Quito, Ecuador: travel guide
Andean capital at 2,850 m with a UNESCO-listed colonial Old Town
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.
About Quito
Quito is Ecuador's capital and the seat of Pichincha province. It is set in an Andean valley on the flanks of the Pichincha volcano, roughly 2,850 metres up, which figures among the highest of the national capitals. The Equator crosses the northern edge of the metropolitan area, so no other capital is closer to it.
Settlers are thought to have first arrived between 4400 BC and 1600 BC. Late in the 15th century Huayna Capac, the Inca Emperor, overcame the Quitu, the area's first inhabitants. The founding is most often dated to the Spanish conquest of 1534, and Quito is regarded as South America's oldest capital.
UNESCO's first batch of World Cultural Heritage Sites, in 1978, included Quito and Kraków. Its historic centre counts among the biggest and best preserved of the Americas.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Guayaquil
- Nearest airport
- UIO
Last updated
Top places to visit in Quito
Basílica del Voto Nacional
church · 4.8 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
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
park · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Quito's large central park in the modern north, popular for jogging, paddle boats, the botanical garden and weekend family outings.
Mitad del Mundo
monument · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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)
plaza · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
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)
hill · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
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
garden · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
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 · check the fee at the gate
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
food_market · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
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
interactive · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
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 · check the fee at the gate
A dazzling Jesuit church whose interior is covered in gold leaf, considered the masterpiece of Quito Baroque.
Capilla del Hombre & Museo Guayasamín
art · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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)
history · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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 to Quito
Airport: Quito (UIO)
How visitors arrive in Quito
- Fly into Quito airport By air from International · common
Mariscal Sucre International Airport, outside the city near Tababela, is the main gateway with flights from the Americas and Europe. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus to Quitumbe or Carcelen terminal By road from Ecuador highlands, coast, Amazon · common
Long-distance buses arrive at the Quitumbe terminal in the south or Carcelen in the north. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Shared airport bus (Aeroservicios) unconfirmed
A privately run shared bus (Aeroservicios) links the airport with the city; ticket counters are in the arrivals terminal. Some services offer door-to-door drop-off, which can add time. Source: casagangotena.com
- Public buses from outside the terminal unconfirmed
Public city buses stop at the airport and run into Quito. They make frequent stops and can be crowded, so allow extra time with luggage. Source: casagangotena.com
- Official airport taxi unconfirmed
Official yellow taxis with orange plates wait in the first pick-up lane outside arrivals. Check for the official ID number on the windshield. Source: casagangotena.com
- The airport is well outside the city. With heavy luggage the guide suggests a taxi over public buses. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Quitumbe and Carcelen terminals
Long-distance coaches arrive at Quitumbe (south, most routes) or Carcelen (north, including Otavalo). Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus useful for some trips
Quito's bus rapid transit lines include the Trolebús running north to south, the Metrobús along Avenida América and the Ecovía to the historic centre.
- Metro
Quito's metro is a single line running south to north from Quitumbe to El Labrador, with a station serving the historic centre.
- Ride Hail
Uber operates in Quito and can be used to book a car from your phone as an alternative to hailing a street taxi.
- Taxi useful for some trips
Official taxis in Quito are yellow with a number on the door and should use the meter, and hotels can call one for you.
- Walking
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.
Best time to visit Quito
- Jan 20°C
- Feb 20°C
- Mar 20°C
- Apr 20°C
- May 21°C
- Jun 21°C
- Jul 21°C
- Aug 22°C
- Sep 21°C
- Oct 21°C
- Nov 20°C
- Dec 20°C
More in Ecuador
Frequently asked questions about Quito
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Quito?
- The highest-rated places in our Quito guide are Basílica del Voto Nacional, Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, Capilla del Hombre & Museo Guayasamín, Mitad del Mundo.
- Where should I stay in Quito?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Quito: Centro Histórico (Old Town), La Floresta / La Mariscal.
- How do I get around Quito?
- Ways to get around Quito covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Taxi.
- What scams should I watch out for in Quito?
- Scams reported to us for Quito include Unofficial taxi "express kidnapping"; Distraction / mustard or spray scam. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Quito?
- Average daytime highs in Quito run from 20°C in Nov to 22°C in Aug.
- Which airport is nearest to Quito?
- The nearest airport to Quito has the code UIO.