Is Guayaquil Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Express kidnapping — where victims are taken by unofficial taxi drivers to ATMs and forced to make maximum withdrawals before being released — is a documented and serious crime in Guayaquil. Criminals pose as taxi drivers, sometimes with fake taxi markings, and target tourists hailing rides from the street. Victims are typically released unharmed after the withdrawals but can be held for several hours.

How to avoid: Never hail a taxi from the street in Guayaquil under any circumstances. Use only registered radio taxi companies called by phone, or ride-hailing apps (Cabify, InDriver, Uber). Ask your hotel to call a radio taxi for you. Do not share a taxi with strangers.

Where: Throughout Guayaquil, particularly near the Malecón 2000 waterfront, around José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport, and in the Zona Rosa entertainment district

The journey from José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport to the city centre is approximately 10–15 minutes. Unlicensed drivers at the arrivals exit quote fares of USD 20–30 for a trip that should cost USD 5–8 on the meter. Some drivers use tampered meters that run faster than the official rate. The combination of overcharging and the express kidnapping risk makes unofficial airport taxis the single biggest hazard for new arrivals.

How to avoid: Book a taxi through your hotel in advance or use the official airport taxi counter inside the terminal with a printed receipt. Rideshare apps are a reliable alternative. Do not accept any approach from a driver inside the arrivals hall.

Where: José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport, Avenida de las Américas, north of central Guayaquil

A person posing as a municipal inspector or plainclothes police officer stops tourists on the Malecón 2000 promenade, claiming to conduct a routine "tourist safety check" or an investigation into counterfeit dollars. The scammer insists on inspecting wallets to verify banknotes and uses the opportunity to palm cash or demand a bribe.

How to avoid: Legitimate Ecuadorian police wear full uniforms and must show ID on request. Politely decline any wallet inspection and offer to walk to the nearest police post. Real officers accept this; scammers do not. Keep a small amount of visible cash separate from your main funds.

Where: Malecón 2000 riverfront walkway between Av. 9 de Octubre and the Las Peñas staircase, and around Parque Centenario in Centro Histórico

Las Peñas, the historic hilltop neighbourhood above Cerro Santa Ana, is a legitimate tourist attraction but the streets immediately below the tourist zone and the descent toward the Malecón are higher-risk for bag snatching and phone grabs. Motorcycles are sometimes used to snatch bags from pedestrians on the narrow streets.

How to avoid: Visit Las Peñas and Cerro Santa Ana during daylight hours only, ideally before 5pm. Carry bags across the body with zips facing inward. Do not walk with your phone out on the streets below the main tourist area. Take a registered taxi directly to and from the Cerro Santa Ana entrance.

Where: Streets surrounding Cerro Santa Ana and the Las Peñas neighbourhood, particularly the descent routes toward Avenida Numa Pompilio Llona