Before I stepped into my first bus in Ecuador, I'd already heard a handful of stories about people being robbed, backpacks being slashed, and valuables being stolen.
I could play defense in the capital city of Quito by limiting my time there, and not going out at night.
If I wanted to visit the rest of Ecuador on a budget, it would mean exposing myself to potential thieves on the main bus routes.
In preparation for the three-hour trip from Quito to Banos, I did some Googling and found no shortage of other anecdotes.
They revealed the typical tactics of thieves, as well as safety tips for riding the buses in Ecuador (learned the hard way).
During my time in Ecuador, I've applied them all, and am convinced they helped protect me against at least one potential thief.
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Staying Safe on the Buses in Ecuador
1. Travel During the Day
Thanks to the socialist policies of the current President, the main highways throughout Ecuador are in excellent condition.
However, visibility is always going to be better during the day than at night, and landslides can occur without warning.
Plus, you'll be less likely to fall asleep during the day, thereby ensuring you're more alert to your surroundings.
You'll also be able to see more of the country.
2. Pay Extra for Direct Buses
Whenever possible, pay the extra few dollars to take direct (express) buses between cities.
They don't stop as often (if at all), thereby lessening the chances that a thief will get on, or your main bag will disappear from underneath the bus.
CLP operates direct buses between Guayaquil and Montanita for $6 per ride, and another company operates direct buses between Guayaquil and Cuenca for $8.25.
3. Turn Down All Offers for Assistance
One common scam involves the thieves boarding buses with regular passengers at the departure points and acting as if they work for the company.
They'll ask for your ticket to help show you to your seat, and then they'll offer to help place your daypack in the rack above your seat.
Once separated from your bag, they'll be in a good position to steal it and walk off the bus, just as it begins to depart.
Aside from the driver or conductor helping to place your large backpack under the bus, if someone offers to handle your baggage, respond with a firm, polite “no gracias.”
This is precisely what I said to the young guy who wanted first to show me to my seat and then help me with my daypack, on the bus from Montanita to Guayaquil.
4. Sit in the First Row
I'm convinced the safest place on the bus is seat #1, in the first row, against the left window, right behind the driver's seat.
In this seat, you have nobody in front of you, or to your left. You only need to be concerned about the person sitting to your right, and those immediately behind you.
Aisle seats are a terrible idea because buses can fill up as they travel from one destination to the next, to the point where it's standing room only in the aisle.
If you're not paying attention with all the people coming and going, one of them can quickly grab your bag, or surgically slash it open and remove your valuables.
To get seat #1, or any seat in the first row, ask for it when you're buying your ticket.
In Spanish, say “asiento en frente del bus, por favor,” which translates as “seat in front of the bus, please.”
If your Spanish fails you, or you forget, do your best to mime it, and they'll get the picture.
5. Keep Valuables In Your Lap
If there is one tip in this list you cannot ignore, it's to keep your valuables/daypack/purse in your lap.
Do not think that keeping it securely between your legs is sufficient, let alone placing it above you in an overhead rack.
The majority of bus theft stories online, such as this one on a bus from Quito to Cuenca, are due to travelers having their bags slashed while they rest between their legs.
For this reason, it's also a good idea to wear a money belt (if you have one) when in transit — there's no safer place for your passport, credit cards, and cash.
6. Assess Your Surroundings
While there's no one-size-fits-all stereotype for thieves, a mother holding a baby in the seat next to you is much less of a threat than a male teenager.
Unfortunately, little kids are not always as innocent as we'd like to believe.
Their small size makes them uniquely capable of squeezing under your seat to slash your bag (if it's placed on the floor, not in your lap where it belongs).
Along the same lines, save your Spanish practice with the locals for another time. Treat any overly friendly conversation with a dose of skepticism.
Thieves rely on distracting their victims, and one way to do that is to build some rapport and comfort, so the victims drop their guards.
It's also common for thieves to work in teams. One person may distract you with a conversation, while the other is busy sliding a razor through your backpack and emptying its contents.
On my three-hour bus from Quito to Banos, I had a half dozen different people sit next to me, from young school kids to older adults. I didn't speak a word.
7. Stay Alert
Speaking of distraction, don't let yourself get too engrossed in that Steven Segal action flick playing on the TV, nor the book you're reading, or music you might be listening to on your smartphone.
Be extra alert whenever the bus stops and someone new gets on board, whether a passenger or a vendor selling food.
If you follow all of these safety tips for riding the buses in Ecuador, you'll make yourself a more challenging target.
And thieves, especially the ones not looking for a confrontation, prefer easy targets.
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I had my bag with all of my valuables stolen off a bus in La Paz, Bolivia via method #3!! The woman posing as a bus employee even had a kind of fake manifest and clipboard in her hand. There I am thinking this woman is there, employed by the company to keep out the riff raff… turns out she WAS the riff raff!!!
Ah that sucks! Now I know it’s not just Ecuador. I’ve taken quite a few buses around Colombia, and never run into this scam.
Really great tips. You can never be too careful, some thieves will go to a lot of trouble.
I agree. Even if I never had trouble taking buses in Ecuador -yet! The bus between Quito and Baños has in particular a bad reputation.
Friends of ours got robbed on a bus between Puerto Cayo and Guayaquil at dust(7pm). The passengers in the front were hit with rifle butts as a scare tactic. The girls knew that riding the buses along Ecuador’s coast was dangerous, but they thought they would be okay just after sunset. Not!
Wow, that’s scary about the violence used. Kinda goes against my theory of safeguarding your stuff by sitting in the front!
Sorry, meant to say ‘on Ecuador’s buses AT NIGHT along the coast’
If you’re really that worried about having your gear stolen then maybe you’d be better off staying at home…
Best advise ever!!!
I have being in Ecuador many many times and never got stolen, my main rule is bag between my legs but the straps around my legs, sometines I use a jacket as a cover in order for the person next to me not to see my belongs, sitting next to the window luckily in the first seats of the bus… other than that… nothing
Night busses, dayly busses, doest really matter… One time I even had to hitchike to get to Riobamba, my only concer is when I have to go to the bathroom, so I evoid liquids before if I travel alone.
pac safe sells a bag that is woven with wire so it cant be slashed and has clips for the main pocket . i keep my valuables on my person this way . i feel it was worth the $60
If you have luggage in the baggage compartment, ask for a seat on the right-hand side of the bus so you can watch and make sure someone doesn’t walk off with it at an interim stop.
Good tip, I always try to sit on the side of the bus where they load/unload the luggage.
Hi
We are travelling to Quito soon and want to take the bus to Mindo. After what I have read on the internet am now terrified! Can you please tell me what the luggage arrangement is. Is it stored under the bus as in british coaches?
thanks
Jane
If you’ve got full size luggage or a large backpack too big to put on your lap, it’ll have to go underneath the bus. Unfortunately as of 2011 when I was there, the buses didn’t give passengers luggage tickets. I would ensure you keep your valuables on you, like in a handbag or small backpack you keep on your lap at all times.
Then the rest, including your clothes and stuff, can be stored under the bus.
Hi
Thanks for your swift reply. So is it like a British bus, put underneath and then the boot shut? Do you think it is a good idea to buy an extra seat for luggage or to stow it underneath? I read somewhere that someone suggested you get out if the bus makes any stops to check that no one is taking your luggage. Don’t know if it makes any stops to Mindo
Jane
I don’t know what British buses are like, but as far as I know, you’ll have to put large luggage under the bus for trips between cities. I’m not familiar with Mindo, so I can’t comment on the buses that run from Quito to Mindo.
Sure, I don’t see why you couldn’t buy an extra seat ticket specifically for your luggage. They may look at you oddly, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t take your money.
Two things:
First, if I decide to fly from Quito to Cuenca, how long before flight time do I need to arrive at the airport? I ask this because in the USA it is almost necessary to arrive as much as 3 hours before flight time! Based on what I see here, it almost makes more sense to fly from Quito to Cuenca instead of taking the bus.
Second, I noticed the following at Number 6:”6. Asses Your Surroundings”. It happens that my two majors in college were Economics and English. “Asses” is NOT the same as “assess”, which is the word I believe they meant to use. “Asses” is the plural for “ass”, which is also a donkey. “Assess” means to “evaluate”, and that term would be more correct.
Among other things, I do a LOT of writing, both in my personal matters and for one of my local newspapers. Since this is my first time sending a message to this system, I will not include a link to any of my articles. However, I will be more than happy to provide one if it is requested.
Looking forward to visiting your beautiful country in the near future, I remain,
Sincerely,
Don E. Leeman
I’d guess you’ll want to arrive two hours before your flight time if flying domestically within Ecuador. I don’t recall what they recommend.
Yes, if you don’t mind the cost, flying would save you at least a day of travel by bus, and a lot of energy. It’s also safer. I left Quito by bus because I wanted to visit Banos, Guayaquil and Montanita before Cuenca.
Thanks for the spelling correction, I’ve fixed the mistake.
You’re welcome.
The cost of fying…as of last night…was about $70 for the round trip. That makes it about $35 each way. The flight is about 52 minutes, so it is going to save me a lot of time… and that is important on a 2-week visit. As it is, the return flight to Quito arrives about 2 hours before my scheduled departure time for my return to the USA. That makes flying worthwhile.
Just curious, but what are the passenger screenings like at the Airports in Ecuador? I’m not worried, but I don’t like unpleasant surprises. If I am to relocate to Ecuador for retirement, I am hoping the entire trip will be stress-free and enjoyable.
Sincerely,
Don E. Leeman
As you can tell from my earlier messages, I was planning to travel to Ecuador last Winter. However, something got in the way, preventing me from taking that trip…at that time. It seems the citizens of my district of NH decided to elect me as their State Representative to the NH General Court.
Talk about surprises!!
As it is, I am now booked to fly to Quito, and will be arriving this coming Thursday, October 29, 2015. The flight will arrive late in the evening, and it will be a busy few days before flying to Cuenca.
While in both Quito and Cuenca it is my hope to meet with both Archbishops to discuss some matters of great urgency. I’ve tried to find an email address, but do not seem to be having any real luck in that regard.
Is it possible for you to alert the office of the Archbishop of Quito that I will be arriving in their office on Friday morning. October 30th? If His Excellency can meet with me for as little as 15 minutes, that will be sufficient. Hopefully, he will have more time than that, but 15 minutes should be enough for a first discussion.
Thanks for all of your help!
Sincerely,
Don E. Leeman
Ouch, #3 just happened to an American girl in my hostel. It was in Cali bus station in Colombia. I’d never heard of that scam until it happened to her. The worst bit is she has a medical condition for which she takes medicine daily, and the thief made off with her entire stash!!
I’ll bear these tips in mind when crossing over into Ecuador tomorrow…!!
Just wanted to write a quick THANK YOU for writing this. I was leaving Cali, Colombia today, and somebody tried exactly #3 on me. He had a Colombian football shirt on, and as soon as I said “no, gracias.” He simply walked off the bus, and back into the terminal. Cali may have made some recent strides forward, but it’s still a fairly dangerous place, especially the bus station.
That same bus trip, or driver mericulouy checked each seat, and then asked a man seated behind us to see his ticket. He offered a ticket for a different bus, and then realizing his “mistake,” he went down to the underside of the bus to claim “his” luggage. Luckily, the bus driers weren’t fooled, and told him to produce a luggage tag with their company’s logo, which he couldn’t. This was really a victory for the bus company, but still: stay alert!
We will be traveling to Ecuador in November. Some traveling will be by bus. To be clear, is it generally safe to relinquish your main bag to be placed under the bus? Our primary bags will still be relatively small (60L) duffels, but soft-sided, so susceptible to slash. We will keep any valuables on in persons, or in small carry bag on lap, but the larger bag is safer to let the conductor stow in compartment below?
Nothing is guaranteed so always have your stuff insured. Ask or Google around which bus companies are best. Some give you a number for your bag so you have a little more confidence.
I’m taking the bus from Quito to Banos and I’ve seen there a few different companies – Transp. Banos, S.Francisco, Amazon, Express Banos. Any tip on which is the better option? Seems to cost the same.
It’s been 4 years since I was there, but I don’t think it makes much of a difference. You could ask for a recommendation from the staff at your accommodation if you’re at a hostel or hotel.
Hi,
I have read a lot of things regarding safety (by safety I mean thievery – not talking about the safety issues relating to the driving style) in travelling by bus in Ecuador, and I have to admit I’m starting to get lost. What I usually do is to pack everything valuable in my day pack that I would keep on my lap in the bus, and put everything else in my big pack – locked – itself being placed in the storage place under the bus. However I read somewhere that even the big pack must be kept with you in your lap. Do you confirm this? If so, does the driver easily accept the big pack inside the bus?
Additionally: how safe is the Ofelia bus station, and the ride to Mindo (here again by safety I mean any issue related to thievery).
any tip welcomed!
Thanks!
Hi, we will be arriving in Quito airport at around 11pm and we were wondering if we could take a bus to Quito late at night or should we wait at the airport until morning before moving on? They say Quito airport is about an hour and a half from the city. we also have to travel from Santo Domingo to Guayaquil, any tips on which bus lines are better.
Thanks
Brenda
Hi, thanks for the great advices. I am travelling to Ecuador in June, landing in Quito and then to Mompiche. Do you happen to know the best way to travel from these two points? It might be passing by Esmeraldas I heard that it is a bit risky. And do you know about the good bus companies in Ecuador?
Many Thanks
Jasper