While going to Laguna Quilotoa does make a good day trip from Quito, it’s also possible to pursue an awesome 3-day trek in around the crater and through Andean farming villages, with great hostel stays and filling meals. Along the way, there’s an awesome swing that flies over the edge of the crater. The truth is, there are many worthwhile things to do in Quito, Ecuador, as well as in the areas surrounding the city. We stayed at Bio Hostal Mindo Cloud Forest. Quito is full of monuments, beautiful plazas, churches, and volcanoes to climb. Expect to pay ~$100 for the return trip. ️ Riobamba is a 3-4 hour bus ride from Quito further into the Andes. But we find that quick stays in Quito can be better served by a hotel or hostel, which are similarly inexpensive. Location: The museums are perched on a hill in New Town, in the Bellavista neighborhood, exact location found here on Google Maps. Great work. I plan on my first travelling experience and start in Quito. Types of Things to Do in Quito Tours (296) Outdoor Activities (202) Sights & Landmarks (120) Transportation (97) Shopping (77) Museums (60) Nightlife (51) Boat Tours & Water Sports (42) Food & … Patchy snow can even be encountered along the way. That’s Plaza Grande. It’s not the bus stop at the island in the middle, just the one on the closer side if you’re walking along Meijia from Plaza Grande and the bus companies are called Transporte Mitad del Mundo. For a sure bet to get a bike, check here on Av Rio Amazonas, alongside Parque Carolina. The forecasted temperatures can be somewhat trusted. It’s a deal at only $25, including lots of nibbles. Thanks so much for dropping by with the comment to let us know. But it doesn’t let passengers off to hike up Cotopaxi. Great to hear about not having to do the transfer. Wow this is SUCH comprehensive guide to Quito. Best for Day Trips & Sweet Views: The Secret Garden: This is another popular hostel in Quito Old Town with a consistent track record of reviews. Personally, taking the teleferiQo is our favorite thing to do in Quito. Bars often ask to see your ID upon entry (even when you’re clearly of age). By phone: 02 3 827 000 Ext: 7150-7103. It can be accessed from Otavalo (see bus directions in Otavalo section above). An evening partying around Plaza Foch is among the most fun things to do in Quito at night. Thanks so much for taking the time for your thoughtful response and feedback. So it’s worth considering booking a separate flight to Florida first in order to save several hundred dollars in airfare. This occurs all within an ultra-scenic 18-minute cable car ride. Check availability for your dates here. Go on the TeleferiQo when the weather is clear. Anyhow, thanks again so much for all the feedback. It’s on Wednesdays and Sundays only, when the market is biggest. Despite earthquakes and modernization, the baroque buildings throughout Quito’s Old Town remain largely intact. Note: the ticket booth may try to upsell a more expensive combo ticket that includes many of the onsite attractions. In the former home of the legendary painter Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919–99), this wonderful museum houses the most complete collection of the artist's work. I’d imagine the Biciquito bikes should work just fine, so long as you completed their registration process. Due to taxation, all the imported masks, and any merch really (cars, electronics, everything) are all so much more expensive than if purchased back in North America, or even across the border in Colombia. It’s said to resemble the Las Halles market in Paris, and as such, has served as a market itself. Glad to hear that you’re considering exploring again. Location: Right in the middle of Parque Carolina, located here on Google Maps. There are plenty of Airbnb throughout the city. Hi, Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive guide. This tour can be the best option to see a lot of Historic Quito with little time; ideal for those with one day in Quito. Bandido Brewing is our favorite brewpub in Quito Old Town. Seriously, don’t bother. Then it’s on to the main show: the equator. For lunch in Old Town, one of the best places to try local Quito cuisine is at the Mercado Central. Both of the steals even include breakfast, and can be found in La Mariscal, close to Plaza Foch: A beautiful sunny day can turn into a torrential downpour with almost no transition. I’ll soon edit this to suggest going to Parque Carolina as more of a sure thing to actually get a bike. Locro de papa is commonly found throughout Quito. It’s also possible to attempt walking a straight line on the equator. Hi John! Thankfully there’s a great street art walking tour of La Floresta. 1) Bus to Mitad del Mundo: There is actually a direct bus that’s not too hard to get to from the Centro Historico, which doesn’t require the transfer at Ofelia and was pretty easy. Tips: Pack a jacket, as it’s much cooler up here. Check out our Ultimate Travel Packing List for all our packing tips and travel gear ideas, which we wrote while based in Quito. While it is possible to visit Mindo as a day trip, those who enjoy outdoor adventure should consider a minimum of staying one night. You are really lucky! Cost: $4 I love how you gave such a well rounded posts covering all aspects of the city and the country to an extent. It is almost always required if you do make any credit card purchases. Yet we have found the Ecovia, in particular, to get regularly packed with everyone pressed up against each other and we’ve even had friends living in Quito who’ve gotten pickpocketed in those conditions. Yet we’d suggest a stay in Old Town, particularly so for shorter stays. How cool is this! So glad to hear this proved helpful! Since we were here the first Monday, it was at 11am as you mentioned, so we can’t verify the other time mentioned by our guide, but maybe it’s worth looking into to confirm. Please let us know if you have any questions when planning your trip to Quito. Also, just note that the Otavalo market isn’t as big on days other than Wed and Sat. If not, be sure to negotiate a price immediately or you could end up paying more than expected. People come to Mindo from all over the world for its biodiversity that boasts over 500 bird species! Located in the circular, glass-plated, landmark building of the Casa de la Cultura is one of the country’s largest collections of Ecuadorian art, with magnificent works of pre-Hispanic and colonial religious art.... On Plaza Grande's southwest side stands Quito's cathedral. 4.6 (18 Votes) View Point, Statue. Job well done, thanks again. Quito is a land of beautiful contrasts. I really like and appreciate the details and organization of information. from this post, and everything was right on! Understand there are two separate Quito equator attractions: Mitad del Mundo is the location of the main equator monument and that big yellow equator line to snap an equator selfie on top of. View of El Panecillo in the center of Quito with the Cotopaxi in the background. Quito acts as an excellent travel hub to organize excursions within a two-hour drive of the city. or festivals. Itchimbía is where that big orange Quito sign makes for great photo ops overlooking the city. There are dozens of museums all throughout Quito. Here are three options: • Best for 3+ people who want to bike: We did our hike-and-bike Cotopaxi Day Tour with Carpe DM and recommend. Note that the 3 restaurants just below Itchimbia don’t open until 3:00 or 4:00 pm. While traveling the world non-stop for 6 years to 100 countries, we have been on a search for adventure, fun, and value! I have heard great things about this city, but I can see there is even more to do than I had heard of. And by the way, this will be my first travel so I’m excited haha! The sun in Quito is no joke. These buildings actually date way back to the 1600s. We were just there last year and reading your post was fun! The Thursday-only tour also includes a stop at the base of Cotopaxi, among other places in route to Quilotoa. It’s only one block away from all the fun of Plaza Foch. In addition to the many adventures in Mindo, there’s also a worthwhile butterfly garden ($7.50), a chocolate factory ($10), and quaint riverside cafes to relax at over a beer. . All in the name of research, we visited over a dozen craft breweries in Quito. Guayasamín was also an avid collector, and the museum... One of the most important works of art in South America, Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamín’s Capilla del Hombre stands next to the Casa Museo Guayasamín. And it’s an awe-inspiring sight. 2) The guard change has been at 11:00, every Monday in the past. We are going to Quito in March for a week. Join thousands of other savvy travelers on our Facebook and/or Instagram to get more awesome travel ideas into your social feeds! It can be like walking through an outdoor art museum! It’s a great way to calm your nerves after the climb, while also taking in those sweet Quito vistas. Best Things to Do in Quito Ecuador 1) Wander Quito’s Historic Center. Other flights from the US to Quito can cost upwards of $1,000. But the atmosphere and quality helps to justify it. We found Quito to be safe overall. This culminates in some tasty pork morsels that are good on their own merit. An array of food stalls awaits to compete for your business. Hope you had a great time in Quito! There are plenty of things to do in Quito itself to fill several days of a packed itinerary. There’s so much to do in Quito, I’m sure you’ll be happy if you build in a few extra days. Oswaldo Guayasamín is arguably Ecuador’s most famous painter. Book on GetYourGuide. The $39 trip runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, by Tren Ecuador. We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the article and thank you for sharing! They can provide a helpful city map (free). Expect to pay about $15 each way by taxi. Ecuador’s capital can be an unexpected delight to travelers. Hey Anna, thanks for the comment! There seems so much to do i might plan in a few extra days! More detail on how to get to the equator zone follows. I hope you have an opportunity to check out the craft beer scene! Truly an amazing guide- muchísimas gracias!! Those who don’t know to look may miss it entirely. Do this not only for convenience, but because of the additional attractions they stop at along the way. Hey Nicky, thanks for the comment. Ubers in Quito are safe and reliable. 5 beers on tap. Once you return back to Quito, if you still have time before it closes (6pm), then you could take a taxi/Uber from the terminal directly to the equator monument. There’s also more of a nightlife scene around Plaza Foch compared to Old Town. And it can be a bit safer at night. So this is all so helpful to us! Yet for those who are in Quito for a longer stay, New Town may prove a better option. On Saturday the market sprawls out across dozens of blocks of Otavalo’s streets. No need for a thick winter jacket or anything. I really want to visit here now. Fabulous write up. ⌚ Length of visit: Minimum of 1 hour. Capped by green-and-gold domes, La Compañía de Jesús is Quito’s most ornate church and a standout among the baroque splendors of the Old Town. I’ll change that tip to reflect not ignoring the public transport entirely. Admission into La Virgen de Quito is $1 Quito to the Equator by Tours: There are many different tours from central Quito to the equator area. Quito even has some electric buses, and the Trole bus/Ecovia stops are very established. Explore Quito like a local. Am glad to hear this was helpful! Yet perhaps its best feature is the hostel’s namesake rooftop bar with sweeping views of Quito – take a look at the pic below! It’s an expansive and impressive garden, with meandering trails throughout. 5 beers on tap. Keep belongings close in these instances. Hey Alicia, thanks for the comment. So it’s tough to fully recommend. All around this central plaza in New Town, there are many cafes, bars, and clubs. If hiking, wait a few days in Quito to acclimatize before pursuing. It departs popular Quito hotels at 8am Monday-Saturday and at 2 pm on Sundays. Wandering through the bustling streets among centuries-old architecture is not just something to see in Quito. Simply look for the sandwich boards or a handwritten sign outside of restaurants during lunchtime. Did you know that you don’t have to take a pricey Galapagos tour? It tends to be much more expensive in Quito compared to US prices. 4) Not quite mentioned in your Quito guide but rather in your Galapagos post, we actually did find snorkel sets in Quito and they weren’t so expensive (not $60+). It’s a great (and steep) hike to the summit of Fuya Fuya (4,263 meters) that offers some specular views of the lakes below and the many volcanoes that surround. One of my favourite places, the middle of the world or La mitad del Mundo, is located at the latitude 0-0-0 in San Antonio’s village. It’s all in a grand effort to help travelers make the most of a visit here. Are you looking for things to do in Quito, Ecuador? Know that the strength of canelazo can vary drastically based on how much aguardiente is used. One of the best things to do in Quito is simply to eat! Anyway, sorry for the long comment. Wild horses can often be spotted in this area of Cotopaxi National Park. So glad to hear this has been helpful. These snacks are often huge and sharable. Location: It’s possible to walk here directly from Old Town. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:45 pm, weekends & holidays: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm Yet Mindo is highly recommended not only for its nature and birding, but also for adventure! Thanks Abby! It will also cover those unexpected costs. There’s a nonstop JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale to Quito that we’ve even seen priced less than $100 each way! Now we’re headed to Galapagos next and will be looking at your post as well . But readers have reported bikes becoming rented out early there. That’s about two miles high! Closer to Quito, you could perhaps try the Rio Pita Waterfall that is about 1-hour South of the city and there are some excursions that go there, but it’s not a very common one. Cost: El Panecillo is free. But without 4-wheel drive, the taxi likely won’t be able, or willing, to drive towards the top of Cotopaxi for the trek to base camp. The expansive Museo de Arte Moderna (Modern Art Museum) features canvases by... Mouthwatering and stomach-enlarging sundaes, as well as several dozen varieties of sweet and savory crepes, waffles, salads and more conventional vegetarian, meat and seafood dishes, are on the menu at this South... © 2020 Lonely Planet. Find an empty table at any one of these second-level balconies and order the specialty here: a canelazo. Top 10 Things to do in Quito during the Winter Season 2020 La Mitad del Mundo. Hours: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm This hostel boasts some of the highest reviews on HostelWorld. Near there is a beautiful waterfall, Waterfall Peguche, accessible by a short hike. I have some notes I will post about somethings that have changed in the past 12 months, just finished a great visit with my husband. Wow, that’s a very nice and comprehensive guide to Quito! Thanks for sharing. We’re doubtful of this too. A third great reason to make the trek up to Itchimbia is simply for more sweet views of this awesome city. I agree with all the previous compliments on how great this article is! Quito is Ecuador’s vibrant capital city. So those looking to party may also be better situated in New Town. We’ve only encountered very high prices for masks, among the sporting goods stores throughout EC. Hostels in Quito are a great option for solo travelers. It’s a steep yet short trek, a bit more than 1 km. Most people that do the bike ride are local to Quito, so just bring their own bikes. Its benches are great for soaking up the Andean morning sun and watching the bustle all around. All rights reserved. I had no idea there was so many interesting things to do in Quito, because like you mention, most people I know who have been tend to just do an overnight before moving on. Quiteños come to Parque Carolina for a bit of recreation within the city. ⚠️ Important tip: Be extra vigilant of pickpockets as the plaza gets crowded during the ceremony and many become distracted while sneaky pickpockets are out in force. And it’s yet another free thing to do in Quito. But, thank you so much! The Otavalo market tradition goes back hundreds of years all the way to pre-Incan times. Many places in the city tend to be closed on Sunday. Greeting the President may be one of the most unique free things to do in Quito. There are even more obscure museums like a water museum and even an artisan beer museum at the equator. On top you don ’ t sure if it was fabulous it gets warm enough for short sleeves latitude... Middle of the Escape rooms popping up all over the place and have excellent! A gorgeous blue lake beer pub crawl of your adventures in Ecuador and recommend it take an estimate... The National Vow is a trendy Quito neighborhood in New Town in the world Al. 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