I normally hang on the Europe side. Now I have a situation over which I am losing sleep.

My daughter has been invited to join a Scott fellow ex-boyfriend to go to Ecuador. She says "we're going to go around see stuff." It will be mid-August to mid-September.

I saw this warning from the State Dept at http://tinyurl.com/2yyrxl and it has me really worried. Other web sites talk about kidnappings and white slavery in Ecuador.

Has anyone been to Ecuador recently and can you advise me on whether or not to support my daughter's intentions?

Travel a lot down there generally more

petty theft still safe if careful...

top hostels trip insurance money belt buddy system

top hostels...still if I did not support the travel bud

as a father I would passively oppose the trip...

"we're going to go around see stuff." doesn't sound like much of an itinerary, does it! It all depends on how sensible she is and how much travel experience she has had. Thousands of young people go there every year and have no problem. However, she does need to be aware of any potential dangers. For that she needs to read some travel forums aimed at young backpackers. The Thorntree forum at Lonely Planet and Virtual Tourist are two good ones to start with.
I am linking the advice for British nationals visiting Ecuador as it is more specific about areas to avoid. It is more helpful than just general warnings. Remember that government websites always paint the worst case scenario and try not to hyperventilate!
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...merica/ecuador
As long as she is willing to do some homework on the trip and is willing to acknowledge your concerns and the possible problems she might encounter, it should be a successful trip.

qwovadis and Huentetu,

Thank you very much for your replies. Now I am more concerned than I was. She travels a lot, nearly every year to visit her aunt and cousin in Italy for a month or more. But vagabonding in Ecuador is out of her league. If I can't talk her out of this I'll tell her that daddy's money won't be going with her. I think that stops it.

spaarne

Thanks again qwovadis and Huentetu,

She has accepted my offer of a month with me in Michigan, a month in Paris, and two weeks in Milan. I am sleeping better.

Excellent parenting, spaarne, with a happy outcome.

And, you might consider a family trip one day to Equador, which is one of the more interesting and delightful countries to visit.

The sites sent you by HUENTETU are important reading for any young person intent on traveling just about anywhere outside of their home turf. Your daughter would do well to read these fora in preparation for the next trip she plans to take alone or with friends.

Best, ~MarnieWDC

I believe you may be overreacting. I am retired from law enforcement and spend much of my time studying safety issues in Ecuador. There are dangers as anywhere. Knowing about them, I don't think should could cause one to cancel a trip. Knowing about the dangers or particular crime elements in Ecuador should help someone be aware and diminish the odds of being a victim. I have lived at various times and travelled to Ecuador for now 30 years and I have never been robbed or assaulted. However, I was robbed on a subway in Paris. Maybe I should not have gone to Paris.

As a father - let her be aware of the issues but I don't see anything in Ecuador that should cancel a trip and a wonderful adventure to experience another part of the world. However, she should be aware and cuatious no matter where she is at.

http://www.ecuadortraveladvisory.com

crowdpub,
Travel is different for geezers like you and me compared to an atractive 22 year old girl, and one who will do almost anything for a kick. The violent crime and disease conditions in Ecuador are pretty serious according to the official bulletins. I know Paris very well and would only be concerned about pickpockets. BTW, how were you robbed on the Metro? Did someone pull a gun on you?

MarnieWDC,
Thank you.

I spent about 2 weeks in Ecuador (visiting Quito, Banos, Latacunga, and Cuenca) as part of a tour of South America. During my entire trip, I found myself the most uncomfortable in Quito. Staying at a hostel I heard several travelers' stories of violent muggings in broad daylight next to the main town square. Ecuador is a beautiful country but I'd definitely urge extra caution. I'm not sure what you mean by "disease conditions" but I came back disease-free (except for a bout with a stomach virus).

http://alongwaysouth.wordpress.com/

I am well aware of the dangers and constantly speak about them in my book and on my site. Ecuador should not be taken lightly. However, personally I don't know if I would cancel a trip based on warnings from official sites. Many times these advisories are based on political situations between the two countries. Also, they are sometimes very late about getting information out.

Overall the odds at the present time are low for some types of crimes against tourists. However, I am a big believer in knowing all the negatives just to make one aware of what to look out for.

One writer mentioned Quito as being dangerous - I agree - So often Guayaquil gets the brunt of criticism. Criminals are very opportunistic - especially in Ecuador and become more so all the time.
I believe the father may have still overeracted. But I am going by the information he provided which was in part she would be with a male friend. However, this does not mean a crime would happen. We all have different comfort levels.

In Ecuador, my wife and I always have a plan - especially if she is going somewhere alone which is seldom. Ecuadorians for the most part list personal safety as one of their largest concerns.

Ah Paris. Lovely Paris. I was robbed on a metro and I will take some of the blame. I was feeling very comfortable because I with my wife and two French family members getting on the train. Well before I knew it a Middle Eastern looking man started pushing my wife and I stepped into the middle and his partner pickpocketed me.
The biggest error I made was to have anything in my pockets which was part to feeling comfortable - which was the the other error - never get to comfortable. However, I will mention the fellow who did the pushing - go my foot up his xxx as he got off the train. He looked back as if he was going to come back and have a fight ---- but I think he thought twice.
We all learn through our experiences - safety is critical and hopefully we get better at it and learn to avoid problems or what to do when something happens.