Simple Precautions

Do not accept anything from strangers, especially flyers. There have been incidents where the flyers were laced with a drug to make you slow witted, which makes it easier for you to be followed and robbed. Also watch your drinks in bars and discotheques. There is no need to be continuously paranoid and have it ruin your experience, but you need to find a happy medium. Paranoia makes people look nervous and makes for an easy target, but it also makes for an unhappy experience. Being with local Ecuadorians always helps, since they know the usual tricks and can diffuse volatile situations with their Spanish.
We do not recommend that interns visit Esmeraldas at any time during the program. Safety is a big concern in Esmeraldas, both for Ecuadorians and tourists.

Wandering Dogs

Dogs are everywhere. Try avoid them. All dogs are usually vaccinated by the municipal health service.

Security in Quito

Like any large city, Quito can be dangerous. It is not recommended to walk around alone after 9p.m., especially if you are a woman, or when the only people you encounter on the streets are security guards with shotguns.

If the locals say it is safe to go somewhere or you are out with a large group of people, you don't have to worry. Colonial Quito can be especially dangerous (e.g. Panecillo monument) but it is a must see, just have your wits about you. At times of peak activity (e.g. the Independence of Quito festival – late Nov/early Dec), crime flourishes in the chaos. Fights break out at street parties, and pick-pocketers abound amongst the crowds.

Security in Cuenca

Compared to larger cities, Cuenca is relatively safe. But this does not mean you can let your guard down entirely. There are dangerous areas and unsuspecting foreigners are always a target.

Drinking in the streets is a common social activity on the weekends. Cuencanos' machismo and bravado are at their highest when drunk and with a large group of their friends. Fights sometimes break out for no apparent reason.

Security in Puerto Lopez

Watch for the rip tide on the beaches around Puerto Lopez. At night, you should always walk in a group.

Beaches

We DO NOT recommend to go to Esmeraldas beaches, they are not safe!

An Intern's Experience

One intern started the internship consistently being careful and somewhat nervous while walking down the streets. After a couple of months, he started to feel safe in his own neighborhood. He let his guard down and this was a mistake. He hopped out of a cab, at 2:30am on a busy street about 200 m from his house; it was to let the cab driver pick up another fare. During the walk down the hill to his house, the intern was roughed up and robbed by 4 assailants. They pulled up in a cab, possibly the same one the intern had just taken. The fracas attracted the attention of a street guard and luckily for the intern, he came and scared the robbers off. Most street guards are not known to intervene and will only protect the neighborhood they are paid to protect.

The intern lost $22 USD, but bought the guard a bottle of whiskey, a small recompense for preventing a serious beating. The lesson is to take cabs to and from your home to the door, never walking. At night, call for a cab and do not go to the streets to flag one down.