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Safety

Ecuador is still one of South America 's safest countries but there are some general safety rules that you should follow in order to prevent possible unpleasant or even dangerous situations. In Ecuador , like in most third world countries, you will be confronted with scenes of extreme poverty. You will see beggars in the streets much more often than you normally would in more developed countries.

Mendicants are generally harmless and will not present a real problem to travelers but the tourist itself attracts the mendicants as it is common belief, among the locals, that foreign tourists are generally financially better off than local people. It is therefore obvious that you will find most mendicants and poor people in areas such as airports, bus terminals, main avenues and generally all the places where tourism and good trade thrive. Local police frequently patrol all these areas and this is normally sufficient to deter any potential mugger. Nevertheless, it is advisable to take certain precautions.

When in town, try to avoid areas such as secluded narrow streets that are not frequented by many pedestrians. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry when walking about. Keep your purse or wallet where it is not easily reachable.

Avoid going out at night on foot in poorly lit and not frequented areas. If you take a taxi from the street you should make sure that it has a meter, otherwise the driver could overcharge you. Speak to the driver before entering the taxi and if you don't feel comfortable with the situation look for another taxi as there are normally plenty to go around. It is always best to order a taxi directly from your hotel or walk to the appropriate taxi bays. Should you decide to take a bus or 'Trolle' bus, you should avoid the crowded ones; just wait for one that is not so full.

Always carry around enough money for the day and leave the rest at home or in the hotel's safe. You should always have a travelers' check or a credit card at hand for unplanned expenses as these are normally insured against loss or theft. It is generally a good idea to leave your purse and wallets at home and carry around cash and belongings spread around in different pockets. If you carry a back pack, you should place it in front of you when walking on a crowded street or in a market. Beware of anyone that claims to be a 'plain clothes' policeman and never get in a car with him or her. Always ask for identification or tell them that you will walk with them to the nearest police station.

The most common thieves in big towns such as Quito and Guyaquil are pick-pockets and they normally operate in groups so beware of distractions such as a woman tripping in front of you, or anyone that stops you in the street to sell you something, as it could be that in the meantime someone else behind you is trying to relieve you of your wallet or bag. It is always better to walk around with a friend or in a group because you can look out for one another. Muggers and robbers usually leave groups alone.

If you need to change money at a bank or bureau-the-change, make sure that you safely put away your cash, possibly in the front pocket of your trousers, before leaving the premises and avoid taking a taxi just outside the building as this is where most robbers and muggers hang around. In the unlikely event that you are robbed, you should get a police report immediately, as this is standard requirement for most insurance companies. If you are planning to travel to Ecuador with expensive items such as video cameras or expensive jewelry you should always take out insurance before leaving your country.

Generally you should avoid going to what are considered to be dangerous neighborhoods, especially at night, in Quito , Guayaquil or any of the bigger cities of Ecuador . Below is a list of such places that should be avoided but where, should you decide to visit them, you have to be alert to the possible danger you might encounter.

At this point, I would like to stress again that Ecuador is still one of the safest countries in Latin America and that this section on security is not meant to make the reader paranoid, it should only be considered as precautionary advice in order to prevent or minimize the small risks of traveling in Ecuador .

Quito : The old town itself is a historical monument and therefore a tourist attraction. It is relatively safe during the day but it attracts groups of thieves that prey on the unaware tourist. Quito is an area best visited in a group, especially if you wander around with a camera. You will be perfectly safe if you avoid unpopulated narrow streets, don't carry valuables, and avoid venturing in this area at night.

You should avoid all city parks at night. Carolina and Ejido parks are particularly dangerous. At night you should also stay alert in the area around the avenidas Amazona, Colon , Patria and 10 de Agosto. This is a notorious pickpocket area mainly because most of the better hotels and nightlife can be found here. In general, Quito is a safe town. Use common sense just like you would if you were visiting New York , London , or Paris and you will avoid any trouble.

Guayaquil : This is the biggest city in Ecuador and the most industrialised. Guayaquil has gone through a major modernization program. It is worth visiting, especially the center and the Malecon. Dining is a fantastic experience. Restaurants offer the best cooking with the freshest ingredients.

The use of taxi for moving around is safer than buses especially if you are touring alone. Avoid ill lit streets at night and less frequented places. Dress down, don't carry valuables, and be aware of pick pockets in the usual places such as bus terminals, airports, hotell entrances and generally crowded places.