As a young woman in Ecuador - How safe does it feel?
When I told my family and friends that I was going to do my internship in Ecuador, most of their reactions were very surprised and worried and I was asked several times if I had thought it through. Of course, these reactions got me thinking and googling the situation in Ecuador didn’t really make me any less worried. On the contrary, all you read on the internet is how dangerous it is in the different places and where you must not go. And of course there are some places in Ecuador that you really shouldn’t visit, especially not as a tourist. But in my experience, much of what is written on the internet is exaggerated, which is why I would like to share my personal assessment of the security situation in this small country on the equator with you in this blog.
My experiences as a woman
We all know as a woman you always have to be particularly careful. Every girl learns this at a young age from her parents, teachers and other educators. When I came to Ecuador, I was honestly really worried that I would be exposed to a lot of catcalling and stupid pick-up lines here – after all, I’m used to that even in Germany.
But surprisingly, the catcalling here is really limited. Ecuadorians are very honest and direct, which is why one or two Uber drivers have already told me what charming eyes I have. However, this was always said in a very friendly and respectful manner and didn’t come across as intrusive at all. I also occasionally have men approach me on the street and talk to me. In the beginning, I always immediately stiffened up and thought about the best way to escape the situation. But this was completely unnecessary as the men just wanted to chat and were curious about what a white woman was doing here. They always chatted to me briefly before giving me a brotherly handshake and moving on. I’ve also had more pleasant experiences when going out partying than I’m used to in Germany.
If a man approaches me here in Ecuador and I tell him that I’m not interested, he disappears immediately and I never see him again for the rest of the evening. Of course, I’ve also been catcalled here, but not to any greater or worse extent than at home. So as you can see, I could almost say that I as a woman feel more comfortable here than in Germany.
Theft
Yes, admittedly the theft rate here is a lot higher than in Europe or the US, but it’s not as if you’re always going to be mugged as soon as you go out on the street. As long as you avoid the particularly dangerous areas, which I will come to later, and keep a few other things in mind, your valuables are not in danger. In crowded places, it is advisable to carry your bag in front of your chest and possibly put one hand on it. You should not carry open bags, but ones with zippers. Most thieves want to remain inconspicuous and will therefore not snatch your bag or approach you on the street to demand your money. I’ve been in Ecuador for over 3 months now and haven’t had any problems with theft (apart from once). At a big city festival with a parade, I meandered through the crowds and didn’t pay much attention to my fanny pack. Unfortunately, my wallet was actually stolen there, which is why I recommend covering your bag with your hand in crowded places. Fortunately, I’ve got into the habit of never carrying all my money in my wallet when traveling, but in various lockable parts of my bag, which is why I only had just under 10 USD stolen. With the other 40 USD I still had with me, I had enough money to get home without any problems.
Public transportation
Another thing I often read on the internet is that you should avoid public transportation. But again, I have to disagree with the internet. I live just outside Quito and always take the bus into the city, as it is simply much cheaper than taking an Uber or cab.
Even when the bus was completely full or when it was already dark, I took the bus and had no problems at all. It’s worth mentioning at this point that, in addition to the driver, there often is another person from the bus company who collects the money for the journey and is therefore always walking through it. That immediately makes you feel even safer. The metro in Quito is not a dangerous place either. I haven’t yet taken the bus home alone at night, but I don’t like doing that in Germany either, so I can´t really tell you anything about that. However, I have taken the night bus once and that was no problem either.
Places you should avoid
As I already mentioned, there are of course places where you really shouldn’t go as a tourist. These are mainly located along the coast, as the drug mafia is heavily represented here. There is nothing to worry about on the beaches, but you should definitely be careful in the coastal towns and avoid them, especially in the evenings. Even locals try to avoid these places. In addition to the small coastal towns, this also includes Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador. Although the city is very beautiful, it is unfortunately very dangerous. If you are considering traveling there, make sure you read the latest safety reports and never leave the city center. If you are traveling along the coast, it is best to ask the staff at your accommodation where it is safe and where it is dangerous, as they will be able to help you best. In the capital of Ecuador, Quito, there are also some places that are not necessarily recommended for tourists. These are mainly in the lower south and upper north. The center and its surroundings, on the other hand, are relatively safe. Of course, you have to be careful here too, but it is much safer than you always read on the internet.
Personal experiences
Of course, all the negative reports about safety in Ecuador make me particularly wary and I immediately become skeptical when someone approaches me. But this is actually completely unfounded and only makes me unnecessarily anxious. I’ve really only had positive experiences so far; in the city centers, for example, even the police regularly come up to me and ask if everything is okay or if I need help. In general, there is always a fairly high police presence in every center to ensure the safety of tourists. In Otavalo, Cuenca, Latacunga and also Quito, I have even been out and about in the evening or at night without anything happening to me. The only time I felt uncomfortable in the dark was when there was a power cut and the streets were pitch black and unlit, but even then nothing ever happened to me.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, everything is less than half as bad as the media makes it seem to be. Just keep an eye on your valuables, avoid the places mentioned above and ask locals about the security situation. If you keep all of this in mind, nothing will stand in the way of your Ecuador vacation and you are welcome to contact us so that we can find a safe itinerary for you together.
