SAFETY & SECURITY

The Galapagos Islands are an important Ecuadorian National Park. Their ecological significance, as well as their vital role in Ecuadorian tourism, has lead authorities to impose strict immigration laws for the Islands, which insure only those who are gainfully employed may live on the Galapagos. Moreover, Ecuadorian police and park rangers are very vigilant and do a good a fantastic job of keeping the Islands safe for travelers. The Galapagos are not only the safest place in Ecuador but one of the safest in the world.

The Ecuadorian mainland is less secure than the Galapagos but is still safe if you follow some basic precautions. Ecuador's recent economic woes have caused crime to increase in urban centers, especially Quito and Guayaquil, but the national and local governments have responded by increasing the number of police on the streets, and, in some cities, such as Quito, they have even created special police task forces dedicated to educating and protecting tourists.

You can drastically reduce the likelihood of being a crime victim by following these basic precautions:

• · Travel with trustworthy companions. The old maxim "safety in numbers" is worth more than you know.
  · Walk confidently with your head up. Never stare at the ground, it makes you look nervous and weak.
  · When you feel unsafe it's not paranoia, they're instincts that developed for a reason. If you get that feeling grab a taxi or go into a place with lots of people.
  · Find out where the unsafe sectors are and avoid them.
  · Be wary of people who are too friendly too quickly, or that offer to show you around. Use your judgement and don't worry about appearing rude.
  · Keep all important documents in a secure place, such as an inner pocket or a pouch that is hidden under a layer of clothing.
  · Carry travelers checks and credit cards instead of large sums of cash. You can always get replacement checks or cancel your cards but you can't get hard currency back.
  · Don't wear expensive jewelry or wristwatches. They make you a target.
  · Carry shoulder-bags and purses in front of you to avoid having them snatched.
  · Buy a cover for your backpack so that thieves cannot easily slash it open.
  · Keep all bags and other valuables where you can see them in restaurants, train stations, and other public places.
  · Make copies of your important documents, card numbers, etc., and give them to a trusted companion. It's also a good idea to leave copies of important documents and numbers with a relative at home, or store them on password protected email account, such as Yahoo or Hotmail, that you can access from anywhere.