Jay, you can’t fairly generalize this question for all of Ecuador. Like any country, some places are safer than others. Plus understand that locals tend to be very cautious. For instance, my wife & I have safely ridden the public buses in Cuenca countless times without experiencing or even observing a single incident, yet our Cuencano friends caution us that they are unsafe. When I’ve asked, “So, do you ride the buses yourself?” the answer I always get is, “Oh, no, but I’ve seen on the news—–.” This is not to offer a Pollyanna answer to your question. I have friends who have been robbed in broad daylight. But safety anywhere usually boils down to common sense regarding where you are, when you are there, and how you appear to potential wrongdoers. I’m certain there are much scarier spots to be on this planet than Ecuador.
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