Street Scams in Quito, Ecuador
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Quito — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Buenos Aires, Lima, and Cusco.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Quito
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
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
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.
See all scams in Quito
10 total warnings across all categories