EC
Quito
A high-altitude Andean capital with one of Latin America’s finest colonial centres, ringed by volcanoes
A high-altitude Andean capital with one of Latin America’s finest colonial centres, ringed by volcanoes
The Jesuit church of La Compañía de Jesús, its interior covered in gold leaf, is the most lavish of the old town’s many colonial churches.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
A neo-Gothic basilica with gargoyles of Ecuadorian animals such as tortoises and iguanas. You can climb its towers for views over the old town.
The climb to the top uses steep ladders.
Photo: Ranoutofusername, CC BY-SA 4.0
A cable car climbing the slopes of Pichincha to nearly 4,000m, with views over the city and, on clear days, the surrounding volcanoes.
Go early, before clouds roll in, and acclimatise for a day or two first.
Photo: AndrewDressel, CC BY-SA 4.0
A monument marking the equator about 25km north of the city. The true equator, measured by GPS, lies a few hundred metres away, near the Intinan museum.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try locro de papa (potato and cheese soup), hornado (roast pork), empanadas de viento and fresh fruit juices.
La Ronda street in the old town and the Mercado Central are good for traditional food.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is about 40km east of the city; allow an hour or more by taxi or airport bus. In the city, the Quito Metro and Trolebus routes connect the north and the old town; use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps at night.
Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days. The currency is the US dollar. The US State Department rates Ecuador Level 2 (exercise increased caution), with “do not travel” advice for parts of Guayaquil, Durán, Esmeraldas and some other areas; Quito, Cuenca and Galápagos are not among them. Check current rules and advice before you travel.
Quito is good value. Prices are in US dollars.
Old town, mountains and the equator.
Take it easy while you acclimatise: walk Plaza Grande, La Compañía and San Francisco, then visit La Ronda in the evening.
Ride the TelefériQo early, then climb the Basílica towers or the Panecillo hill (by taxi).
Visit Mitad del Mundo, the Otavalo market or Cotopaxi National Park.
Rest, drink water and avoid alcohol on your first day; altitude sickness is common at 2,850m.
Watch for pickpockets in the old town and on buses; take taxis at night.
The equatorial sun is strong at altitude; wear sunscreen even on cloudy days.
Mornings are often sunny and afternoons wet and cool; carry a jacket.
Quick answers for planning time in Quito.
The US dollar. Bring small notes, as change for large bills can be hard to find.
About 2,850m above sea level, so altitude can affect you on arrival.
Most visits are trouble-free with normal precautions; pickpocketing is the main risk, and Quito is not among the US “do not travel” areas.
By taxi or airport bus; the airport is about 40km east, so allow an hour or more.
Not quite; the GPS equator lies a few hundred metres away.
Google Maps works in cities; download offline maps for rural areas.
Free
Spanish is the main language; English is limited outside tourist businesses.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Ecuador travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.