Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Quito, Ecuador. While many travel blogs will tell you all the fun things to do in Quito, we want to be sure you know what you should NOT do when you plan a trip to Quito.
Don’t Be in a Hurry
Things move a little slower in Quito. If you fly into Quito, you’ll notice it right away because it takes about 45 minutes to get to town from Quito airport. But it’s not just traffic; Quito restaurants, hotels, and pretty much everything moves at a slower pace.
Don’t Forget Sun Protection
Ecuador is Spanish for…equator. And Quito sits at 9,350 feet above sea level, so the sun here is strong no matter what time of year you visit Quito. Make sure you have adequate sun protection, like sunscreen and a sun hat. The temperature in Quito is pretty consistently mild, which can be deceiving because it’s not hot but you can still get a sunburn!
The high altitude can also take a toll on you, so make sure you take it easy on your first day so you can acclimate. The great thing about the altitude, though, is that it’s never super hot and you don’t have to worry about mosquitos!
How to Deal with Altitude Sickness
Don’t Forget to Check Church Schedules
There are several beautiful churches in Quito you can visit, but their hours can be unpredictable. Each one has different hours and different days or times that they are closed to tourists. Make sure you check ahead of time so you don’t miss out on the best churches in Quito.
Don’t Plan on Taking Photos Inside the Churches
Not every church allows photos inside. For example, the exquisite San Francisco Catholic Church of Quito is lined with gold inside, and no photos are allowed. Grab a postcard photo of the interior and just enjoy the experience.
Don’t Walk to the Virgin Statue
The Virgin of El Panecillo looms over the town, and it may look like an angel, but it’s not, it’s the Virgin Mary. If you want to see it up close, don’t try walking to it as it’s quite farther than it looks and the surrounding area is a bit sketchy. It is worth the visit as it offers great views of the city, but have a driver take you and wait for you.
Don’t Forget to Tip
Tipping is part of tourism in Quito. Plan on tipping your guides and hotel staff during your Quito trip. For day trips, plan about $10 per day per person for your guide. We like to tip the hotel cleaning staff as well. We had some amazing guides in Quito, so we really wanted to tip them for doing such a great job.
The Rules for Tipping in Ecuador
Don’t Just Hop Into a Taxi
If you’re out and about during the day, go to a taxi stand to get a taxi in Quito. Hotels and restaurants can also call a taxi for you. Random taxis are not necessarily safe, so make sure you are following this protocol when you need to get around the Centro Historico Quito.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Smarts
We have visited Quito with our children, so we don’t feel it’s an inherently dangerous place, but it’s also not as safe as other destinations. With your usual travel smarts, you can have a stress-free trip to Quito.
- Don’t leave valuables in your car
- Don’t be complacent when walking around, especially at night
- Don’t expect cars to stop for you at a crosswalk – they won’t!
- Don’t drink the tap water; it’s not safe!
Don’t Just Visit Centro Historico Quito
The historic center of Quito is where most of the churches and tourist sights are located, however, that is not the only area of Quito worth visiting. La Mariscal is the more upscale area of Quito, with nicer hotels and shopping.
Don’t Miss These Day Trips from Quito
Quito is a great city to visit, but there are also some great day trips from Quito that you should add to your Ecuador itinerary.
- Mitad del Mundo is the “middle of the world city” where you can walk on the line of the equator, and it’s just 30 minutes from 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.
- 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!
Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Quito, Ecuador! Whether you love history, culture or outdoor adventures, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Quito! Want more tips for traveling in South America? Check out some of our other blog posts: