How do I stay in touch and stay safe alone in Ecuador?

by Cara Lee
(Yakima, WA, USA)

I will be traveling to Ecuador alone in February for a month. After one four night stay in Quito, I will be traveling without an itinerary. How do I stay safe while doing so? I would like someone to know where I am, and/or where and when I should be somewhere, just in case. I will check in with the US Embassy when I arrive, but after that? I am 63, white, fit, and used to being alone. I want to minimize the risks, however. My Spanish is pretty good.

For example: I horseback ride and pack in the mountains here is Washington state alone. I always leave a note on my kitchen counter about where I am going and when I expect to be back. My neighbor then knows (he will see that the horse, rig and dog are gone) where to start the search. I have a cell phone but I am often out of service; sometimes on purpose.

Thank you for your input.

Answer: This sounds like such a fantastic trip, and a month is just about right to see Ecuador properly. It's not a small country, but it's not too huge to visit either. The fact that you speak Spanish is an undeniable plus, because you'll be better able to gauge situations and intentions.

My first advice is relatively basic, and would apply to most countries in South America (and many other places, for that matter): beware of pickpockets (they're often children), especially in cities like Quito and Guayaquil; don't walk around town alone at night; don't hike or visit isolated areas by yourself; don't wear anything that makes you look like you have money - jewelry, for example. So - sensible travel safety advice, which I'm sure you already know, but it's good to be reminded.

By and large Ecuador is safe, and its cities are no more or less safe than cities elsewhere. Most crime is petty, snatch and grab, so keeping your valuables out of harm's way will be your best protection.

To stay safe, you should do what you do at home: let someone know where you're going, if you're headed off to somewhere remote. You can notify staff or newfound friends as you leave the hostel, or simply send a text message home to someone, promising to check in at a given hour (be generous here, because if the bus breaks down along the way you don't want the embassy to be alerted to a missing person while you're sitting by the side of the road gazing at the starry night...) This requires a cellphone - is yours GSM? If so, make sure you have international roaming but keep your phone OFF unless you're sending a text - or you'll be in for a surprise when the bill gets in.

Another option, one I've used in South America before, is to buy a cheap cell (I paid $9 for my cell in Panama for example) and use prepaid cards from one of the networks. Your hotel or hostel should be able to fill you in, as will any good guidebook.

Or just use one of the country's many Internet cafes to stay in touch. They usually have Skype or other net-to-phone systems, and that'll be cheaper than using your own phone. Just know that broadband isn't universal by any means, so calls or emails can take an eternity. And they're much more common in cities than in rural areas although increasingly you'll be able to find a lone computer terminal sitting at the back of a shop somewhere in most places.

A few more suggestions or tips... I'd be careful on buses because they're often an opportunity for people with impure intentions. If your bag is out of sight it's an easy target so keep your important things with you. Also Ecuadorian buses do run into trouble - the older ones aren't maintained properly, and driving can be haphazard (I'm being kind), especially if it rains as roads can get washed out. So choose your bus company carefully.

Another piece of advice is to stay away from the border with Colombia. It's full of armed personnel, and is used by guerillas and drug traffickers. It's not the kind of neighborhood you'd want to visit.

In case you haven't done so yet have a read of some of the safety advice on this site: start with the page on Safe Travel for Women and fan out from there.

Finally, to really get a taste of Ecuador, try some of the expat or local blogs or sites, like Life in Ecuador, BobNRox in Ecuador, Cotacachi Living or Ecuador Escape, to name a few. Don't hesitate to write to the authors and ask questions. People who live abroad often understand the anxieties of travelers and may well be willing to help by answering local questions.

If you take normal precautions, you should be fine in Ecuador. It's a spectacular country of huge diversity and a favorite of most travelers who visit. And once you're back, please come and share some of your adventures with other readers - we'd love to know how your trip went!

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