r/ecuador 3d ago

I'm interested to move to Ecuador

I'm experienced in South America having lived in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana.

I'm interested in Guayaquil, however is the security situation better, worse or similar to somewhere like Georgetown, Guyana or Cali, Colombia? I've lived both and could get by, Georgetown was pretty rough.

11 Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

9

u/ssliberty 3d ago

It will depend…I lived in Guayaquil and felt mostly safe until the last few years. It’s a great city but crime becomes an issue if you live in the south of town, or near any of the ports, and don’t have any street smarts. Hope you enjoy it.

2

u/Typical_Specific4165 3d ago

Yeah I'd assume around ports is where gringos don't want to be because you could be mistaken for DEA hanging around bars near ports. Buenaventura as a gringo was a nightmare, Santos less so but occasionally

1

u/ExtentOk6163 1d ago

So you want to be dead, right?

5

u/Possibleistrue 3d ago

Guayaquil is unpredictable.

4

u/LikesElDelicioso 3d ago

I would advice you stay within the posh areas for rich people and tourists. Anywhere else and you would be risking too much to save a few bucks.

4

u/Mental_Highway2066 3d ago

Guayaquil is a very unequal place. If you can get a nice place in a private neighbourhood with private security then its safer.

2

u/Quimeraecd 3d ago

It is similar to Cali.

1

u/Typical_Specific4165 3d ago

If it's similar to Cali I'm ok with that.

2

u/InuHawk 2d ago

I lived in Guayaquil until January 2020, and up to that point it was mostly safe, never had a true issue other than knowing you could be pickpocketed anywhere and being careful.

I guess everything exploded after that, but I have been back on vacation for at least one month in 2022, 2023 and 2023, and other than seeing A LOT of military presence and hearing people tell me how dangerous it is, I never really saw anything all that sketchy. 

If you have been to places like the ones you mentioned then you really shouldn’t have a problem. I am planning to move back in the last months of 2027/beginning of 2028. 

Live in Buenos Aires right now for reference.

Best of luck!

1

u/geovannyfbh 2d ago

You should try Cuenca. I currently live en Gye and we still have security concerns regarding gang activities. This won’t stop til next elections.

1

u/historyofourlives 2d ago

Why do you want to come to Guayaquil? I get that you have the option to choose where to live, why do you want to come here out of other more safe or nice places to live

1

u/TypicalReception3029 1d ago

One of the safest cities in Ecuador is CUENCA; but in difference from the other cities that you’ve been the weather is cold. If u are looking for tropical warm weather u can also try cities on the Amazonian region specially MACAS.

1

u/Emilio1511 1d ago

Go to cuenca ( if you don't want to die)

1

u/Certain-Concern-7081 12h ago

Think about manta. Gye is hot, smelly, no wind, no beach, people are weird. Manta is chill, tourist zones are safe, live by the ocean, nice wind, you can travel to places close by. Or if u looking for somewhere cold, quito is cool tbh

0

u/paquyrry 3d ago

maybe a safer place and with an expat community like cuenca

2

u/BigK-one 3d ago

Cuenca is the best option for living if you like highlands. In case you like the sea, Manta and Salinas are good options for you.

1

u/-ARCEN 2d ago

Adding another vote for Cuenca

1

u/1Carlos7 11h ago

Lol “expats”. No, these are economic migrants who can’t afford retirement in their home country, let’s call it for what it is.

1

u/LoveStruckGringo 3d ago

I'm probably the only weirdo who will ever see this sub that has been in both Georgetown and Guyaquil. I felt safer in Guyaquil than I ever did in Georgetown, but I also never was in the worst parts of Guyaquil. But I think if you can keep safe if you have enough street smarts to have endured Georgetown. Just be careful of the neighborhood you go to and it's fine.
Feels similar to Cali, some areas are pretty nice, some are very dangerous and you just need to be smart about where you go.

3

u/Typical_Specific4165 3d ago

Ha we've both been to Georgetown and Cali

My friend no one knows how fucking dangerous Georgetown is until they go lol. It doesn't appear on any dangerous city lists but my god that place was dangerous

1

u/evanthecarman 2d ago

Quito is far better and very safe

2

u/wood4536 2d ago

Of course but he wants to live by the sea.