However, U.S. government personnel are permitted to travel to the northern bank of the Napo River in Sucumbos, an area approximately four miles wide, and the portion of Esmeraldas province that is south of Esmeraldas city. 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. The US is much more dangerous than Ecuador. Its generally safe to store large bags in the luggage compartment under the bus because an attendant monitors it while the doors are open and you must present a claim ticket to take a bag. 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. I live in new york city, the bronx the toughest borough in new york, i have been going to ecuador for 6 years straight staying about a month and a half every year to visit my wife family, i never had any problems, everyone is welcoming, keep in mind i grew up in the hood of the bronx where a lot of craziness goes on, not once did i see anything happen in ecuador, the only thing i would say is to have common sense, wicked people exist everywhere, dress casual, dont flash ya phone or other stuff that cost money, guayaquil is the only place i felt where i had to be on guard to be honest, dont go out at night plain and simple. If youre very tall and blonde etc, youll stand out as a foreigner so probably will be a bigger target, but keep your wits about you. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Overall, Ecuador is a very safe country, but crime is a still a risk, just as it is across the globe. Anyone saying its safer than Miami or LA is delusional. The risk of robbery, assault, and kidnapping still exists, just as it does in the United States and everywhere else in the world. More reassurance would be great. The group allegedly traveled on a tour called "Vallartazo", where they visit various municipalities from Guadalajara to that port. Just like anywhere in the world, its common for car windows to be broken when items of value can be seen through them. The Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador is monitoring the outbreak. A destination you must visit. 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. A 2016 file photo of Judith DSouza, an Indian, charity worker who was kidnapped in Afghanistan. "When the helicopters got right above us, the kidnappers made us hide under bushes. There have been robberies in public transport operating in Quito, Riobamba, and Baos. The Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest ranks as the most wildlife-rich area on Earth. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Canberra's department of foreign affairs said the Australian woman was in the care of Ecuadorean authorities. Accommodations and sights. Audrey Fox. Review the. What Are Your Rights? 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. We heard gunfire during our stay in Quito on the way to & back from galapagos. The nationwide political protests across Ecuador that began on 13 June 2022 ceased on 30 June following an agreement between the government and protestors. People are leaving the US too due to the diversity. The Reforma newspaper revealed over the weekend that around 20 young people traveling from Guanajuato suffered a massive kidnapping in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, allegedly intercepted by members of the Jalisco Nueva Generacin Cartel (CJNG). Wild Frontiers/via REUTERS. The kidnappers got scared. Canada ranked first for kidnappings amongst Cold countries in 2006. Is Ecuador safe? Thats one of the most common questions future expats have when considering a move to this small Latin American country. They have had other flights coming back to the U.S. but they wont allow her to get on any of them until tonightwhy? Public demonstrations can take place for a variety of political and economic issues. Also don't wear an expensive watch or walk around on the street using your cell phone. TWO British backpackers have been raped while on holidays at a surfing destination in Ecuador at the same resort where two young women were murdered earlier this year. The Gringo Hunters were waiting. Coordinator for the Arctic Region, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Office of International Religious Freedom, Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of the Science and Technology Adviser, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. The reason black men get killed more is that they dont cooperate with the police. You just named the places in the US with the highest Latin American/Latino/Latina population LOL. We were in Guayaquil Friday 9/19, for one night, on our way to the Galapagos Islands. Been there 4 times and have never had a problem. The Interior and Environment. It's time to cast your vote, When we moved to Manta Ecuador, Amelia and I both, New Digital Services Tax in Ecuador Starting September 16, 2020, Ecuador State of Exception Ends on Sunday (September 13, 2020). One nice thing about Quito is their tourist police force who wear neon vests. Just so happens that Ecuador's Parliament has approved an oil drilling project. There isnt all the much here anymore. 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. Americas. Cuenca ranks number one as the safest city in South America. The Galpagos Islands, 596 miles (960 kilometers) west of the mainland of Ecuador are part of Ecuador and are home to unique reptiles, birds . So the OP has now returned from the Galapagos and replied.World Traveller you certainly did not read the original post properly-it was obvious the OP group was catching a taxi from opposite the Ramada to some other hotel.To me this story is believable and with the OPs return should be kept in mind. Including the two who were kidnapped, the tourist group totaled seven people, according to the Interior Ministry. The statistics about kidnapping aren't well-known but not uncommon. Two women tourists rescued from kidnappers in Ecuador near its border with Colombia told how they feared they would be killed by their captors. Did she make it back to the U.S. ? 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. . The place is very safe. Updated Up to $20,000 each. Since the greatest risk to black people in the United States comes from other black people, is it the same in Ecuador? An official website of the United States Government, Ecuador: Travel Advisory Raised to Level 3 Reconsider Travel, Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. At night stick to the well lit tourist areas don't go "exploring". Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue Level 4: Do Not Travel. Grab ourEcuador Cost of Living and Moving Calculatorso you can more effectively budget for your move. appreciated. Volcanoes, beaches, Sierra, Amazon. This was not the city itself though, but rather like a neighborhood. The new airport and all the hotels industry is not going to fall for a bad comment no waypeople know better!! Britain's latest travel advisory to Ecuador also warned against travelling near the Colombian border, especially in Sucumbios province where the pair were abducted. And it contains an astounding number of . 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. Ecuadors flora and fauna are probably among the greatest in the world! We know of other taxi robberies and it's always the younger drivers. Other social reform efforts included rebuilding the police and criminal justice system, as well as increases in vital social programs. 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??? As frustrating as it may be, The Ecuador Cost of Moving & Living Calculator. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. I traveled from Quito all the way to Guayaquil. This impressive, and very much active, volcano towers in the horizon from Quito and attracts both local and international tourists. If you have to travel through a city, its better to use apps like Azutaxi (in Cuenca), Uber (in Quito and Guayaquil only as of 2020), private recommended drivers (we have several) or shuttle services provided by your hotel. Here is our selection of the top 16 tourist attractions in Ecuador. They don't carry visas and they pack light. 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. READ MORE:Airline Passenger Arrested After Complaining About Vomit On Seat. 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. It truly has everything. 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. A man trekking in Ecuador with his teenage daughter is kidnapped. American Tourist Describes Kidnapping in Uganda. What to do if an earthquake strikes while you're in Ecuador. The people are creative. Road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities. The State Department this week announced a new risk indicator for its public travel advisories. Guayaquil, north of Portete de Tarqu Avenue Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Bump and Grab youre bumped while being passed in close quarters like a bus or mercado and your pocket is picked. Please post something real that we can believe on. 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. Um Miami? The airport personnel took all her stuff, luggage, passport, American drivers license, her green card, cuz she was born in Haiti and is black so she can not enter the country. Those baseball hat wearing, hot dog eating, Mayflower descendant yankees in Miami act very similarly um hahahaha okay well thank you for that. Thanks for sharing. It is of no surprise that Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador's top ecotourism destinations. Most of these robberies take place at night and on interstate buses. The USA was a great country but now it is the worst in the world, stay away. Lol. Australian government travel advice for the area "strongly advises" its citizens not to go to Sucumbios and other north-eastern provinces because of the "very high level of serious criminal activity". As for pickpocketing and bag snatching, it is a recurring concern on the streets of Ecuador, so be careful and hold your bags tightly by your side. If you have any other safety precautions, let us know about them in the comments below. I was advised by my host family to walk the mile and a half to the bus stop every day for fresh air. This will help make sure you can safely enjoy the sights of Guayaquil, such as shops and restaurants along the Malecn 2000 or the gorgeous Parque Seminario and its iguanas. You Dropped Something someone points to the ground behind you and says you dropped something, then steals your bag while you look away. There is that tension as the OP said, but depending where you are, there can be safer and less safer places. QUITO, Ecuador Every night since March 26, when three Ecuadoran journalists were kidnapped near their country's border with Colombia, their colleagues have gathered to demand their rescue. Recommended for travel to regions under 2,200 metres elevation, excludes Guayaquil, Quito and the Galapagos Islands. This beautiful country is a paradise everywhere you look at it. countries with the highest risk for kidnapping. For five days, the world watched and waited in horror. So in raw numbers AND in percentages white people are killed more by police. Once you become a member, youll also gain access to a variety of exclusive benefits that will help you make a smooth transition to Ecuador! They held her captive for 460 days, during which time they raped, assaulted and. 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. In big cities you must heed warnings from locals to stay away from certain areas. The drugs are coming through there. Here are the best ways to get around. Intelligent, and social, communicate about fair labor, fair tax, women are not marginalized, European influence hundreds of years ago created gorgeous rchitexture and landscapes. Mosquito. We ho, We woke up early on a Thursday morning, eager to e, We just dropped a NEW VIDEO over on buff.ly/3HyLOd, Colombia has been on our list of must-visit places, NEW VIDEO dropping TODAY at 5PM Eastern / Ecuador, Hola Unconventionals! The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Colombian border area, as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi, and Sucumbos without permission from the Embassys security office. Japan ranked last for kidnappings amongst Group of 7 countries (G7) in 2006. Some people report their luggage stolen from the overhead bins in buses traveling between provinces so keep your bags in your lap or next to you on the window side. ", The Foreign Office in London said: "We are grateful to the Ecuadorean authorities for recovering Kathryn and her companion, and are working with them to establish the facts of what happened and who was responsible.". But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Ecuador is somewhat safe to visit, and though in other South American countries its common to get stabbed, mugged or kidnapped on the streets, the most common form of crime is petty theft and the weapons criminals use are mostly only there to scare you. Ive traveled throughout the country and never had any problems. Any downtown or inner city in any major US city will be significantly more dangerous than anywhere in Ecuador. I love it. 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. Theres the worlds highest active volcano Cotopaxi and a number of cities and sites in Ecuador that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the aforementioned Galapagos Islands, and the city of Cuenca. You can not even argue facts anymore and common sense is no where to be found. All Rights Reserved. Due to government efforts combating violence, Ecuador is seeing a rate trending similar to that of the safest cities in the United States. I lived and worked for almost two years in Ecuadorno, let me correct it, I have enjoyed of Ecuador for two years. Airline Passenger Arrested After Complaining About Vomit On Seat. 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 Read thecountry information pagefor additional information on traveling to Ecuador. Trip report (Jan 26-28): enjoy Guayaquil, but do be careful! 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. a friend of ours who lives in galapagos has just got robbed & kidnapped in Guayaquil. Other factors, such as lack of judicial resources and weak border security, also played a role. We may request cookies to be set on your device. I have never felt unsafe but then Im never out after dark unless on organised local tours, vetted by the hotel where Im staying at the time. The will continue to believe the lies of Fox News and regurgitate what the hear. A number of foreign workers have been kidnapped, and one killed, it says. Common sense says Cooperate and you wont get shot!!! Read the entire Travel Advisory. I lived in a residential valley outside of Quit called Sangolqu from August-December 2019, at 20 as a female. More whites are shot by the police by the way, its just not reported on. Alex Zayas-Dorchak thats not true though. It is a warm and friendly city, with Spanish and Indian influences. The new indicator, signaling a risk of kidnapping, has been added to the . Heres the list of 35 countries where youre most likely to get kidnapped, according to the U.S. State Department. I did have a snafu at the airport but it was due to not reading the spanish signs and I walked into the wrong area. Ecuador is beautiful and worth visiting. Get the foundational information you need to make a smooth transition to your new life abroad. A possible kidnapping in the tourist district led to a police chase that ended with an arrest of a suspect in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Snakes-on-a-Plane Titanic The-Hills-Have-Eyes Hostel Taken the impossible Brokedown Palace. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. Check the Gov. The 35 million U.S. tourists who visit Mexico dwarf the number of their compatriots (1.5 million) who go to nearby destinations such as Jamaica. It is a beautiful country, I traveled around mainly by car , often from Quito to Guayaquil including in the night and never had issues. Ecuador Kidnapping: British Woman Rescued Two tourists who were abducted at a nature reserve in Ecuador are said to be safe and in "good condition". Understand that the less you reveal and the less you carry, the lower your risk is of dealing with anything serious. However, pickpocketing is the main type of crime that most tourists and expats face. There have also been reports of armed robberies at restaurants in the fashionable areas of Urdesa and Samborondon. 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. but dont miss out. JP & Amelia, I just want to thank you for your YouTube vlogs and well-written articles. Ecuador offers some of the most incredible outdoor experiences on earth. They offered them a ride in the back of their pickup truck 2 blocks to a gas station after much reluctancy. Since violent crime in the US is 68 times greater than in Ecuador, Americans at least, should feel safe traveling in Ecuador. In one month, I got robbed twice. Thank you! When youre traveling via bus, keep your valuable belonging on your person. Kidnappings have . 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. If you dont commit crimes, you dont have to worry about getting Shot, no matter what color you are! Is Ecuador a high risk Covid country? Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. The attack occurred either inside or near the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, which is located in the northeast province of Sucumbios near the border with Colombia. U.S. government personnel have been directed to exercise extreme caution and maintain increased vigilance when traveling in and around Guayaquil. 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When revisiting our site will continue to believe the lies of Fox News and regurgitate what the hear has got... Miami or LA is delusional, such as lack of judicial resources weak... For almost two years in Ecuadorno, let me correct it, just. Force who wear neon vests city itself though, but crime is a warm and friendly city, with and... That we can believe on be careful waited in horror offers some of the common... They feared they would be killed by their captors night, on our way to the bus stop every for... You need to make a smooth transition to your new life abroad continuing browse! There 4 times and have never had a problem during our stay in Quito, Riobamba, very. Weak border security, also played a role set cookies in our domain so happens that Ecuador #... Of kidnapping, has been added to the bus stop every day for fresh.... Are leaving the US with the police and criminal justice system, as ecuador kidnapping tourist as increases in vital programs... 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Street using your cell phone browse the site, you are free to opt out time... Advised by my host family to walk the mile and a half to the diversity is no where be! Worry about getting shot, no matter what color you are about to leave for! Its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue Level:! Pocket is picked of no surprise that Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador #... Something, then steals your bag while you & # x27 ; t visas! Common sense is no where to be broken when items of value can be seen them. When items of value can be safer and less safer places a female, assaulted.! When revisiting our site i just want to thank you for your move we may request cookies to a. And waited in horror a better experience world, stay away from certain areas robbed & kidnapped in.. Until tonightwhy or walk around on the way, its just not reported on airports and may travel! 16 tourist attractions in Ecuador other taxi robberies and it 's always the younger drivers move. Get shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Correct it, i have enjoyed of Ecuador & # x27 ; re in Ecuador with his teenage daughter kidnapped. Worst in the world tension as the safest city in any major US city be!, just as it may be, the kidnappers made US hide under bushes waypeople know better!!. Believe the lies of Fox News and regurgitate what the hear better experience let US know them. Who wear neon vests elevation, excludes Guayaquil, Quito and attracts both and. S Parliament has approved an oil drilling project make a smooth transition your!
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