Safety and crime in Southern Ecuador 2024 (Vilcabamba, El Oriente, Loja)

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  • Опубліковано 27 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 89

  • @ecuadorexpat8558
    @ecuadorexpat8558 4 місяці тому +7

    I lived in Vilca for a year in 2022 and there were 25 Gringo Home invasions incl my neighbor .. since then there are home invasions weekly with people getting terrorized and robbed ..Francesca Williams got shot and killed during a home invasion near Malacatos.. I highly advise anyone thinking of moving there to rethink their decision.. I live in Cuenca and have never ever felt unsafe there .. it is the most beautiful city with a great and caring Expat community ..

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому +1

      Thank you so much for adding in your experiences. We don't have first-hand experience in vilca, only what friends have told us and what we've seen reported - so your words are very valuable here! We heard about another violent attack recently on an older couple outside vilca - it's awful. And seems to be getting worse. So glad you found somewhere beautiful and safe in Ecuador!!

    • @HugoCueva-vp7np
      @HugoCueva-vp7np 3 місяці тому +1

      Vilcabamba cien por cien segura.

  • @tomb727
    @tomb727 6 місяців тому +8

    I have been traveling back and forth to Ecuador 🇪🇨 for ten years and completed the immigration process. I have been living in Sector Basilica in El Centro Histórico, Quito Sur, for one year.
    Truthfully, I'm here as a missionary, so I have help and support from above. God is faithful. Must be so.
    Thus far, I've had no problems.

  • @georgeloquvam2550
    @georgeloquvam2550 4 місяці тому +2

    I have lived in Ecuador for 20 years. Things have changed here but it is still very manageable.

  • @helllooopeepsk3024
    @helllooopeepsk3024 7 місяців тому +8

    I was robbed at gunpoint on the bus. It was quick they came on with a revolver took some phones and got off 1minute total. I told 2 different police and they both said they probably wouldn't be able to recover the phone or catch the thief so filing a report would be a waste of time and pretty much discouraged me from doing so. Safe to say crime is underreported

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  7 місяців тому +2

      Absolutely underreported, for sure. That's scary - where did that happen?

    • @helllooopeepsk3024
      @helllooopeepsk3024 7 місяців тому +1

      @tinyhandsbigdreams on a bus between quito and baños. I wasn't headed for baños and the cops I told were on the street in quito

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  7 місяців тому +2

      Ah yeah, I've heard about stuff like that happening to and from Quito. Ugh, glad at least nobody was hurt.

    • @helllooopeepsk3024
      @helllooopeepsk3024 7 місяців тому +2

      Honestly ecuador is pretty sketchy. Other that that I've personally seen people on the streets pull knives on eachother, people hitting eachother with beer bottles and attempting to run them over with a motorcycle in bar fights. I had to confront a guy in the street because he was chasing my friend with a broken bottle. It seems like lots of people carry knives. I've heard many stories from people about being robbed with guns. Several different areas both rural and urban

    • @helllooopeepsk3024
      @helllooopeepsk3024 7 місяців тому +1

      That being said ecuador is great and I've never been to loja. I'm sure it's safer there. Just something for people to consider that in a country about the size of Colorado there are many dangerous parts. I hope things get better but the whole situation is volatile and complicated relating to economics, politics, and international mafias

  • @DespicableP
    @DespicableP 6 місяців тому +3

    I really appreciate this info. This video and the one that was done driving from Yantzaza to Loja were really informative. I'm a 60 year old Floridian planning to move somewhere in South America in about 5 years time. I've been entertaining several possibilities including Ecuador, Peru (Arequipa or Sacred Valley), Chile (La Serena), and Argentina (Mendoza). Climate, Cost of Living, and Outdoor Activities were my most important factors, but that kinda assumed safety. Like yourselves, I prefer a rural area, but I suspect that the area you live in is a bit warm for me. I've had enough of the heat! As a consequence, the Vilcabamba area was attractive to me, but the home security measures necessary for living in a rural area near there (home invasion issues) are really off-putting to me. It seems like the expats concentration in Vilca is a target for criminals of all sorts, including real estate sleeze. I haven't ruled out Ecuador yet, and won't do so until I visit, but I'm glad to have heard your input. Keep up the good work! Y'all appear to be one of the few honest UA-camrs reporting on Ecuador.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому

      Thanks so much for the support. We know a lot of people love Vilca, and obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion and choice, we just feel like having all the information is vital to making a good decision. If you want a cooler area, and decide Ecuador is right for you, you might want to check out some higher-elevation areas. Even just north of Loja, near Saraguro is absolutely beautiful. If we had wanted a cooler climate, that would have been our choice!

    • @edwardmille8879
      @edwardmille8879 6 місяців тому

      I'm living in Columbia in a small town called Santa Rosa famous for its hot springs. I have a three bedroom two bath house unfurnished but with hot water and a kitchen for $200 a month. If you can live like a Colombian I can feel a large bag full of vegetables and fruit for around $12 if you are living in South America stay out of the expat area you'll be overcharged for everything. For example this morning I had coffee with pastries it came to a $1.50. Columbia is safe the people are fantastic

  • @Trudy-K
    @Trudy-K 6 місяців тому +2

    I just found your channel a few days ago. I'm really appreciating your content. We have been working toward moving to Ecuador for almost a year now. Your shipping container video was the first one I found because we have unanswered questions that our resident expert avoids answering. Do you know where we can find detailed instructions on how customs wants everything categorized and acceptable limits and how much detail they want on the spread sheet with things like books, cd's, dvd's, and board games? Thanks for your help☺

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому +1

      Thank you so much! We try to put out helpful content, so glad we could help you out.
      Let's see...did you hire a customs facilitator to help? We got our specific info from Paul Wilches and we would be happy to share that with you, but unfortunately it can change often so it might not be up to date. As far as how detailed to make the spreadsheet - remember it all has to be translated, so nothing too detailed. Just 'board game' and the number of how many was all we did.
      Did you see our videos on what to bring and how to pack? Those might help if you haven't! Let us know if we can help any more!

  • @HLMc-dv2pi
    @HLMc-dv2pi 3 місяці тому +2

    A spate of seriously violent crimes happened a month after these two did this video. Just be aware that you do not take anything or anyone for granted in a foreign country.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  3 місяці тому

      Where were these violent crimes? I'd be interested to see the reports - we like to stay informed!

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  3 місяці тому

      Not coy in the slightest. Simply curious for more information. Given that you brought up these incidents of violence, it was easy to surmise you may have more details to provide, thus asking you. If there is violence in our area that we are unaware of, we would like to be informed, as would most people. And if there is violence in another area of Ecuador, some of our viewers may be interested in that information, as well.
      And no, haven't earned a single dime for a video, yet! We're working on!

    • @HLMc-dv2pi
      @HLMc-dv2pi 3 місяці тому

      @@tinyhandsbigdreams ua-cam.com/video/kk9Hb-ceWYs/v-deo.html

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  3 місяці тому

      Yes, we have actually seen this video. It lines up rather exactly with what we said in our video - there has been and continues to be violent crime in Vilcabamba and the surrounding area. We speak at length about that. Perhaps you did not watch the entire video?
      You seem bothered by us discussing the exact thing you are pointing out. We cautioned against Vilcabamba due to the crime that had already occurred upon our filming of the video, as well as the potential we saw and see for the violence to continue.
      We stand by that educated opinion, which has been proven accurate by the very incidents you have brought up.

    • @HLMc-dv2pi
      @HLMc-dv2pi 3 місяці тому

      @@tinyhandsbigdreams Dissemblers and idiots. Total waste of time.

  • @aaronml8298
    @aaronml8298 7 місяців тому +1

    Great video as always, thanks for the honest comparisons.

  • @nathanhoss81
    @nathanhoss81 4 місяці тому

    Thank you for taking time to share your journey, as I spend my winters there around the southern, area and I’m looking to start to establish a small farm

  • @Matthew-uv7bt
    @Matthew-uv7bt 7 місяців тому +2

    :D we visited Loja and Vilcabamba when we were looking at that area to possibly settle :D such a great green area.

  • @thistime4you
    @thistime4you 2 місяці тому

    In our 12 years living rurally in south Ecuador (Yunguilla) we have never felt unsafe. We were the victims of a road rage incident about 9 years ago but that's it.

  • @dxhamshack7905
    @dxhamshack7905 6 місяців тому +2

    View #600, Really liked your video and your discussion. Liked and subscribed.
    I am Swedish, lived in IL, NC, Cyprus, UAE and now in Mexico.
    There is many things I like about Mexico but I am really considering 2 other places, Equador and Cook Islands (small island nation in the pacific).
    Seen that properties in your area are better priced than example Vilcabamba and Loha.
    Is there a lot of venomous snakes in your area?
    Will check out your other videos now.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому +1

      Thanks so much for the support, it really goes mean a lot to us as a 'small potatoes' kind of channel here!
      Interesting, will you be visiting to see how you like it?
      Yes, absolutely this is the area for good pricing on great land. There's a lot of interesting history to the Zamora valley here, it turns out that until relatively recently (historically speaking) there was no road out here and the only transportation was via the river. Hence, we're still seen as pretty 'remote' compared to other areas of the country.
      We do have, at least in our exact area, venomous snakes. We have encountered 4 in the past 1.5 years. Easily my least favorite part of life out here (especially with a kiddo). Luckily they haven't been super aggressive, just something to be aware of!
      Thanks again for the support and let us know if you have any questions about moving here, we're happy to help!

    • @MariaCastillo-oe8hr
      @MariaCastillo-oe8hr 6 місяців тому +1

      Hola amigo,te informo; no hay serpientes,lo que hay es abundante naturaleza,muchas fruta,legumbres,mariscos comida fresca,economica y abundante todo el año,Ecuador es hermoso,por eso se lo llama,el país de los 4 mundos, si vas a la Amazonía ahí si hay serpientes,saludos.te recomiendo que veas en youtube, todo sobre Ecuador,su gastronomia,la seguridad,puedes andar viajar y no es como dicen,es como todos los paises,además ya se estan detrniendo a los delincuentes, ven,conoce este hermoso país no te vas arrepentir.saludos,❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊

    • @dxhamshack7905
      @dxhamshack7905 6 місяців тому

      @@MariaCastillo-oe8hr Hola Amiga, y gracias por tu amable respuesta.
      Estudio mucho Ecuador y también he estudiado otros países.
      Me trasladaron a México por mi trabajo, pero no creo que me quede. Hay cosas bonitas, pero nunca me siento segura. Nunca antes había escuchado la explicación de los 4 mundos, suena hermoso.
      Gracias, vendré a visitarte.

  • @rvdareyet7201
    @rvdareyet7201 4 місяці тому +1

    We’re moving from Manta to the sierra to get away from the violence.

  • @markbaker8607
    @markbaker8607 4 місяці тому

    You are new and they will take advantage of this

  • @lvovodessa
    @lvovodessa 6 місяців тому +1

    Where you’re it’s safe. Loja and Cuenca are also safe. Unfortunately, Vilcabamba is a different story with so many home invasions.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому +1

      Yup, we're happy out here. Loja is overall safe but there's always more crime in places of higher population, so that's to be expected. The Vilca crime is concerning - glad we didn't end up there a few years ago!

  • @ancientfutures
    @ancientfutures 7 місяців тому

    I’m watchin’

  • @joshuacarpenter4477
    @joshuacarpenter4477 7 місяців тому +2

    Is the Oriente area a good choice weather-wise or is it gloomy most of the time? Sad to hear about Vilcabamba. Is it really a revolving door of expats? I wonder what percentage has stayed there for 3 or more years? 🤔

    • @proyectonuevo7487
      @proyectonuevo7487 7 місяців тому

      They have been living in Vilcabamba for a long time, few leave, I think they are isolated cases of violence, violence is not common to things in Vilcabamba

    • @joshuacarpenter4477
      @joshuacarpenter4477 6 місяців тому +1

      @@proyectonuevo7487 Did you watch the video? They described violence and how transitory the community is. I'm hoping more details are given on how long the average expat stays there for.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому +5

      @joshuacarpenter8263 Depends on the weather you like! It is a jungle area, so there's higher rainfall, but interestingly even on the rainiest days it doesn't feel 'gloomy' like say, Washington state can (I grew up there) - I think it's the warm rain vs. cold rain that does the trick with that. We typically have a rainy season and a dryer season, so there are weather shifts throughout the year. Most days have at least a few hours of sun to enjoy - there are a ton of microclimates all across the country, and we often experience more rain in our little valley than even a couple miles away.
      We've heard of a lot of people leaving Vilca in the past year or two. It seems as though there are a good number of people who move there under the impression that it is idyllic, and then realize it's maybe not, or at least not for them, and leave. We obviously can't know exactly why people are leaving, but it's happening.. I would be interested in knowing that percentage as well - not sure how to go about getting that information, though!

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому +3

      @proyectonuevo7487 Absolutely not isolated. When people who have lived there many years tell you that you need bars on windows, guard dogs, guns, and security system, they clearly feel it is also not isolated.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому +2

      @joshuacarpenter8263 That would be useful info, let us look into that for you!

  • @philiiscoolw6426
    @philiiscoolw6426 7 місяців тому +1

    I'm looking for land in Ecuador. Do you know someone who has land for sale?

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому +1

      We do, but it would depend on exactly where you're looking. We put up a video a while back about finding property in Ecuador - you might check that out for more info.
      Pretty much everybody knows of property for sale, it just isn't listed anywhere. So you have to talk to people in the area you're interested it!

    • @philiiscoolw6426
      @philiiscoolw6426 6 місяців тому +1

      ​​@@tinyhandsbigdreams how can I see the lands ?

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  6 місяців тому

      what land were you interested in? Most has to be seen in person here, there is not much online.

    • @philiiscoolw6426
      @philiiscoolw6426 6 місяців тому

      I looking for something not big. Like 2 hectares. I can have someone go to see them.

  • @leedsbutler3567
    @leedsbutler3567 4 місяці тому

    I’ve been looking to homestead in Ecuador. These reports are disturbing. If there was more information on the circumstances, locations, frequency, etc. like who exactly was targeted and what happened. I could make a more informed decision. But I find only limited detail. For example, if there were 3 home invasions, 1 in each town or city over a period of 6 months and nobody was home or they just took a few bucks a ran, that’s different from 30 home invasions, targeting expats and 10 people murdered in a month. Wish a local could break down all the events in detail.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому +1

      Agreed, it is disturbing. More data is always helpful in makes informed decisions. We can only tell you for sure what we have experienced first hand and what comes to us as stories from friends who have lived or currently live in different areas. It is a great place to homestead given freedoms, weather, etc., you just have to find the GOOD parts. Just like anywhere. Is there a specific area of Ecuador you're looking at?

    • @leedsbutler3567
      @leedsbutler3567 4 місяці тому

      @@tinyhandsbigdreams I have 6 months from Quito down the coast to Vilcabamba the north through the Andes back to Quito. As I go along I’m going to periodically detour/explore the rural interior along that loop. Cuenca, Loja and Vilcabama area are top of the list.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому

      Sounds like a great way to get a feel for things! If you end up in the Zamora/Yantzaza/Pangui area, give us a shout! I have a couple links we thought you might find handy. First is a list of road closures across Ecuador, updated regularly. We've used it when traveling here to ensure there isn't construction/landslide/etc. And second is the weather radar website we use that seems most accurate here. It also has temperatures of the areas, which we find interesting and useful! Just thought those links might be helpful in your trip!
      www.ecu911.gob.ec/consulta-de-vias/
      zoom.earth/maps/precipitation/

    • @leedsbutler3567
      @leedsbutler3567 4 місяці тому

      @@tinyhandsbigdreams yes thank you very much! I like info like that. I’m a big nerd. And I’ll do some research on your specific area as well. Thanks!

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому +1

      Nerds here too, so you're in good company!

  • @CristinaC-iu8zn
    @CristinaC-iu8zn 4 місяці тому

    is ANY place a realtor advertises safe? what a question

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому

      Indeed. Ulterior motives make honesty questionable. there ARE good and honest realtors, here and otherwise, it's just finding them that's tricky.

  • @markbaker8607
    @markbaker8607 4 місяці тому

    I am being honest with you. Now there will soon be a new president who complies even more with you know who...These people will be in your neighborhood and they will do terrible things

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому

      Do you mean the cartels? No government is perfect, regardless of the president. No cartels will be in our neighborhood, I can assure you.

  • @markbaker8607
    @markbaker8607 4 місяці тому +1

    We are all leaving. Massive amounts of gringos are leaving. Get out while you can. Cognitive dissonance.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому

      Oh, that's unfortunate for your area. Where are you that the expats feel the need to leave? We talk all the time to people in the U.S. and Canada planning on moving to our area.

  • @HLMc-dv2pi
    @HLMc-dv2pi 3 місяці тому

    Apparently, you just want to break off a piece of your land for the money.
    I believe land speculation should be a crime in Ecuador. It pushes prices up, pushes locals out of the market, pushes the young out of the country and pushes some who stay into the drug trade. The elderly no longer have their sons to care for them and their sons no longer have the family land for their own families so as to feed them.
    It's cultural. And land speculators are often targeted for good reason. You need to spend some time in self-reflection, as do the other expats who come here and get into "real estate" aimed towards other expats. It does not go unnoticed. Locals are not naive.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  3 місяці тому +1

      Your comments make little to no sense in relation to our videos. Either you have us confused with someone else, or you are simply confused about what we say.
      We have ONE property for sale, which we were REQUIRED by Ecuadorian immigration law to buy and hold for 2 years. Thus, a property for sale. One. We are not, nor will we ever 'be' in real estate. Whether we sell the property to a foreigner or a local is inconsequential to us.
      It is not our place, as foreigners, to try to affect or 'fix' parts of Ecuadorian culture or modernity. We own the property we live on, outright, and intend to pass it down to our future generations. Which is a beautiful part of the Ecuadorian culture we appreciate very much.
      It seems as though you are bitter about foreigners in Ecuador, or perhaps crime that has been committed against you? If so, that is unfortunate. But not worth flinging poo like an untrained monkey.

  • @maurogalletta7067
    @maurogalletta7067 4 місяці тому

    The opinion of these two guys who live in the East isn't worth shit. Interview with foreigners from Vilcabamba!

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому

      What in our video did you disagree with? Do we say something factually incorrect?

  • @markbaker8607
    @markbaker8607 4 місяці тому

    You will not have the ability to defend your family. When the police finally show up you might be put in prison for complaining.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому

      We don't need to defend ourselves where we live. There's no need. We have a good relationship with the local government and police - they maintain our road for us!

  • @glenbirbeck4098
    @glenbirbeck4098 4 місяці тому

    if you are a person who could make a big decision based entirely on the opinion of others then maybe you'd better stay up north. Come down and see for yourself.

    • @tinyhandsbigdreams
      @tinyhandsbigdreams  4 місяці тому

      We're confident that our viewers are intelligent enough to take our opinions and experiences, those of others, and the facts and data combined, to make informed decisions for themselves. The internet (and world) is full of opinions, it's everyone's job to make their own decisions!