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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 number

  • General emergency hotline (police, fire, ambulance): 911

Travel guide

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Travel safety

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Cuicocha caldera and lake in Ecuador

Travel scams in Ecuador

Start over
Bartolome Island in the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos cruise scam in Ecuador

5 0

How 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 brewing

Ayahuasca scams in Ecuador

6 0

How 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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Quitumbe bus terminal

Gate fee, bus ticket scam in Ecuador

5 0

How 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 in Quito

Taxi scams in Ecuador

5 0

How 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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Official taxis waiting outside a bus station in Sucumbios

Unlicensed taxis in Ecuador

3 0

How 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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Street in Cuenca

Sob story scammers in Ecuador

3 0

How 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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Food in Ecuador

Restaurant scams in Ecuador

2 0

How 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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Chiva bus in Ecuador

Bus theft, robbery in Ecuador

3 2

How 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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Quito Old Town

Bird poo scam in Ecuador

2 1

How 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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Road in Quito

Rental car scams in Ecuador

2 0

How 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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Travelscams.org is the largest community built database of tourist scams and key travel safety issues globally, with 1777 travel scams and 1688 user stories shared on 101 countries.

If you ever wondered how it feels like to glide along the Ganges in India’s holiest City or to trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, just go, as we have you covered on all pitfalls you may face. About us →

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