Safety and Security in Ecuador

Ecuadorian thieves are opportunists. It’s extremely rare for visitors to be accosted by muggers or someone brandishing a gun or knife. Instead, they wait to catch someone unawares: a purse casually slung over the back of a restaurant chair or an ignored backpack at an internet cafe will quickly disappear. To protect yourself, never leave anything unattended and take extra care in places where careless tourists might leave their things unwatched, like cafes and bars

There are several places in Ecuador where pickpockets lurk, such as sporting events, public transportation and markets. The common denominator to all of them is crowds. Pickpockets can only work their trade if you are surrounded by jostling bodies.

The Girls

Ecuadorian girls look very indigenous with straight black hair, high cheekbones, thin eyebrows, and small eyes. Their bodies were not blessed with curves, but every city, no matter how small, has at least a few natural beauties. Regardless, this is not a country you should be coming for the girls, as most of them look like pictures of Native Americans in your high school history textbook. In smaller cities, the white man is looked on with an extra dose of curiosity, and his gringo status will attract an occasional prostitute working pseudo-undercover.