Quito Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Ecuador)
Quito's historic center sees taxi kidnappings, fake police demanding to inspect bags, and overpriced tours to the Galápagos Islands sold by unlicensed operators.
Compare with nearby destinations
Last updated: April 2, 2026
Pickpockets in Old Town
Quito's colonial Old Town (Centro Histórico), though beautiful, is a busy pickpocket area. Thieves target tourists climbing stairs to viewpoints, exiting churches, and standing in crowds near major sights.
📍Quito's Centro Histórico (Old Town), particularly around Plaza Grande, Plaza San Francisco, the steps of La Compañía de Jesús church, and the hilltop viewpoint area of El Panecillo
How to avoid: Use a front-facing anti-theft bag. Carry only the cash you need for the day. Leave valuable items locked in your hotel safe.
This scam type is also documented in Buenos Aires and Lima.
6
High Risk
2
Medium Risk
2
Low Risk
Quito · Ecuador · South America
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Quito
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Pickpockets in Old Town
Quito's Centro Histórico (Old Town), particularly around Plaza Grande, Plaza San Francisco, the steps of La Compañía de Jesús church, and the hilltop viewpoint area of El Panecillo
Galapagos Tour Fake Operator
La Mariscal tourist district in Quito, particularly along Calle Foch and Avenida Amazonas, and around the historic center near Plaza Grande
Mustard or Ketchup Distraction Theft
Busy pedestrian areas in Quito including the Old Town around Plaza Grande and Plaza San Francisco, and the tourist corridor in La Mariscal near Parque La Carolina
Express Kidnapping (Secuestro Express)
Street taxi pickup points in La Mariscal and the Old Town of Quito, and along Avenida Amazonas in the new city area, particularly late at night
Tour Package to Galápagos Fake Discount
Travel agency offices in La Mariscal tourist district of Quito, particularly along Calles Foch, Amazonas, and the Reina Victoria area
Fake Police Officer Wallet Inspection
Near La Compañía de Jesús church on García Moreno, Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia), and along Calle Eugenio Espejo in the Centro Histórico
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
Street-level scams are most common in Quito
3 documented street scams target tourists near major attractions. Unsolicited approaches, "free" gifts, and distraction techniques are the main patterns — confidence and pace help.
How it works
Quito's colonial Old Town (Centro Histórico), though beautiful, is a busy pickpocket area. Thieves target tourists climbing stairs to viewpoints, exiting churches, and standing in crowds near major sights.
How it works
Unlicensed tour operators near La Mariscal and the historic center sell Galápagos packages at prices that seem too good to be true. Boats are overcrowded, naturalist guides are not licensed, and the promised wildlife areas are substituted.
How it works
A substance (mustard, ketchup, bird dropping) is squirted on your clothing from behind. A helpful stranger rushes forward to clean it — while an accomplice steals your bag, camera, or wallet.
How it works
Unlicensed taxi passengers in Quito are driven to ATMs by armed individuals and forced to make withdrawals. This is a well-documented risk, especially when hailing cabs off the street at night.
How it works
Agencies in Quito sell "discounted" Galápagos cruise packages that are either non-existent, booked on vessels with poor safety records, or significantly inferior to what is advertised.
How it works
Individuals posing as plain-clothes police officers approach tourists near major churches and plazas in Quito's historic center, claiming to be conducting an anti-drug or anti-counterfeiting operation. They flash unofficial-looking badge replicas and demand to inspect the tourist's wallet and passport for "counterfeit bills" or "suspicious currency." An accomplice may be present to distract while the fake officer palms cash or cards during the inspection. Real Ecuadorian police in plain clothes do not conduct random wallet checks on tourists.
How it works
Unofficial guides at the Equator monument (Mitad del Mundo) offer "free" guided tours, then demand large payments at the end. They may use guilt or intimidation when refused.
How it works
Ecuador uses the US dollar, and counterfeit $50 and $100 bills are circulated by some street vendors and informal traders. Small businesses and markets may also lack the tools to verify currency.
How it works
Currency exchange counters at Mariscal Sucre International Airport offer rates significantly worse than ATMs inside the terminal or in the city. Transaction fees compound the loss further.
How it works
Vendors at Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal and surrounding streets in the La Mariscal neighborhood quote inflated prices to tourists for woven textiles, carved figures, and jewelry, then present the transaction as a cultural exchange or a contribution to indigenous artisan communities. Items are often machine-made or imported from other countries despite being labeled as "authentic Ecuadorian" or "handmade by indigenous communities." High-pressure tactics include following tourists who try to leave or invoking guilt about not supporting local artisans.
Quito Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Quito?
Are taxis safe in Quito?
Is Quito safe at night for tourists?
Which areas of Quito should tourists be most careful in?
How can I avoid being scammed in Quito?
Browse by scam type
Filter scams in Quito by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the South America region. Before visiting Cusco, Bogotá, and Medellín, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Quito are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →