Sign in with Facebook"Quito - Capital of Ecuador" Top 5 Page for this destination Quito by MalenaN
Quito Travel Guide: 1,040 reviews and 2,770 photos
I spent around ten days in Quito in June and August 2011and I liked it very much, especially the old town Centro Histórico. Centro Histórico is a lovely area with colonial architecture cobbled plazas, churches and many small museums. Some years ago much was renovated in the area and security has increased. It is a lovely part of Quito and this is where I chose to stay. Centro Histórico is a Unesco World Heritage Site. In 2012 I came back to Quito and visited for 14 days in June, July and August.
North of Centro Histórico is the more modern town. One part is La Mariscal where there are many hotels, restaurants, bars and tour operators. This is where many tourists choose to stay, and therefore the area is also called Gringolandia. I’m glad I didn’t stay here. In North Quito you will also find business and residential areas, shopping malls, parks and some nice museums.
Quito is situated at an altitude of 2850 metres, which makes it the second highest capital in the world (only La Paz is situated higher). If you are not acclimatised to high altitude you should take it easy the first days. Quito is beautifully situated in a valley with mountains on its west and east side. This means the city stretches out over 50 km in a north-south direction, but only 8km across. With 1.6 million inhabitants Quito is the second largest city in Ecuador.
Almost at the equator, but at an altitude of 2850m, makes the climate in Quito spring like all year round. It is chilly in the mornings and in the evenings, and daytime temperatures varies between 10-21°C. How warm it gets during the day depends on the clouds and if it rains or not. The dry season is in June - September, with July and August being the warmest months with least rain. The rainy season last from October - May, with most rain in February - April.
A legend says that Quito was founded in honour of the god Quitu, by his son Quitumbe. Long ago the Quitu people lived in the valley where Quito is now situated. They integrated with the Caras from the north coastal zone and formed Shyris nation around A.D. 1300. In 1487 the Inca took over and later the Spanish. The Spanish founded the city of San Francisco de Quito on 6 December 1534.
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Comments (16)
Malena, you have added dozens of fine new tips since I last looked at this page. I had no idea there were so many museums in Quito. Also I like the colorful celebrations and musicians. And of course the Ciclopaseo, which is a great idea.
Thank you for visiting Don! Yes, there are lots of museums in Quito, and not all of them are in the guidebooks. I wish I could have cycled the whole ciclopaseo road, but maybe another time.
Now that I've booked the tickets it's time to get excited! Haha. So much info here malena, and have already seen some tips that have answered questions in my mind already. Will continue to come here to visit and get info. Thanks! X
I'm glad that you will get a week in Ecuador later this year, and to see Quito, Cotopaxi and Quilotoa during that week is a good choice. This page is starting to be too big, but anyway it is the page I'm still working on. There are many tips, especially things to do-tips, to add from my latest trip.
your photos & comments abt Quito......made me to must visit it.
right indeed...its beautiful......do you speak Spanish..?
Well, I speak a little. Sometimes I I bought a newspaper to practice. Some of the articles were easy to understand, while others were impossible to understand.
You certainly have seen a lot of Quito. Interesting to read about your journey to the city and the surrounding area. We certainly hope to visit Quito one day too. ~ho & pang
Thank you ho and pang! I like Quito very much and saw even more this year (which I haven't had time to write about yet).
Such fantastic country and all the structure here have such beautiful character. Love the view from the top of the Teleferigo! Excellent page!
Thank you Dee! It is lovely with the mountains sourrounding Quito.
Another excellent page Malena! Love the inside of the Cathedral and the Churches, also the monastery and lookout, sounds like plenty to see and do here! Hope your arm has healed by now, All the best.. DEE
Thank you Dee! I spent quite many days in Quito last year and also during my holiday this year. I like the city very much.
And for the wrist it only needs a little bit more time and physiotherapy until it will be like before again.
Very helpful transport and restaurant tips - thanks especially for updating on places that had closed on your most recent visit. But tell me - did you break your wrist IN Ecuador?! How horrible for you, wherever it happened
Thank you Sarah! I have done the updates, but the new tips will take some time to write (I will begin with smaller pages). I broke the wrist after only a few days in Ecuador, on the first day at the coast. I had an operation and got two pins in the bone, which I took out a few days before going home.
What a helpful comprehensive page on Quito! I have saved lots of your tips to help with planning our visit, and will be back soon to read the rest. Can't wait to see some of these sights myself, especially the beautiful churches, the Plaza San Francisco and the view from the teleferiqo.
What a fundamental VT-job on Quito, Malena! Didn't know that it is so fascinating city with its unusual landscape, wonderful churches and interesting museums. It is certainly worth a visit though it's so far from Europe... Lucky you were!
What a fantastic page. Your tips and details are wonderful. As always I enjoy your lovely photography. Keep up the good work. Excellent page!