This is great information. Security forces rescued two tourists Saturday, just one day after they were kidnapped in a remote region of northeast Ecuador, the Interior Ministry said. its a lot safer than any big city in America, and if your black you dont have to worry about getting shot by the police.its not like LA or NYC MIA or Houston is a safe havenyou are 100 % safer in Guayaquil than LA or Miami, Houston or Chicago, if your black should be corrected to if youre black. If you do find yourself confronted by someone with a weapon, its always better to part with your belongings rather than risk your health and safety. 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. These Positions Will Pay You To Travel The World. 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! Avoid walking alone at night and avoid shortcuts through alleys, especially if youre unfamiliar with the area. In 2007, the government shifted its approach to gangs by legalizing them and provided grants for these groups to serve their neighborhoods. This is common throughout Ecuador, Latin America and the rest of the world. The incident comes as Britain and Ecuador are involved in a diplomatic standoff over Julian Assange's attempt to avoid extradition to Sweden, for questioning over alleged sex crimes. How are you going to tell me that the police didnt fill him with lead on the spot? That was not fun. Is Ecuador safe? Thats one of the most common questions future expats have when considering a move to this small Latin American country. Blessed with a bonanza of perfect beaches and the wildlife haven of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador's wealth of natural riches creates a one-stop shop for incredible experiences. According to both, the tourists were part of a group that was attacked Friday. Find even more inspiration for Ecuador here The 30 best places to go with kids Travel Bucket List Ideas: Places To Visit Before You Die The 10 best jungle lodges in the Amazon The top 20 volcanoes around the world 20 destinations to see before they disappear Incredible forests of the world Equatorial differences in Quito, Ecuador The group [] Taxis waiting in line outside the airport or bus terminal have been validated by the attendants and are generally safe for expats. Ecuador experienced just under 1,000 murders in 2018, setting its murder rate at 5.7 per 100,000. More reassurance would be great. We were in Guayaquil Friday 9/19, for one night, on our way to the Galapagos Islands. Click on the different category headings to find out more. These are sad days. In 2018, kidnapping rate for Ecuador was 4.4 cases per 100,000 population. Read thecountry information pagefor additional information on traveling to Ecuador. I advise you to have a local trusted advisor accompany you. 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. The Environment Ministry identified those kidnapped as an Australian woman, 32, and a 23-year-old woman from England. Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri), In this 2012 file photo, a vehicle carries, villagers to Bermo in central Niger after six aid group employees were kidnapped from the guesthouse where they were staying in Dakoro. More white people are killed in raw numbers, but ALSO as a percentage when you divide by interactions with police, or rates of violent crimes. The statistics about kidnapping aren't well-known but not uncommon. Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice . 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. Warnings & Dangers in Ecuador OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM Ecuador is somewhat safe to visit, though it has many dangers. Security forces rescued two tourists Saturday, just one day after they were kidnapped in a remote region of northeast Ecuador, the Interior Ministry said. In most of the cities it is not safe to be alone outside after 10pm. Turkey ranked first for kidnappings amongst Europe in 2006. The Gringo Hunters were waiting. During the rainy season lasting from December to May, you can expect common flooding and tsunamis. Always check everything twice and negotiate everything in advance. Ignorant. Ecuador is safe for gringo women. There have been robberies in public transport operating in Quito, Riobamba, and Baos. Just like anywhere in the world, its common for car windows to be broken when items of value can be seen through them. We were with a travel angency group, and a large group of 70 people. I say I never was pickpocketed or mugged but there were 2 definite times I escaped it by having awareness of my surroundings. Here you can see and feel wildlife in its true form as mainland Ecuador is far, far away from this place. Like anywhere in the world, there are ways to avoid dangerous places and situations. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Take a picture of your passport ID page and store them on your phone so you can leave your physical passport in the safe. appreciated. Embassy officials in Ecuador said that local police authorities said the kidnappers had at first requested $5 million but later lowered the figure to $1.5 million. Posted On: 1st Aug 2013. So much to do in ecuador and so many beautiful places to enjoy. For a black guy/gal in the US, you are a thousand times more likely to get killed by a black dude than a cop. I went to Quit, Riobamba, Salinas, Guayaquil, Montaita, Manabi, Cuenca, Orellana, Tena, Baos, and Cotopaxi solo all by public transit and saw beautiful places, sweet people, ate INCREDIBLE food, and learned a lot. Miami, LA, Houston and NYC. However, taking certain precautions like traveling in groups and avoiding traveling alone at night are always your best bet to stay safe in any major city. and real estate question, Transportaion from Guayaquil to Playas (General Villamil), Grand Hotel Guayaquil, Ascend Hotel Collection. They have had other flights coming back to the U.S. but they wont allow her to get on any of them until tonightwhy? One of the most beautiful places to see the Amazon is in Ecuador and Peru. Political demonstrations in Ecuador are common, and the police often retaliate using water cannons and deploying canisters of tear gas. Spanish is my learned language, Without it I would have been quite lost, as very very few people speak English, but I met many travelers who did fine without it. And while just six Americans fell victim to homicide in the latter, the murder rate for U.S. citizens is, per capita, higher on the Caribbean island than it is in Mexico. Bump and Grab youre bumped while being passed in close quarters like a bus or mercado and your pocket is picked. Most of these crimes occur in tourist locations, so staying vigilant in these areas and in crowds will help keep you from falling victim to theft. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. I was taken to Cuenca and placed in a storage closet in the parking garage of the Rosenthal building. Road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities. The safest expat cities in Ecuador, such as Cuenca, Loja, and Salinas, pale in comparison to U.S. cities with the highest murder rates (per 100,000 citizens), such as Detroit (40.6), Chicago (20.7) and Baltimore (57). These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. Another important aspect of the islands is the 28 unique (to the island) species of birds like the waved albatross. All are amazing places to explore and take hundreds of pictures at. Dont leave any valuable items on the seat of your car or in plain sight. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Its reputation is that of one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with one hundred different types of hummingbirds and thousands of orchid varieties. The new indicator, signaling a risk of kidnapping, has been added to the . It was our only night to go out to have dinner on our own, and we were told the Malachon- the Riverfront- was a safe area. "The Australian consul from our embassy in Santiago, Chile, is travelling to Ecuador to provide consular assistance," said a spokeswoman. Construction workers heard my cries for help and rescued me 12 hours after being taken from my home. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. 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. Just watch your stuff at all times pack lightly and Keep important stuff at your hotel or in your inside pockets.. Rabies. Adam Maksou, 36, of Methuen, is being held on $75,000 cash bail and Jamie (O'Neil) Garrity, also 36 of Methuen, is being held on $10,000 cash bail for their involvement in the alleged kidnapping. In this article, were going to shed some light on the real crime stats in Ecuador by comparing them to the United States, and were going to give you some common sense safety tips to help you avoid experiencing crime in Ecuador. Children have also been kidnapped for the commission of sexual assault. Police and armed forces are continuing their search to find the delincuentes criminals or bandits responsible. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. American tourist Kimberly Sue Endicott was kidnapped while traveling to Uganda to view gorillas. At night stick to the well lit tourist areas don't go "exploring". Any downtown or inner city in any major US city will be significantly more dangerous than anywhere in Ecuador. The people are creative. Too many people carries a weapon. Mosquito. Theres a wide variety of techniques used to snag your wallet. For five days, the world watched and waited in horror. My host family explained scams and safety to me, although they recommended a few options to me that I myself do not recommend others trying such as riding the public bus at night (unless its an overnight bus ride from one region to another) the equovia/bus station itself in historic Quit and the equova at night. As you stroll through the shops and historic sites, make sure you know where youve stored your valuables and force yourself to remain alert about anyone trying to get too close to you. Ecuador offers some of the most incredible outdoor experiences on earth. So its making it unaffordable. There have also been reports of armed robberies at restaurants in the fashionable areas of Urdesa and Samborondon. This site uses cookies. Ecuador was the first place I ever traveled internationally and I didn't have a single issue. Always remain vigilant about your surroundings, especially in crowds and tourist locations. 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. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. We will provide information on each attraction. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here. So in raw numbers AND in percentages white people are killed more by police. READ MORE:Ranked: 10 Happiest And 10 Saddest Countries In The World, According to the State Department, the Bureau of Consular Affairs works closely with the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs and the entire U.S. interagency to serve and protect Americans overseas and to prevent and resolve cases of kidnapping and hostage-taking. However, in the most dangerous places,the State Department warnsof its ability to help Americans in distress: In many high-risk areas, we cannot help you. Americas. 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? . She hasnt been able to eat, drink or sleep since yesterday. In some cases, they take you to the nearest ATM and force you to withdraw everything from your bank account. Other factors, such as lack of judicial resources and weak border security, also played a role. Exercise increased caution in Ecuador due tocivil unrestandcrime. These officers can help you out in an emergency, such as a personal injury or to report a crime. This is when criminals abduct a victim for a short period of time and force them to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release. Gracias! Transnational crime groups and local gangs operating in Guayaquil have carried out a series of violent crimes in the region south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue, to include several murders and targeted assassinations, armed robberies, and assaults. Anyone who harbours fear about travelling to Ecuador is denying themselves a visit to one of the most interesting an friendliest countries in the world. Tourist Police: 021/3399-7170. It was our only night to go out to have dinner on our own, and we were told the Malachon- the Riverfront- was a safe area. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. Equality and Justice are missing many societies in the U.S. Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country. We had a good time and we might even repeat the experience in a few years. As in almost any countries, there is a great risk of getting scammed. Or step into a restaurant or store. more. The guns are one of the nice things those. Foreigners have been kidnapped in the past. In the past, and presently in some parts of the world (such as southern Sudan ), kidnapping is a common means used to obtain slaves and money . 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