Quito, Ecuador: travel guide
Ecuador's Andean capital at 2,850 m, home to one of Latin America's best-preserved colonial Old Towns (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the equatorial monument at Mitad del Mundo. Gateway to the Avenue of the Volcanoes and most Galapagos flights.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Guayaquil
- Nearest airport
- UIO
Top places to visit in Quito
Basílica del Voto Nacional
Church · 4.8 rating · about 1.3 h · entry USD 2
A vast neo-Gothic basilica famous for gargoyles shaped like Galapagos animals and towers visitors can climb for sweeping views over the Old Town.
Parque La Carolina
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
Quito's large central park in the modern north, popular for jogging, paddle boats, the botanical garden and weekend family outings.
Mitad del Mundo
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry USD 5
The Ciudad Mitad del Mundo monument marks the equatorial line just north of Quito, with a 30 m monument, ethnographic museums and the famous "straddle the equator" photo.
Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia)
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
The main square of the Old Town, flanked by the Cathedral, the Carondelet Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and city hall.
El Panecillo (Virgen de Quito)
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry USD 1
A hill topped by a giant winged aluminium statue of the Virgin of Quito, with 360° views over the city and surrounding volcanoes.
Jardín Botánico de Quito
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · entry USD 4
A botanical garden inside La Carolina park showcasing Ecuador's orchids, Andean flora and cloud-forest and Amazon greenhouses.
Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
Church · 4.8 rating · about 1.3 h · entry USD 2
The oldest and largest colonial religious complex in Quito, a vast 16th-century Franciscan church and monastery on its own plaza.
Mercado Central de Quito
Market · 4.2 rating · about 1 h
A traditional city market and food hall where locals eat hornado, seco and fresh juices — a good spot to sample Quiteño street food safely.
Museo Intiñan
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · entry USD 5
A quirky open-air museum on the "true" equatorial line offering hands-on experiments (balancing eggs, Coriolis demonstrations) and indigenous-culture displays.
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
Church · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · entry USD 5
A dazzling Jesuit church whose interior is covered in gold leaf, considered the masterpiece of Quito Baroque.
Capilla del Hombre & Museo Guayasamín
Museum · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry USD 8
A museum and monumental chapel by Ecuador's most famous painter Oswaldo Guayasamín, dedicated to the suffering and dignity of Latin America's peoples.
Museo Nacional del Ecuador (MuNa)
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h
Ecuador's national museum (Casa de la Cultura) holding the country's premier collection of pre-Columbian gold, ceramics and colonial art.
Things to do
- Quito Old Town Walking Tour Walking Tour · 3 h · from USD 25 per person
- Mitad del Mundo & Equator Day Trip Day Tour · 5 h · from USD 45 per person
- TelefériQo & Rucu Pichincha Hike Hiking · 6 h · from USD 55 per person
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class Cooking Class · 3 h · from USD 50 per person
Day trips and tours
- Quito Old Town & Mitad del Mundo Full-Day 8 h · from USD 75
Where to stay in Quito
- Centro Histórico (Old Town) about USD 90 per night
Atmospheric UNESCO old town with colonial hotels, churches and plazas; quieter at night.
- La Floresta / La Mariscal about USD 70 per night
Bohemian and nightlife districts with cafés, restaurants, hostels and museums — best for younger travellers.
Hotels
- Casa Gangotena 5-star · USD 380 to USD 650 per night
- Illa Experience Hotel 5-star · USD 220 to USD 400 per night
- Hotel Plaza Grande 5-star · USD 300 to USD 550 per night
- Community Hostel 2-star · USD 12 to USD 40 per night
- Hotel San Francisco de Quito 3-star · USD 45 to USD 80 per night
- Selina Quito 3-star · USD 14 to USD 70 per night
Where to eat
- Casa Gangotena Restaurant Ecuadorian, Contemporary · about USD 45 per person
- Zazu Ecuadorian, Seafood, Peruvian · about USD 40 per person
- Theatrum Ecuadorian, International · about USD 38 per person
- Urko Cocina Local Ecuadorian, Contemporary · about USD 42 per person
- Café Mosaico Mediterranean, Ecuadorian, Cafe · about USD 18 per person
- Achiote Ecuador Ecuadorian · about USD 16 per person
- El Cafecito Cafe, International · about USD 8 per person
- Hornados del Mercado Central Ecuadorian, Street Food · about USD 5 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unofficial taxi "express kidnapping"
Airport, bus terminals, La Mariscal
You hail an unregistered taxi; the driver (sometimes with accomplices) takes you to ATMs and forces withdrawals.
How to avoid it: Only use registered yellow taxis with orange plates and visible IDs, or apps like Uber/Cabify. Note the plate and share your ride.
Distraction / mustard or spray scam
Old Town, crowded streets
Someone "accidentally" spills sauce or sprays you, then helps clean up while an accomplice steals your bag or wallet.
How to avoid it: Don't stop for strangers who spill on you; keep walking and hold your bag in front.