Tour & Activity Scams in Quito, Ecuador
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities 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
Tour & Activities Scams
10
Total in Quito
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
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
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.
See all scams in Quito
10 total warnings across all categories