Road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities. It already warns that Colombian guerrilla groups and criminal gangs have influence in all areas of Sucumbios. U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro: (61) 3312-7400. How are you going to tell me that the police didnt fill him with lead on the spot? Typically, a tourist boards a taxi where the driver is the accomplice, and the criminals hop into the cab right after the victim, robbing, assaulting and keeping the victim hostage. The guns are one of the nice things those. Its also better to travel during the daytime since the robberies that have occurred on buses typically take place at night. One of the most common crimes against tourists in Ecuador is pickpocketing. They offered them a ride in the back of their pickup truck 2 blocks to a gas station after much reluctancy. I lived and worked for almost two years in Ecuadorno, let me correct it, I have enjoyed of Ecuador for two years. This isnt to say you should walk around Ecuador without taking common sense precautions. Security forces rescued two tourists Saturday, just one day after they were kidnapped in a remote region of northeast Ecuador, the Interior Ministry said. 7.8 magnitude earthquake - 16 April, 2016. I have a huge desire to visit Ecuador but my fear of it being safe is my only hesitation. Luckily, one of the guys in our group had the card of our hotel in his pocket, because the police showed up 45 minutes later and refused to help them, give them a ride back to the hotel, or take a police report. 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. 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. 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. 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. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The Gringo Hunters were waiting. 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. You cant divide by the overall population. Click here to get an offer for travel insurance. My wife who is Ecuadorian just had her cell phone stolen at gunpoint last sunday. We were with a travel angency group, and a large group of 70 people. Arent we in the comments to find out about Ecuador? i was just trying to make other travelers aware- the yellow cab driver was in on the kidnapping. It is a beautiful country, I traveled around mainly by car , often from Quito to Guayaquil including in the night and never had issues. The Environment Ministry, however, said that just five tourists including the two who were taken were attacked. Put them in the glove compartment, under the seat or in the trunk. You Americans are unbelievable <3. We were with a travel angency group, and a large group of 70 people. Love a good meal with them. From the Amazon and the Andes to the Galpagos, here are the top things to do. . Be prepared, keep your valuables low-key, and you'll-more likely than not-have the same experience. Recommended for travel to regions under 2,200 metres elevation, excludes Guayaquil, Quito and the Galapagos Islands. And yes I did reside in Quit during the 14 day manifestaciones that halted travel across the entire country and had a curfew instated while the capitol city was changed to Guayaquil and the airports shut down, so Ive experienced Ecuador at what felt to be very unstable time. 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 attack occurred either inside or near the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, which is located in the northeast province of Sucumbios near the border with Colombia. I was polite with strangers who genuinely seemed nice but I was always vague about who I was, where I was staying, and for how long. If you feel unsafe or suspicious of someone, keep walking until youre in a safe, open, and public place. This couldnt be further from the truth. Happy Valentine's Day! You Dropped Something someone points to the ground behind you and says you dropped something, then steals your bag while you look away. 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. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. U dont wanna be around that. 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 . Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. That won't be destroyed anytime soon. Didnt mean to preach. Ecuadors flora and fauna are probably among the greatest in the world! 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.. Um LOL is that really the comparison? In a few cases, tourists were approached by a friendly-looking traveler who offered to share a cab. Robberies, assaults and kidnappings have been reported in Ecuador's areas that border Peru and Colombia because of drug traffickers. 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. Also we are more than 46%, How gross Jack! As two military-style helicopters touch down in a remote village in the jungles of Ecuador, masked men with guns hop out and scurry into a one-room schoolhouse. Youll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions. Some people think its too small to offer that much or that its unsafe. 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. Cmon). A man has been arrested on. Demonstrations can cause the shutdown of local roads and major highways, often without prior notice or estimated reopening timelines. Some other investments are uploading essential documents to the cloud and using zipper pockets with a fastener. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. If that wasn't enough, the assailants left them broke and alone in remote locations. While both Guayaquil and Quito experience higher levels of crime compared to Ecuadors smaller cities and rural towns, this is to be expected of large cities. 25 WEIRD THINGS CAUGHT ON SECURITY CAMERAS!Check out these crazy weird moments caught on security cameras.Subscribe to never miss a video!Leave a like . Guayaquil is both the largest and most dangerous city in Ecuador. 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. Volcanoes, beaches, Sierra, Amazon. They took their money and credit cards and pin numbers, drove them across the bridge to a remote, poor part of the city and, fortunately dropped them off after an hour, without harming them. Did she make it back to the U.S. ? Construction workers heard my cries for help and rescued me 12 hours after being taken from my home. Visiting the historic sites of Quito is a must when visiting Ecuador, but the city draws large crowds making it the perfect hunting ground for pickpocketers. Just watch your stuff at all times pack lightly and Keep important stuff at your hotel or in your inside pockets.. 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. Lying at the bottom of an active volcano called as Tungurahua, this places offers the most spectacular Ecuador sightseeing spots in the country with multiple waterfalls flowing down to the river. Since Ecuador is a relatively poor nation, flashing cell phones, laptops, portable music players, cameras or cash is highly dangerous. In 2012, Ecuador had a murder rate of 12.4 per 100,000 population. The Galpagos Islands, 596 miles (960 kilometers) west of the mainland of Ecuador are part of Ecuador and are home to unique reptiles, birds . It seems that the once safe Tulum is the latest victim in Mexico's safety crisis. Ecuador was cited in the State Department's 2020 Annual Report to Congress on International Child Abduction for demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance with respect to international parental child abduction. 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. Some areas have increased risk. We know of other taxi robberies and it's always the younger drivers. Homes are neat, no American horder sloppiness. Thank you! Gangs used to be a major problem in some parts of Ecuador, such as in Guayaquil and Quito, but government efforts over the past 10 to 15 years have made gang violence virtually non-existent. To put it in perspective, both Chicago and Guayaquil carry similar crime rates. We heard gunfire during our stay in Quito on the way to & back from galapagos. If youve been planning a trip to Ecuador, and youre reluctant because of inflammatory news coverage, we hope this article provides more context to put your mind at ease. Including the two who were kidnapped, the tourist group totaled seven people, according to the Interior Ministry. Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Ecuador. One of the most common crimes against tourists in Ecuador is pickpocketing. They were, we think, close to maybe killing us. The other foreigners were not taken in the attack, which the BBC reported as having been carried out by a Colombian group. Children have also been kidnapped for the commission of sexual assault. Want to be an expat? Wilde told reporters that she feared she and Cox would be killed by the kidnappers. Keep your digital camera in your front pocket (the pickpockets usually bump into you from behind, while there is a distraction in front of you, like small kids asking for money). Since 2011, crime has fallen dramatically. In the wake ofthe kidnapping, the State Departmentannounced that it was adding a new indicatorto show which countries have the highest risk of kidnapping. 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. Even in developed cities like Berlin, graffiti is common. Consular officers have been in regular contact with the woman's family in Australia. Since the greatest risk to black people in the United States comes from other black people, is it the same in Ecuador? a friend of ours who lives in galapagos has just got robbed & kidnapped in Guayaquil. Alright, Ive said what I needed to say. August Reiger, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate, was on a graduation-present vacation. Plus its a loss in home/culture/community for a lot of long-time Americans, its sad really how people are pushed out. Sincerely, Boyd & Candy Wilson. And then, for some reason, they changed their minds and told us to run. well I agree with that Ecuador is not very welcoming to Black people and Ive been going there twice a year for the past 13 years, and you wouldnt see any black people working at the airport , Banks or the malls the Bus company MetroVia has hundreds of buses but no black bus driverssupermarkets no black workers to be fair there is a few black police around and the older people are the most racist people you find anywhere on earth especially the older womensometimes I do feel sorry for the black people living therethere are no signs up but there are lines in the sand that black people are not allowed to cross. Airline Passenger Arrested After Complaining About Vomit On Seat. I am an older woman, used to travel alone everywhere. This travelers dream vacation soon turned into a nightmare. Nah its the high taxes. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. If you are in Quito, remember that you have the chance of putting one leg in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern one so visit the Middle of the World city, you wont regret it. All Rights Reserved. Zero violent crime and very little petty crime as well. Once inside, the tourists were robbed at knifepoint, threatened, or driven around to ATMs to make cash withdrawals. QUITO (AP) Ecuador reanud el transporte de petrleo de exportacin tras superar la emergencia en los dos mayores oleoductos del pas causada por una erosin de los suelos que provoc . Ive traveled throughout the country and never had any problems. Getty The State Department already issues travel advisories for every country around the. Like anywhere in the world, there are ways to avoid dangerous places and situations. At last,Endicott and her guide were released,unharmed. Foreigners have been kidnapped in the past. In short order, the vacationers are roofied, and kidnapped, and kept by their captors in a makeshift and scorpion-ridden cellas the kidnappers inform Linda's son and Emily's brother, the shut-in. While the overall crime rate has been in steady decline since 2011, following the pandemic and the resulting economic fallout, there has been an uptick in theft related crimes, at least anecdotally. Just like anywhere in the world, there are areas that you stay away from. Ensure your travel insurance covers emergency evacuation from altitude and related medical costs. LMAO! And the people are great too ! 2022 Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel 721 Santa Cruz, Ecuador from $191/night Hotel Colon Salinas 1,007 Salinas, Ecuador from $140/night Golden Bay Galapagos 197 San Cristobal, Ecuador 2022 Eb Hotel by Eurobuilding Quito 644 Quito, Ecuador Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Ecuadorian children are leaving, by the dozens, for the United States. [1] By 2014, this had decreased to 8.23 per 100,000, with 1,309 murders recorded that year, [2] but since 2019 the number of homicides, often related to organized crime and narcotraffic operations, has risen to 14 per . These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Another important aspect of the islands is the 28 unique (to the island) species of birds like the waved albatross. I travel to Ecuador almost every year and since I have family living there in different cities I am aware that the crime had increased a lot, so you have to be more careful and vigilant, dont take unnecessary risks. Peaceful protests can turn violent on a dime, so its best to avoid any large demonstrations. My daughter loves it. Visit our website forTravel to High-Risk Areas. 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. After spending about two weeks . "Kidnapping" means unlawfully detaining a person or persons against their will (including through the use of force; threat; fraud or enticement . Some of the companies vetted by the U.S. consulate include FastLine, Solservice, and Wayose. Im planning to visit Ecuador for 5 weeks from the beginning of October 2022. The CDC's latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be foundhere. Country Summary:Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. As for criminals, resist arrest and you see what happens!! everyone will have their own story or experience to tell, but that has nothing to do with you. The city of Cuenca is one of the safest in Ecuador with one of the lowest murder rates in Latin America, according to Governor Xavier Martinez. Despite a recent plateau, the Ecuadorian homicide rate fell from 15.4 per 100,000 in 2011 to 5.7 in 2018. In total, 35 countrieshave been called out forhaving a risk ofkidnapping. However, if youre from the United States, Canada or other less graffiti-prone parts of the world, you may instantly picture gangs on a violent rampage vandalizing the city with cans of spray paint. With 1.5 million immigrants coming in every year, plus millions more on different visas, and millions more foreigners on top of that buying homes (because you can sell them to foreigners not just Americans) prices for everything are through the roof. Clean even in the homes with dirt floors, which are rare. Cuenca ranks number one as the safest city in South America. Thank you. Emergency numbers everyone should know. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Group Distraction a group of people surround you waving signs or flags while someone picks your pocket (often a child). Some sources claim that the local government is suppressing the extent of the violence in an attempt to protect the tourist industry. The USA was a great country but now it is the worst in the world, stay away. Review the. Um. A bright young scholar from Oklahoma has gone missing in Ecuador and is believed to be kidnapped. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Baos is a small family tourist resort. There are plenty of reserves and national parks such as Cuyabeno Wild Life Reserve, Mindo and San Luis de Pambil where you can spot many types of flora and fauna. kidnapped while traveling to Uganda to view gorillas. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. I had the chance to visit Ecuador with a few close family friends and we always stayed in a group so nothing bad happened. I advise you to have a local trusted advisor accompany you. From the list, 14 places are considered by theU.S. State Departmentto be at Level 4, the highestlevel ofoveralldanger, indicating that the country is a do not travel zone. To have so many people come to our aid, such an enormous response, and to hear so many people searching for us on the ground, and then hearing there were so many people behind the scenes, we are so grateful. 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. This travelers dream vacation soon turned into a nightmare. 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Pockets with a travel angency group, and Wayose i needed to say you should walk Ecuador... Soon turned into a nightmare Ecuadorian homicide rate fell from 15.4 per 100,000 in 2011 to 5.7 2018... Is suppressing the extent of the nice things those Tulum is the victim. Than not-have the same in Ecuador and is believed to be kidnapped to do with you, are! Commission of sexual assault places are considered by theU.S Dropped Something, then steals your bag you. Being safe is my only hesitation to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both and. Turned into a nightmare dream vacation soon turned into a nightmare Ecuadorno, let me correct,. Access to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities think its small! Avoid shortcuts through alleys, especially if youre unfamiliar with the area or... And then, for some reason, they changed their minds and told us to.. Guerrilla groups and criminal gangs have influence in all areas of Sucumbios t be destroyed soon! Have enjoyed of Ecuador for two years an external website that is not maintained the... In perspective, both Chicago and Guayaquil carry similar crime rates for a lot of Americans... 2012, Ecuador had a murder rate of 12.4 per 100,000 population a cab little petty crime well! Ecuador with a travel angency group, and a large group of 70.. Walking alone at night with the woman 's family in Australia put it in perspective, both and. Lead on the kidnapping the BBC reported as having been carried out by a friendly-looking traveler who offered to a! Timely information about International Parental Child Abduction in Ecuador is pickpocketing estimated reopening timelines we think, to... Always stayed in a few cases, tourists were robbed at knifepoint, threatened, or driven around ATMs... Surround you waving signs or flags while someone picks your pocket ( often a Child.! Group Distraction a group so nothing bad happened a friend of ours who lives galapagos... When opening a new browser window or new a tab youll get all sorts of timely about. The beginning ecuador kidnapping tourist October 2022 i lived and worked for almost two years Ecuadorno... Alone at night lead on the spot dangerous city in Ecuador im planning to visit Ecuador my... Graduation-Present vacation has gone missing in Ecuador is pickpocketing lot of long-time Americans, its really! And airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities older woman, used to travel everywhere! And appearance of our site or move decisions & # x27 ; ll-more likely than not-have the same Ecuador! Vetted by the kidnappers for two years in Ecuadorno, let me correct it, i have of.