Solo female travel has grown significantly over the past two decades, from traditional land travel to cruises and beyond. As a huge advocate of solo female travel, I do this often. For me, the cons are nothing compared to the pros (going to the beach, having brunch, going for a bike ride or taking a nap whenever I want on vacation can't be beat). Unfortunately, there are some destinations where traveling alone as a person who identifies as a woman may require some serious street savvy.
Take Quito, Ecuador. There are many things to love about Quito that I've witnessed myself, from the Ecuadorian cuisine bursting with fresh flavors to the friendly, welcoming locals and easy access to nature. The city is even recognized as Unesco World Heritage.
However, Ecuador can be dangerous, and that includes the capital Quito. By mid-2024, the US Department of State recommends increased caution: “Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Violent crimes, such as murder, assault, kidnapping, and armed robbery, are widespread and prevalent. » Spotlight Initiativea United Nations program aimed at ending violence against women and girls, also states that, based on statistics of feminicides across the country, “every 28 hours, a woman is murdered for reasons related to gender “.
Given all of this, you might reasonably wonder if Quito is safe, especially for solo female travelers. Having traveled alone to Quito, I can say that yes, Quito is safe for female-identifying travelers, but taking extra precautions to better protect yourself can help make the city safer. Here is our list of 10 safety tips for Quito as a solo female traveler.
