{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/ecuador/otavalo","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T18:02:21.739Z","place":{"city":"Otavalo","country":"Ecuador","countryCode":"EC","lat":0.23457,"lon":-78.26248},"safety":{"score":56,"level":"MODERATE","answer":"Mostly — take normal precautions","saferThanPctOfCountries":50,"confidence":0.85,"caps":[],"databaseScore":55,"travellerSentiment":{"score":63,"label":"Cautiously optimistic","summary":"While recent news highlights political unrest and crime in Ecuador, traveler reports from Otavalo generally focus on the vibrant market and cultural experiences, suggesting that with precautions, visitors can have positive experiences.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":55,"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":52,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":63,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":59,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":65,"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":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":32330,"display":"32k residents","year":null,"score":91,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"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":32,"display":"US AQI 32 · Good","year":null,"score":93,"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":24,"display":"July: highs ~24°C · no weather extremes","year":null,"score":100,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · 11 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr","year":null,"score":84,"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":55,"display":"55 / 100 (Cautiously optimistic)","year":null,"score":55,"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":"Otavalo is a moderately safe destination for travelers, but requires heightened awareness due to Ecuador's overall crime rates and recent political instability.","summary":"While Otavalo itself is not a major hotspot for violent crime, the high national homicide rate in Ecuador and official advisories to exercise increased caution necessitate vigilance. Travelers should be particularly aware of petty theft and scams, especially in crowded tourist areas.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"While direct robbery is not frequently reported in Otavalo, the high national homicide rate and general crime index for Ecuador suggest a moderate risk, particularly if venturing into less populated areas or at night."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common concerns in crowded tourist areas like Otavalo's famous market."},"safeAreas":["Barrio La Florida","Barrio Monserrate"],"avoidAreas":["Areas near the bus terminal after dark: Increased risk of petty crime."],"scams":["Overpriced goods or services, particularly in the market","Distraction theft where one person creates a diversion while another steals belongings"],"zones":[{"name":"Centro Histórico","level":"caution","note":"Main tourist area, but pickpocketing is a risk, especially around the market."},{"name":"Mercado de Animales","level":"caution","note":"Busy market area; be vigilant against petty theft and scams."},{"name":"Mercado de Textiles","level":"caution","note":"High foot traffic increases pickpocketing risk."},{"name":"Barrio La Florida","level":"safe","note":"Residential area, generally quieter and less prone to tourist-targeted crime."},{"name":"Barrio Monserrate","level":"safe","note":"Another residential area with a lower crime profile."}]}}