good private hospitals including Hospital Metropolitano (Quito) and Clínica Kennedy (Guayaquil). Rural areas have limited medical facilities. Travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Solo travel in Ecuador is generally manageable with precautions. Stick to established tourist areas in Quito (La Floresta, La Mariscal, Historic Center), use app-based transport always, avoid walking at night in unfamiliar areas, stay in social hostels where staff provide safety advice, and join group tours for remote areas like the Amazon and Galápagos.
Female travellers
Female travelers can travel safely in Ecuador with standard precautions. Verbal harassment (piropos) is common but rarely escalates. Avoid walking alone at night, dress modestly outside beach areas, be cautious accepting drinks in bars, and trust your instincts if situations feel uncomfortable. Cuenca is generally considered safer than Quito for solo female travelers.
Families
Ecuador is very family-friendly in tourist areas and most destinations welcome children warmly. Main family safety concerns are altitude sickness in highland areas (give children time to acclimatize at 2,850m Quito), sun exposure at equatorial altitude, and water safety (bottled water only). Galápagos and Amazon lodges are well set up for family visits with appropriate safety measures.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are legal in Ecuador and same-sex marriage was legalized in 2019 following a Constitutional Court ruling. Quito has an active LGBTQ+ scene centered in La Floresta and La Mariscal. Public attitudes are more conservative in rural areas and smaller cities. Exercise discretion outside major urban areas and avoid public displays of affection in conservative communities.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 911
- Medical
- 911
- Embassy
- US Embassy Quito: +593 2-398-5000; UK Embassy: +593 2-397-2200; Canadian Embassy: +593 2-245-5499
- Tourist Police
- 1800-TURISMO (1800-887-476)