"Quito" Top 5 Page for this destination Quito by filipdebont

Quito Travel Guide: 1,038 reviews and 2,728 photos

My one-month roundtrip in Ecuador started (and ended) in Quito. Quito is the Capital of Ecuador.
Quito is at 2800 m altitude, which makes a bit tough to walk around after you have just landed (and coming from the Low Countries).

Quito was founded in 1534 by the Spanish; this city was built on the ruins of a big Inca city.
It is a very long city (more then 41 km long), as it is built in a valley which is surrounded by big volcanoes and high hills.

In Quito you can see many beautiful churches and also many Colonial buildings. Also Quito was declared Cultural Patrimony of Mankind by the UNESCO.

One our first day in Ecuador, we did it slowly, like this we wanted to get used to the high altitude. Personally I had a bit of problems with sleeping (partly jet-lag and altitude sickness).
Also when you are walking the steep hills of this city, soon you will notice the fact that there is less oxygen in the air.
So don't worry, just take time to acclimatize.

Pros and Cons

Pros:a great Colonial City
Cons:to many pick-pockets

Last visit to Quito: Jul 2003
Intro Updated Jan 25, 2004
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Reviews (49)

La Mitad del Mundo Things to Do (34)

La Mitad del Mundo = The Middle of the World About 23 km from Quito you find this remarkable monument. This one of the... more travel advice

A different city ? Nightlife (4)

Because of the music, we took another road, and like this we arrived at this big Plaza. I was kind of overwhelmed by... more travel advice

Dancing on the Plaza Nightlife (4)

There was loud music on the Plaza. And the group of young students were dancing on the Plaza. An open Ranchero was... more travel advice

Music in the streets Nightlife (4)

As we left the restaurant La Cueva del Oso, we heard music, singing and yelling. Of course, we wanted to satisfy our... more travel advice

Restaurants (2)
See All Dining in style
Favorites (1)
Churches
Transportation (3)
See All Lots of Busses
Local Customs (1)
Local People

What to Pack (2)
See All Take plenty of Film rolls
Warnings and Dangers (1)
Pickpockets
Hotels (1)
In the heart of the old city
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Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 5, 2003

6 photos

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Comments (22)

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kaleonard Apr 2, 2008 at 5:08 PM

I have to do a virtual tour for my college class and it is suppose to seem real. So thanks for the help in this because you gave me a great insight for my project.
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iwys Oct 8, 2006 at 10:21 AM

Interesting tips. Did you have personal experience of getting robbed there?
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b1bob Apr 29, 2006 at 10:31 AM

Thank you! Your tips were helpful in planning for a possible trip there later this year.
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zrim Aug 18, 2005 at 3:12 PM

Beautiful skies. Beautifl music under the stars. Great colonial architecture. Quito seems like a great bonus for a Galapagos trip.
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AlwaysATraveler Jul 28, 2005 at 9:30 PM

Great tips. Thanks. We will be traveling to Quito next month!
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el_ruso Jun 18, 2005 at 5:30 PM

Thank you for sharing lots of great photos and really good information. This is really one of the best pages I have seen on VT, on any city. I did not notice any particular problem with pickpockets, however, when I was there.
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rsleisk May 4, 2005 at 9:43 AM

Wow, Quito looks truly exciting! Nice pages on this South America beautiful city.
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damaris05 Sep 25, 2004 at 1:28 PM

Great Quito page! Lovely Pictures!
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victorwkf Apr 2, 2004 at 6:21 AM

Wonderful page on Quito. Thanks for sharing!
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Alice-Kees Feb 24, 2004 at 3:28 PM

great pics and stories on quito.. didn't even have time to read them all... you made this to me unknown city come to live...