TASTE OF QUITO
ECUADOR'S HISTORIC CAPITAL
quito useful guide
Quito is a big city lying in a valley in a rectangular shape from north to south. This shape makes mobility hard. The historical center is located just in the middle of the city, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America.
Quito has an altitude of 2,850 m, do not skip an hour's rest in bed to acclimate your body as soon as you arrive.
The historical center is safe, even after the sunset. But still, avoid showing off your valuable things in the streets and be careful about pick-pocketing. Outside the historical center, the city is modern and not very interesting.
Quito has an altitude of 2,850 m, do not skip an hour's rest in bed to acclimate your body as soon as you arrive.
The historical center is safe, even after the sunset. But still, avoid showing off your valuable things in the streets and be careful about pick-pocketing. Outside the historical center, the city is modern and not very interesting.
HOW TO MOVE IN QUITO
Public transportation is quite efficient. There are frequent conventional buses and buses with special lanes, but they still cannot avoid the city traffic most of the time. The very common pick-pocketing on public transportation makes it unpalatable for tourists.
Taxis are cheap and relatively safe if you use a "safe taxi" app for calling.
Uber is cheaper and safer than traditional taxis though the waiting time can be longer, especially at the historical center, due to the traffic. Uber's GPS maps is not precise at all.
Taxis are cheap and relatively safe if you use a "safe taxi" app for calling.
Uber is cheaper and safer than traditional taxis though the waiting time can be longer, especially at the historical center, due to the traffic. Uber's GPS maps is not precise at all.
How to get from/to Quito
There are three main bus stations in Quito; having a rectangular shape lying from south to north; the buses with destinations in the north of Quito city leave from the northern one, and southern destinations leave from the southern one.
1- Terminal Terrestre Carcelen (in the North)
Destinations:
Destinations:
Destinations:
1- Terminal Terrestre Carcelen (in the North)
Destinations:
- Otavalo, Ibarra, Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja)
- Carchi province (Tulcan, El Angel).
- Mindo, San Miguel de Los Bancos, Puerto Quito.
- Esmeralda (Atacames) and Santo Domingo.
Destinations:
- The south: Latacunga, Ambato, Riobamba, Baños, Cuenca, Loja.
- The coast: Manabí (Portoviejo, Manta) and Santo Domingo.
- Guayaquil and Los Ríos, Esmeraldas (Atacames)
- The Amazon: Francisco de Orellana, Nueva Loja, Tena.
Destinations:
- Mindo and Nanegalito
- Middle of the World
- Cayambe and Otavalo
La Ofelia Station in the North of Quito.
WHAT TO DO IN QUITO
The best things to do in Quito are;
- Stroll around the historical centre
- Climb up with TeleferiQo (only in the morning till 11 o'clock because of the clouds)
- Have a dinner at the La Ronda (historical centre)
- A panoramic view dinner over the historical centre of Quito
TeleferiQo, Quito
WHERE TO STAYIN QUITO
Pick any place you like at the historical centre but assure before booking that there is running hot water. Beware that Quito has a variable climate, therefore the rooms can be cold for your taste, bring warm pyjamas. No mid-budget hotels in Ecuador provide hairdryers.
Calle Guayaquil from our Balcony, Plaza de Santo Domingo at the end
where to eat IN QUITO
Have a Campesino Breakfast or brunch at the Dulceria Colonial at the Plaza Grande.
Must have dinner at the Mosaico Caffe with a gorgeous Quito View at the sunset. Go before sunset to observe the colours.
Mercado Central, fresh and delicious food for a couple of dollars, you need to leave behind your prejudgements.
Must have dinner at the Mosaico Caffe with a gorgeous Quito View at the sunset. Go before sunset to observe the colours.
Mercado Central, fresh and delicious food for a couple of dollars, you need to leave behind your prejudgements.
Dulceria Colonial at the Plaza Grande