½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Hi josectech and welcome to ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ!

Maybe an introduction could help!

Regards
Armand

It realy depends on where in Ecuador you go.  For the most part I find the country very safe, or as safe as it is back home in Canada.  As long as you do not attract a lot of attention to your self by flashing wadds of cash or wearing lots of jewelery or carrying expensive electronics you will be fine...during the day.
At night things change.  When I go out in Quito I do not go alone and I am a big guy, 6'2" and 260lbs.  I do not carry or wear an expensive jacket, I carry my wallet in my front pocket and if I can leave my cell phone at home I do.  Sadly, it is the street urchins, the children selling everything from cigarettes to lollys that are your biggest problem.  They will swarm you as a group and distract you while one of them picks your pockets.  Happened to a friend of mine and I was standing right next to him.
As long as you have common sence and try to blend in as much as possible life here is pretty safe.  I am sure that others will chime in here and give you some more advice as far as other areas in Ecuador are concerned.  For the most part, Ecuadorians are very polite, courtious and not in any way threatning.  As is the case in all places it is the few that give the area a bad reputation and not the many.

If you check out the special report "7 Critical Factors You Need To Know Before You Decide To Retire In Ecuador" on this site retirement-in-ecuador.com you'll find information about the safety of Ecuador. Based on information collected by Interpol you are "87% LESS likely to be a victim of crime in Ecuador than in the US."

Search the forum for security posts.

Thank you very much for the information.  I'm looking forward to visiting for the first time in May and hopefully make a decision about retiring there.

Hi,
Ecuador is like any other place. Depending where you go, the experience will be yours. If someone is looking for mischif, they will find it. Going to safe places, you will be safe. Going to dangeruos areas at night alone, well, Ecuador has those, too. It all depends on what you are looking for.

Thank you for your contribution, Manonne!