Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Quito, Ecuador. This fascinating capital city has the best of both worlds, with vibrant new areas and many historic parts as well. Quito is a great jumping-off point for many adventures in Ecuador. As you know, we like to share a realistic picture of our travel destinations, so you’re getting the best and the worst about visiting Quito, Ecuador.
Worst of Quito
Altitude in Quito Ecuador
The altitude in Quito Ecuador is 9,350 feet above sea level or 2850 meters. It’s almost twice as high as Denver, the mile-high city. And Quito is hilly, you may be struggling and out of breath for two reasons when you are walking around Quito. Altitude sickness is a real possibility when you visit Quito. Don’t plan anything strenuous for your first couple of days in Quito. Allow yourself to rest and relax so you can acclimate appropriately.
How to Deal with Altitude Sickness
Weather in Quito
Ecuador is on the Equator, so the weather is typically pretty mild, but it can be a bit unpredictable in Quito. It’s not hot here, it’s more like San Diego where the temperatures are consistently warm, not hot, every day. Regardless of what the weather forecast says, it almost always rains a little bit each day. Make sure you have layers to wear because it can get chilly at night, at any time of year.
Additionally, the sun is super intense so you really have to be careful about protecting your skin. At this elevation, it doesn’t take much to get a sunburn, even if it’s cloudy!
Driving in Quito
If you can, avoid driving in Quito and just take taxis around as it will save you a lot of stress. Traffic in Quito is crazy and if you’re a pedestrian, don’t assume the cars will stop for you. Quito is a busy city of over two million people, and whether you are driving or walking, it can be a hectic experience!
If you do have a rental car, make sure you don’t leave anything inside. There are small thefts in Quito, and this is just common sense for anywhere you are traveling.
Quito Cathedrals
Quito has many beautiful cathedrals, and they are beautiful both inside and outside. However, it can be frustrating as a tourist because you can’t take photos inside of them. La Compañía has this amazing interior almost entirely lined with gold leaf, but you’ll just have to take sear it into your memory because they don’t allow photos inside. Always pay attention to the signs and follow the rules for each place you visit.
Tourism Infrastructure
The tourism infrastructure in Quito is improving rapidly, but it’s still not on par with other Latin American capital cities. A few examples of minor inconveniences you have to deal with when visiting Quito include:
- The water in Quito is not potable, so you have to drink bottled water throughout your trip.
- You can’t flush toilet paper, so you have to put it in a basket next to the toilet. Some people think this is gross, but you get used to it.
- The Quito airport is pretty new, but it’s also really far from the city center. It took us 45 minutes in the middle of the night with no traffic.
- ATMs can be hard to find, so stock up on cash. Luckily, the US Dollar is the official currency of Ecuador, so you can bring cash from home.
Best of Quito
Old Town Quito
My favorite part of visiting Quito is the Centro Historico, or the Historic Old Town. It was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it’s just jam-packed with beautiful buildings. The most beautiful Quito churches and cathedrals are found here, and many squares and plazas to explore. There are also great shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore. It’s our favorite part of Quito.
Prices in Quito
Quito isn’t just affordable, it’s downright cheap. You can easily find nice accommodation in Old Town Quito for less than $50 per night. There are lots of apartments and small hotels in Old Town Quito. If you want to stay in the newer, branded hotels like Hilton or Marriott, those are located in Mariscal.
Food and transportation are also very affordable in Quito. It’s 25 cents to ride the bus, so it’s easy to get around and there are tons of snack shops where you can buy a quick bite for just a few bucks.
The Rules for Tipping in Ecuador
Visiting the Virgin of El Panecillo
El Panecillo is a hill that sits in the middle of Quito, and there is a 130-foot-tall statue on it. From far away, it looks like an angel, but it’s the Virgin of El Panecillo. It’s the highest statue in Ecuador, and it’s even higher than the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. We recommend taking a taxi up because it’s pretty steep and not in a great area. But when you get to the top, the views of Quito are amazing! We paid less than $10 for a taxi, and we paid them to wait for us.
People of Quito
For such a large city, you might expect a typical urban attitude, but the people in Quito are so friendly! All of our tour guides and drivers were just super friendly and welcoming. They weren’t just friendly with us, but it was a great experience for our kids, too. They also take pride in their city and keep it clean, which is really nice.
Day Trips from Quito
Not that you’ll run out of things to do in Quito, but there are some really great day trips from Quito as well. What’s great about this is that you can have a lot of adventures without packing up and changing hotels; you can come back to your Quito hotel each night.
- Mitad del Mundo is one spot where you can stand on both sides of the Equator at the same time.
- Museo Intinan is just around the corner from Mitad del Mundo is the actual equator line. It’s smaller and less visited, but you can easily see both in one trip. There’s also an educational museum about all areas of Ecuador here.
- The Mindo Cloud Forest is another great day trip to experience nature and wildlife near Quito.
- Cotopaxi National Park and Volcano are about 30 miles from Quito.
- Otavalo Market is the largest market in Ecuador; don’t forget to bargain for the best price! Two hours from Quito, it’s a popular day trip and bus tour. Go on a Saturday for the full experience!
- Papallacta Hot Springs is less than 90 minutes from Quito; these thermal springs are a great place to relax while you acclimate to the altitude and time change.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Hopefully, it’s obvious that the “best of Quito” far outweighs the “worst of Quito” and we highly recommend a family vacation in Quito. It’s super affordable, and beautiful, and is a great base area for exploring the region. Ecuador.travel is a great place to start planning your trip!
Want more tips for traveling in South America? Check out some of our other blog posts: