Pickpockets on Quito Buses

hi, i just want to warn any fellow travellers to Quito about this little scam.

its a great place to go, i dont think this should let anyone be deterred from visiting but if you want to keep your camera for the Galapagos or whatever then read on.

there are 3 tram-bus routes in Quito city centre (ie. normal buses driven by an electrical line)

there are some nifty pickpockets working on these buses daily, i think there is a market somewhere in the city where their pickings are sold. in my own experience it was two women in their 30s or 40s with handbags (unlikely looking pickpockets at that.)
i was surprised that it was two "motherlike" characters , but as i was informed by an ecuadorian,. thats where the kids learn it

i was lucky that i caught them, but in just one week i met 8 !! other travellers who had been relieved of their credit cards, cameras, passports etc... right under their noses.

they way they work is, they take advantage of the fact that the bus is packed like sardines at rush hour, therefore any passengers will naturally have to put up with pushing and shoving without thinking anything of it.


dont be alarmed, i believe you can use these buses all the time without danger, as i did.

but give some thought to the following advice:

do NOT get on any bus which is packed to the door like sardines. there is a bus every couple of minutes and 1 in every 3 or 4 buses is fairly empty.

also, wrap a jacket or something around you. covering you pockets. this will help a lot.

any bag is a target.
a day bag hanging on the front will not deter them.
(2 girls did this and still lost their SLR cameras and wallet and were totally unawares)

do not have any bulky item like a camera or wallet in your trouser pockets. thats the kind of thing they are looking (feeling around) for, a cut can be made over this item without you feeling a thing!

i saw them working in a pair, so be aware of people no all sides. one might be pushing you a bit while the other tries your pocket.

basically dont let anyone be pushing or rubbing against you at all.

hope this helps someone not to be robbed.

Note:
i love ecuador, and i really love ecuadorian people so much i dont wanna leave! but there are some sneaky people in the cities. thats all.

oh and one more thing, if you do get slashed, there are plenty of little shops around who will sew up your bag or pants again for about $1 !

best of luck
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hi wilf

i am delighted to help you. these two posts may be deleted though as they are off topic.

quick answer to your questions.

1. to send a private message just click on my name, this opens another page, in the top left of the page should be the button to send a private message.

2. yea, 9 months, and it was fantastic.. every bit of it.. as for now i have just come home a few days ago and started my first day of work today.. and will have to work many months before heading off again.


3. clothes
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(while bored on the boat from buenos aires to montevideo i made this list for a friend who was also thinking of travelling)

1 fleece jacket with zip front.
1 micro fleece waistcoat.
light, small multi weather jacket. (rain proof but breathable)

(these can be layered together in extreme cold conditions)

a shirt or two (for the ladys lol)
2 to 3 pairs of long pants. 1 dark pair, 1 combats, maybe 1 light pair for excessivly hot weather.
1 shorts and/or swimming shorts
plenty of t-shirts & underwear. (but dont overstock at the beginning you can buy these during the trip)
1 pair decent dark runners.
1 pair decent sandals. ( check hiking shop for these.)
some people bring flip flops and wear them almost every day, but i will put it this way ...i met a guy who was mugged just outside the hostel in Buenos aires, i would not like to have flipflops on when this happens.


to manage your clothes i recommend " 2 sided cube, (eg: eagle creek) " this seperates dirty from clean, wet from dry. doesnt make noise like plastic bags. means you can pack without waking everyone in the hostel. this can be picked up in good hiking shop.


passport and valuables
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there are lockers in most hostels now, wher you use your own padlock, these are pretty safe.

when going from one place to another on buses etc. you can carry stuff underneith your clothes in a money belt.
this will keep them safe from loss, and pickpockets etc.

of course nothing can totally prevent robbery, but there are far more people who wold steel a bag than people who would confront a person in a hostile situation so i think it stands to reason not to put them in your bags.


feel free to ask me anything i would be glad to help

take care :-)




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