Quito, Ecuador Travel Safety — Elevated Risk – Plan Carefully | TouristAlert.com
This report is over 48 hours old. Would you like to refresh it with the latest information?

Quito, Ecuador

Updated about 2 months ago
a landscape with trees and grass
Photo by Lucy Mui on Unsplash
Elevated Risk

Plan Carefully

Quito has standout culture and scenery but currently demands careful planning due to elevated robbery risk, occasional violent incidents, and problem areas that can shift quickly. Most visitors are fine when they stick to well-trafficked zones, use trusted transport at night, and avoid displaying valuables, but the downside of a mistake can be serious.

Key Risks
  • Street robbery and mugging (including armed robbery) in certain neighborhoods, parks, and on quiet streets after dark
  • Express kidnappings or forced ATM withdrawals and robbery involving unlicensed taxis or rides arranged on the street
  • Pickpocketing and phone-snatching in the Historic Center, transit hubs, markets, and crowded viewpoints
  • Altitude illness (2,850m) affecting sleep, hydration, and exertion tolerance, especially on the first 48 hours
  • Earthquake and volcanic ash disruptions (regional seismicity; Cotopaxi/Pichincha activity can affect flights and air quality)
Daily Costs (USD)
Hostel$18
Hotel$75
Apartment$55
Transport$8
Coffee$2.5
Beer$3.5
Sandwich$5
Dinner (2)$32

Estimates only. Prices vary by season, neighbourhood, and personal spending habits. Always check current prices before travelling.

Safety Scorecard
⚔️Conflict

Armed conflict, military tensions & territorial disputes.

9/10 · Excellent
🚨Terrorism

Risk based on recent threat levels & incidents.

9/10 · Excellent
🔪Violent Crime

Murder, assault, robbery & armed attacks.

4/10 · Poor
🎭Petty Crime & Scams

Pickpocketing, bag-snatching & tourist scams.

3/10 · Poor
🏛️Political Stability

Strength & stability of the government.

5/10 · Fair
🏥Health

Disease risk, healthcare quality & availability.

6/10 · Fair
🌪️Natural Disaster

Earthquake, flood, cyclone & volcanic activity risk.

4/10 · Poor
🚌Infrastructure

Transport safety, roads & emergency services.

6/10 · Fair
🤝Social & Cultural

Welcomeness for solo female & LGBTQ+ travellers.

7/10 · Good
🍽️Food & Water

Food poisoning risk & tap water safety.

5/10 · Fair

Scores 1–10 · 10 = best · 1 = worst

Travel News
Transport

Ecuador Emergency Extension Slows Road Travel

A renewed 60-day state of emergency across multiple provinces, including Pichincha, is causing increased security checks that may disrupt travel timings significantly for travelers needing ground transportation.

Adept Traveler· 18 Apr 2026
Airport

Travel Chaos Hits Lima, Affecting Quito Flights

A series of flight disruptions at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport is causing delays and cancellations on routes between Lima and Quito, impacting numerous travelers.

The Traveler· 14 Apr 2026
Airport

Recent Flight Cancellations Disrupt Quito Travel

Avianca Ecuador and LATAM Airlines canceled a total of 11 flights, significantly impacting travel at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito.

Travel and Tour World· 17 Apr 2026
Safety

Travel Advisory: Increased Crime Rate in Ecuador

Ongoing high levels of violent crime prompted heightened advisories from several governments, affecting overall travel safety perceptions in the country.

Smartraveller· 12 Apr 2026
Border

Ecuador Border Crossings Narrow Overland Options

Most land borders with Colombia and Peru are closed, limiting overland travel options and potentially complicating travel itineraries significantly.

Adept Traveler· 12 Apr 2026

Updated about 2 months ago

Why Visit?

Quito’s high-altitude setting puts Andean drama on your doorstep, while its UNESCO-listed Historic Center packs gilded churches, plazas, and panoramic viewpoints into a walkable core. Add a thriving café scene, easy day trips to volcano country, and the equator line just up the road, and you’ve got one of South America’s most rewarding city bases.

5 Things To Do
  1. 1
    Wander the UNESCO Historic Center

    Spend daylight hours around Plaza Grande, La Ronda, and the baroque churches that define colonial Quito. Go with a guide if you want deeper context and fewer wrong turns into quiet streets.

  2. 2
    Ride the TelefériQo to Cruz Loma

    The cable car rockets you from the city to high páramo viewpoints for big-sky photos and short hikes. Dress for cold wind and intense sun, and don’t overexert if you’re still acclimatizing.

  3. 3
    La Capilla del Hombre & Guayasamín complex

    This powerful museum set in leafy Bellavista is Quito’s most moving deep dive into Ecuadorian identity and Latin American history. Pair it with the nearby viewpoints for a mellow half-day.

  4. 4
    Mitad del Mundo & Museo Intiñan (equator line)

    Tick off the equator with hands-on exhibits and easy photos at the monument, then decide for yourself which “equator” story you like best. Go early to dodge crowds and afternoon traffic.

  5. 5
    Mercado tours and Ecuadorian comfort food

    Try a guided market visit for jugos, empanadas, and locally roasted coffee without guesswork. Food is a highlight, but choose busy stalls with high turnover and avoid tap water and ice if unsure.

5-Day Itinerary
1
Old Quito essentials

Start in the Historic Center with Plaza Grande, key churches, and a long lunch in a well-reviewed spot. Keep it daylight-focused, then take a taxi/rideshare directly back to your accommodation after dusk.

2
Views and altitude pacing

Ride TelefériQo in the morning for city-and-volcano panoramas, then do a short, gentle walk on the ridge if you feel good. Spend the afternoon in cafés and museums to acclimatize rather than packing in big hikes.

3
Art, neighborhoods, and nightlife-lite

Visit the Guayasamín complex, then stroll La Floresta for galleries, specialty coffee, and casual eateries. If you go out at night, keep it to known venues, travel door-to-door, and avoid carrying valuables.

4
Equator day trip

Head to Mitad del Mundo and nearby museums early, then return before evening traffic thickens. Use a reputable tour, pre-booked driver, or app-based rides rather than hailing taxis on the street.

5
Volcano country escape (choose your pace)

Take a guided day trip toward Cotopaxi National Park or nearby cloud-forest areas depending on weather and activity alerts. Bring layers, sun protection, and cash for park fees/snacks, and follow local guidance if ash or road disruptions occur.

Things To Know
  • Use app-based rides or taxis arranged by your hotel; avoid hailing taxis on the street, especially at night or around nightlife zones.
  • Keep phones and cameras out of sight while walking; use a crossbody strap, don’t resist robbery, and carry a small decoy wallet.
  • Altitude is real: hydrate, go easy on alcohol the first nights, and plan lighter activities for the first 1–2 days.
  • Stick to well-trafficked areas after dark and avoid poorly lit parks/viewpoints; door-to-door transport is safer than walking at night.
  • Drink bottled/filtered water and be selective with street food; choose busy stalls and wash/peel fruit when possible.
Kids & Accessibility

Quito can work well for families if you plan shorter, altitude-aware days and use door-to-door transport rather than nighttime walking; parks, museums, and equator stops are kid-friendly. Accessibility is mixed: steep streets, cobblestones, and steps are common in the Historic Center, while newer districts, malls, and some museums are easier for mobility-impaired visitors—confirm elevator/step-free access in advance.