Upscale shops have uniformed armed guards at their front doors. Guards with dogs patrol outside hotels. Museum guards wear pistols and bulletproof vests. Helmeted police with riot shields were on the steps of the National Congress Building, whose stone murals record Ecuador's history, and soldiers with tear-gas guns and automatic weapons were behind them. Visitors were told they were prepared for possible demonstrations.
Police checkpoints are along roads outside the capital.
Despite so many guards, Alvarez said Quito has no extremely poor neighborhoods lacking municipal services, such as water and electricity, like those in some other South American capitals. And, according to one guidebook, more than 60 percent of Ecuador's people live below poverty levels designated by the United Nations. In addition to keeping you out of dangerous areas, advantages of taking guided tours are you don't have to worry about driving. And you'll get much more out of your visit, because guides know the country and speak English and Spanish. A disadvantage is you don't control the itinerary or how much time you spend at places.