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Are you looking for the perfect 2-week itinerary for Colombia? Look no further. This South American gem has so much to offer, from its stunning
Discover Quito: Your Ultimate Guide to Ecuador’s Capital
Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, is located in the Andes Mountains, which provides stunning views and unique experiences. If you are planning a trip to Quito, you are in for a treat! In this article, we will give you all the information you need to know to make the most out of your visit. From how to get there, to the best neighborhoods to stay in, to the must-do activities, and safety tips – we’ve got you covered.
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1. How to Get There
Quito has its international airport – Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). Several airlines offer flights to Quito, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and LATAM Airlines. If you’re from the United States, you can fly directly from cities like Miami, Houston, New York, and Atlanta. From the airport, you can take a taxi or an airport shuttle to your accommodation. The distance is around 40km (25 mi) and takes around 45-60min. We took an Uber which was fine!
2. Basic Information about Quito
Quito is the capital city of Ecuador and the second most populous city in the country, after Guayaquil. The city is located at an altitude of 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest capital cities in the world. The city’s historic center, also known as the Old Town, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Quito has a mild climate with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10-21°C) throughout the year.
We have to talk about safety, unfortunately. Like any other big city in South America, Quito has its share of safety concerns. However, with some basic precautions, you can stay safe and enjoy your visit. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
Avoid walking alone at night, especially in poorly lit areas. Take an Uber at night as it’s the safest way to get around!
Keep your valuables, such as wallets and phones, hidden and secure.
Be cautious when using ATMs, and avoid using them at night or in isolated areas.
Stick to well-lit and busy streets, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
If you’re unsure about the safety of an area or activity, ask locals or your hotel staff for advice.
3. Best Neighborhoods to Stay
Quito has a wide range of neighborhoods to choose from, each offering a unique experience. Here are some of the best neighborhoods to stay in Quito:
La Mariscal: Known for its vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and bars, La Mariscal is perfect for those looking for a lively atmosphere. It is also home to several hostels and budget-friendly hotels. Good options are the Dakani Hotel Boutique or the TERRA PREMIUM Hostal Boutique.
Historic Center: If you’re interested in history and culture, then staying in Quito’s historic center is a must. The area is full of colonial-era architecture, museums, and churches. There are also several high-end hotels in the area. We stayed at the Viajero Hostel and liked it a lot. The rooms are big and the garden is huge. The Secret Garden and the Community Hostel are also excellent choices in this area!
La Floresta: This neighborhood is known for its bohemian vibe, street art, and independent boutiques. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
Guápulo: Located on the eastern side of Quito, Guápulo is a charming neighborhood with narrow streets, colonial houses, and a beautiful church. It’s perfect for those looking for a quiet and picturesque place to stay.
4. Our Must-Do Activities
Quito has something for everyone, from adventure seekers to history buffs. Here are our top must-do activities in Ecuador’s enchanting capital.
4.1 Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
This is a thrilling experience that offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding volcanos. The cable car takes you up to an altitude of 4,100 meters (13,450 feet) above sea level. The tickets for the cable car cost 9$ (8€) per person for a return ticket and it takes around 15min. It is open from 10 am to 7 pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 8 am to 7 pm from Friday to Saturday. The best way to get to the cable car valley station is to get an Uber from your hotel (15 min. from the city center).
Be sure to check the weather forecast and the clouds in the mountains. When we arrived, we had a stunning view of the city (you can see that in the pictures). But after a short hike, everything was cloudy and you couldn’t see anything. The earlier you go the better are your chances, we heard. Don’t forget to use that swing! We bet you never took a swing so high in the air.
4.2 Explore Quito's Historic Center
As mentioned earlier, Quito’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We recommend going on a walking tour to see the beautiful colonial-era architecture, museums, and churches. We did our tour with Free Walking Tour Ecuador and enjoyed it. It starts at the Community Hostel where you can also meet people and have breakfast even when not staying there.
It includes stops at the Central Market (Mercado Central), drink Canelazo, a hot alcoholic beverage from the Andes (so delicious!), The Plaza Grande, the Iglesia Católica San Francisco, La Ronda, probably Quito’s most beautiful street, tasting of local chocolate at a chocolate museum, and much more.
Fun fact: Roses are one of the top 10 goods exported from Ecuador. They are of high quality because they grow very straight because of the equator. They already had a movie appearance as the one of „The Beauty and the Beast“ was an Ecuadorian rose.
Another cool activity which isn’t included in the Walking Tour, but you could do it on the same day (like we did) is to visit the Basílica del Voto Nacional. You can walk over the nave, climb up the towers, and even have a coffee and snack in one of them. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning view over Quito. It’s 2$ to visit the church but the ticket to climb the towers is 4$.
Take the second option! We’ve only been to the towers and think that’s fine because you’ll also get a view of the interior of the church from a balcony and from the top of the towers you will have a great view over the historic center. It was the coolest church visit we ever had!
4.3 Visit the Middle of the World
Of course you can not visit Quito without going to the most visited Tourist attraction in Ecuador: Located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Quito, the Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo) is where the equator passes through. With that Ecuador is the only country in the world named after its geographical location.
There’s a monument marking the exact location, and you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. The easiest way is to take an Uber from the city center which is around 30km and 30-45min (depending on the traffic). It will set you back around 17$ (15€) to go there and back.
Keep in mind that there are two different „Middle of the World“. The older one was calculated wrong by a French expedition in 1736 and is bigger, and more famous. The admission is 5$ (4,60€) and you can see this one in the profile picture of this blog post. The other museum is only 5min away (250m north of the monument) and smaller. But the Museo de Sitio Intiñan is worth a visit too as they have some experiments and are located at the „real“ Equatorial line. Also, the admission is only 4$ and the staff is really friendly. We liked the second one way more!
4.4 Daytrip to Otavalo Market
If you’re interested in handicrafts, then a trip to the Otavalo Market is a must. The market is located about two hours north of Quito and is one of the largest indigenous markets in South America. We didn’t make it to Otavalo but friends of us visited it and said it’s worth it but also crazy in terms of what you can buy there (f.e. all kinds of animals). It’s around 2 hours (100km/60mi) by car away from the Historic Center of Quito.
5. Conclusion
Quito is a beautiful and vibrant city that offers something for everyone. From exploring its historic center to taking a cable car up to Pichincha Volcano, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. When it comes to safety, taking some basic precautions can help you enjoy your visit without any worries. For us it wasn’t the beautiful old town (we didn’t like it that much) but more the cool activities you can do in and around this city. If we missed one, just tell us in the comments!
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