South America·Ecuador

Is Quito Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Quito is generally safe for tourists relative to other popular destinations. Our database documents 16 scams, with only 3 rated high severity. Standard travel awareness applies — staying alert in crowded areas and using vetted transport covers the majority of documented risks.

Generally Safe

Overall verdict

16

Scams documented

3

High severity

Overall verdict

Generally Safe

Lower scam risk compared to similar destinations

Scams documented

16

High severity

3

Medium severity

10

Top risk type

Tour & Activities

Priority warnings

High-severity risks in Quito

These are the most serious documented scams — rated high severity based on frequency, financial impact, and confirmation across multiple sources.

WhatsApp Galapagos Tour Deposit Fraud

high

Scammers posing as licensed Galapagos tour operators contact travelers via WhatsApp or Instagram DM, offering last-minute cruise spots at steep discounts. After a deposit of $300-$800 USD is sent via bank transfer or PayPal, the contact goes silent. This scheme targets travelers in Quito preparing for island trips and uses cloned logos from legitimate agencies on Avenida Amazonas.

How to avoid: Book Galapagos tours only through IGTOA-registered agencies or directly at licensed offices on Avenida Amazonas. Verify MINTUR registration numbers before paying any deposit.

Where: Scammers contact travelers in La Mariscal; fake agencies reference addresses on Avenida Amazonas near Av. Naciones Unidas

Express Kidnapping (Secuestro Express)

high

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 to avoid: Book taxis through the Cabify or Easy Taxi apps with trip tracking enabled. Share your route with a trusted contact when travelling alone.

Where: 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

Fake Shaman Ceremony Operator

high

Self-proclaimed shamans and tour operators in La Mariscal offer ayahuasca or traditional healing ceremonies at guesthouses around Calle Reina Victoria for $80-$150 USD. What follows is an unsupervised ceremony with unqualified practitioners in private apartments with no medical oversight. Incidents of theft and assault during incapacitated states have been reported to Policia Nacional.

How to avoid: Book ceremonial retreats only through internationally reviewed operators outside the city center and always verify guides via dated English-language reviews on TripAdvisor. Never attend ceremonies alone.

Where: La Mariscal neighborhood around Calle Reina Victoria and Calle Calama; also advertised on hostel noticeboards

By traveler type

Is Quito safe for you specifically?

Scam risk varies by traveler profile. Different types of visitors face different documented threats in Quito.

Solo travelers

Higher risk

Solo travelers are more frequently targeted because they lack the deterrent of a group. Stay in well-reviewed accommodation, share itineraries with someone at home, and avoid deserted areas at night.

First-time visitors

Higher risk

Unfamiliarity with local pricing, transport, and norms makes first-time visitors prime targets. Read the full scam database for Quito before arrival — knowing what scams exist is the single most effective protection.

Families with children

Lower risk

Families with children are less commonly targeted for scams involving nightlife or bar areas. Standard precautions apply: use vetted transport, keep documents secured, and brief children on not accepting gifts from strangers.

Budget travelers

Higher risk

Budget travelers spending time in hostels, using street food, and booking last-minute tours face increased exposure to accommodation scams, fake tour operators, and currency exchange fraud.

Where risk concentrates

Areas to be cautious in Quito

These locations are specifically cited in documented scam reports for Quito. Exercise heightened awareness in these areas.

WhatsApp Galapagos Tour Deposit Fraud

Scammers contact travelers in La Mariscal; fake agencies reference addresses on Avenida Amazonas near Av. Naciones Unidas

high

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

medium

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

medium

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

medium

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

medium
Risk breakdown

What types of scams occur in Quito?

Tour & Activities

Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping.

4

25% of reports

Street Scams

Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas.

3

19% of reports

Money & ATM Scams

Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons.

3

19% of reports

Other Scams

Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors.

2

13% of reports

Taxi & Transport

Overcharging, meter tampering, fake taxis, and transport cons targeting tourists.

1

6% of reports

Restaurant Scams

Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks.

1

6% of reports

Accommodation Scams

Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud.

1

6% of reports

Online Scams

Fraudulent booking sites, phishing, fake reviews, and digital cons targeting travelers.

1

6% of reports

How serious?

Severity breakdown for Quito

3 High — 19%
10 Medium — 63%
3 Low — 19%
Before you go

Quick safety checklist for Quito

01

Before booking any tour or activity in Quito, verify the operator has verifiable reviews on multiple platforms.

02

Tour & Activities scams are the most documented risk in Quito — review those warnings specifically before you arrive.

03

Use app-based transport rather than street taxis, especially near Quito's main tourist attractions.

04

Keep a physical copy of your passport, travel insurance policy number, and embassy contact in a separate location from originals.

05

If you are approached by someone offering unsolicited help, tours, or currency exchange, politely decline and walk away.

06

Report any scam to local police and to your country's embassy. Even if recovery is unlikely, reports help maintain accurate travel advisories.

Common questions

Is Quito safe — answered

Is Quito safe for tourists in 2026?
Quito is generally safe for tourists based on our database of 16 documented scams. 3 of those are rated high severity. The most common risks are tour & activities, street scams, money & atm scams. Millions of tourists visit Quito safely each year — preparedness is the key differentiator.
Is Quito safe for solo travelers?
Quito has documented scams that specifically target solo travelers. Key advice: stay in well-reviewed accommodation, share your itinerary with someone at home, use app-based transport at night, and avoid isolated areas after dark. Review the full scam list for Quito before traveling alone.
What are the most dangerous areas in Quito for tourists?
Based on documented incident reports, the highest-risk areas in Quito include: Scammers contact travelers in La Mariscal; fake agencies reference addresses on Avenida Amazonas near Av. Naciones Unidas. La Mariscal tourist district in Quito, particularly along Calle Foch and Avenida Amazonas, and around the historic center near Plaza Grande. 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. These areas are associated with online scams, tour & activities, street scams incidents.
Is Quito safe at night?
Nighttime risk in Quito is primarily concentrated around bar and nightlife districts, where overcharging, spiked drink incidents, and fake police are more common. Using official or app-based transport after dark and staying in well-lit, populated areas reduces risk significantly.
Is Quito safe for female travelers?
Quito is broadly accessible for female travelers with standard precautions. General guidance: use verified accommodation with secure entry, avoid sharing ride details publicly, dress in line with local customs to reduce unwanted attention, and keep emergency contacts accessible. Travel communities like r/solotravel and r/TravelHacks have current firsthand reports.
What scams should I watch for in Quito?
The top documented scams in Quito are: WhatsApp Galapagos Tour Deposit Fraud, Galapagos Tour Fake Operator, Pickpockets in Old Town, Mustard or Ketchup Distraction Theft, Fake Police Officer Wallet Inspection. The full database covers 16 individual scams across 8 categories. Reviewing each scam's description and avoidance tips is the most effective pre-trip preparation.
Should I get travel insurance for Quito?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any trip to Quito. Beyond scam-related losses, insurance covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and theft — all documented risk categories here. Look for policies that include 24/7 emergency assistance and explicit coverage for mugging or pickpocketing. Compare policies on comparison sites before purchasing.
Is Ecuador safe to visit in 2026?
Ecuador as a whole is a popular tourist destination with documented scam activity across multiple cities. Quito specifically has 16 documented scams with a generally safe safety rating. Check the full Ecuador country guide for a regional overview and safety comparisons across all covered cities.

Editorial note: This safety assessment for Quito is based on 16 verified scam reports in the Before You Go database, compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, and traveler reports. Safety conditions change — always cross-reference with current government advisories before travel. Read our methodology →