Quito Ecuador Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world at 2,850 metres (9,350 feet) and sits almost exactly on the equator, the latitude that gives Ecuador its name. The city of around 1.8 million was the first UNESCO World Heritage City in 1978, a designation that reflected the quality of its preserved colonial historic centre: 320 hectares of 16th–18th century Spanish architecture surrounding the Plaza Grande. Most visitors arrive in transit to the Galapagos Islands. The ones who give Quito two to three days of genuine attention find a city that justifies the allocation.

The Historic Centre

Centro Histórico (Old Town) is the reason Quito made UNESCO’s first list. It’s not a single monument but an urban fabric: churches, convents, plazas, and residential streets that have retained their colonial character more completely than most Latin American capitals.

Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia) is the centre: the Presidential Palace (Carondelet), the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace on the surrounding sides. The Carondelet has free guided tours that include the balcony with the flag; check current visiting hours.

La Compañía de Jesús, the Jesuit church on García Moreno Street, is the most ornate building in Ecuador and one of the most elaborate baroque interiors in Latin America. Covered in gold leaf (reportedly 7 tonnes), it took 160 years to complete (1605–1765). Entry fee. Photography inside is restricted.

Convento de San Francisco covers an enormous complex at the western end of the historic centre; the church was built between 1536 and 1605, making it one of the oldest colonial buildings in the Americas. The adjacent Museo Fray Pedro Gocial has religious art and artifacts from the colonial period.

El Panecillo, the hill crowned by a 41-metre aluminium statue of the Virgin of Quito, gives panoramic views over the entire historic centre and the surrounding Andean peaks (Cotopaxi, Antisana, Cayambe are all visible on clear days). Take a taxi up (the surrounding area on foot is not recommended). Go in the morning before cloud builds.

Other neighbourhoods

La Mariscal (Gringolandia, as it’s locally known) is the tourist services district north of the historic centre: hostels, travel agencies, restaurants, and bars. It’s where most backpackers and budget travellers base themselves. Functional for services, less interesting for spending time.

La Floresta is the neighbourhood east of La Mariscal that has developed a genuine restaurant and café scene: smaller, more local, and the best area for independent eating. More character than La Mariscal.

González Suárez and the nearby Guápulo, the colonial village in the valley east of the city, are residential but Guápulo is worth a taxi down to the valley for the church and the walk back up.

When to go

Quito’s climate is equatorial at altitude, mild year-round, with the main variable being rain.

June to September is the dry season: clear skies, the Andes visible, good conditions for day trips. The driest period.

October to May is wetter; afternoon and evening rains are common. The mornings are often clear. The “dry” versus “wet” distinction is less extreme than at lower latitudes.

The altitude keeps temperatures between roughly 10–22°C (50–72°F) year-round. Evenings are always cool. Midday sun at altitude can be intense.

Corpus Christi and Inti Raymi (June) are celebrated in Quito and across Ecuador; traditional dances and processions mark the religious and indigenous festivals.

What to see and do

The Historic Centre sights have been described above. Beyond them:

TelefériQo, the gondola system that ascends from the city’s western edge to Cruz Loma (4,050m) on the flank of Pichincha volcano. The views from the summit area on a clear morning take in the entire city, the valley, and the surrounding volcanic peaks. Allow 3 hours including the ascent. The altitude at the top is noticeable; don’t try to hike far on the first day.

La Mitad del Mundo, the monument 26km north of Quito that marks the equatorial line (the official equator monument, though GPS has shown it’s actually about 240m from the true equatorial line). The Ciudad Mitad del Mundo complex has museums and the monument; the nearby Museo Solar Intiñan has more accurate positioning and interactive exhibits on equatorial phenomena. Combine with the Pululahua volcanic crater (one of the few inhabited volcanic craters in the world, with farming settlements inside) nearby.

Mercado Central near the historic centre has food counters serving traditional Ecuadorian food: ceviche de camarón, locro de papa (potato soup with cheese), and fresh juices. A good midday stop.

Getting around

Taxis and Uber operate in Quito. The Metro de Quito (Line 1) opened in 2023 and connects El Labrador in the north to Quitumbe in the south, with stops in the historic centre and La Mariscal. Useful but doesn’t cover all districts. Fares are low.

Walking within the historic centre is the way to experience it; the terrain is hilly and the altitude makes it more effort than it looks. Between neighbourhoods, taxis or Uber.

Day trips from Quito

Otavalo, 110km north, about 2 hours, is the most important indigenous market in Ecuador. The Saturday market in the Plaza de los Ponchos draws vendors from the surrounding communities selling textiles, ceramics, and craft. The quality is high and the prices are real (negotiation expected). The drive through the Andean valley and the Lake Cuicocha (a caldera lake) add value to an overnight.

Cotopaxi National Park, 90km south, 1.5 hours, contains Cotopaxi (5,897m), one of the world’s highest active volcanoes and one of the most visually perfect stratovolcanoes on earth. The summit is snow-capped year-round. The refuge on the north face is at 4,800m, reachable on a day trip; climbing to the summit requires acclimatization and a guide.

Mindo Cloud Forest, 80km northwest, about 2 hours, is a cloud forest zone that is one of the world’s most important birding locations. Over 550 species have been recorded. The descent from Andean highlands to subtropical forest in 2 hours makes it a dramatic half-day drive.

Practical information

Galapagos connections: Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito has daily direct flights to the Galapagos (about 3 hours to Baltra or San Cristóbal). If you’re combining Quito with the Galapagos, which most visitors do, give Quito 2 nights before or after your Galapagos trip.

Altitude: At 2,850m, Quito’s altitude is significant. Headaches and fatigue are common on day one. Drink water, take it easy and avoid alcohol on day one. Take it slow on arrival; the city is steep in places.

Safety: The historic centre has improved substantially in security in recent years. La Mariscal requires more vigilance at night. Use Uber rather than hailing taxis. Keep bags close in crowded areas (the historic centre markets). Don’t walk in unfamiliar areas at night.

Currency: US dollar (USD). Ecuador has used the dollar since 2000. Cards accepted at most restaurants and hotels in La Floresta and the main tourist zones; cash for markets, taxis, and the historic centre smaller places.

Language: Spanish. English spoken at tourist-facing hotels and some La Mariscal restaurants.

Frequently asked questions

How bad is the altitude in Quito? Significant enough to notice on arrival. At 2,850m, most people experience mild headaches and fatigue for the first day. Drink water, take it easy, avoid alcohol on day one. Quito is 500m lower than Cusco (3,400m) and about 800m lower than La Paz (3,640m); acclimatizing here before visiting higher-altitude destinations is a sensible strategy.

How many days should I spend in Quito? Two days is the minimum to see the Historic Centre properly and do one day trip (Mitad del Mundo or Otavalo). Three days is comfortable. If you’re continuing to the Galapagos, build in a night before and after if your schedule allows; jet lag plus altitude is harder to manage on a rushed schedule.

Is Quito a good gateway to the Galapagos? It’s the gateway: all flights to the Galapagos depart from Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE). Quito’s airport is at 2,400m; the city at 2,850m. Most Galapagos trips include 2 nights in Quito at the start. This is the logical and recommended approach.

What is the best time to visit Quito? June through September, dry season with the clearest views of the surrounding volcanoes. The city is liveable year-round; the difference is mostly about clarity of mountain views and rainfall.

Is Quito safe for tourists? The historic centre is generally safe during the day; take standard precautions against petty theft. La Mariscal requires more vigilance at night. The improvement in security in the historic centre over the past decade has been notable. Use Uber for taxis; keep bags secure in crowded areas.

What is the UNESCO designation for Quito? Quito was among the first twelve UNESCO World Heritage Sites inscribed in 1978 (alongside Kraków’s historic centre and Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands). The designation covers the 320-hectare Historic Centre (Centro Histórico), one of the largest and best-preserved colonial urban ensembles in Latin America.

What are the best churches in Quito’s historic centre? La Compañía de Jesús for the baroque gold interior. San Francisco for the scale and age of the complex. The Metropolitan Cathedral for the political history (Sucre is buried here). La Basílica del Voto Nacional, a neo-Gothic cathedral started in 1892 and still technically unfinished, has towers you can climb for views of the city.

How do I get from Quito airport to the city? Mariscal Sucre International Airport is 18km from the historic centre. Public city buses connect the airport to the city, running to the Quitumbe and Río Coca terminals. Uber and official taxis are the simpler options; the drive takes 30–50 minutes.