{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/ecuador/galapagos","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T18:01:37.386Z","place":{"city":"Galápagos","country":"Ecuador","countryCode":"EC","lat":-0.0606899,"lon":-90.673898},"safety":{"score":53,"level":"MODERATE","answer":"Mostly — take normal precautions","saferThanPctOfCountries":45,"confidence":0.83,"caps":[],"databaseScore":52,"travellerSentiment":{"score":59,"label":"Mixed","summary":"While the natural beauty of the Galápagos is highly praised, recent reports highlight significant safety concerns within Ecuador, including drug trafficking and violence, which can impact the overall perception of safety for visitors.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":45,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":62,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":48,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":59,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":59,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":67,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":3,"label":"Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts","updated":"2026-07-10T09:44:44Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ecuador"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":2,"label":"Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","updated":"2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/ecuador"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":45.7228145164847,"display":"45.7 / 100k","year":"2023","score":6,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":2.7,"display":"2.7%","year":"2017","score":92,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0,"display":"0 recorded","year":"2021","score":100,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":23.4,"display":"23.4 / 100k","year":"2021","score":35,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":53.5770067,"display":"54/100","year":"2024","score":54,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":40.3557466,"display":"40/100","year":"2024","score":40,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":32.1538699,"display":"32/100","year":"2024","score":32,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":47.0703248,"display":"47/100","year":"2024","score":47,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":44.6676535,"display":"45/100","year":"2024","score":45,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":55.0090172,"display":"55/100","year":"2024","score":55,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.22,"display":"0.22 / 100k","year":"2025","score":89,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":28,"display":"28.0%","year":"2016","score":44,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":27,"display":"US AQI 27 · Good","year":null,"score":94,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":13.150664513,"display":"13 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2023","score":48,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":29,"display":"July: highs ~29°C · no weather extremes","year":null,"score":100,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · 3 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr","year":null,"score":94,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":2,"display":"Level 2 — Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","year":null,"score":72,"source":"Government of Canada"},{"key":"research_robbery_risk","label":"Mugging & robbery risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_pickpocket_risk","label":"Pickpocketing & theft risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_sentiment_score","label":"Visitor safety sentiment","value":45,"display":"45 / 100 (Mixed)","year":null,"score":45,"source":"City Web Research"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to the Galápagos Islands.","summary":"While the Galápagos Islands are a unique natural destination, they are part of Ecuador, which faces significant safety concerns including high homicide rates and organized crime. Travelers should be aware of the potential for petty crime and the broader risks associated with the mainland, even if direct incidents in the islands are less frequent.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"While direct reports of violent robbery targeting tourists in the Galápagos are rare, the overall high homicide rate in Ecuador and reports of organized crime activity in the region suggest a moderate risk, particularly if venturing into less-trafficked areas or at night."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in tourist hotspots, markets, and on public transport, as is common in many popular destinations."},"safeAreas":[],"avoidAreas":[],"scams":["Overcharging for services or goods, particularly in tourist areas.","Fake guides or tours that may lead to unsafe situations or overcharge."],"zones":[{"name":"Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island)","level":"caution","note":"Main tourist hub, but petty crime and opportunistic theft can occur."},{"name":"Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal Island)","level":"caution","note":"Similar to Puerto Ayora, vigilance against petty crime is advised."},{"name":"Puerto Villamil (Isabela Island)","level":"caution","note":"Quieter, but still requires awareness of surroundings, especially after dark."},{"name":"Remote Islands/Uninhabited Areas","level":"caution","note":"While generally safe for wildlife viewing, access and remoteness pose logistical risks."}]}}