Always watch your valuables

Nothing will ruin your vacation more than losing your valuables, so be cautious. Never put your hand luggage under your seat or above your head when flying in Ecuador. Always keep all of your valuables on your lap. It is inconvenient, but it will save you a lot of worries. Quito's public transportation deserves its own chapter. It's not even amusing how full the buses are. Once on board, keep your daypack on your front. On the bus, a man instructed us to sit in specified seats and to stow our backpacks underneath.

Pickpockets and thieves like crowded venues, such as bus stops, markets, city centers, public transportation, crowded beaches, fiestas, and other places where a large number of people congregate. Carry as little valuables as possible when out and about, and keep your possessions hidden. Secret pockets or money belts can be handy, but they should not be revealed in public. Distribute your reserves over multiple locations to reduce the likelihood of losing everything at once.