are buses safe in ecuador

Bus safety - Ecuador Forum - Tripadvisor We arrived by taxi at the small bus terminal, and in less than five minutes, we were on a bus going to Otavalo. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers. El Oro province outside the cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas, due tocrime. Alternatively, you may use, Hacienda El Porvenir by Tierra del Volcan. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As a result, the U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these areas. Yes it is, but do follow basic safety tips as you would do anywhere else. Avoid using the overhead racks, as it can be hard to react if someone grabs your things on their way off the bus. The ride from Quito to Cuenca is 469 km (291 miles) and should take roughly 8 hours if you take Executive Direct Shuttle (not actually a bus, but a private car service, taking up to four passengers) or 10 hours if you go with a bus carrier such as Turismo Oriental. Similarly, be careful if storing your bag on the floor, there have been reported thefts by the passenger on the seat behind reaching under to slash a bag. TheGalapagos Islandsalone receive over 200,000 visitors per year, but the islands are actually in danger of beingover-touristed, which results in massive inflation of prices. As of 2022, Ecuador has a Global Peace Index rating of 1.988, ranking 79th in the world and coming in as the 5th safest country in South America. Keep a close eye on anything youre imbibing, and dont leave it unattended. g) Age and safety equipment of the long-distance buses. And yet, as I've said before, I live here and I think your repetitive 'safety' posts are scaremongering spam. To cover all the bases, many list robbery, assault, taxi kidnappings, and more, breaking down the wrongdoings until it sounds like the country is a crime ravaged disaster zone that one will be lucky to escape with your life. Safety is of the utmost importance for us. Tourism in Ecuador before and after COVID-19, How I Traveled in Ecuador by Bus for One Year and Only Spent $99, Swinging at the End of the Earth: The Ultimate Bucket List Adventure, The Little Beach Town in Ecuador Where the Party Never Stops, The Explosive Truth About The Highest Volcano On Earth. You can meet some cool, like-minded people on tours and, on top of that, local advice gives more depth to a place. Take the Flor del Valle bus line as it goes directly into Mindo. Esmeraldas city and all areas north of Esmeraldas city in Esmeraldas province, due tocrime. 4.1. A Guide to Staying Safe in Ecuador. Of course, be willing to expect some potential variation in time, due to factors . While you are in Quito and Guayaquil make sure to only use taxis that are registered with the municipality. It depends on where you're putting it "with you." But take the same precautions you usually do and you should be fine. Whats even better, youll get to learn stuff about yourself as well. Ecuador is a fun and exciting country to visit and explore, so keep reading for some suggestions and tips about staying safe during your next adventure here. Because of this, travelers still ask themselves if Ecuador is safe. See our vaccinations guide to South America here. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. All cities have some risk of pickpocketingeven in broad daylight. Store your valuables, passports, and important documents in the safes at the places you stay in. Visit our website forTravel to High-Risk Areas. Jun 27, 2023. Buses in Ecuador - The Ultimate Guide To Bus Travel - Nomad Girl La Ofelia is modern and safe. Be prepared, keep your valuables low-key, and youllmore likely than nothave the same experience. Never allow anyone to handle your luggage onboard, even if they look like an employee. Place it inside a bag to keep it clean and look less gringo-ish. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-53014949', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Quito, Guayaquil to the coast or quito to Manta. This city's budget is decided by its citizens How does a city become 'smart'? Tips for an epic family vacation to the Galpagos, from the best way to get around to swimming with sea lions and sunbathing with iguanas. However, visibility will always be better during the day than at night, and landslides can occur without warning. Nationwide, any danger to U.S. tourists and expats in Ecuador mostly consists of theft in the form of pickpocketing, purse snatching, and mugging. You would pretty much have to drape yourself over the bag to protect it. Tap water can be touch-and-go in Ecuador. Buses are one of the most common ways to get around Ecuador. One of the main dangers in Ecuador stems from its geographic location. Grabbing at your waist, under your arm, or bending down to unzip an ankle belt isnt the smoothest of actions. Two guys were selling peanuts in the bus and sat behind us and lay on the ground and reach underneath our chair to our bag. If you stop at Ipiales you must visit the local church which is one of the most famous in Colombia. [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Buses in Ecuadors cities are crowded to an extreme during rush hour and busy times, Once you let a few go by and see a spot on the last one in sight, the doors close-only to open again to let a stream of people in that make you feel like you are on the dance floor at the Roxy. It is often suggested to refrain from any PDA for same-sex couples while out and about, which may make your visit less enjoyable. We travelled by bus from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? These taxis also have cameras inside to help prevent crime. I've heard stories both ways..that someone put a bag under the bus and it was fine and I've heard stories of people's stuff being stolen from under the bus, although I believe that's not the norm. You must absolutely not leave passports/phones/cameras in them; keep those on you. SafetyWing is the travel insurance of choice for scores of backpackers! There is also an app called Ecuador Seguro that you can download. Yes, very safe. Relatedly, if youre traveling in Ecuador during the rainy season, make sure the El Nio/La Nia phenomenon is not occurring that year, as this can lead to severe flooding. Always be attentive to your possessions and dont lose sight of your drinks in clubs. Answer 1 of 17: I have read a lot of articles on the internet about the bus services in Ecuador being unsafe. I have read a lot of articles on the internet about the bus services in Ecuador being unsafe. Many do so every year. Bus driver stabbing just latest incident of violence on Metro transit Thursday's announcement follows a similar . Traveling to Ecuador puts you at risk for many mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, malaria, or Zika, so pack that bug spray and try to avoid being bitten. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you have time, go to one of the big markets and buy the big woven plastic bags; some have zippers, the biggest ones have grommets for tying with rope. You were 'packing'? Following basic personal safety guidance is always a good rule of thumb, and ultimately, awareness goes a long way. Is Quito Safe For Tourists? A Safety Guide To - My Trip To Ecuador Belt Up For Safety was founded following a fatal school bus crash near Ulladulla in 2001. Ecuador by bus? Here's all you need to know We are a family of four, backpacking for five weeks this summer and had intended to use buses for some trips, eg, to Otavalo, Mindo, Papallacta. Ayahuasca and San Pedro are a bit of a gray area. ! Traveling solo means youll be more at risk of, Sometimes its good to take a tour. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. It is often recommended to stick to fruits and vegetables that have been cooked or that you peel yourself. Loja - Wikitravel Be prepared to receive. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Posted in Travel Tips 0 Comments Updated July 16, 2019 4 mins read Tagged as ecuador, ecuador buses, ecuador tips, is ecuador safe, safety tips Share on Social Media Is Ecuador Safe: A Guide To Safety In Ecuador It's a fair question to ask: " Is Ecuador safe? Try to book only with reputable companies such as Ecuador Hop, as we avoid areas such as this completely. Here at Peru Hop we realise the importance of a safe and comfortable journey and so we constantly run maintenance checks, monitor driver speeds, and listen to any feedback our passengers have to help improve our service. As an example, the northern zone of the country which borders Colombia has serious issues with drug trafficking and organized crime. Ecuadors natural phenomena have long made the country a bucket list item for solo travelers and lovers of the outdoors. I have a question: Why would it be safer to place my bag under the bus than with me in the bus? However, as in most major cities around the globe, there are things to look out for in terms of staying safe. Houston - United Airlines Direct Flights to Guayaquil from the United States In Guayaquil, the modern Jos Joaqun de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) is located inside the city and only a short cab ride to hotels, malls and tourist attractions. Solo travel is amazing you get to do things your own way, at your own pace. Other incredible, and safe, places to visit in Ecuador are Baos and Cuenca, two cities with impressive tourist attractions and a window into Ecuadorian culture. (I consider being able to take pictures without people noticing a travel skill. This is an area that is avoided by all tourism companies and theres no reason why you should encounter any trouble here. Now a frequent returnee to the Latin Americas and a full-time traveller by trade, her blog -. Bus from Quito to Cuenca - AndesTransit ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-97799835', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car driving their selves in a safe way rather than to put their lives into the hands of bus drivers. Things get further compounded when realizing that most people headed this way have few points of reference beyond the worlds media. Plus, theres drug trafficking, theft, the threat of seismic activity, and hell, there are even places youre simply not allowed to go in Ecuador. Armed criminals have been known to board local city buses and rob passengers. Lauren Pozen reports from Venice, where an investigation continues after a bus driver was stabbed Thursday afternoon. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. If you want to visit the statue then its best to go with a taxi or with a tour, never on foot as even though there are police stationed on the hill, robbers are known to wait. Its better to call a taxi company recommended by your hotel. Yes, Ecuador may be intimidating at times, but if youre careful and pay attention to your surroundings, you can absolutely have a safe visit. Just over half of preschool buses in Japan fitted with safety devices I like AZ's comment about putting your day pack into a local shopping bag, but I would tend to keep it on my lap. The long distance buses safety situation from a new database created I have read a lot of things regarding safety (by safety I mean thievery - not talking about the safety issues relating to the driving style) in travelling by bus in Ecuador, and I have to admit I'm starting to get lost. From exploring the Amazon jungle and climbing the high snow capped Andes to the tiny beach towns where surfing and rum reign supreme, backpacking Ecuador ticks all the boxes. If undertaking a long-haul bus journey, perhaps consider sitting near another woman or the driver, and also consider planning lodging ahead of time in order to share with family or friends where you are each day. Buses are also safe as long as you are vigilant and keep your belongings close. Similarly, putting your bags underneath the seat in front of you can lead to them being cut open with a knife. Were a hop-on, hop-off bus service connecting the cities of Ecuador. We are a family of four, backpacking for five weeks this summer and had intended to use buses for some trips, eg, to Otavalo, Mindo, Papallacta. This is a good way to get tips on where to go next, what to see, and where to eat. Advertisement October 8, 2022 by Hernn Gonzales is ecuador safer than mexico? If a taxi drivers asking if youre married, or anybody seems overly interested in where youre heading next, and it feels sketchy. If you encounter a problem of any kind then just call our emergency number. In the past, its reputation has prevented a lot of travelers from visiting, but this really doesnt have to be the case! At Ecuador Hop, we make sure that our passengers experience is safe. In the case of any natural disaster, follow the instructions of the authorities to keep yourself safe. There you are enjoying a meal, engrossed in conversation with friends, supping wine or your drink of choice, and generally enjoying yourselves. However for me this is only important for the things which have most value, like passport, big money and cameras. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-97801544', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car accidents, either in private cars or with hired drivers, including several who have died, so while I agree that there are certainly risks to any land travel here, I still think your repeated claims that all the buses are death traps and that traveling by car is very safe, is primarily intended to drum up business. Staying Safe on the Buses in Ecuador 1. As I mentioned, I'd only travelled alone through Europe before that trip, and I was used to basically everybody speaking English. Stay Safe Loja is a city in the south of the Andean Highlands region of Ecuador . So the answer to is Ecuador dangerous goes a little something like thispretty much ALL of Ecuador is safe except for the 20-kilometer exclusion zone along theColombian border, and these days, the city of Guayaquil should also be avoided. If you are interested in a private transfer to Otavalo, get in touch today! Action cameras come in many shapes and sizes find the perfect alternative for you. So, to the reader who is genuinely concerned about safety in Ecuador, read on for our honest opinions and top tips to stay safe in Ecuador. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. However moto robberies and home invasions have increased throughout the country. Your little ones are going to be great icebreakers and will probably lead you to have truly local experiences that you wouldnt have had otherwise. Hiking by yourself may be really fun, but. Ecuador is as safe as most other developing countries, and cities like Quito to be as safe as most major cities in the world, but with the general proviso that you should always travel with care and common sense, and be streetwise. are a common target for scammers. Now for some up to date information! Bus in Ecuador - safety - Ecuador Forum - Tripadvisor Note that solo travelers (and travelers with large backpacks!) You can do the same for your smaller carryons; place them on the overhead rack across the aisle and a few rows up so you can see them. When venturing out for a wander, take a copy of your passport and only enough cash to get you through the day. Catalina Plaza bldg., Off. Some people will actually buy a seat for their large bags, but it would probably be safer in the compartment under the bus. But it doesnt come without its issues. Ecuador has so, so much to offer delicious cuisine, sublime outdoor opportunities, and super hip cities, just to name a few. Get in Transportes Loja operates buses throughout Ecuador. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads usingthis link. But I reported them to the security at the station who just shrugged. In rural areas particularly, there is a real risk of rabies and less hospitals to help out in case of emergency. Other important areas to be aware of in terms of safety are bus stations, where thieves and muggers are known to wait for opportunities. The town itself is full of good vibes, thanks to it being a hot spot for surfing. If youre seeking to embark on multi-day hikes or venture deep into the Amazon, consider hiring an official guide. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-97779435', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airplane infrastructure. Its worth prioritizing traveling by day and sitting near the driver. Yes, for the most part. Do not put your bag underneath your seat or in the overhead storage. Public transportation (mostly buses) is safe, comfortable, and tourist friendly. Again, the perception of criminality is something that dissuades many from traveling to Ecuador. While it may be uncomfortable, the best place for your bag is on your lap, where you can hold onto it at all times. Transnational criminal groups and local gangs regularly engage in violent criminal acts in these areas, including indiscriminate attacks without warning in public spaces. Ultimately, remember that going somewhere with a tour is not a sign of failure as a solo traveler! Many times people have told me that the border crossings in question were the easiest they have been through during their South American trips. The government's traffic safety agency said Thursday, June 22, 2023, that it will require heavy trucks and buses to include potentially life-saving automatic emergency braking equipment within . Local police throughout the country may be corrupt, and corruption in general is a problem. But make sure you, Ecuador is amacho society. So a healthy does of common sense and perspective is needed. Our passports we had on our lap, but a good advice to store your luggage on your lap. You know I been to many different countries but, I havent visited any south america countries yet. Here are a few of my misgivings: 1. While the riverside is fairly safe, downtown and southern areas, as well as the El Guasmo district is known to be sketchy and more dangerous. The government's traffic safety agency says it will require that heavy trucks and buses include potentially life-saving automatic emergency braking equipment within five years. However, you must pay attention to your belongings and to other risks associated with the permanent parties and backpacker culture that is synonymous with Montaita. Conversion therapy is illegal, and it is legal to change your name and gender markers without surgical requirements. I was packing so they had to run. U.S. government personnel are directed to exercise extreme caution and maintain increased vigilance when traveling in and around these areas. Most bus drivers do not respect the 90 km per hour speed limit, they do pass other vehicles on blind corners, double yellow lines and speed up on descendent angle highways as they are racing speed bikes, this provoques brakes overheating and fatal crashes. Here are a few tips: While most crimes that affect tourists are minor, organized crime does exist in Ecuador, largely focused around narcotrafficking. This advice is specifically in reference to the touristic zones of the main cities like Quito and Guayaquil. That's why we will never jeopardize the safety of our passengers just to meet a deadline. Instead, hit the streets in your casual out-and-about clothes, and leave the cameras and phones hidden from sight until you need them. However in the bus, they did steal from us. Buses are also an ideal mode of transportation for seeing natural treasures like Baos, Laguna Quilotoa, and others. Indeed, 55 of the 150 active volcanoes in the area are located in Ecuador! are you an old town or new town sort of person? Our fleet of guided buses take you to the famed destinations but also to the small hidden gems off the beaten path. They look much more "local.". This has led to some visitors participating in shaman ceremonies via a loophole in the recreational ban, but punishments can still be very harsh for breaking the rules. Inconsistent service and safety concerns among some riders have also kept people off public transit. Buses DO NOT leave from here, but they are convenient spots to buy your ticket in advance if you're in the area. Uber processes payments through the app directly, which is also a good option. Sometimes I hire a private driver for convenience, not out of fear. The disclaimer to this article includes the line that says that it doesnt list all of the things to look out for. You dont have to tell everyone everything about you. So have some cash and small change in a few different pockets in addition to that in your money belt, to use for taxis, food, coffee, etc. Kidnappers in Ecuador resort to cutting off victims' fingers to get How to Travel to Ecuador from the USA | AmeliaAndJP.com The country also has cosmopolitan cities in spades, with opportunities for chic dining, shopping, and culture in Quito, Guayaquil, and beyond. Operations: 593 2-512-3486 Outside of Ecuador's urban and semi-urban population centers, much of the country's territory is sparsely populated and isolated. Its a nuisance that, in the grand scheme of things, saves you the risk & hassle of losing valuables and then having to spend time and money replacing them. Buses that travel longer distances are usually fairly large and comfortable.
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