Interesting Things To Do While Visiting Quito

An Overview of Quito

Quito serves as the capital city of Ecuador, situated in the high Andean foothills. Built on the foundations of an old Incan settlement, Quito is famed for it’s colonial architecture, 16th and 17th-century churches and dizzying array of indigenous influences. The city is very large, requiring a buses or taxis to travel throughout easily. With an active nightlife, several preserved historical sites, a colonial-styled city center and numerous parks, there are many interesting things to do while visiting Quito.

Advice While Visiting Quito

The Quito International Airport (UIO) Mariscal Sucre International Airport is located roughly forty minutes by car outside of central Quito. Getting to a destination from the airport requires planning, as the taxi services at the airport are pushy and somewhat aggressive.

Quito has a very robust public transportation system that usually only requires $0.25 USD to ride. However, Quito is enormous and traversing the city takes considerable time.

As a major metropolitan city, Quito has issues with petty crimes, including thefts and pickpockets. Take precautions to keep one’s self and belongings safe.

Quito is located at a very high altitude. If arriving rom a lowland or sea-level area, take day or so to allow for adjustment by avoiding strenuous physical activity. Additionally, get an excess of sleep and plenty of water until a body acclimates.

Beware of taxi scams and false taxis when exploring Quito.

As Quito is at a high altitude, it often feels a little chilly. however, the city is still at the equator, and the sun is intense. Those prone to sunburns should take precautions. Additionally, the weather around Quito is volitile with frequent rain showers.

Ecuadorians as a culture aren’t terribly punctual. Prepare to wait a bit longer for meetings, bus stops and other time-sensitive events.

Points of Interest in Quito

Parque de Arbolito

A small, somewhat park located near Parque El Ejido. The park is home to a few unique sculptures and a small museum.

Independence Square

Independence Square is the central gem of Quito’s old town. It’s a very beautiful area with lots of shops, historic buildings, museums and churches. The Plaza is also home to the statue of the Heroes of the Independence, a commemorative monument recalling Ecuador’s earned independence from Spain.

Virgen del Panecillo 

Known as the Virgin of Quito, this sculpture can be found atop El Panecillo’s hill in the heart of the city. The statue itself depicts an enormous, winged, angelic figure overlooking Quito from atop a rounded platform.

7 Campanarios Café de Ecuador 

This is a small, excellent café located next to Plaza Grande.

Parque La Alameda 

This is a large city park with a lake, boat rentals and a statue of the Great Liberator Simón Bolívar.

Parque El Ejido 

This is a popular, large green space with many small attractions, street artists and sculptures. It’s a popular area to look for souvenirs.

Basilica del Voto Nacional 

Also known as the Basilica of the National Vow, this is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas. The enormous church has an interesting feature: Many of the gargoyles worked into the spires and walls are actually animals native to Ecuador. Visitors can often spot iguanas, tortoises, armadillos. and condors. Officially speaking the Basilica has yet to be finished.

Middle of the World City

The Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is a large monument found north of Quito’s city center. The monument marks the exact line of the global equator and commemorates the eighteenth century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Expedition which located it. The site is also home to an Ethnographic Museum Middle of the Earth discussing the indigenous population of Ecuador.

La Campaña

The interior of this church is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, displaying several tons of gold leaf gracing various surfaces. The official name of the structure is The Church and Convent of San Ignacio de Loyola de la Compañía de Jesús de Quito.

La Ronda

This is one of the best-preserved colonial pedestrian streets found in Old Town Quito. The street is known for its bright colors, cobbled roads, elegant cafés, many art galleries and traditional artisan shops.

Casa del Alabado Museo

This museum contains various artifacts from indigenous American societies, including tools, totems, ritual devices, natural philosophies and depictions of the afterlife.

Chapel of Man

Showcasing the powerful work of Ecuadorian master painter Oswalso Guayasamín, this museum is dedicated to the many struggles and triumphs experienced by indigenous people upon the arrival of Spanish explorers.

Parque La Carolina

Operating as the Central Park of Quito, this large green space has paddleboats, bike trails, a skate park and weekend performances. The area is also home to the Quito Botanical Garden, and the Quito Exhibition Center. One of the more interesting features of the park is the Museum of Natural Sciences, which holds the skeleton of Tito, a nearly-complete mastodon excavated in Ecuador.

Read more about interesting things to do while visiting Quito and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Blog.

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