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Ecuador
17 scams
Despite being a small country, Ecuador has much to offer.
You can spend time in Quito, a city of ancient architecture and modern touches, explore unspoilt rainforest, or head out to the peerless Galapagos Islands.
However, there are tourist targeted scams and high crime rates to watch out for.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency hotline (police, fire, ambulance): 911
Travel resources
Galapagos cruise scam in Ecuador
6 0How it works: Version 1: you may encounter touts who offer a boat cruise to Galapagos at a knock-down price. However it usually comes with a range of hidden costs…
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Ayahuasca scams in Ecuador
6 0How it works: Opening: like in Peru, Ayahuasca tourism is an emerging market and involves taking a psychedelic herb with a shaman who performs a ritual to ‘cleanse you spiritually’…
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Gate fee, bus ticket scam in Ecuador
5 0How it works: Situation: at the Quitumbe bus terminal, there is both a gate fee and a bus fee. Set-up: tourists have reported been scammed into only getting the gate…
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Taxi scams in Ecuador
5 0How it works: Border crossing: when going to the Ecuador-Peru border, your driver claims that Peruvian taxis only accept Peruvian currency and so offers to change money with you (at…
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Bus theft, robbery in Ecuador
3 0How it works: Non-violent: Version 1: thieves strike when you are asleep or will try to distract you. Version 2: some pose as bus employees, pretend to help by asking…
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Bird poo scam in Ecuador
3 0How it works: Opening: someone squirts mustard or ketchup resembling bird poo on your clothes without you realizing it. He then stops you to draw attention to it and helps…
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Unlicensed taxis in Ecuador
3 0How it works: Overcharging: quoting an inflated fare or rigged meter. Express kidnappings (specifically Guayaquil): driver takes you to a remote area to pick up armed accomplices. You are then…
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Counterfeit USD in Ecuador
2 0How it works: Situation: unfortunately, counterfeit USD bills continue to flow in from Peru and Colombia, thanks to the presence of criminal groups. Set-up: here, you can get counterfeit bills…
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Restaurant scams in Ecuador
2 0How it works: Situation: Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: Version 1: inflating the…
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Snatch thefts in Ecuador
2 1How it works: Street, mall, shop, park, transportation hub: distracting and snatching from you, then escaping via a getaway car or down a street corner. Airport, bus terminal: distraction techniques include…
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River boat robbery in Ecuador
2 0How it works: There have been boats held up at gunpoint and passengers robbed, or passengers being driven to a secluded location and then mugged and left in the middle…
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Pickpockets in Ecuador
2 0How it works: Version 1: they work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts, or engages you, one grabs and the final hides the loot under a…
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Rental car scams in Ecuador
2 0How it works: Version 1: you have two options – a tank-to-tank rental (pay for all gas and a slightly higher fixed charge) or a mileage based rental (low fixed…
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Sob story scammers in Ecuador
2 0How it works: The sob story varies but is usually about some illness, injury or alleged robbery and then asking if you can spare some change for him to take…
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Credit card skimming in Ecuador
1 0How it works: Situation: the vast majority of tourists would probably not fall for this but on the off-chance that you do, you need to know how to spot the…
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