South America
Solo travel in Ecuador
2/5English level
Solo travel in Ecuador
Compact and cheap, with the Andes, Amazon and Galápagos a short hop apart and US dollars as currency. Gang violence now makes much of the coast risky; Quito, Cuenca and Baños feel calmer. The easiest place to start is Quito.
Best places in Ecuador for solo travelers
| Place | Solo | English | Locals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quito | 4/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Galápagos Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas | Friendly |
| Cuenca | 4/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Baños | 4/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Otavalo | 4/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Mindo | 4/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Vilcabamba | 4/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Puerto López | 4/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Montañita | 3/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Guayaquil | 2/5 | Limited | Friendly |
Solo travel by place
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Ecuador
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility
- Galápagos National Park Directorate
- Speedtest Global Index: Ecuador
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.