Visiting Quito, Ecuador for the first time? I recently had the opportunity to check out the city and surrounding areas, and have put together my list of things that are must-visits, must-eats, and must-do’s in the city. I’ll also admit to what I’ve said to a lot of friends upon my return – I may have liked Ecuador more than Peru. Mainly because they’re pretty similar, but Ecuador feels more authentic with less tourists. But let’s hop into the article: “First Time in Quito, Ecuador – A Guide.”
First Time in Quito, Ecuador
What to Know before getting to Quito
Unlike its Andean neighbor Peru, where everyone I talked to had visited the high-elevation town of Cusco, no one I knew had tips for Quito. That meant I had to do significantly more research, and learning along the way. Check out this blog post on 15 things to know before visiting Ecuador.
Getting Around Quito
When it comes to visiting a city for the first time, I tend to take a “Hop On Hop Off” bus. While I like to try and blend in with locals, this is my one exception. You get an overview of the history, a general feel for the area, and it’s a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. Quito has one Hop On Hop Off company, named “Quito Tour Bus.”
- Tickets:
- 1 day – $15 USD Adults, $7.50 USD children
- 2 day – $25 USD Adults, $12 USD children
- Pro Tip: Depending on your schedule, you’ll likely need two days to really see everything. I would personally recommend going with the 2 day pass so you aren’t rushed.
Taxis – Taxis are significantly cheap, especially around the city. For shorter distances, or for really just getting from point A to point B once you get the lay of the land, this is a good way to go.
Uber – Speaking to locals, Uber exists (but isn’t allowed by the government). It was recommended to me for longer trips as the price is set, and you won’t end up with a taxi that drives the long way around!
Where to Stay in Quito
I stayed with family, so I can’t speak to any of the hotels/hostels/Airbnbs in Quito. That being said, be sure to check out this awesome article by The Broke Backpacker on the different neighborhoods and recommended hotels.
What to See & Do in Quito
Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
One of my favorite parts of visiting a new place is the shopping. For artisanal shopping, I received two recommendations – the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal and Otavalo Market. Mariscal is in Quito, whereas Otavalo is about an hour and a half outside the city. They’re supposedly very similar, however Otavalo is larger.
If you’re planning to remain in the Quito area and not do any side trips, you could visit both. We had limited time, and found Mariscal to be sufficient and more convenient.
- Location: Ecuador, Juan León Mera, Quito 170509, Ecuador
- Hours: Daily 9 AM – 7PM
- Pro Tip: Don’t forget to haggle, and go early to avoid the crowds. Also make sure to have cash with you as I noticed most vendors didn’t take credit card.
El Centro Histórico de Quito
El Centro Histórico de Quito (Old Town) is the heart of historical sightseeing in the city. You could easily spend a whole day roaming in and out of churches, shops, and restaurants.
[ Basilica del Voto Nacional ]
The Basilica del Voto Nacional might be Quito’s most well-known church. It might tie with La Compañía de Jesus (another church made completely of gold on the inside). What makes it so famous is the view from the towers and spire. You can climb up to the top to get a whole view of the city.
- Entrance: $1 USD for Ecuadoreans, $2 for foreigners. Visiting the towers and spire are a separate $2 USD ticket
- Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekends from 6 AM – 6:30 PM
- Pro Tip: There is a lot of climbing up steps involved in visiting la Basilica (specifically the towers and spire). You’re climbing at a high incline, and this isn’t a feat for people afraid of heights or out of shape. (I’ll be honest, with the high elevation, I struggled by the time we got to the top).
[ Plaza de la Independencia ]
The Plaza de la Independencia is the heart of the the centro histórico in Quito. In the heart is the liberty statue, surrounded by the residence of the president, and the Quito Cathedral. Every time I walked by it was packed with elderly, students, street performers, and vendors.
Pro Tip: It’s a fun spot to people watch, but just make sure to watch your bags and wallets. With all the craziness, it is the perfect setup for a pickpocket!
[ Catedral de Quito ]
We almost didn’t visit the Catedral de Quito (officially known as The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito). Mainly because we had already seen a few churches, and this one was skimmed over in most travel guides. I happened across a photo of the view on Instagram, and knew I had to get to their rooftop. And this may have been my favorite experience of the trip.
- Location: Plaza de la Independencia
- Entrance fee: $2 USD adults, $1 USD children
- Hours: Monday to Saturday: 09:30 AM– 5:00 PM
- Pro Tip: The most amazing part of the cathedral is the rooftop, however getting up there is a bit of a claustrophobic, tight, dark, and uphill climb. If you get easily claustrophobic, then I would skip this stop all together.
[ La Compañía de Jesús ]
La Compañía de Jesús is Quito’s most ornate church, the interior entirely covered in gold.
- Entrance Fee: $5 USD
- Hours:
- Sun 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- Mon – Thu 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
- Fri 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sat 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Pro Tip: Free guided tours in English or Spanish
[ Plaza de San Francisco ]
If you love pigeons and big empty plazas, Plaza San Francisco is a must. Take a peak inside of the Iglesia de San Francisco, grab a snack at the cafe underneath, and take a peak at the little shops nestled in the stones of the square.
- Iglesia Entrance Fee: $2 USD adults, $1 USD children & students
- Iglesia Hours: Mon – Sat 9 AM – 5:30 PM , Sunday 9 AM – 1 PM
[ La Ronda ]
Here’s the deal with La Ronda. It’s extremely Instagrammable due to all the different colored buildings, but it isn’t what I would call the pinnacle of safety. In fact, when we told our cab driver we were going, he recommended being extremely careful.
- Location: Juan de Dios Morales, Quito 170150, Ecuador
- Pro Tip: Go earlier in the day, which the police let us know was typically pretty safe. The later it gets, the less safe it is. Take about 45 min to walk down the street and check out some shops before heading out.
El Panecillo
El Panecillo (the Little Loaf of Bread in English) is on the hill to the south of the centro histórico. It is a 134 foot-tall aluminum mosaic statue of La Virgen de Quito. You can climb to the top, and visit their museum on the interior of the statue.
- Getting There: You can walk there from the Old Town, but you’ll be going through a shady area of vicious neighborhood dogs and potential muggings (locals shared this with me, I’m not making it up!) The best option would be taking a ~$5 taxi ride up to the top.
- Entrance Fee: $1 USD
- Hours:
- Mon – Wed 9 AM – 5 PM
- Thurs – Sun 9 AM – 9 PM
- Pro Tip: After visiting El Panecillo, I’d recommend making a snack stop at the outdoor food vendors down the way. Grab some traditional Ecuadorean hot chocolate, and other snacks.
Where to Eat in Quito
Everything I tried in Quito I loved. There wasn’t anything that was disappointing. But there are a lot of things to try that you don’t want to miss. In my 15 things to know before visiting Ecuador blog post, there’s an extensive list of must-try foods which I recommend using as a checklist. Below are some restaurants I’d like to give a shout out to.
Cafe Mosaico
Cafe Mosaico is a little out of the way of the downtown of Quito, so you’ll need to take a cab. That being said, do it! The view is AMAZING, and over the course of our time there we got to see the sunset. I only had coffee and dessert, but the friends I went with liked the food. An added plus? They’re super pet friendly and house some adorable dogs that are looking for homes.
Republica del Cacao
You may recognize Republica del Cacao as one of your last stops before leaving Ecuador for chocolate. While that’s true, you can also stop at their Plaza Foch location which also doubles as a cafe. They serve fresh hot chocolate, coffee, and pastries.
Masaya Bistro
Masaya Bistro is located inside the Masaya Hostel in La Ronda. I loved the ambiance of their cafe – you can sit outside in their peaceful garden that has a treehouse quality. They serve traditional Ecuadorean dishes at very reasonable prices. This makes for a great stop when you’re exhausted from walking and need a relaxing spot away from the chaos.
Hostal Casa de Cantuña
Hostal Casa de Cantuña, located in the historical center of Quito has a beautiful covered courtyard where they serve a mix of modern and traditional Ecuadorean dishes. While prices are little more expensive than your average meal in Quito, it is centrally located and has a fabulous ambiance, which personally made it feel worth it to me!
Day trips from Quito
Mitad del Mundo
You could spend anywhere from 3 hours to all day at the famous Mitad del Mundo city outside of Quito. Considering visiting or planning your trip? Check out my blog post here with all the important information you need to know.
Cotopaxi National Park
On a clear day in Quito you’ll feel completely surrounded by the imposing Cotopaxi Volcano. The Cotopaxi National Park makes for a great trip (especially coupled with a visit to Quilotoa Lake). I’ll be sharing my experience & tips for visiting in an upcoming blog post!
Quilotoa Lake
Visiting Quilotoa Lake was one of the most unique experiences I had while in Ecuador. Basically, it used to be a volcano that eventually collapsed into a crater and became a lake. If that wasn’t impressive enough, the water is this beautiful shade of turquoise. You can hike around the base, go kayaking in the lake, or even just check out the view point from Shalala from above like I did.
Planning on hiking the loop? This blog post is super helpful.
If you have more time…
Trip to Baños de Aguas Santa
You’ll need at least 2-3 days if you’re interested in visiting the town of Baños de Agua Santa (also known as “Baños”), known for its thermal baths, outdoors activities, and waterfalls. Interested in visiting? You can check out my detailed guide here.
Thanks for reading my First Time in Quito, Ecuador guide. Have you been to Quito? What are your favorite activities?
Omg Giulia – I literally want to visit all these places! The first hotel/hostel looks DIVINE, then the market and the bistro, and the cute cafes! I also love the way you edit your pics!
Rhianna x
http://www.tsundokugirl.com