Quito, Ecuador Travel Guide
The Ecuadorian capital is usually the first touch-down point for travellers heading to this diverse nation, and also is an exciting one for many reasons.
First we will be right within the Andes, with towering mountains and volcanoes such as Cotopaxi that can be visited and hiked.
Quito is also filled to the brim with local culture, where we can visit giant markets, try typical Ecuadorian cuisine and see many beautiful buildings around the historic centre.
Things to do in Quito
In this guide we’ll explore Quito, what to see and do, the best places to stay as well as our own top tips for a backpacking trip here.
Why Travel to Quito?
There are many awesome reasons to visit the capital of Ecuador, which has quite a diverse mix of things to see and do here.
Firstly we have the colonial architecture and streets that make for great photos, and in the historic centre the must-visit areas include Calle La Ronda and the Plaza Grande – which is home to iconic buildings such as the Catedral Metropolitana de Quito as well as the Palacio de Carondelet.
There are also other areas of the city worth exploring. This includes the more relaxed area of Plaza Foch, and having stayed here ourselves we highly recommend it as it’s much more safe compared with the historic centre.
Here we’ll also find most restaurant options as well as great nightlife. Another is the Mirador de los Volcanes, which you can take the gondola up to for some insane views over Quito.
We’ll also find Quito a perfect basecamp for exploring numerous attractions within the nearby region. This includes hiking Cotopaxi Volcano which can be done with a day tour, as well as heading to Otavalo Market which is the largest of its kind on the continent. You’ll also want to visit La Ciudad Mitad del Mundo – which sits right on the equator line.
How to Get to Quito
Like with most South American capitals, flying here is pretty easy from the rest of the Western Hemisphere. Countries like Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic have one-way direct flights for as cheap as $200, and those coming from the USA can find flights for just over this mark.
If you are already in neighbouring Colombia, then you can also head south of the border into Quito. The easiest way is to fly or travel overland to Pasto, where you’ll then cross the border and make your way to the capital via Otavalo.
Where to Stay in Quito
The very best area to stay within Quito is Plaza Foch, which is more touristy and has better amenities as well as being the most safe. From here you can easily head on day trips to the historic centre and back.
Those who want to keep their costs down will want to stay at El Patio Hostel, which has comfortable dorm beds and is located just a couple of blocks away from the main Plaza Foch. They also have solid cooking facilities as well as a nice rooftop area to chill-out on.
If you’re looking for a more comfortable stay, then we suggest heading to the Hotel Quito Antiguo. Here you’ll have a private hotel room and bathroom just for you, and will be close to all of the best restaurant and nightlife options around Plaza Foch. They also have an on-site restaurant for extra convenience too.
Best Time to visit Quito
Quito has both a dry and wet season, which is important to know before coming here (and especially if you plan on going hiking in the nearby regions).
The dry season runs from June until November, where we can expect between 0.7-2.6 inches of rainfall to fall throughout each month – and is the overall best time to visit. Then we have the wet season that starts in December and ends in May, which has around 3-6.3 inches of rainfall each month.
Temperatures are very consistent throughout the year in Quito, which is similar to many other must-visit Andean destinations. Average daily temperatures hover between 55-56°F, with highs of up to 66°F and evening lows of down to 48°F.
Got travel insurance for Quito?
Best Things to do and see in Quito
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics about Quito, let’s take a look at the very best things to see and do here.
1. Hike Cotopaxi Volcano
One of the most incredible hikes you can do in Ecuador (and a good contender for all of South America), Cotopaxi is a surreal place to visit.
Here we can get up and close with this 5897m volcano, where we can also spot many Vicuñas and Alpacas roaming freely around the grasslands.
You’ll need to head with a reputable company here, and as such we suggest heading on this awesome hiking day tour of Cotopaxi from Quito which also includes a visit to the Quilotoa Lagoon.
2. See beautiful Spanish architecture in the Historic Centre
Similar to the historic centre of Lima, here in Quito we can spot numerous incredible architectural highlights.
The very best has to be Calle Ronda, which was built as early as the 16th Century and is the oldest surviving street in the capital (whilst others have either been destroyed or changed).
The Plaza Grande is another must-visit for its adjacent colourful streets and beautiful buildings such as the Catedral Metropolitana de Quito.
We reccommed that you take a look at this carbon neutral food tour which is another great way to get yourself acquainted with the highlights of the historic center here.
3. Head to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
Translated as “the City on the middle of the Earth”, here we can stand on the Equator Line and take some really fun and memorable photos.
It’s very easy to get to from Quito, and with public transport from the south terminal we can be here in around an hour. Don’t forget to try out some of the infamous hemisphere experiments here too to see if they’re true (such as the swirling effect of the Coriolis Effect).
4. Visit Otavalo Market
Another incredible day trip from Quito, Otavalo ranks king in terms of markets found within the South American continent.
Saturdays are when the market expands even further than usual, and is a great time to come in order to see all kinds of stalls selling Andean foods, clothes and local handicrafts.
The bus from Quito to Otavalo takes around 2 hours, so it’s best to leave early to make the very most of your time here. Or, you can join a day tour like this one to save time.
Quito Backpacking Tips
Now we’ll share some of our best tips for exploring Quito, based on our own experience:
- Although the historic centre has the most interesting things to see and do, we recommend basing yourself in Plaza Foch. It’s much safer here for tourists, and you can easily get to the centre and explore for the day and return in the evening.
- We recommend spending 4-5 in Quito. This will be enough to see all of the top city highlights without rushing around, where you’ll also be able to head on a couple of day trips such as to Cotopaxi Volcano, Otavalo Market as well as the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo.
- Quito is located up at an altitude of 2850m, and those new to higher altitudes may get a headache or other mild altitude sickness symptoms. Just remember to take it slow during your first couple of days as you acclimate, and also to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can also read this altitude sickness preparation guide for more tips.
Things to do in Quito
And that’s all for our backpacking guide to Quito. The Ecuadorian capital is usually the first place travellers will land in within Ecuador, and is a great starting point for a trip around the country. Here we can see towering Andean volcanoes, visit sprawling markets and also explore beautiful architecture around the historic centre.
In this guide we’ve covered everything you’ll need to know about Quito. This includes the best things to see and do, the best time to visit, where to stay and much, much more.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
“Dear traveler! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps us to carry on traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
