Home Security for Expats in Ecuador — Practical Steps to Protect Your Property

Let's get the reality check out of the way: property crime exists in Ecuador. Break-ins happen, particularly in houses without security measures and ground-floor apartments. It's not an epidemic, and Ecuador is not uniquely dangerous — but it's also not the place to leave your front door unlocked or your windows unbarred.

The good news is that security measures are straightforward, affordable, and highly effective. Most break-ins in Ecuador are crimes of opportunity — someone spots an easy target with no cameras, no alarm, no dog, and no portero. Remove the opportunity and you remove most of the risk.

Here's what actually works, ranked roughly by importance.

Choose a Building with a Portero

A portero (doorman/security guard) is your single best defense. Most apartment buildings and gated condo complexes in Ecuador have 24/7 portero coverage — one person during the day, another at night.

The portero controls who enters the building, monitors the lobby and garage, receives your packages, and keeps an eye on things when you're out. They know every resident by face and will question anyone unfamiliar.

This should be a top-3 priority when choosing where to live. When apartment hunting, always ask:

• Is there a portero 24/7 or only during certain hours?
• Is there a security camera system in common areas?
• Is the building entrance a secured door/gate, or can anyone walk in?
• Is there controlled garage access?

A building with a 24/7 portero and camera system is dramatically safer than a standalone house or a building without security. The monthly condo fee (alícuota) that covers the portero — typically $40–100/month depending on the building — is some of the best money you'll spend.

If you're renting a house: You don't have a portero, which means everything else on this list becomes more important.

Install Security Cameras

Visible security cameras deter break-ins. Criminals look for easy targets — a camera pointing at your entrance tells them to move on to a house without one.

What to buy: Hikvision and Dahua are the dominant brands in Ecuador, widely available and locally supported. Both make reliable, affordable camera systems.

• 4-camera system (DVR + cameras + installation): $200–500 depending on camera quality (1080p vs. 4K) and whether you go wired or wireless
• Professional installation: $50–100
• Where to buy: Any electronics/security shop. In Cuenca, try the shops along Av. de las Américas or in the Centro Comercial El Vergel area. Kywi hardware stores also carry basic systems. Online, MercadoLibre Ecuador has good options.

DIY option: If you prefer a simpler setup, Ring cameras and Wyze cameras work in Ecuador. The catch is you'll need to ship them via a casillero (mail forwarding service) since they're not sold locally. Ring requires a subscription for cloud recording ($3.99/month), and you'll need decent internet (which most expats have — see our internet guide).

Placement tips:

• Cover your front door and any ground-floor windows facing the street
• Cover the garage entrance if you have one
• Make the cameras VISIBLE — the deterrent value matters as much as the recording
• Use cameras with night vision (infrared) — most break-ins happen at night
• Store footage locally on a DVR/NVR AND in the cloud if possible. A DVR alone can be stolen; cloud backup preserves the evidence

Electric Fencing

Electric fencing on walls and perimeter barriers is standard practice in Ecuador for standalone houses. It's far more common here than in the US, and it's not the aggressive livestock-style fencing you might picture.

How it works: Thin wires installed along the top of your perimeter wall, connected to an energizer that delivers a non-lethal but deeply unpleasant shock (around 8,000–10,000 volts, very low amperage). It won't kill anyone, but it will absolutely discourage anyone from climbing over your wall.

Cost: $200–400 for a typical house, installed. The energizer unit costs $60–120, the wire and insulators are cheap, and installation runs $100–200 depending on the perimeter length.

Where to get it installed: Search for "cercas eléctricas" in your city. In Cuenca, companies like SEPRIV and various local security firms install electric fencing. Ask your neighbors for a recommendation — in neighborhoods with houses, most people have a guy they've used.

Legal: Perfectly legal in Ecuador. You're required to post warning signs (Cerco Eléctrico / Peligro), which most installers provide.

Window Bars (Rejas)

Steel bars on windows — rejas — are standard on ground-floor windows throughout Ecuador. If you're in a house or ground-floor apartment, this is non-negotiable. Don't skip it.

Cost: $30–80 per window, fabricated and installed by a local welder (soldador). Decorative designs cost more; simple bars are cheaper. Any ferretería (hardware store) can point you to a welder, or ask your landlord — many rental houses already have them installed.

Important: Make sure at least one window or door has a quick-release mechanism from the inside for fire escape. Bars on every window with no way out in an emergency is a hazard. Discuss this with your installer.

Upper floors: Generally not necessary above the second floor unless there's adjacent roof access or a climbable structure nearby.

Upgrade Your Locks

The default locks on most Ecuadorian doors — both exterior doors and apartment doors — are cheap and easy to bypass. Replace them.

Good brands available locally: Yale and Kwiksett are both sold in Ecuador. You'll find them at Kywi, Ferrisariato, and most ferreterías.

What to install:

• Front door: A high-security deadbolt (cerradura de seguridad) — $30–80 for a good one. Kwikset SmartKey or Yale equivalent. Consider a multi-point locking system for exterior doors on houses ($100–200).
• Sliding doors: Install a secondary lock or security bar. Sliding doors are notoriously easy to force open with just the default latch. A $5 security bar from any ferretería fixes this.
• Padlocks: If your building has a bodega (storage room) in the basement, use a good padlock — not the cheap Chinese ones. A Stanley or Yale padlock costs $15–25.

Smart locks: Available but less common. August and Schlage smart locks can be shipped via casillero. They work with Ecuadorian door standards but may need an adapter plate. Probably overkill unless you specifically want keyless entry.

Alarm Systems

Monitored alarm systems provide a response layer — when the alarm triggers, the monitoring company dispatches a patrol car (usually private security, not police).

Monitoring companies:

• SEPRIV — One of the largest private security firms in Ecuador
• G4S — International company with Ecuador operations
• Prosegur — Another major player
• Various local companies — Ask neighbors which service responds fastest in your area

Cost: $30–60/month for monitoring with armed response. Installation is sometimes free with a contract, or $100–200 upfront. Most systems include door/window sensors, a motion detector, a control panel, and a siren.

DIY alarm: If you don't want monitoring, a standalone alarm system with a loud siren and phone notification capability costs $80–200. SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm can be shipped via casillero, though cloud services may have limited support in Ecuador. Local Hikvision alarm panels are a better bet for standalone use.

Is monitoring worth it? It depends on where you live. In urban areas with reasonable private security response times (5–15 minutes), yes. In rural areas where the response could take 30+ minutes, the deterrent value of the siren itself may be more useful than the monitoring.

Safes and Valuables Storage

Don't keep large amounts of cash, jewelry, passports, or important documents lying around.

Home safes: A fireproof safe bolted to the floor or wall costs $80–200 at Kywi or any ferretería. Get one that's heavy enough to be impractical to carry (30+ kg) or bolt it down. Keep your emergency cash, passport copies, cédula copies, and small valuables here.

Bank safety deposit boxes: Available at most major banks — Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacífico, Produbanco. Cost is $50–100/year depending on box size. Good for documents you don't need daily: property deeds, original birth certificates, backup copies of visa documents.

Digital backups: Scan all important documents and store them in cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.). If everything physical is stolen, you still have copies.

Neighborhood Watch and Community Security

Many Ecuadorian neighborhoods, especially in residential areas, have organized community security.

Alarma comunitaria: A shared alarm system — when one home's alarm triggers, it alerts the whole block. Common in residential neighborhoods with houses. Ask your neighbors if one exists.

WhatsApp groups: Nearly every neighborhood in Ecuador has a WhatsApp group where residents share security alerts, report suspicious activity, and coordinate with local UPC (Unidad de Policía Comunitaria) officers. Ask your neighbors to add you. This is genuinely useful — you'll get real-time reports of anything happening on your block.

UPC visits: You can request periodic patrols from your local UPC. Visit the nearest UPC station, introduce yourself, and ask if they can include your street in their patrol route. They generally will.

When You Travel

Leaving your home unoccupied is when you're most vulnerable. Here's how to minimize risk:

• Tell your portero you'll be away and for how long. Ask them to be extra attentive to your door and any deliveries.
• Have a trusted neighbor check in periodically — pick up any packages left at the door, check that everything looks normal.
• Use light timers or smart plugs to turn lights on and off at normal hours. A dark apartment for two weeks signals "nobody's home."
• DO NOT post travel photos on social media until you're back. This is the number one mistake people make. That Instagram story from the Galápagos tells everyone with access to your profile that your apartment is empty.
• Don't leave spare keys under mats or in mailboxes. Give a spare key to a trusted neighbor instead.
• If you have a car in a garage, ask the portero to keep an eye on it. Car break-ins in building garages happen.

Insurance

Home insurance is less common in Ecuador than in the US, but it exists and is reasonably priced.

Renter's insurance: Not a standard product in Ecuador the way it is in the States. However, several insurance companies offer contents coverage:

• Seguros Equinoccial — One of Ecuador's largest insurers, offers home contents policies
• Seguros Sucre — Government-backed insurer, home coverage available
• AIG Ecuador — International insurer with local policies
• Liberty Seguros — Offers home and contents packages

Cost: $15–40/month for a typical contents policy covering theft, fire, and natural disasters. The exact premium depends on the coverage amount and your deductible.

Homeowner's insurance: If you own property, insuring the structure and contents is strongly recommended. Your mortgage lender (if you have one) may require it. Policies run $200–600/year depending on the property value and coverage.

Documentation: Photograph and inventory your valuables — electronics, jewelry, art. Keep the inventory and photos in cloud storage. If you ever need to file a claim, this documentation is essential.

The Dog Factor

This isn't a joke — having a dog is one of the most effective security measures in Ecuador. A dog that barks when someone approaches your door is a genuine deterrent. Burglars avoid houses with dogs because the noise draws attention and the dog is an unpredictable variable.

You don't need a German Shepherd. A small, loud dog that alerts when someone's at the door is just as effective from a security perspective. The bark is the deterrent, not the bite.

Bonus: Ecuador has many rescue dogs needing homes. Check PAE (Protección Animal Ecuador) or local rescue groups on Facebook. You get a security system and a companion.

If You Get Broken Into

Despite your best precautions, break-ins can still happen. Here's what to do:

1. Call 911. Ecuador's emergency number works and dispatches police. Report the break-in and give your address.

2. Do not enter if you think the intruder might still be inside. Wait for police.

3. File a police report (denuncia) at the nearest UPC (Unidad de Policía Comunitaria) or the Fiscalía. You need this report for insurance claims and to document the crime. Bring your cédula or passport.

4. Document everything. Photograph the point of entry, any damage, and list everything that's missing. Do this before cleaning up.

5. Change your locks immediately. Even if the burglar entered through a window, change the locks — you don't know if they copied a key or found a spare.

6. Notify your insurance company within 24–48 hours with the police report and documentation.

7. Alert your neighbors and WhatsApp group. They need to know there's been activity in the area.

8. Review your camera footage if you have it. Share relevant clips with police and your security company.

9. Assess and upgrade your security. Whatever failed — whether it was a lack of cameras, a weak lock, or no alarm — fix it before the next attempt. Burglars sometimes return to the same target if they believe there are still valuables inside.

The Bottom Line: Layers of Security

No single measure is foolproof. Security works in layers. Each layer you add makes your home a harder target, and burglars move on to easier ones.

Minimum recommended setup for a house:

• Rejas on all ground-floor windows
• Upgraded locks on all exterior doors
• Security cameras (visible, with night vision)
• Electric fencing on perimeter walls
• A dog (ideally)

Minimum recommended setup for an apartment:

• Building with 24/7 portero (choose this when apartment hunting)
• Upgraded deadbolt on your front door
• Security bar on sliding doors/windows
• Camera at your door (even a Ring doorbell camera helps)

Enhanced setup (for either):

• Monitored alarm system
• Home safe for valuables
• Insurance policy
• Active participation in neighborhood WhatsApp group

Ecuador is a safe and enjoyable place to live when you take reasonable precautions. These measures aren't about living in fear — they're about removing yourself from the easy-target list so you can relax and enjoy your life here. The total cost of a solid security setup is $500–1,500 one-time plus $30–60/month for monitoring — a small investment for serious peace of mind.

For a broader look at safety in Ecuador, see our safety guide for expats.