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Published: June 25th 2008
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(2022 EDIT: I wrote a lot about safety in this entry, but it's really for travelers who have little experience with Latin America since this was just my second trip. Ecuador is very safe overall and in 2019 I walked alone extensively at night in Guayaquil, the second-largest city without any problems. Unlike in the US, in Latin America dangerous areas are usually in the outskirts rather than in the city centers. Leave your passport and a backup credit card in your hotel room and don't carry much cash, so you're not tempted to fight back or chase a pickpocket if someone does try to rob you.)
(2023 EDIT: So... apparently things have taken a turn for the worse in previously-safe Ecuador. Narcotraficantes have found a new route through Ecuador, which has apparently increased both petty and violent crime. Always ask before walking around any area alone - the locals usually know best.)
Because of flight delays in Bogota, I didn't reach Quito until much later than planned - at around 9:30 PM. Due to a huge mob scene of people waiting for loved ones at the airport, I had to pay twice as much as I had hoped
for a taxi. Look up prices beforehand and if there's an official taxi stand, use it. The driver took me to several hotels in the Old Town, and I finally found one for around 8 USD. I was happy to overpay him since he kept me safe that late at night.
It's no problem to walk around and explore during the day, but in general, it isn't a good idea to walk around at night in Quito. Unless you know what you're doing, it's best to just get a taxi if you have to walk in areas without a lot of pedestrians.
At 9,350 feet / 2,850 meters, Quito is nearly double the altitude of Denver, and you'll definitely feel it when walking up steps or hills. Though I only planned on spending a day in Quito in order to acclimate, I found the city fascinating. I wandered around the old town for much of the day and took a short hike to a market at the top of a hill for a better view. The verdant hills around Quito are inviting, but it's always best to ask locals - or even better, your hotel - if it's
safe to walk somewhere.
At the Internet Cafe where I wrote the Bogota entry, an eight-year-old stole my wallet while I was typing. He came up next to me to sell me candy and he touched my arm - which should have been a red flag to me - and when I checked a minute later, my wallet was gone from my back pocket. If I spoke better Spanish, I would have said something to the shop owner about letting the kid in to sell Pixie Stix or whatever he had. Either way, the kid now has three more dollars and a card to the Dormont Public Library.
(2023 EDIT: If you're unfamiliar with Latin America, don't let the bus station intimidate you - as long as you speak a little bit of Spanish and can ask basic questions, it's manageable. Taking a chartered van through your hostel would prevent you from experiencing one of the most authentic things about traveling in Ecuador - the buses. Most of the touts for the buses are relatively trustworthy and just want to make an extra dollar off of taking you to the right bus. They can actually be more helpful
than the booths sometimes, though you should try to get to them if you can. The only thing I've found them to be dishonest about is the departure time - they sometimes take you to a bus that is nearly empty or one that isn't leaving for a while. Tell them "mas directo" to avoid the ones that stop every 2 minutes to fill up. Don't put anything valuable under the bus.)
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linda
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watch those kids!!!
Luckily you were smart enough not to have your credit card or any substantial monies in your wallet. Maybe he was surprised not to get anything. Too bad about the library card. Can't trust anyone, huh? Be careful, love mom