Was this really a good idea, solo backpacking in Latin America? Is Ecuador safe for female travellers? Would it be better to choose a different destination?

Luckily, Eve's jet lag and fatigued fuelled trepidations were premature: Ecuador turned out to be the perfect place for her first solo travel trip and in this article she shares her reasons why.

 

1. Perfect Sized Country

As the continents fourth smallest country, you can travel within Ecuador ridiculously easy and less lengthy night buses means you have more hours for exploring.

After a few days enjoying Quito, at the foothills of Cotopaxi (an active volcano!), I hopped on the Wanderbus. It's a slightly more expensive hop-on-hop-off tour operator compared to local transport, but as a solo-female on my first trip, I felt that it was worth the extra buck: I met fellow travellers and could relax a little more.

In a short time I was able to roam throughout Ecuador, from the backpacker coastal towns of Puerto Lopez, Montañaita, to the sprawling metropolis of Guayaquil, alongside mountainous must-sees like Cuenca and Baños. If you have more time you can also venture to the Galapagos Islands.

 

2. Encounter Latin Hospitality

An unending barrage of friendly encounters followed me around Ecuador. For instance, as I waited in the line for the cable cart, surrounded by families, loved up couples, boisterous school kids and Ecuadorians enjoying a trip to the capital, I felt a pang of loneliness wishing that I had someone to gossip with.

Yet, my solitude as I quickly learnt during solo backpacking in Ecuador was a rarity. Bustled into a cable cart with an Ecuadorian family of 6. The grandmother perplexed at the incongruous gringa beamed at me “why are you here” she fired at me in a lilted regional Spanish. During any exchange with latinos any sense of inhibition or privacy was quickly abandoned.

The family fired quick round questions; “Why are you here ? Do you like Ecuador? Have you been to Mexico? Do you have a boyfriend?” "No …" I responded.. “Do you want one?” the mother asked gesturing at her two sons. One of them being an apparently famous Ecuadorian trap artist, while the other became my unsuspecting photographer at the summit.

Within 20 minutes I had been invited to stay in their family home. This warmth was not unique: from uber drivers to bartenders I was welcomed with an openness not always easy to find when travelling

 

3. There is Something for Everyone 

Ok it sounds slightly generic, but Ecuador makes it hard for you to leave disappointed, or leave at all.

Take the well preserved colonial cities like Cuenca, a personal favourite of mine, with craft shops, trendy vegan cafes, making it a welcome home away from home with its distinct European feel. Get lost in the cobbled streets, drink in bars thronged with local students or spend a rainy afternoon in one of its many museums. The ideal place to recuperate when you tire from being on the road. 

Or if you are in search of a little more adrenaline, try adventure junkie towns like Baños, where I tried canyoning for the first time. Who knew throwing myself of waterfalls surrounded by dense jungle could be so fun! (But always use a reputable local tour operator). Party hotspots like Montañaita are also not to be missed.

Recently, more and more tourists are venturing to Guayaquil, Mindo and even the Amazon enclaves like Puerto Francisco de Orellana. 

 

4. Friends are Easy to Find 

Ecuador is a little less popular than its southern neighbour, Peru - but this makes for a warm, close-knot backpacker community, with locals much more receptive to foreign visitors.

So not only is it slightly easier to find friends in your hostel, but every bar, tourist attraction, street market, or walking tours being fair game for acquiring some new travel acquaintances.

Solo travel doesn’t always mean being alone, I was rarely travelling by myself  and beside - it is always more fun, cheaper and safer to go out in a group when getting acquainted with a new city.  

 

5. Its Not as Scary as You Think 

When I told my friends and family that I would be heading off to South America by myself I was confronted with the confusion and concerned looks of my friends and friends.

To the shock of my older relatives, South America is not like it was during the 80s. Yet, as long as you remain vigilant travelling around Ecuador can be fairly safe, and in comparison to its surrounding countries it is pretty tame.

The worst experience I had was arriving to Quito late at night (which you should avoid if possible as 2.30am doesn’t show any city in its best light!).

My taxi was quickly swarmed with homeless drunkards. But luckily, my taxi driver swiftly called the security at the hostel where I was staying, and they helped me to enter the building. 

 

Plan Your Trip to Ecuador

If you are keen to travel solo and are currently considering your next destination, choose Ecuador. I really loved my experience travelling in this magical country, and I think you will too. Also, if you are worried about going solo, there is also the option to book group tours of Ecuador.

Have you been to Ecuador? Got any advice or recommendations to share? Let me know in the comments section below.


By Eve Willis