You can also change some of your preferences. Equality and Justice are missing many societies in the U.S. 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. 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. 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. Many crimes go unsolved because the police dont have the time or resources to pursue every robbery or case of pickpocketing. Someone suggesting there is muggings in taxis here is so misinformed it is laughable. Saliva of Infected Animals. Why would anyone on heaven's sake take a cab to cross to the Waterfront or Malecon from the Ramada hotel, which is across the street??? I say I never was pickpocketed or mugged but there were 2 definite times I escaped it by having awareness of my surroundings. Americas. Many women have traveled to Ecuador and haven't had any problems at all. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We do not know. but dont miss out. Lindhout was working as freelance journalist in Mogadishu when she was kidnapped by a group of young Somali men. The Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador is monitoring the outbreak. All are amazing places to explore and take hundreds of pictures at. This site uses cookies. A 2016 file photo of Judith DSouza, an Indian, charity worker who was kidnapped in Afghanistan. Many parts of Ecuador are at high altitudes. What Are Your Rights? Our positive, supportive community of Unconventionals can help you do it! Police and armed forces are continuing their search to find the delincuentes criminals or bandits responsible. But then you go to a place like Ecuador, and its cheaper, and you might still not fit in but there is still (its changing sadly too) a homogeneity to the place. It already warns that Colombian guerrilla groups and criminal gangs have influence in all areas of Sucumbios. The people are creative. "One of the guys who rescued us got on a motorcycle and notified authorities and within 10 minutes there was 100 army people. Trip report (Jan 26-28): enjoy Guayaquil, but do be careful! You can usually trust taxis that are registered, which are yellow with identical unit numbers on both the windshield and the doors. 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. Ecuador's high-altitude capital, Quito, is a popular starting-off point for travelers exploring the volcanoes, beaches, cities and Amazon jungle of Ecuador, or for those who are on their way to. Youll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions. 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. 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. Which areas of Guayaquil are worth visiting? 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. Visit enjoy yourself and take the necessary precautions. Just in case you run into any trouble while seeing the sights of Rio, here are some numbers to call for assistance. The new indicator, signaling a risk of kidnapping, has been added to the . It seems that the once safe Tulum is the latest victim in Mexico's safety crisis. Thats all for today, except Merry Christmas to you both from Richland, WA. 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. In a few cases, tourists were approached by a friendly-looking traveler who offered to share a cab. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Will I be safe? We were with a travel angency group, and a large group of 70 people. Finally! Country Summary:Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. It also says armed criminals have robbed travellers staying at jungle lodges in the lower Rio Napo and Cuyabeno national reserves. The goal, according to the State Department: To communicate more clearly to U.S. citizens the risks of kidnapping and hostage-taking by criminal and terrorist actors around the world.. This travelers dream vacation soon turned into a nightmare. Suggesting there is crime in Baos is utter stupidity. When you take off your jacket or bag, they grab it and run. Country Summary: Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. The Environment Ministry, however, said that just five tourists including the two who were taken were attacked. I was taken to Cuenca and placed in a storage closet in the parking garage of the Rosenthal building. One of the tourists died of their injuries while being transported to hospital following the incident on Friday, according to the Quintana Roo state public security secretary, Lucio Hernndez Gutirrez, who confirmed the nationality of the victims. Always remain vigilant about your surroundings, especially in crowds and tourist locations. The State Department this week announced a new risk indicator for its public travel advisories. Tourist Police: 021/3399-7170. More people do not need to be going to the Galapagos. Taxis waiting in line outside the airport or bus terminal have been validated by the attendants and are generally safe for expats. Audrey Fox. To put it in perspective, both Chicago and Guayaquil carry similar crime rates. Group Distraction a group of people surround you waving signs or flags while someone picks your pocket (often a child). Black people in the US may be 12% or so, but if they are committing more than half the violent crimes, and have the highest rate of interactions with police per capita, then you have to divide by that. I was able to do so much and enjoyed the food, the city walks, and the historical sites. Transnational criminal groups and local gangs operating in Guayaquil have carried out a series of violent crimes in the city, to include several murders, targeted assassinations, armed robberies, bombings, and assaults. Apart from the pickpockets, muggers and scammers, you should bear in mind that the biggest crooks in this country are the seemingly friendly experts who just want to help you, by telling you that they can get you a great deal on the Galapagos islands cruise, and then charge an astronomically high fee compared to the real cost of the cruise. This is not a review, its actually a search for reassurance. 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. 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. 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. many agents have been fired or removed but the geniuses will believe anything because marxists are like that. Construction workers heard my cries for help and rescued me 12 hours after being taken from my home. Other factors, such as lack of judicial resources and weak border security, also played a role. Transnational crime groups operating in Esmeraldas province have engaged in violent crime and killed local citizens in addition to carrying out bombings targeting Ecuadorian military and law enforcement. As in almost any countries, there is a great risk of getting scammed. Ive traveled throughout the country and never had any problems. In the past, one of the reasons Ecuadors government struggled in combating crime had to do with limited police presence. The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue, as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to this area without permission from the Embassys security office. Interesting observations about Crime > Kidnappings. I am an older woman, used to travel alone everywhere. You wont regret it. Advice from me (the most paranoid traveler who prepares like crazy): Dont be vulnerable. With that being said Most all Police are good. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Did you encounter any technical issues? Demonstrations can cause the shutdown of local roads and major highways, often without prior notice or estimated reopening timelines. In that time, I traveled solo by public bus into the city, used the equova transit, and traveled by public bus both in the day and at night alone to travel across the country. So taking the proper precautions in public will keep you from being stranded in Ecuador without a phone or wallet. Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice . 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. The WikiLeaks founder has been in Ecuador's embassy in London since June. . Most of these robberies take place at night and on interstate buses. Take the Online Income eCourse! There are people -- known as "coyoteros" in Ecuador or "polleros" in Mexico -- that charge them for the journey. 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 . 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). Carchi, Sucumbos, and northern Esmeraldas Provinces Level 4: Do Not Travel. Ecuador is beautiful and worth visiting. Including the two who were kidnapped, the tourist group totaled seven people, according to the Interior Ministry. Been back in USA for 7 years now and there is not a day that goes by that I dont wish I was still there The people are wonderful we lived in coastal areas for awhile then moved to a remote village in the mountains best neighbors ever in both areas I would go back in a flash however my mom is 94 soon to be 95 and not in the best of shape so I am here and will be here until she goes to be with the Lord The cites there are just like here not a place for a late night stroll. You should be aware that tourist hotspots, restaurants, shops and public transportation are places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists on the streets, too. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. When a local tells you to have caution in an area, not to mention -extreme caution- just listen to them! Overall, its better to avoid the un-vetted taxi services in Quito, Guayaquil, Manta, Playas, and other coastal towns. This couldnt be further from the truth. There have also been reports of armed robberies at restaurants in the fashionable areas of Urdesa and Samborondon. Dont leave any valuable items on the seat of your car or in plain sight. 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. Good Girl . in South America four years later wild-camping in the Amazon rainforest and overlanding across the volatile Colombia-Ecuador border. The TRUTH About Crime in Ecuador, Amelia and I visited La Casa del Venado, which tra, We recently visited Cotacachi, Ecuador to film a r, Hola Unconventionals! For example: You can counter these theft tactics by taking a variety of precautions, such as not trusting random strangers, storing cash in multiple places on your person, and keeping the items you carry to a minimum. (AP Photo), Work From Home Or Anywhere: Top 25 Companies For Remote Jobs That Allow You To Travel. Keep you from being stranded in Ecuador guys who rescued us got on a motorcycle and notified and. Later wild-camping in the parking garage of the guys who rescued us got on a and. Interior Ministry years later wild-camping in the past, One of the reasons Ecuadors government struggled in combating crime to! Heard my cries for help and rescued me 12 hours after being taken from my.. Bus terminal have been fired or removed but ecuador kidnapping tourist geniuses will believe anything because marxists are that... Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site will keep from. 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