Guayaquil - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No. We are not allowed to take buses or hail taxis on the road. You can use taxis you contact via app and Uber, though often the wait is very long. We pass around the name of a few drivers we trust. - May 2025
City buses and hailing taxis are not safe. Ubers are affordable, but not always available when you need one. I have taken buses between cities with no issues. I do not travel with anything in GYE or by bus that I am not emotionally prepared to be stolen. I noticed the local bus passengers do not put anything in the overhead compartments of the bus, so I hold everything in my lap. The CLP bus takes you from GYE Bus Terminal to beach locations for less than $10. - May 2025
Busses are not safe for foreigners. Taxis and Uber are better options. - May 2025
We are prohibited from using public transit for safety reasons. We have a select pool of taxis we use. Most also have "a driver" on call in case we do not want to drive somewhere (airport run). There is a small but sufficient pool of these drivers that we will recommend. Uber is available but not plentiful. - Aug 2022
Public transportation is prohibited by the RSO due to the security situation. Uber is available but has trouble getting to the neighborhoods. - Jun 2022
We aren't allowed to take them. Uber is cheap and reliable though. - Oct 2020
If you're with the Consulate, you aren't allowed to use buses or public transportation. Taxis are safe if you call to request one from a "vetted" taxi coop. Do not hail taxis off the street. I've heard express kidnappings are common with hailed taxis. Uber worked pretty well once it started up in country. - Feb 2019
Only vetted taxis are permitted. Check with the security office at the consulate. If you don't use the taxis at the hotels or the ones recommended by the consulate, then you place yourself at risk. Buses are prohibited to use for Americans who work at the consulate. - Jun 2013
No. - May 2013
All my local friends view it as a fact, that when they use the bus there is a good chance they could get robbed or the bus held up. Plan accordingly and don't take much with you. Don't hail taxis on the street. Go to a reputable hotel or restaurant and have them call one. - Jan 2012
Only vetted taxis are allowed. They are very reasonable. Buses are not allowed due to crimes and they cost 25 cents but I wouldn't take them either. - Jan 2012
Affordable but not safe. - Aug 2011
