best time to visit quito ecuador

The Best Time to Visit Quito, Ecuador for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Quito for ideal weather are

May 14th to September 16th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Quito Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Quito Travel Info

Weather in quito.

Average temperatures in Quito vary very little. Considering humidity, temperatures feel very enjoyable all year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. The area is more temperate than most — in the 79th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Quito, the hottest months are September, August, and then July. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early September where highs are regularly around 76.4°F (24.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 53.6°F (12°C) at night.

Quito Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Quito temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Quito Perceived Temperature (F)

Quito perceived temperature (c), average quito temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Quito are August, July, and then June. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid May. For example, on the week of May 14th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid March with an average of 6 days of significant precipitation the week of March 19th.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Quito.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Quito (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Quito has some high humidity months, with other comfortably humid months. The least humid month is August (50.3% relative humidity), and the most humid month is February (69.2%).

Wind in Quito is usually calm . The windiest month is July, followed by August and September. July’s average wind speed of around 6.6 knots (7.6 MPH or 12.2 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late August to early September where average top sustained speeds reach 12.4 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Quito.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to quito.

Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe, but with extra warnings in a few regions. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings and regional advisories for Ecuador; exercise a high degree of caution and avoid some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Nov 20, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Quito, Ecuador is January, followed by March and May. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Quito in June. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall quito travel experience by season, fall (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 73.2°F (22.9°C) and 69.9°F (21.1°C) with similar temperatures in the later months. Rain is very common with 8 to 14 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.

Winter (June through August)

The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 2 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the slowest season for tourism in Quito, so lodging and other accommodations may cost less than usual.

Spring (September through November)

Spring daily highs range from 76.4°F (24.7°C) and 70.8°F (21.6°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 3 to 11 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.

Summer (December through February)

Weather is somewhat cool this time of year in Quito to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 74.7°F (23.7°C) and 69.9°F (21.1°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 5 to 9 times per month. These times of year are the second busiest with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › Ecuador › Quito, Ecuador

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Quito Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

I really liked my visit to Quito. I didn’t really know what to expect but I found the city lively, gritty, and full of welcoming people.

Quito might not be where you’ll stay the longest when you visit the country but it offers enough to fill a few days. Its UNESCO Old Town and proximity to the equator ensure there is enough to keep you busy for a couple of days before you move on.

This travel guide to Quito can help you plan your visit there, stay safe, and save money as you explore Ecuador’s capital.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Quito

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Quito

1. Visit the old monasteries

Quito has several ancient monasteries to visit, including Santo Domingo, San Augustin, and San Diego. The San Diego convent, built by the Franciscans, is one of the city’s largest. It’s the oldest church in Ecuador, dating to 1534, and construction took 150 years to complete. Although it has been rebuilt several times after earthquake damage, you’ll still find original tilework in the chapel and a set of stairs that were originally designed for the Vatican. Santo Domingo was constructed in the 16th century in Baroque and Moorish styles. It’s very ornate and there’s a small museum on-site featuring paintings and other works of art as well.

2. Cross the Equator

Located near Quito, you can visit both real and fake equatorial monuments. Quito is the world’s closest major city to the equator. The “fake” monument was built in the 1970s to mark the equator. However, when GPS was invented, it revealed that the original calculations were off. On the weekends you can enjoy the lively plaza with music and dance performances. There’s also a museum nearby with a planetarium, ethnographic information, local art, and fun chocolate and beer exhibits. Museum entry is $5 USD.

3. Go to El Panecillo

E Panecillo (“the bread roll”) is a hill overlooking the city. It’s famous for its views and used to contain an Inca temple honoring the sun. The Incas called it Shungoloma , which means Hill of the Heart. Later, the Spanish built a fortress on the hill to serve as a lookout. On the hill is a 140-ft-tall aluminum mosaic statue of the Virgin Mary constructed in 1976. The best time to enjoy the view of the city and snap some pictures from here is early to mid-morning to avoid the crowds and the afternoon cloud cover.

4. Explore the markets

Quito has tons of great markets and they offer amazing opportunities to experience Ecuador’s cultural diversity. Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal has tons of artisanal goods, including everything from alpaca blankets to Ecuadorian chocolates. Mercado Municipal Santa Clara is another popular market for purchasing local art and experiencing Ecuadorian craftsmanship. Otavalo Market is where you go for gifts made by the indigenous people in the area, while Inaquito Market is the best place for regional foods.

5. Spend time in the Old Town

Here you’ll find the old Spanish city, with the central plaza at the heart. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the plaza features the Palacio del Gobierno, the Cathedral, and the Palacio Presidencial. Wander through the quaint streets as you take in colonial architecture and explore Quito’s rich history. You can enjoy some of the best vistas in the city from Basilica del Voto Nacional, a stunning church that offers a 360-degree view of Quito. It’s usually busy here so take some time to people-watch and enjoy the bustling ambiance.

Other Things to See and Do in Quito

1. hang out in parque metropolitano.

Parque Metropolitano is a sprawling 1,433-acre park on top of a hill with views overlooking the whole city and the Cumbayá Valley. This place is enormous, with camping sites, cafes, barbecue pits, scenic viewpoints, mountain biking, and hiking trails. While you’re on the trails, keep an eye out for the bright Crimson-Mantled Woodpecker and other exotic birds.

2. Visit the Museo del Banco Central

The Central Bank Museum has an extensive collection of artifacts from all of Ecuador’s regions and cultures, including pre-Incan artifacts and a seemingly endless collection of pre-Columbian ceramics and gold artifacts. Some of the coolest things to see here are the Chorrera ceramics from 900-300 BCE, including bottles shaped like little creatures that mimic animal noises when you pour water into them. Admission is $2 USD.

3. Hang out in La Mariscal

This is where all the expats and tourists hang out. I couldn’t walk five feet without bumping into a Texas BBQ or an Irish Pub. It’s full of bars and posh restaurants. I wouldn’t spend a lot of time here (it’s pretty pricey) but it’s an exciting place if you want a night out. The main plaza often has live music and entertainment, and the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal is worth a stop for if you want to go souvenir shopping.

4. Ride the Teleferico

Located on the eastern side of Pichincha Volcano is the world’s second-highest cable car. At 12,000 feet, you can see over six volcanoes on a clear day. You can just do a round-trip, or get off at the top to continue a trek along Pichincha’s ridge. The trail begins at Cruz Loma and is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) long, and it’s a challenging one due to the altitude and steep incline in some places. The views are completely worth it though. Avoid this hike if the forecast calls for poor weather, as the route can get treacherous. Gondola rides are $8.50 USD round-trip.

5. Visit the Jardin Botanico

On the southwest side of Parque La Carolina you’ll find this tranquil garden escape. You can experience some of Ecuador’s ecosystems here on a guided tour or on your own, including native habitats like high-altitude grasslands, wetlands, and cloud forests. This is also a prime spot for bird watchers, with over 141 different species to keep an eye out for. The two glass orchidariums (enclosures specifically for orchids) are the main highlights of their incredibly colorful collection. Be sure to check out the 100 bonsai trees in the Japanese garden. Tickets are $4 USD.

6. Visit the Itchimbía Park and Cultural Center

Established in 2005, this park and cultural center sits on top of Itchimbia Hill with panoramic views over the city and beyond, all the way to the snow-capped mountains and Pichincha Volcano. There’s also a glass house here that serves as an exhibition center and museum which regularly hosts workshops, art shows, and other events. There are about 40 different species of birds and 400 types of tropical flowers to admire here too.

7. Admire La Compañia church

La Compañia is considered the most ornate church in Ecuador. It took 160 years to build (1605-1765). Although its dominant architectural style is Baroque, it also includes Moorish elements (like the geometric shapes on the church’s pillars), stucco decoration in the Churrigueresque style, and Neoclassical touches in the chapel. The central nave is completely covered in gold and is incredibly ornate and lavish. It’s $5 USD to visit.

8. Hang out in La Floresta

If you want to go where the locals hang out, spend some time in La Floresta visiting its many coffee shops, galleries, and street art locales. Pop into the Ocho y Medio indie movie theater, or visit one of the craft breweries. In the evenings, some bars host live music.

9. Take a free walking tour

There are a few free walking tours available in Quito. This is the best (and cheapest) way to explore the city while getting a detailed overview of its culture and history. I recommend Free Walking Tour Quito because they also offer more in-depth tours to lesser-known neighborhoods. Just don’t forget to tip your guide at the end!

Quito Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Hostels are incredibly cheap in Quito. A bed in a 6-8-bed dorm costs $6-15 USD. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also include free breakfast. A basic private room for two with an ensuite bathroom costs from $15-50 USD per night. Prices don’t really change between peak season and off-season for hostels.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels during peak season range from $40-100 USD per night for a double room in a three-star hotel. Free Wi-Fi is standard. In the off-season, rooms cost $25-60 USD. Many budget hotels have shared bathrooms so just make sure you check before you book in case you want your own bathroom.

Airbnb is available in Quito, with a private room starting at $20-30 USD per night. For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay closer to $45 USD per night.

Food – The local fare of Ecuador features ilapinchagos (fried potato cakes stuffed with cheese), ceviche (a raw fish dish usually with lemon), empanadas, arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), and cuy (roasted guinea pig).

In Quito, you can find street food stalls selling things like ceviche, empanadas, or even fresh-squeezed fruit juices like maracuya (passion fruit juice) for $1-2 USD. For comparison, a McDonald’s combo meal is about $7 USD.

Local lunch spots sell meals for $3-5 USD, including empanadas, soups, rice, and grilled meat. If you want western food, such as pizza or burgers, you’ll pay about $13-16 USD.

If you want to splurge on a high-end restaurant, you’ll spend about $25 USD for a three-course fixed menu. A dish of a traditional guinea pig ( cuy ) is $10 USD, while pasta and vegetarian dishes are $9 USD.

Beer is $3.50 USD while a latte/cappuccino is $2.50 USD. Bottled water is $0.65 USD.

If you’re planning on shopping in the markets and grocery stores, you can expect to spend around $20-30 USD per week on basic staples like bread, milk, eggs, cheese, chicken, fruit, and veggies.

Backpacking Quito Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of $30 USD per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat some street food and cook some meals, take a free walking tour, and use public transportation to get around. If you plan on drinking, add $5-10 USD per day to your budget.

On a mid-range budget of $105 USD per day, you can stay in a decent hotel or Airbnb, eat out for all your meals, take the occasional taxi to get around, enjoy all the drinks, take a paid tour or two, and visit most museums.

On a “luxury” budget of $245 USD per day, the sky is the limit. You won’t have to worry about any restrictions on your spending. You can do anything!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Quito Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Quito is an affordable destination to visit, but it never hurts to save money! Here are a few tips to help you cut down your costs during your visit:

• Make sure your taxi is metered – Don’t get into a taxi unless the driver is using his meter. There are many stories of drivers unscrupulously overcharging tourists.
• Eat at the markets – This is the place to do your food shopping. You can find meals for just a few dollars, making this the best way to eat cheaply in the country.
• Stick to almuerzos – Many restaurants have “almuerzos” i.e., cheap lunches from a set menu. These are usually just a couple of dollars and usually include a drink.
• Carry small change – Forget about carrying any bills over $20 USD as you’ll have trouble changing them — even $20s can be difficult to break in small towns.
• Drink local beer – Ecuador produces many of its own beer brands which are cheaper than imports. Drink like the locals and save your money!
• Couchsurf – Use Couchsurfing to connect with locals who can provide free accommodation and share their insider tips and advice.
• Take a free walking tour – Quito Free Walking Tours offers free tours around the city. If you want to see the main sights and learn some history, this is a great place to start. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end.
• Pack a water bottle – A water bottle with a purifier comes in handy in Quito since you shouldn’t drink the tap water. Save money and reduce your reliance on single-use plastic and get a bottle that can purify the tap water for you. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw .

Where to Stay in Quito

Quito has lots of social and affordable hostels. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• Community Hostel
• Vibes Hostel
• Minka Hostel
• The Secret Garden Quito

How to Get Around Quito

Public transportation – The bus is the most common and efficient way to get around Quito. A local bus ticket costs $0.25 USD and can get you anywhere you need to go. Although there are designated bus stops, the driver will usually let you get off at any street corner. You should note that the buses stop running at 9PM.

Currently, Quito is building a new subway system that should be in operation by early 2023.

Taxis – Taxis are very affordable in Quito, and they’re metered (unlike elsewhere in the country). A short taxi ride shouldn’t cost much more than $5 USD. At night, the minimum rate is $2 USD; it’s $1.50 USD in the daytime. Always make sure your taxi is metered before you get in. If the driver won’t turn on the meter, get out and find one that will.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Quito and it’s usually cheaper than taxis.

Bicycle – BiciQuito is Quito’s free bike-sharing program with stations all over the city. Best of all, it’s free! You’ll need to register online and download an application from the website — and then deliver the application to one of the stations or at the AMT offices for approval. It’s not as easy as simply using a digital app, but at least the rides are free.

When to Go to Quito

It can be pretty chilly in Quito year-round due to its high-altitude location in the Andean mountains. The peak season to visit is from mid-June to September and then December-January. The average daily high is 15°C (60°F) while the average daily low is 8°C (48°F). Temperatures are slightly higher in July and August, averaging about 18°C (66°F) per day. In short, no matter when you visit you’ll want to bring a sweater or jacket.

Quito is very rarely overcrowded, but if you want to avoid inflated prices, come during the shoulder seasons or off-seasons. June to November is the low season in the Galapagos, and Quito is also quieter during this time as people aren’t hopping off to the islands. This is a good time to visit if you want to purely appreciate all that Quito has to offer without moving on to the Galapagos.

How to Stay Safe in Quito

The risk of violent crime is low in Quito, however, petty crime like pick-pocketing happens a lot. This can occur around high-traffic areas, especially in busy plazas and on public transportation.

Public transportation tends to get very crowded because the fares are so low, so be alert. Leave your valuables at home and don’t flash around your iPhone, camera, or expensive jewelry. Keep your valuables secure and out of reach at all times just to be safe.

Use caution at night. Avoid the Old Town and Carolina Park after dark, as well as Ave. de Los Shyris.

La Ronda, República de El Salvador, and Plaza Foch are safer places at night.

Don’t climb El Panecillo on foot, night or day. It’s best to use public transportation to avoid muggings or assaults, which are unfortunately very common in this area.

Solo female travelers should take the standard precautions (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). For more specific information, read one of the many solo female travel blogs out there that can have more specific tips.

Scams are rare, however, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

When in doubt, always trust your instincts. If a taxi driver seems shady, tell them to stop and get out. If your hotel or accommodation is seedier than you thought, go somewhere else. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, in case of an emergency.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Quito Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Quito Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Quito travel and continue planning your trip:

The 13 Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

A capital city high in the Andes, Quito is dramatically situated, squeezed between mountain peaks whose greenery is concealed by the afternoon mist. Modern apartment buildings and modest concrete homes creep partway up the slopes, and busy commercial thoroughfares lined with shops and choked with traffic turn into peaceful neighborhoods on Sundays. Warm and relaxed, traditional Ecuadorian Sierra culture – overflowing market stands, shamanistic healers, fourth-generation hatmakers – mixes with a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.

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Experience the real Quito. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús

Capped by green-and-gold domes, La Compañía de Jesús is Quito’s most ornate church and a standout among the baroque splendors of the Old Town. Free guided…

For spectacular views over Quito’s mountainous landscape, hop aboard this sky tram, one of the world's highest aerial lifts, that takes passengers on a 2…

Casa Museo Guayasamín

In the former home of the legendary painter Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919–99), this wonderful museum houses the most complete collection of the artist's work…

Capilla del Hombre

One of the most important works of art in South America, Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamín’s Capilla del Hombre stands next to the Casa Museo…

Palacio de Gobierno

The low white building on the northwestern side of Plaza Grande is the seat of the Ecuadorian presidency. Visitors can enter by joining a free guided tour…

Museos Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana

Newly reopened following a full-scale makeover, Museos Casa de la Cultura encompasses three museums in a single bright, modern space. The expansive Museo…

Museo Nacional

Located in the circular, glass-plated, landmark building of the Casa de la Cultura is one of the country’s largest collections of Ecuadorian art, with…

Catedral Metropolitana

On Plaza Grande's southwest side stands Quito's cathedral. Although not the most ornate of the Old Town’s churches, it has some fascinating works by…

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The Best Time to Visit Quito: A Seasonal Guide

Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, offers stellar experiences year-round. But when is the best time to visit Quito? In this guide, we'll explore the various aspects of visiting Quito throughout each season to help you determine the best time for your trip.

Best vs Worst Weather to Visit Quito

Best Weather: Due to its location on the equator, Quito remains relatively mild year-round. The dry season from June to September offers the most pleasant weather with plenty of sunshine.

Worst Weather: The wet season from October to May can include heavy afternoon showers which might reduce your chance of outdoor activities.

Cheapest Time to go to Quito vs. Most Expensive Time to travel to Quito

Cheapest Time to Visit: The best budget months are March- May which lie within the wet season. Despite some downpours, you can still enjoy the city's indoor activities whilst saving money.

Most Expensive Time to Visit: The driest months specifically July and August when the city sees an influx of visitors. Make sure to book in advance to secure a spot.

Average hotel prices:

• Rainy Season: $55-$110 per night
• Dry Season: $110-$160 per night

Busiest Time to See Quito vs. Least Busy Time to Visit Quito

Busiest Time to Visit: Dry season, especially July and August.

Least Busy Time to Visit: March and April during the wet season.

Special Events Worth Seeing in Quito

Quito offers a rich calendar of events:

• International Festival of Sacred Music (April): A spiritual-based music festival attracting performers from around the world.
• Quito Summer Fest (August): An annual musical festival, featuring live performances by national and international artists.
• Quito Christmas Festivities (December): Christmas is a vibrant time in Quito with traditional displays, living nativity scenes, and festive parades.

Recommended time of year to go to Quito

• High Season: July and August
• Shoulder Season: June and September
• Low Season: October to May

High Season in Quito (July and August)

Weather: During the high season, Quito experiences dry and pleasant weather with minimal rainfall.

Events: This period coincides with the Quito Summer Fest. Expect busy streets packed with a lively atmosphere.

Things to Do: Perfect time for outdoor activities, such as visiting the equator line at the Intiñán Museum, exploring old town Quito, and hiking up the Pichincha Volcano.

Prices: This is the most expensive time to visit. Accommodation prices can spike during this time. It's advisable to book your accommodations in advance.

Shoulder Season (June and September)

Weather: Shoulder seasons in Quito are typically dry and mild, making it pleasant for outdoor activities.

Events: Various cultural and music events take place in this period, wonderful for those seeking a cultural immersion.

Things to Do: Apart from exploring Quito's historical sites, this is also a good time for bird watching in Mindo Cloud Forest and discovering Cotopaxi National Park.

Prices: Accommodation and dining prices are generally moderate during this season, offering good value for your money.

Low Season (October to May)

Weather: Rainfall is more frequent, but usually confined to the afternoons. Mornings typically remain dry with overcast skies.

Events: Christmas festivities in December offer a memorable experience with lively parades and beautiful decorations across the city.

Things to Do: It's a great time to visit indoor attractions, such as the Casa del Alabado Museum or La Capilla del Hombre.

Prices: This is the cheapest time to visit Quito with significant drops in hotel rates and dining experiences.

Conclusion Regarding the Perfect Time to Travel to Quito

For Sunshine Seekers: The best time to visit Quito is during the dry season, particularly from June to September.

For Budget Travelers: The cheapest time to visit would be during the wet season, particularly between March to May.

For a Balanced Experience: September and June offer the perfect balance of dry weather and manageable visitor numbers.

Choosing the best time to visit Quito largely depends on personal preferences and activities you're looking forward to. Each season provides a unique experience and the city's charm never fades, regardless when you decide to visit.

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Weather in Quito, Ecuador: What’s The Best Time To Travel

Quito, Ecuador has a moderate to subtropical mountain climate. Temperatures are moderate and spring-like all year, with a dry season from June to mid-September, which is more noticeable in the city’s northern outskirts. Fog may occur at any time of year, especially at night and in the early morning.

Since Quito’s average annual temperature is 15°C (59°F), there is never a bad time to visit this Ecuadorian city. The Andes Mountains ‘ position greatly affects the city’s weather patterns.

The winter months of June, July, and August are the most popular times to travel to Quito since the weather is pleasant, bright, and dry with minimal wind or rain. 

The rainy season in summer during the months of December through March deters some people from taking city walks. Throughout the year, keep in mind that it might be cool at night, especially when a cold front comes through.

Table of Contents

How Altitude Affects the Weather

Quito is located at an elevation of almost a mile above sea level. Aside from the tremendous height, it is surrounded by mountains. Because of the great height and neighboring mountains, the weather might change abruptly at any time. It’s fairly unusual for a thunderstorm to appear out of nowhere.

Weather Tips When Traveling to Quito

• If you want to avoid rainy days in Quito, you should go between June and September.
• It may rain a lot in Quito from October to May, with the heaviest rain falling in March and April.
• Temperatures in Quito do not fluctuate significantly throughout the year. The rain – and the resultant humidity levels – do fluctuate.
• Quito gets a steady 12.5 hours of daylight every year due to its equatorial position.
• I would recommend taking ChlorOxygen 1-2 weeks ahead of the trip so it’s easier to deal with high altitudes.

Best Time to Travel to Quito

Middle of the Earth from the top, Quito, Ecuador

Although the weather in Quito fluctuates little, there are certainly better days to visit than others. Consider coming from June to September to avoid rain and the possibility of heavy rainstorms. We were there at the end of September and we never caught the rain.

If you like rain, the rainy season lasts from October to May, with the heaviest rain falling in March and April. And, while the temperature doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the year, the humidity and volume of rain do.

Quito, Ecuador is a lovely city rich in culture and charm. Although you may expect temperate weather when visiting and exploring the city, don’t forget to bring an umbrella. Check the best things to do in Quito in our previous article .

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About the author.

Oleg Galeev

I'm Oleg, and together with my wife, we've explored Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, journeying through more than 20 cities ( Quito , Cuenca , Banos , Tena , Puyo , Guayaquil , Riobamba , Otavalo , Mindo and more) and nearly every island in the Galapagos (including iconic ones such as Bartolome Island , San Cristobal Island , Isabela Island , Santa Cruz Island and more). In this blog, I give you my real thoughts about each place we visited. This info can help anyone planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands or mainland Ecuador . I'm just a traveler, not a tour company, so I'm not trying to sell anything. That means I'll tell you the truth—both the good and the bad — about traveling in Ecuador based on what we experienced.

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Weather and Seasons in Quito

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Best Time To Visit Quito

Worried about tourists flocking or closing hours of Quito while planning your trip? The best time to visit Quito would be a time when you can completely soak in the experience and not worry about such hassles. The weather of Quito is favorable along with the best of activities during this particular time in Quito. If you are thinking about when to go to Quito then, come visit Quito at it's best time where you can make a memorable experience without having to worry about small issues.

Quito Weather in January-June : An excellent season to visit Quito, the average temperature falls around 60℉ . The weather is great for outdoors, the air being moderately humid. This is most likely one of the best times to visit Quito and also a tourist high season.

Quito Weather in July-September : With average humidity of 72%, temperatures sway between 41℉ to 77℉ . Now this may cause a little discomfort, but we are sure not complaining! This weather is perfect to go sightseeing around the city of Quito.

Quito Weather in October-December : The highest temperature recorded is 77℉ which would make you want to run to the nearest café to down a glass of chilled drink, but the moderate humidity of 79% makes this an excellent time to visit Quito.

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Highest temperature in Quito is recorded as 82.4℉ in February.

Lowest temperature in Quito is recorded as 41℉ in January, August, September and November.

Most humid month in Quito is March.

Least humid month in Quito is July.

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When is the best time to visit Ecuador?

• Month-by-month

The best time to visit Ecuador depends on which area of the country you travel to. The weather variations are usually the result of regional differences and microclimates, rather than clearly defined seasons. There is a drier season from June to September in the highlands, for example, but the ‘four seasons in a day’ phenomenon can happen at any time.

On Ecuador’s coast, the wet season is the best time to visit — temperatures are warmer and rain usually falls in short bursts in the afternoon, so you can still enjoy sunny mornings.

Ecuador’s cultural attractions and sightings of wildlife on the mainland can be enjoyed year-round, as can hiking or more gentle touring in the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Similarly, the Amazon and the cloudforests delight visitors whatever the season.

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Month-by-month guide for traveling in Ecuador

Visiting Ecuador in January - May

The coolest and wettest period to visit Ecuador is between January and May, but most of the time rainfall presents itself in afternoon showers. Many people still choose to travel to Ecuador at this time as the waters around the Galapagos Islands are at their warmest and calmest.

Events & Festivals

• Semana Santa (the week before Easter): Semana Santa sees religious parades across Ecuador. A particular highlight being the Good Friday processions in Quito.

Visiting Ecuador in June - September

Officially the driest and warmest months to visit the Ecuadorian mainland. Visitors can often enjoy clear blue Andean skies and warm sunshine. Fewer showers also make for more prolonged periods to enjoy birdwatching in the cloudforests. This is also the peak time to visit neighboring Peru, so early planning is advisable.

• Corpus Christi (June): Corpus Christi, falling shortly after Trinity Sunday, is particularly celebrated around Cotopaxi and in the highlands. Many villages have their own traditional costumes, music and dance.

Visiting Ecuador in October - December

Toward the end of the year, as the South American national holidays approach and the waters around the Galapagos become calmer again, this is a popular time to visit Ecuador, so early booking is again advisable.

• Day of the Dead/All Souls' Day (November 2): Families commemorate lost loved ones with flowers and visits to cemeteries, and consume purple colada morada — a traditional drink made from black cornflower and fruits.
• Independence Celebrations (9th October): Expect Street parties, fireworks, and an infectious lively atmosphere If you happen to be in the coastal city of Guayaquil.
• The Foundation of Quito Festival (6th December): Street parties and parades take place on the cobbled streets of Ecuador’s capital city, Ecuador’s capital city, Quito.

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How to Spend Three Fantastic Days in Quito, Ecuador: A 2023 Itinerary

The capital city of Ecuador, Quito, is a vibrant and culturally rich destination that offers visitors the chance to experience South American culture at its best. Whether you’re looking for amazing architecture, historical landmarks, delicious food, or lively nightlife, you are destined to find it.

Ecuador is a relatively small country, and Quito is located in the middle of it. This makes it easy to get around, whether you’re traveling by taxi, bus, or on foot.

Often overlooked by travelers, Quito is a city that should definitely be on every adventurer’s bucket list. With so much to explore and experience, you’ll want to spend at least three days in this stunning city, soaking up all of the culture, history, and beauty it has to offer.

The country’s capital is home to a number of impressive historical landmarks and monuments, including the Presidential Palace and Basilica. You will learn about Quito’s history, by visiting one or both of these sites.

Of course, no trip to the city would be complete without a sampling of the delicious food. The local cuisine has been heavily influenced by Spanish, African, and indigenous cuisine, resulting in a fusion of flavors that will satisfy any foodie’s palate.

Along with the history and food culture, the city has everything you need for a vibrant latin nightlife. From cozy local bars and restaurants to pulsating dance clubs, you will be able to salsa the night away or practice your Spanish with one of the bartenders.

Whether you’re looking to kick back with friends or go out on the town with your significant other, you’re sure to have a great time! In this guide we will go over all of the best ways to spend three days in Quito, so that you can experience this amazing city at its very best.

Day One in Quito

Located in the center of Ecuador, Quito lies on an elevated Andean valley at 9,350 feet above sea level. This altitude makes it one of the highest capitals in the world and means that you’ll want to acclimatize by spending your first day exploring some of the city’s many attractions and taking it slow.

Head out on a free walking tour of the historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I recommend the one that leaves from The Secret Garden hostel . You’ll get to explore some of the city’s most iconic attractions, including Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compania de Jesus (the largest religious building in South America), and Plaza de la Independencia.

On the tour you will learn the history and significance of these places, while also getting a taste for the unique Ecuadorian culture that makes Quito such a special place. You will have the opportunity to try some Ecuadorian chocolate, the best empanadas in Quito, and some freshly squeezed juices as you walk.

The walking tour leaves at 10 AM and goes until about 1 or 2 in the afternoon depending on the speed of your group, since the walking tour is free, you will be asked to give some sort of tip to your tour guide at the end. Around $5 is the standard amount to tip. 

Once you’re done exploring the historic center, head over to Museo de la Ciudad for some more history and culture. You can either pay a small entrance fee or take advantage of the free entry on Sundays from 9 AM until 3 PM. At this museum, you’ll get an in-depth look at Ecuadorian history as well as the city of Quito. There are also some interesting interactive exhibits that help to bring the past to life.

After a long day of exploring, you’ll probably be ready for lunch. Head over to Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal and try out one of the many cafe or restaurant options in this bustling market that is filled with delicious local flavors. You’ll find everything from fresh fruit juices and empanadas to traditional Ecuadorian ceviche from the various stalls, restaurants, and cafes.

The best part about eating at La Mariscal is that you can try some of the more unusual dishes for a fraction of what you would pay at an upscale restaurant. Some of my favorites are the ceviche, chifles (fried plantain chips), and traditional Ecuadorian tamales.

You can also purchase some of the local spices and foods to take home as souvenirs and grab some fresh fruit. It is sold by the dollar, so you can get quite a lot of fruit for very little money. If you’re still hungry after your meal, try one of the many dessert options like buñuelos (fried sweet dough) for a delicious sweet treat!

Once you’ve had your fill of food, head back to the basilica. During the walking tour you will only see the gothic structure from the outside. So now is your chance to head inside and take a look at the amazingly detailed interior. This church is considered one of the most important examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America.

Climb to the top of the tower for sweeping views of the city, and there is a cafe at the top where you can enjoy a beer while you take in the views. The basilica closes at 5PM, so once you’re done exploring head back to your hotel and get ready for dinner.

For dinner, I recommend heading down to the La Floresta neighborhood which is known for its wide array of hip and trendy restaurants. My favorite restaurant there is Cafe Mosaico which has a great atmosphere and amazing food. Try some local specialties like cuy (guinea pig), seco de chivo (goat stew), or quinoa with shrimp.

After dinner, head over to one of the many bars in the area and check out some live music or dance the night away at a salsa club. Quito has some of the best nightlife in all of South America, so make sure you take advantage of it while you’re there!

Day Two in Quito

Wake up early and head out for breakfast at a local spot, like the farmer’s market right off of Plaza Foch. Try some fresh tropical fruits or el tigre, which is my personal favorite. It is mashed plantains with cheese, tomatoes, and avocado, and a nice runny egg on top – the perfect way to start your day. I am drooling just thinking about it!

After breakfast, head out to The Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, which is sort-of the middle of the world. Located about an hour from the city center, it’s a popular tourist attraction that many people visit as part of their day trip. You’ll get to stand equidistant from both the northern and southern hemispheres, which really puts everything into perspective.

The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by taking a local bus, but it does take a bit longer due to all the stops it makes. If you want a bit more comfort and convenience, you can also take a taxi or organized tour bus.

Most people spend around an hour or so touring the various interactive exhibits and learning about Ecuador’s rich history.

After exploring the middle of the world, head back into town for lunch at one of the many delicious local restaurants in the city. One of my favorites is a casual little spot called De la Llama. Try their famous Ecuadorian meat soup or a heaping bowl of quinoa with vegetables and your choice of protein, it’s always fresh and flavorful.

After lunch, head to catch the Teleferiqo, a cable car that takes you up to an elevation of over 12,000 feet. Spend some time walking around the park at the top and enjoying the incredible views of the city below. There’s also a museum at the peak where you can learn more about the history of this unique transportation system. This is a must do in Quito, especially if you’re looking for a fun and unique way to enjoy the stunning views of the city.

If you still have time, I recommend taking a taxi to Mirador el Panecillo. This hilltop park offers a gorgeous view of the city and is home to a famous sculpture of an angel — the Virgin del Panecillo — that can be seen from all over Quito. DO NOT WALK HERE. This area of town is not safe and it is much better to take a taxi than risk putting yourself in danger.

Finally once the sun sets, head back down into town and look for a spot along Parque El Ejido where you can catch an evening concert or show. There are often cultural festivals, street performers, and other types of entertainment taking place throughout the city, so be sure to keep a look out for an event that interests you.

As the evening comes to a close, head back to your hotel and get some rest before another exciting day of exploration tomorrow!

Day Three: A day trip to Otavalo, Cotacachi & Cuicocha

Today we are getting out of the hustle and bustle of the city and heading out to explore some of the stunning natural beauty that surrounds Quito. Start your day bright and early by joining this tour to the north of Quito, which will take you to the picturesque towns of Otavalo and Cotacachi as well as the stunning Cuicocha Lake.

Otavalo is a town famed for its vibrant markets, where you can find all sorts of local artisan goods. If you are wanting to experience the uniqueness of Ecuador and the life of a small town, then this is the place to be.

The town is located about 2 hours north of Quito, so expect this to be a full day trip.

Once you arrive in Otavalo, you will have the opportunity to explore the famous open-air market where locals sell all sorts of handmade goods including blankets, jewelry, clothing, and more. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of the incredible traditional textiles that are produced here or purchase a painting or embroidered item from one of the many talented local artists.

This bustling market is one of the largest in South America, and your tour will make sure to set aside enough time for you to explore all of the stalls and shop for souvenirs. 

If shopping isn’t your thing or you don’t have enough room in your suitcase, you can check out all of the incredible food and drink vendors that line the streets. This is the perfect place to try some of the local delicacies, from rich Ecuadorian hot chocolate to savory empanadas.

After spending some time exploring Otavalo, you will head to the beautiful town of Cotacachi. This small town is a major center for leather goods, so you can expect to find a lot of high-end shops here selling everything from handbags and wallets to jackets and shoes. These are all handmade by local artisans. It is okay to haggle a bit here but keep in mind that these are mostly small family businesses, so be considerate and don’t try to over-extort them!

Finally, before the day ends, you will make your way to the beautiful Cuicocha Lake. This crater lake is surrounded by lush green hills and boasts stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Here, you can go hiking or take a boat ride across the lake to really appreciate the beauty of this place.

You can check availability for the specific tour I took using the widget below:

After a long day exploring all that this region has to offer, make your way back to Quito and enjoy your last evening out on the town. Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner or just want to catch some live music and dance, there is no shortage of exciting things to do in Quito on your last night!

Quito: What to Know Before You Go

Planning a trip is never easy, from where to stay, what to do, and when to visit. If you’re planning a trip to Quito, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before you go and luckily, I know all the best tips and tricks.

Where to Stay

Quito is a large and diverse city, so you will want to choose your accommodation wisely depending on your travel style. If you’re looking for more of a local experience, there are plenty of cozy bed and breakfasts throughout the city that offer comfortable lodging at affordable prices.

If you prefer a bit more luxury, there are also some great hotels in Quito that offer everything you need, but at a higher dollar price.

For somewhere in between the two I recommend the Chakana Hotel Boutique , a small but cozy hotel in downtown Quito with top notch service and excellent amenities. Every room is dedicated to their ancestors and you can feel the love and respect they have for those who came before them, which is a wonderful way to get in touch with your roots.

Ecuador has a beautiful history and this hotel really showcases their culture, and will help you to immerse yourself in their traditions while still enjoying all the modern comforts of a luxury hotel.

You are going to love the yummy breakfast that is included making it easy to grab something before you head out on your adventures for the day. They also have a great bar on site, so if you want to unwind and grab a drink after a long day exploring the city they’ve got you covered.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Quito

The best time to visit Quito is during the dry season, which runs from mid-March to early November. This time of year has less rain and more sunny days, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and exploring the city’s many parks and historical sites.

Being a country that is often overlooked, it doesn’t get as busy as some of its neighboring countries, so you won’t find crowds of tourists trying to squeeze onto buses and into museums even during the peak tourist season.

If you’re looking for a more festive and lively atmosphere, be sure to visit Quito during one of their many festivals. These cultural celebrations are held throughout the year, and are a great way to experience all that Ecuadorian culture has to offer. I recommend Carnival which occurs in March or April depending on the year, and is a huge party that lasts for three days!

People from all over the country travel to Quito during these festivals, and the city really comes alive with vibrant colors and fantastic music.

How to Get Around Quito

Getting around the city is quite easy.

The city has an extensive public transport system that consists of metros, buses, and taxis. You can purchase a card from any convenience store or metro station which you can then load with cash and use to pay for rides.

If you are in the historical center you are perfectly fine to walk around and explore, but if you are planning to explore more of the city I would recommend getting a taxi or using the bus system as they are both easy, inexpensive, and safe. You can also download the uber app and call for a ride if you prefer the convenience of having a car arrive at your location and not have to worry about being scammed.

I do not recommend riding the local buses at night time as they are often targeted by pickpockets. It is just as cheap to take a taxi and it is a lot safer.

Safety Advice for Travelers to Quito

Speaking of safety, let’s get into how to stay safe in the city.

While Quito is a relatively safe city, it is still important to practice caution while you are there. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of what is going on around you, especially when in crowds or getting onto public transportation. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the busier the area, the safer, if you find yourself on a quiet street or a dark alley, be on your guard and get to a busy street as soon as possible. After dark, take a taxi or use the uber app if you feel uneasy walking by yourself.

It is also important to be careful not to drink too much alcohol while in Quito as there have been reports of tourists being drugged and robbed while they are intoxicated. I don’t say this to scare you, but as a friendly caution to make sure you don’t find yourself in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

I would also recommend staying in a hotel located within the historical center of town as these tend to be in quieter areas and are generally safer than hotels that are outside of this area.

Some other tips for staying safe while visiting Quito: avoid wearing flashy or expensive jewelry, take only what money you need when you go out and it even helps to use a burner phone on a night out.

Just a few more things to take note of when in Quito.

Be prepared for the altitude. Quito sits at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, which can make it difficult to adjust if you’re not used to high altitudes. Make sure to take it easy and give your body time to adjust when you first arrive, and be sure to drink LOTS of water throughout the day. I can’t emphasize this enough.  It is so important!

Another thing to be prepared for is the weather. Quito has a very unique climate which experiences both rainy and sunny seasons, with temperatures ranging from the 40’s in winter, up to the low 80’s during the summer months. While rain can occur at any time of year, it tends to happen more frequently between December and April. You may want to bring a light rain jacket or an umbrella with you just in case.

In terms of food and drink, there are a ton of amazing restaurants in Quito that offer authentic Ecuadorian cuisine as well as cuisines from all over the world. A few things to make sure and eat while you are here are ceviche, fritada de chancho, tamales, and of course, the famous Ecuadorian dessert: sopa del viernes.

Overall, I would highly recommend spending 3 days in Quito to experience its vibrant culture, amazing architecture and delicious food. Whether you are looking for a relaxing cultural experience or an action-packed adventure, Quito has everything you are looking for and more!

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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We invite you to take an enchanting journey through Ecuador with our guide to the best times to visit this diverse and captivating country. Whether you're looking for vibrant festivals, lush rainforests, or coastal adventures, we'll recommend the best seasons to explore Ecuador's natural wonders and cultural treasures. Discover the perfect time to travel to Ecuador and immerse yourself in the abundance of experiences this South American gem has to offer. 

When is the best time to visit Ecuador and the Galápagos?

Best time to visit ecuador month by month.

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Festivals and Holidays in Ecuador

Public holidays and major festivals, tailor-made travel itineraries for ecuador, created by local experts.

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Ecuador's Best in 3 Weeks

A journey to the heart of Ecuador: discover the Andean highlands, go on a deep dive in the Amazon jungle, explore the colonial cities on the Pacific Coast and end your trip with the incredibly diverse Galapagos Islands. This trip packs all into one, the adventure of a lifetime!

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Unique Lodges of Ecuador

Prepare yourself for the epitome of adventure and prestige with not one but two Unique Lodges in Ecuador into the lush and captivating nearby cloud forest to discover Mashpi Lodge. After that, prepare yourself for the wonders at your doorstep at the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel.

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Best of Peru & Galapagos Islands

Split your South America trip into two fascinating countries: Peru with Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, as well as ocean-facing capital Lima. Afterwards, proceed to the Galapagos Islands. You will stay on 3 different islands and explore many more.

The best time to travel to Ecuador varies depending on which parts of the country you intend to visit. There’s no real summer and winter in Ecuador, and its weather generally varies by regional geography, with temperatures determined more by altitude than by season or latitude.

The warmest and driest months in the sierra are June to September, though this is complicated by various microclimates found in some areas. Outside these months, typical sierra weather offers sunny, clear mornings and cloudy, often wet, afternoons.

In the Oriente , you can expect it to be warm, humid and rainy throughout the year, though there are often short breaks from the daily rains from August to September and December to February.

In the lowlands it can get particularly hot on clear days, with temperatures easily topping 30°C. The coast has the most clearly defined wet and dry seasons, and the best time to visit is from December to April, when frequent showers alternate with clear blue skies and temperatures stay high.

From May to November it’s often overcast and relatively cool, especially in the south, with less chance of rainfall.

Marine iguana with blue footed boobies on Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Planning the perfect time to visit Ecuador? Below we break down the country's varied climatic conditions month by month to help you choose the right season and maximize your experience.

Weather in January

The weather in Ecuador in January is a mix of mild-to-warm temperatures with a likelihood of rain, requiring visitors to be prepared for both sunshine and showers.

In the highlands, including Quito , temperatures average around 15°C (59°F), while coastal areas like Guayaquil experience warmer weather, with averages near 26°C (79°F). In the Amazon region, expect even higher temperatures. 

Rainfall at this time is also varied. The highlands receive about 80 mm (3.1 inches), whereas the coast can expect heavier rains, averaging 200 mm (7.9 inches). The Amazon rainforest typically sees the most rainfall, with amounts exceeding these figures. 

Weather in February

The weather in Ecuador in February varies significantly across its diverse regions. The coastal areas typically experience warm temperatures averaging around 26°C (79°F). 

Meanwhile, the highlands are cooler with averages of 15°C (59°F). At the same time, the Amazon region is warmer and more humid.

Rainfall in February can be quite pronounced, especially along the coast and in the Amazon. The coast sees around 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rain, while the highlands receive about 100 mm (3.9 inches). 

Weather in March

March is a good time to explore Ecuador, with warmth and a variety of activities, from beach walks on the coast to cultural immersion in the highlands and adventures in the Amazon.

On the coast temperatures are warm, averaging around 27°C (81°F). The weather in this region is usually sunny, creating ideal conditions for beach vacations.

In the highlands, the dry season begins in March. Temperatures are moderate, averaging around 15°C (59°F), providing comfortable weather for outdoor walks and activities.

The Amazon region remains warm and humid in March, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C (75°F-90°F). It rains constantly in this part of the country, which contributes to the lush green landscapes characteristic of the rainforest.

Interior of humid cloudforest with mist blowing through, on the coastal range in western Ecuador © Dr Morley Read/Shutterstock

Weather in April

April is a transitional month — favorable for exploring cultural attractions in the highlands — periodic rain may limit beach excursions, and you may encounter some transportation problems in coastal areas.

The coast is warm, with temperatures here hovering around 27°C (81°F), while highland areas maintain mild temperatures around 15°C (59°F). At the same time, the Amazon is warm and humid.

In terms of precipitation, coastal areas may experience occasional rain, while the highlands tend to be drier. April marks the end of the rainy season in some regions — all the better for outdoor activities.

Weather in May

May is a transitional period in Ecuador's weather patterns, marking the end of the rainy season in some regions. Coastal areas experience warm temperatures of around 26°C (79°F), creating pleasant conditions for beach holidays. 

Highland areas maintain a mild climate with temperatures averaging around 15°C (59°F). Meanwhile, the Amazon region remains warm and humid, with rainfall decreasing during this transitional period.

The Galapagos Islands also enjoy pleasant weather during this period, making it an ideal time for wildlife enthusiasts to explore unique ecosystems.

Weather in June

June , with its comfortable temperatures and reduced rainfall, provides you with excellent opportunities to explore the country's rich landscapes.

In coastal areas temperatures are around 26°C (79°F), which favors a pleasant beach vacation. 

The highlands maintain a mild climate with temperatures averaging around 15°C (59°F). The Amazon region is warm and humid, creating lush rainforest landscapes.

June is generally considered part of the dry season, offering favorable weather for outdoor activities and exploring cultural attractions. Although coastal areas may experience light rainfall, it is generally a pleasant time to visit. 

Amazon, Ecuador, Lumix, Oriente, Sunset River shots

Weather in July

July , part of the dry season, paints the perfect canvas for outdoor activities. While coastal areas may experience precipitation, it's generally pleasant weather for all kinds of outdoor activities. 

In coastal harbors mild temperatures of around 25°C (77°F) provide a comfortable backdrop for maritime adventures. To enjoy cultural excursions, head to the highlands where the temperature is around 15°C (59°F).

Meanwhile, the Amazon region maintains a warm, inviting embrace, beckoning nature lovers with lush rainforests.

Weather in August

August in Ecuador is like a lively party thrown by nature in a variety of landscapes. The coast experiences mild temperatures of around 25°C (77°F), creating the perfect beach mood. 

Head to the highlands and feel the chill at around 15°C (59°F), setting the stage for a cultural vacation. The Amazon region, where temperatures range between 24°C and 30°C (75°F to 86°F), invites you to its lush rainforests.

And here's the kicker: August, at the height of the dry season, turns the entire country into an adventure playground. Although there may be occasional rainfall in coastal areas, it doesn't spoil the overall weather. 

Weather in September

The weather in Ecuador in September is a mixture of different conditions. On the coast, you'll find sunny days with temperatures of 24°C-32°C (75°F-90°F) - perfect beach weather and an invitation to enjoy the Ecuadorian sunshine.

Meanwhile, in the Amazon rainforest September begins with a symphony of showers and humidity, creating a green paradise for nature lovers. This weather practically begs you to grab your raincoat and embark on a tropical adventure.

As you climb to the top of the Andes September marks the end of the dry season. Daytime temperatures stand between 10°C and 21°C (50°F-70°F), and cool evenings whisper of the approaching change of seasons.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador @ Shutterstock

Weather in October

In October , Ecuador invites you to a weather wonderland where each region boasts its own unique atmosphere. On the coast temperatures range between 21°C and 32°C (70°F-90°F), creating ideal conditions for beach vacations.

Head up into the highlands of the Andes and you'll find Quito bidding farewell to the dry season, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 21°C (50°F-70°F). 

Meanwhile, the Amazon rainforest, with its combination of rainfall and humidity reveals its lush, green charm.

The Galapagos Islands, that year-round stunning destination, turns hot in October, attracting wildlife lovers with a surge of warmer temperatures. 

Weather in November

The weather in Ecuador in November unfolds its charm and invites you to an exciting adventure. On the coast temperatures range between  24°C and 32°C (75°F-90°F), creating ideal conditions for enjoying beach vacations and water activities.

In the high Andean highlands nature has its own peculiarities, with cool temperatures ranging from 10°C to 21°C (50°F to 70°F) and the onset of the rainy season.

The Amazon rainforests experience periodic rains and humidity, which helps paint the scenery in vibrant green colors.

The Galapagos Islands being a year-round wonder in November beckons with comfortable temperatures, making it the best time to explore the unique wonders of the islands.

Weather in December

The weather in Ecuador in December is a mix of different climatic conditions that will add a touch of variety to your trip. 

On the coast you'll bask in the delightful warmth of 25°C (77°F), but keep your umbrella close - the wet season is approaching and the sunny weather can be interrupted by occasional downpours.

Now let's head up to Quito, the realm of the Andes, where December reveals tantalizing secrets. Daytime highs around 19°C (66°F) beckon you to explore the historical wonders.

Take an adventure into the Amazon rainforest, where towns like Tena and Puyo promise temperatures around 25°C (77°F). The tropical forest comes alive, offering a lush, colorful spectacle as lively as the local fauna.

Cloudforest, Ecuador

When's the best time to visit the Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos climate sees hot, sunny days interspersed with the odd heavy shower from January to June, and dry and overcast weather for the rest of the year, when the garúa mists are prevalent. 

El Niño years can bring enormous fluctuations in weather patterns on the coast and at the Galápagos archipelago, when levels of rainfall can be many times the norm.

Ecuador's vibrant festivals blend ancient indigenous traditions with Catholic customs, reflecting a rich cultural syncretism. These celebrations, deeply embedded in Ecuador's history, showcase a mix of religious imagery and indigenous beliefs. National holidays often commemorate significant historical events and traditional Catholic observances. Ecuadorians, known for their love of festivities, spare no effort in creating spectacular events filled with food, drink, and community spirit, highlighting local and national identities.

Attending a fiesta is a must-do in Ecuador, offering a memorable glimpse into the country's culture and fun. Carnaval, one of the most lively national festivals, features exuberant water fights leading up to Lent. Local celebrations are frequent and varied, with towns and villages marking foundation days, patron saints' days, and other significant dates with music, dance, parades, and more. 

These gatherings range from grand public events to intimate community affairs in remote highlands, where outsiders are welcomed if they show respect and sensitivity. From gaudy parades to traditional markets, Ecuador's festivals are a testament to its communal spirit and cultural richness.

Woman dancing and wearing the traditional folk costume from Ecuador © Raquel Pedrosa/Shutterstock

On public holidays just about all shops and facilities are closed all day.

New Year’s Day ( Año Nuevo ), January 1. Public holiday.

Epiphany ( Reyes Magos ), January 6. Celebrated mainly in the central highlands, most notably at Píllaro in Tungurahua, but also in Montecristi on the coast.

February/March

Carnival ( Carnaval ). The week before Lent is marked by nationwide high jinks, partying and water-throwing. Beach resorts can get packed to the gills. In Ambato, it’s celebrated by the grand Fiesta de las Frutas y las Flores, with parades, dancing, bullfights and sporting events – water-throwing is banned here. Two days’ public holiday.

March/April

Holy Week ( Semana Santa ). Religious parades take place across the country during Holy Week, when many shops and services close and lots of people head to the beach. The big processions in Quito are on Good Friday. Public holidays for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Labour Day ( Día del Trabajo ), May 1. Public holiday.

Battle of Pichincha ( La Batalla del Pinchincha ), May 24. Public holiday commemorating a famous 1822 battle.

Shaman, Ecuador @ Shutterstock

Corpus Christi A moveable festival sometime in mid-June, on the first Thursday after Trinity Sunday. Celebrated in the central sierra, particularly Salasaca and Pujilí with danzates (masked dancers), wonderful costumes and, in the latter town, 5–10m poles people climb to get prizes at the top.

Festival of the Sun ( Inti Raymi ), June 21 and onwards. A pre-Conquest festival celebrated on the solstice at important ancient sites such as Cochasquí. Also subsumed into the Catholic festivals of San Juan, San Pedro and San Pablo, collectively known as “Los San Juanes” in the Otavalo and Cayambe regions.

San Juan June 24. John the Baptist’s saint day, celebrated particularly heartily in the Otavalo region, beginning with ritual bathing in Peguche and ending with tinku – ritual fighting – in San Juan on the outskirts of Otavalo (now discouraged). Outsiders should avoid these two activites, but there is plenty of music, drinking and dancing to take part in.

San Pedro and San Pablo June 29. Celebrated across the country, though particularly in Cayambe and the northern sierra.

Birthday of Simón Bolívar July 24. Countrywide celebration of the birth of El Libertador. Public holiday.

Foundation of Guayaquil July 25. The festivities here often blur with those of the previous day.

Independence Day ( Día de la independencia ) August 10. Public holiday commemorating the nation’s first independence (and thwarted) uprising in Quito in 1809.

Fetsival of the Virgin of El Cisne August 15. The effigy of the virgin is paraded 72km from El Cisne to Loja followed by thousands of pilgrims.

Malecón 2000, waterfront, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Yamor Festival A big shindig in Otavalo for the first two weeks of September.

Mama Negra de la Merced September 24. The religious one of two important fiestas in Latacunga, marked with processions and focusing on the Virgen de la Merced.

Independence of Guayaquil October 9. Big celebrations in Guayaquil. Public holiday.

Columbus Day ( Día de la Raza ), October 12. Marks the discovery of the New World. Rodeos held in Los Ríos, Guayas and Manabí provinces, an expression of muntuvio culture.

All Souls’ Day/Day of the Dead ( Día de los Difuntos ) November 2. Highland communities go to cemeteries to pay their respects with flowers, offerings of food and drink, and incantations. Colada morada , a sweet purple fruit drink, and guaguas de pan , bread figures, are eaten and drunk. Public holiday.

Independence of Cuenca November 3. The city’s largest celebration, which merges into the preceding holidays. Public holiday.

Mama Negra First Friday or Saturday of November. Famous fiesta in Latacunga with colourful parades and extravagant costumes, centred around the Mama Negra – a blacked-up man in woman’s clothing – thought to be related to the town’s first encounter with black slaves. Events continue up to November 11 celebrating the Independence of Latacunga.

Festival of the Virgin of El Quinche November 21. Pilgrims celebrate at the famous church outside Quito.

Foundation of Quito December 6. Festivities across the capital, with parades, dances, bullfights and sporting events. Public holiday.

Christmas Day ( Navidad ), December 25. Public holiday.

New Year’s Eve ( Nochevieja ), December 31. Años viejos , large effigies of topical figures representing the old years are burnt at midnight.

The Rough Guides to Ecuador and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Ecuador

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Ecuador

• Culture and Etiquette in Ecuador
• Eating and drinking in Ecuador
• How to get to Ecuador
• Getting around Ecuador: Transportation Tips
• Travel Health Ecuador
• National Parks in Ecuador
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Ecuador
• Travel Tips Ecuador for planning and on the go

Find even more inspiration here

• Galapagos Islands
• Travel Tips

written by Ties Lagraauw

updated 23.04.2024

Ties is a true world explorer - whether it be for work or leisure! As Content Manager at RoughGuides, and the owner of Dutch travel platform Reis-Expert.nl , Ties is constantly on the move, always looking for new destinations to discover.

Ready to travel and discover Ecuador?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

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• April 21, 2020
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The Essential 3-Day Planned Itinerary For Quito, Ecuador

3-day quito itinerary, day 1 in quito - historical centre walking tour & basílica del voto nacional, breakfast - en dulce or honey cafe.

First thing’s first, breakfast. Depending on where you stay, there are several options.

If staying close to Plaza Foch, try Honey Café for a great selection of bread, baked goods, and coffee.

Alternatively, head over and have breakfast in Old Town before you start sight-seeing. En Dulce B akery in the historic centre has the best reviews in Quito with a range of set breakfasts and freshly baked bread and croissants each morning.

Morning Activity - Quito Free Walking Tour

• Start: 10:30AM or 2.30PM
• Timings: 3 hours
• Days: Monday to Saturday
• Cost: Free but bring $2-3 for a tip as it’s run by volunteers
• Website: Free Walking Tour Ecuador

One of the first UNESCO heritage sites in the world, Quito’s historical centre is filled with enough museums, European architecture, and cultural attractions to keep you entertained for most of the dat. The best way to get yourself accustomed to the city is by booking on to the Community Hostel walking tour. The tour takes you to most of the main sights in the historic centre, including:

• Plaza Grande – the main square which includes the presidential palace
• La Compañia – a 17th-century church with beautiful architecture and a gold interior
• Plaza San Francisco – another huge plaza lined with churches, cafes and with great views of El Panecillo and the surrounding mountains
• La Ronda – a long winding street filled with galleries, craft shops and restaurants

Want to spend the whole day exploring the historical centre? Quito is home to several museums suiting every interest including modern art, archaeology, religious art and pre-Colombian indigenous history.

Two of the best museums are:

• Museo Casa Del Alabad – holds a permanent exhibit of more than 600 Ecuadorian pre-Columbian objects and artefacts.
• Museo de la Ciudad – set inside the city’s first hospital, it tells the long history of the capital from the Incas and the Spanish conquistadores to its time as a colony and its eventual fight for independence. For more information on the museums of Quito, check out this article.

While in the historic centre, make sure you try Ecuador’s famous chocolate . Here are four places to visit, all selling organic Ecuadorian grown chocolate:

• Café Galeria  
• The Kallari Cafe
• Republic de Cacao

After the walking tour, you may wish to return to your favourite sights, alternatively head to one of the food or drink recommendations given on the tour. The tour ends at La Ronda , so this is the perfect time to try some Ecuadorian cuisine.

Lunch - La Ronda Street

Time to sample some traditional Ecuadorian food such as the hearty soup, Locro de Papa , with a side of empanadas, or if you are feeling brave, you can try deep-fried guinea pig, a speciality in Ecuador.

Check out La Casa Los Geranios along La Ronda street, it’s known for serving traditional Ecuadorian dishes with flair. 

If you aren’t ready for lunch yet, why not stop for a warm drink? Time to try Ecuador’s popular local drink canezalo – a spiced hot drink made by boiling water with cinnamon and sugar and mixing it with local sugar cane alcohol.

Can Ferran Restaurante is another recommendation where the Trip Advisor reviews rave about the canezalo .

• La Casa Los Geranios
• Can Ferran Restaurante

Afternoon Activity - Climb The Basílica Del Voto Nacional

• Opening times: 9AM to 5PM weekdays, 6AM to 6PM weekends
• Cost: $2 for the church entrance, $2 for the tower entrance
• Timings: It will take you 30 minutes to an hour to climb to the top and explore the church

The Basílica del Voto Nacional is the largest neo-Gothic church in South America and climbing up the central tower is quite an adventure. The steep steps and narrow passageways leading to the top are not for the faint-hearted or those scared of heights, but the views are spectacular and well worth the journey.

Make sure to go around to the side entrance in the courtyard for the viewpoint entrance, which will cost you $2. The entry to the towers isn’t inside the main church.

Reaching the top of the tower is the highlight of the visit as it offers fantastic panoramic views across the city. There is also a café and tourist shop in one of the towers if you want to stop and have a coffee or beer.

Don’t forget to check out the Basílica’s unique gargoyles around the edges of the church – they all represent animals endemic to Ecuador such as iguanas, tortoises, armadillos, and condors.

Dinner - Bandido Brewing

Bandido Brewing is a fantastic craft beer and pizza place in the old town. The establishment is right opposite Community hostel so it’s perfect if you’re already staying there. Share a pizza and a few Ecuadorian craft brew specialities to celebrate your first successful day in Quito.

• Bandido Brewing

We don’t expect you to eat out every day, these are just some suggestions which you can spread over this 3-day itinerary. Eating out as a backpacker adds up and eating out three times a day will break the bank.

For tips on how to stick to a budget in Ecuador, read more here:

• Ecuador Backpacking Budget: Daily, Weekly & Monthly Suggestions

Day 2 In Quito - Visit The Middle Of The World & Drinks At Plaza Foch

Breakfast/lunch - mercado central.

We won’t suggest breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for each day of this itinerary as we’ve only visited so many of these places ourselves. But if you are looking for a cheap meal, Mercado Central offers great set meals costing $2-3.

You usually get a soup, then a rice and meat dish along with a drink—great value for money. You can also buy fresh fruit smoothies for $1 a go . The perfect way to start the day!

Afternoon Activity – The Middle Of The World (Mitad Del Mundo)

• Cost: $5 entrance fee to Mitad del Mundo, $4 for Museo Solar Intiñan
• Transport cost: $8-10 taxi each way or $1 local bus each way
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Timing: Allow 3-4 hours. It’s a 45-minute journey to get there, you’ll need one hour at the equator or two if you want to visit the second museum and then 45 minutes getting back to central

Head to the central bus station in town and look out for buses displaying ‘Mitad Del Mundo’ (middle of the world), buses leave every hour.  If you feel lazy, Uber is up and running in Quito. One way will cost around $8 .

Quick Tip – we often found yellow taxis cheaper than Uber because we could haggle, however, it’s good to know what it would cost on Uber before haggling so make sure you download the app. The middle of the world is in North Quito and takes about 45 minutes to get there via bus or taxi.

So, what is there to do when you are in the middle of the world? Take photos of you standing on the equator of course!

Then take the elevator up to the top of the museum where, on a clear day, you can see Cotopaxi Volcano and spend a bit of time wandering through the museum learning about science, local culture, and more. An interesting fact – during the summer solstice your shadow disappears entirely at the equator because the sun is perfectly positioned over-head.

After the equator line and museum, you will find several tourist shops, cafes, and a second museum called Museo Solar Intiñan where a tour guide will take you through some scientific demonstrations if you want to stay longer.

For example, demonstrating the Coriolis effect where water travels clockwise or anti-clockwise down a drain depending on the hemisphere (we think this is a trick played by the tour guide though and not an actual scientific fact – but fun to watch nonetheless).

Another option is a tour. This one costs $30 and includes your entrance fee, a good choice for those who don’t want to organise their own transport.

Evening Activity – Community Hostel Bar Crawl Or Drinks At Plaza Foch

• Cost: $10 for the bar crawl + whatever else you spend on drinks that evening

Quito has a buzzing nightlife scene, and Plaza Foch is the place to party.

Travellers and locals mix in bars and clubs around the central plaza, making for a lively atmosphere. Try Cherusker Cervecaria for an artisanal beer or Bungalow 6 for an energetic, after-hours club.

Looking to meet some fellow travellers on a night out? Community Hostel and Secret Garden both run bar crawls at the weekend. Don’t worry if you’re not staying at the hostels, anyone can join. Both are great hostels we’ve recommended here:

• The 10 Best Hostels In Quito, Ecuador

Day 3 In Quito – Ride The Teleferico & Head Up To The Volcano Pichincha Viewpoint

Morning activity – riding the teleferico (quito's cable car).

• Cost: $8.50 for the cable car round trip, and $4-6 for a taxi to the entrance and home once you are back down
• Timing: Full day alongside the Volcano Pichincha trek

The cable car is just outside of the Old Town, so we took an Uber which cost around $2-3. The cable car is a $8.50 return and takes about 18 minutes each way.

Riding the cable car up to the summit of Pichincha is good fun, and you will get some fantastic views of the Old Town and the entire city. But the best views are once you reach the top.

Spend about half an hour at the top taking in the views of all the volcanoes surrounding Quito. You should be able to see Cotopaxi Volcano in the distance on a clear day. And obviously, jump on the famous swing so you can get some photos for Instagram. There’s also a small café to have a coffee or buy snacks before climbing Pichincha.

Afternoon Activity – Volcano Pichincha Summit Trek

• Cost: Free (factor in $5-10 for snacks and drinks to bring on the trek)
• Timings: 3-5 hours round-trip depending on fitness

Time to start your first trek in Ecuador. Two days in Quito should be enough to acclimatise to the altitude. If you’re planning more trekking, this is a great first trek to get you used to hiking at altitude.

The start of the trail is well signposted when you exit Teleferico at the top. Follow the path to the swing and carry on from there.

The trek takes roughly 3-4 hours (10km in total) and will take you up to 4,784 meters, so come prepared.

The early section is clearly marked, and it’s more of an amble at first with a gradual incline. The last hour is challenging as the trail gets steeper and sandier. For the last 15 minutes, you will have to scramble a bit and climb rocks.

Don’t let that put you off though as the views from the top are insane. This is a great acclimatisation hike if you plan to do further treks in the country such as Cotopaxi Glacier.

Check out our packing guide for the Quilotoa loop which should give you a good idea of how to pack for hikes in Ecuador:

• Quilotoa Loop Packing Guide

If hiking isn’t for you, then head back down to the city and pick one of the many other great activities to do in Quito. You can find the full list here:

• The 19 Best Things To Do In Quito

How Much Should I Budget For 3 Days In Quito?

As a backpacker, you should budget between $35-$45 a day for accommodation, food, transport, and activities whilst in Quito.

Here’s a summary of activity costs listed above in the 3-day itinerary:

*take the local bus if you want to save money here

None of the backpacker hostels cost more than $10 a night in a dorm , giving you $20-30 for food, activities, and transport.

Most hostels include breakfast, if you eat at local markets or food stalls, it will cost $2-3 a meal , which keeps costs down. If you want to eat at a restaurant once or twice a day, increase your daily budget to factor this in. A meal at a restaurant in tourist areas like La Ronda costs between $8-12.

Average costs per day:

• Accomodation – $8-10
• Food – $6-10
• Transport – $5
• Activities – $15-20

For more information on budgeting for Ecuador:

• Ecuador Daily, Weekly & Monthly Suggested Backpacking Budget

How Many Days Do You Need In Quito?

Two full days is the perfect amount of time needed in Quito.

You can spend the first day exploring the old town and wandering through the historical center.

On the second day , you should ride the Teleferico up to Volcano Pichincha for incredible views of the city and the surrounding backdrop of volcanoes.

Depending on what time you arrive and where from, you may want to plan an extra day to adjust to the altitude. Quito sits at a mean 2,850m (9,350 ft), so you may want to take it easy for the first day or two and see how you adjust, especially if you had a long flight.

Quito 2-Day Itinerary

If you don’t have 3 days to spare in Quito, then here’s what we recommend:

• Day 1 – Walking Tour, La Ronda and the Basilica Del Voto Nacional
• Day 2 – Ride the Teleferico, Volcano Pichincha Hike and a night out at Plaza Foch

We would cut out Mitad del Mundo from the above itinerary for those of you who don’t have three days. It’s good fun, and not many people can say they’ve visited the equator, but we understand why it might not be for everyone. Seeing the beautiful historical centre and riding the Teleferico are the two best things to do in our opinion and you won’t miss out if you just do these.

Check out our longer backpacking itineraries to plan out your time in Ecuador:

• Ecuador Three-Week Backpacking Itinerary
• Ecuador 1-Month Backpacking Itinerary
• The Best 1-Month South America Itinerary (Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia)

Quito 4-Day Itinerary

If you aren’t travelling through Ecuador (you may just be visiting Quito and the Galapagos Islands , for example), then taking an extra day for a full day tour outside of the city is a must. Ecuador has so many incredible sights 1-2 hours away that would be a shame to miss them.

• Day 1 – Historical Centre, La Ronda and the Basilica
• Day 2 – Mitad Del Mundo
• Day 3 – Teleferico and Volcano Pichincha Hike
• Day 4 – Day Tour (Cotopaxi Volcano)

We’ve outlined more tours and other ways of getting to Cotopaxi here if you decide on this plan:

• 4 Great Ways To Visit Cotopaxi National Park

What Are The Best Day Tours From Quito?

The three best day tours from Quito are:

• Cotopaxi Volcano
• Mindo Cloud Forest
• Otavalo Market

These three are the cheapest tours from the city (between $40-100), are a maximum of 2-3 hours away and also some of the best sights in the whole of Ecuador.

1. Cotopaxi Volcano

This is the tour we recommend picking out of all three options. With the close proximity to Quito (1 hour) and the beauty of Cotopaxi Volcano, this makes it the best and most time-efficient tour of all three options. 

You also need a guide to enter Cotopaxi National Park, so this isn’t something you can organise yourself.

• Get Your Guide – Cotopaxi Volcano Tour From Quito

If you are staying in Ecuador for longer, then we recommend visiting for a couple of days. Secret Garden Cotopaxi Hostel offers a $95 package which includes all your meals, 2 treks and 2 nights accommodation . Our guide below has everything you need to know:

• Secret Garden Cotopaxi Review: Is It Worth It?

2. Mindo Cloud Forest

In the small town of Mindo, there’s a wealth of activities to suit every traveller. You can go on a chocolate tasting experience at one of the chocolate farms, hike through the cloud forest along the ‘Route of Waterfalls’ or if you prefer something more extreme, go tubing down the jungle rivers.

How To Get There: The bus leaves from the northern bus terminal called Terminal de la Ofelia. It’s a bit of a journey outside the city and took us around 40 minutes to get there in a uber (costing $8), or you could take a metro bus from the central terminal in town. Once at the bus station, find one of the counters selling tickets to Mindo and hop on the next available bus. Buses in Ecuador are super cheap, and the ticket cost us no more than $2 each.

Due to the time spent on transport for this one, we think it’s best to book a tour, so your journey is efficient. If you prefer to have the transportation and day organised, we recommend this tour:

• Get Your Guide: Mindo Cloud Forest Full Day Tour

This is only if you are short on time and need to come back to Quito the same day though. The better option is to pack a day bag and stay for the night. Mindo is a great town for backpackers and well worth the time.

Everything else you need to know about Mindo is here in our guides:

• The Bests Things To Do In Mindo
• How To Hike The Mindo Waterfall Sanctuary

3. Otavalo Market

If there’s one market to visit during your time in Ecuador, it should be this one. Otavalo’s market is the oldest and largest Indian handicrafts market in all South America.

It spreads out from the main square for a couple of blocks in each direction. It sells everything from blankets and ponchos to jewellery, instruments, leather goods, platters, spices and more, all made by the talented indigenous craftspeople living in the region. Saturday is the best day to visit as the animal market joins the main one.

How To Get There: Getting to Otavalo from Quito is straightforward, taking two hours by bus. The bus leaves from the northern bus terminal in Quito, called Terminal de la Ofelia (same as the journey for Mindo). Once at the bus station, find one of the counters selling tickets to Otavalo and hop on the next bus.

Again, if you prefer a guided tour, then here is one option:

• Get Your Guide: Otavalo Market Tour

But in our opinion, it’s best to visit yourself and save money.

Or alternatively, stay a night or two. The crater lake trek just outside of town is a great experience and worth an extended trip if you can spare the time. Read our complete Otavalo guides for more information here:

• The Best Things To Do In Otavalo
• How To Visit Laguna Cuicocha

Where’s your next destination after Ecuador? If you are going on an extended South America trip, make sure to check out our expertly curated itineraries from anywhere to a month to three months:

• Is Montanita Worth Visiting? 10 Great Reasons To Visit In 2023
• The Perfect 3-Month South America Backpacking Itinerary
• 4 Expertly Planned Three-Week Backpacking Itineraries For South America
• The Ideal Two-Month Backpacking Itinerary For South America
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Best Things to Do in Quito Ecuador: Travel Guide & Tips

January 29, 2020 By John Widmer 69 Comments

There are so many awesome things to do in Quito, Ecuador !

Quito is an intriguing travel destination to consider. It’s one of the largest cities in the world to lie right next to the equator. And at an elevation of 2,850 meters (9,350 feet, or nearly 2 miles high), Quito is the highest constitutional capital city in the entire world.

This high-flung equatorial city dates way back to its founding, in 1534 . Some of the architecture from that century can still be found in Quito’s historic Old Town today!

But fast-forward to 2020 and visitors will realize that Quito is a fascinating mix of old-meets-new . Historic alleyways and baroque buildings are situated against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers with trendy eateries.

Quito is a land of beautiful contrasts. The city is indeed a busy and sprawling metropolis. Yet the looming volcanos and tranquil Andean mountain peaks surrounding Quito provide a stark reminder of the serene landscapes all around.

Home to the country’s largest international airport, Quito is frequently used as a gateway city to access the rest of Ecuador. Often travelers visit Quito as a quick one-day stopover on the way to the Galapagos. But there are so many great things to do in Quito to easily justify a longer stay. Ecuador’s capital can be an unexpected delight to travelers.

There are plenty of things to do in Quito itself to fill several days of a packed itinerary. Quito contains:

• dozens of historic buildings to discover in Old Town,
• the unique opportunity of visiting the equator line ,
• hiking trails to trek from right within the city,
• hundreds of ornate churches to admire,
• a ride from the city into the Andes one of the highest cable cars in the world,
• fantastic local cuisine to try, plus some interesting local drinks to tip back, and
• more than fifty museums to tour!

Yet those who enjoy adventure activities should budget extra time into their Ecuador itinerary, in order to pursue Quito’s awesome day trips. Quito acts as an excellent travel hub to organize excursions within a two-hour drive of the city. There’s an abundance of popular Quito day trips to consider, from summiting an icy volcano to river tubing through a cloud forest .

The many things to do listed within this detailed Quito travel guide have been carefully curated after doing several months of on-the-ground research in the city, reviewing Quito’s best attractions and activities.

It’s all in a grand effort to help travelers make the most of a visit here. So we hope this Best Things to Do in Quito Travel Guide proves helpful to anyone planning a trip to this great South American capital.

Welcome to Quito, Ecuador!

Best Things to Do in Quito Ecuador

The following lists our top 20 recommendations of things to do in Quito, with a handy map to help find these Quito attractions.

1) Wander Quito’s Historic Center

Quito’s Old Town acts as a show-stealer within Ecuador’s capital city. Wandering through the bustling streets among centuries-old architecture is not just something to see in Quito. The Old Town is something to experience.

Quito historic center is recognized as having the best-preserved, least altered historic center in all of Latin America. It’s this accolade that led Quito to become the first city in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (alongside Krakow, Poland) back in 1978. Read the full Quito UNESCO description .

Quito Old Town delivers not only cultural significance. Quito’s historic center exudes charm. Despite earthquakes and modernization, the baroque buildings throughout Quito’s Old Town remain largely intact. It can feel like another era wandering amongst the beautiful architecture that’s been here for nearly a half-millennium!

Where to Go in Quito Old Town:

To begin exploring Quito Old Town, head to its heart. That’s Plaza Grande .

All within a 10-minute walking radius of this centrally-located plaza are dozens of notable buildings and attractions to see within Quito’s historic center.

To help narrow down some points of interest, Quito’s Center of Touristic Services suggests the following six locations as the must-sees of Quito Old Town :

• Presidential Palace : also known as Carondelet Palace , this is where Ecuador’s president lives and works.
• Metropolitan Cathedral : Catholic church completed in 1565 and now the archdiocese. Has tour & museum ($3).
• La Compañía de Jesus : a 17th-century Jesuit church a few blocks away from Plaza Grande, known for its gold-covered interior.
• Plaza San Francisco : Quito plaza that contains the city’s oldest church (St Francis), street vendors, a chapel, a museum with religious art, and cafes. But it’s the Andes views here that provide a beautiful natural backdrop during a clear day.
• La Merced : White, domed Catholic Church (1736) that contains important artworks and library.
• San Agustin : Historical convent (1617), where Ecuador’s Independence Act was signed and houses many paintings from 17th-century artist Miguel de Santiago. Hourlong tours of the halls and interior courtyard are $2.
• City Museum : Learn all about the history of Quito through the chronological exhibits in this former hospital building.

For those interested in architecture, churches, and history, it’s easily possible to spend an entire day, or more, exploring Quito Old Town. Yet even those with a casual interest should still be fascinated for hours strolling through the historic center’s cobblestone alleyways.

Budget some time to take a break at one of the many cafes in order to simply watch life in Quito pass by. Consider ending a long day strolling through the historic center at Bandido Brewing for what we say is the best craft beer in Quito Old Town. (Note: it’s $3 pints during happy hour from 4:00-7:00).

🗺️ On your own : Quito’s tourism information center is right along Plaza Grande, opposite the Presidential Palace. They can provide a helpful city map (free). The map includes many points of interest, plus walking tour routes you can pursue on your own.

🚶 Quito Free Walking Tour : There is a free (tip-based) Quito walking tour every day, except Sundays, at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. It’s run by the Community Hostel . The 3½-hour tour provides an in-depth look into Old Town with interesting background about the city, Ecuadorian culture, and Quito travel tips. A $5-$10 tip per person is suggested. See: Free Walking Tour Ecuador .

2) Climb the Basilica del Voto Nacional for Views & Oddities

If a visitor were to only go to one of Quito’s numerous churches, our recommendation is to definitely visit the Basilica del Voto Nacional .

Quito’s Basilica is not just another church in South America.  Visit this church, even if you’re not into churches. It is actually the largest neo-Gothic church in all of the Americas.

But it’s not just the Basilica’s grandiosity that makes a trip here one of the best things to do in Quito. It can be such an adventurous experience to climb the towers ! The brave who make it to the top are rewarded with stunning views of Quito down below. Definitely make sure that climbing this rickety route is on your list of things to do in Quito. Yet below are three more great reasons of why the Quito Basilica deserves a visit.

See the Armadillos that Have Replaced Gargoyles

Ecuadorian iguanas, armadillos, and Andean condors can all be found lining the Basilica’s exterior. It’s such an interesting sight! Those who don’t know to look may miss it entirely.

Pursue the Harrowing Climb atop This Church

After ascending many steps midway up one of the Basilica’s towers, visitors can walk directly atop the enclosed church roof on a wooden plank walkway. Then the climb begins on a series of steep & stairs and even ladders. Children and adults regularly turn back out of nervousness. Those who are able to climb higher and higher will finally reach the top to enjoy incredible views of Quito.

It can all be a little nerve-wracking for those with even the slightest fear of heights. But it’s this adventure involved that helps to make a visit to the Basilica such a fun thing to do in Quito! The ladders are sturdy and there is railing.

Have a Beer in Church – Really!

Perhaps the most unique thing to do in the Quito Basilica is to have a  beer in this church! It’s a great way to calm your nerves after the climb, while also taking in those sweet Quito vistas.

Before exiting the other tower in the Basilica, walk up the spiral staircase to reach the Basilica’s somewhat hidden café. The views are great here too! So grab a table by the windows overlooking Quito Old Town and enjoy a cold cerveza from inside this place of worship. Doing so may be one of the more unusual things to do in Quito, Ecuador!

💲 Cost : $2 admission to climb the towers 🕒 Hours : 9:00 am-4:00 pm ⌚ Length of visit : About 1 hour, possibly longer if lingering for a beer. 📍 Location : About a 10-minute walk northeast of Plaza Grande, found here on Google Maps . 💡 Tip : If possible, go on a weekday when it’s less-trafficked to avoid waits that sometimes form at the ladders.

3)  Take the Quito TelefériQo High Into the Andes

The TelefériQo is Quito’s awesome cable car that flies passengers high up into the Andes. It’s pretty incredible to be able to go from the middle of this bustling capital city to then be transported to the peaceful mountaintops. This occurs all within an ultra-scenic 18-minute cable car ride. Personally, taking the teleferiQo is our favorite thing to do in Quito.

Quito’s TelefériQo is one of the highest cable car lifts in the world. It brings passengers up to an altitude of about 4,000 meters (about 2.5 miles high). The 2.5-kilometer ride on the aerial gondola itself is a lot of fun. Yet there are even more things to do once at the top of this beloved Quito attraction.

The upper TeleferiQo station is actually on the eastern slope of the Pichincha Volcano! After arriving to the upper station, there’s a lookout platform to soak in the views. You’ll also find hiking trails to trek, horseback riding ($10 per hour), a few cafes to relax at, a church, a swing soaring off the side of this mountain, and some touristic photo opportunities with resident llamas.

Gazing way back down towards the city, the lookout platform offers some of the best sweeping views of Quito. It gives perspective of just how big the city is, tucked into the mountain valley.

There’s also now a thrilling swing for adventurous souls to fly right over Quito! And it’s free.

Yet it’s the hiking trails way up here that make for a particularly awesome recreational pursuit.

For those who are well-acclimatized, it’s possible to trek the high altitude trail to summit Rucu Pichincha . It takes about 4-5 hours to complete the 10-kilometer roundtrip hike up this active volcano. The trail starts out fairly easy and well-defined. But it becomes a steep and strenuous climb in parts.

Patchy snow can even be encountered along the way. This makes it one of the few places in the world to find snow in the equatorial zone. There’s also a rock scramble towards the Rucu Pichincha summit. So this should only be pursued by experienced hikers.

💲 Cost : $8.50 for adults, roundtrip 🕒 Hours : Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm. Friday-Monday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm ⌚ Length of visit : Minimum of 1 hour. Best to allow for 2 hours. Plan 5-7 hours if attempting the cable car + hike up Rucu Pichincha. 📍 Location : Here on Google Maps , on the western fringes of central Quito. Take a taxi or Uber, which should cost about $3-$5 each way if coming from somewhere central in Quito. 💡 Tips : Pack a jacket, as it’s much cooler up here. Go on the TeleferiQo when the weather is clear. There are better odds in the mornings. If hiking, wait a few days in Quito to acclimatize before pursuing.

4) Go to the Equator and Its Quirky Attractions

La Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World) is one big tourist attraction near Quito. This is where the equator passes through Ecuador. It’s all at latitude zero, just north of Quito.

Is Going to the Equator Really Worth It?

Quito’s equator attractions are completely touristy and out of the way from central Quito. Also, the main monument isn’t even actually on the equator. Despite these downsides, visiting the equator can still be a quirky and fun thing to do in Quito. It’s a half-day diversion on the northern outskirts of the capital.

For those with only one day or two days in Quito, perhaps the equator attractions could be something to skip. But if you’re in Quito for more than a few days, it’s almost necessary to add it to your Quito itinerary. Come see what all the fuss is about and snap a few equator-selfies!

Understand there are two separate Quito equator attractions :

• Ciudad Mitad del Mundo,
• Museo Solar Intiñan

Quito Equator Attraction #1: Ciudad Mitad del Mundo

They haven’t changed the line, nor is there any mention of the inaccuracy at the famed monument. It’s close enough.

The monument here is the main attraction. But there’s an entire “equator city” that surrounds it. That’s known as the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City). Here, visitors will find loads of tourist shops, cafes, a planetarium, a train ride, and other little attractions.

💲 Cost : $5. Note: the ticket booth may try to upsell a more expensive combo ticket that includes many of the onsite attractions. But a $5 ticket grants access into the “Equator City” and the monument. 🕒 Hours : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. ⌚ Length of visit : 30 minutes or so. Longer if visiting many of the onsite attractions. 🔗 Official Website : Mitad del Mundo . 📍 Location : It’s a 40-60 minute drive from central Quito to Mitad del Mundo, found here on Google Maps . It can be approached by bus, taxi, or tour. More detail on how to get to the equator zone follows.

Quito Equator Attraction #2: Museo Solar Intiñan

The Museo Solar Intiñan is a smaller and lesser-visited attraction in Quito’s equator zone. Yet, it’s no less interesting. The Intiñan Museum is closer to where the equator passes through. Although our GPS showed their equator line was still 90 meters south of latitude 0.

Upon entering the open-air museum, guests are taken for an included 45-minute tour to see kitschy exhibits that have nothing to do with the equator. There’s a shrunken head, a preserved anaconda, and other Ecuadorian oddities.

Then it’s on to the main show: the equator.

On Intiñin’s equator line, a guide leads visitors through a few funny “experiments,” that many are skeptical of. For example, water is poured into sinks on each side of the equator to demonstrate the Coriolis Effect in which the rotation of the water purportedly changes on either side of the equator. (Watch closely at the direction the water was poured from and judge for yourself.)

It’s also possible to attempt walking a straight line on the equator. It’s supposedly more difficult since both hemispheres are tugging at you. We’re doubtful of this too. Yet the results of our attempt, captured on video, speaks for itself:

Despite our suspicions of scientific misrepresentations, the Museo Solar Intiñan is all good fun! Go there, have a laugh, and judge the experiments for yourself.

💲 Cost : $4 🕒 Hours : 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. ⌚ Length of visit : It’s a 45-minute tour. 🔗 Official Website : Museo Iniñan . 📍 Location : Museo Intiñan is located just around the corner from Mitad del Mundo, found here on Google Maps , about a 5-10 minute walk away. The equator area can be approached by bus, taxi, or tour. Complete directions on how to get to the equator zone are below.

Directions to Equator Attractions from Quito

So which of the two equator attractions to visit? We suggest to go to both . They are both inexpensive, don’t take much time, and are two completely different equator experiences. If you’ve taken the time to reach this area, visit the two attractions together.

🚕 Quito to the Equator by Taxi/Uber : The most convenient way to get to Mitad del Mundo is by taxi or Uber. Expect to pay about $15 each way by taxi. An Uber estimate from Old Town Quito to the equator attractions is $12-$18, each way.

5) Go to El Panecillo for Some of the Best Views of Quito

In a city surrounded by mountains, there are great miradors (viewpoints) all along the higher outskirts of Quito. Yet El Panecillo is one of the only lookout points that pops up right from the middle of the city. And it’s capped by a very notable statue.

El Panecillo translates to the “The Little Bread Loaf.” This hill in the middle of the city separates North and South Quito. While wandering around Quito Old Town, El Panecillo hill is usually somewhere looming in the background. Go here to get excellent views of Quito down below. On clear days, it’s also possible to see the region’s volcanos.

In addition to the great vistas, there’s also a big Virgin Mary statue. It’s one-of-a-kind because of her angelic wings. The statue is known as the La Virgen de Quito and is said to be the largest winged Virgin Mary statue in the world .

6) Check Out the  Guayasamín Collection and  Quito’s 50+ Museums

There are dozens of museums all throughout Quito. In fact, there is said to be more than 50 museums spread across Ecuador’s capital! Since these museums are all indoor, museums can be the perfect solution for things to do in Quito on a rainy day.

There is a museum for just about every interest in Quito, whether that’s art, culture, history, religion, and more. There are even more obscure museums like a water museum and even an artisan beer museum at the equator. Yet some of Quito’s most popular museums include :

• For Everything Ecuador: * Museo Nacional * – Ecuador’s expansive National Museum contains a large and impressive collection of Ecuadorian artwork, historical exhibits, and artifacts. It’s a great free museum – go!
• For Culture: Mindalae Museum – ethno-historical craft museum that explores Ecuador’s indigenous people. ($3)
• For Ancient Relics: Casa del Alabado – houses a large collection of well-preserved pre-Colombian artwork. ($4)
• For Quito’s History: Museo de la Ciudad – exhibits in a former hospital chronologically showcasing Quito’s history. ($3)

Guayasamín’s La Capilla Del Hombre Museum

Yet perhaps the most popular museum in Quito is the adjoining La Capilla Del Hombre and Museo Guayasamín ($8). If only visiting one museum in Quito, this is likely the best bet. And particularly so for art-lovers.

Oswaldo Guayasamín is arguably Ecuador’s most famous painter. Even for those who have never heard of this artist, there’s much to learn about Guayasamín at this museum. Most visitors depart with a newfound respect and fascination for Guayasamín.

“The Chapel of the Man” is his masterpiece building. Guayasamín personally designed it before his death (1999) to showcase his masterworks. The neighboring home/museum offers a peek into Guayasamín’s life. It also shows off the artist’s prized collections, his bedroom, his working art studio, and more of his art pieces.

7) Enjoy Quito’s Central Park and Botanical Gardens

For such a busy South American capital city, there’s a refreshing number of parks and green spaces throughout Quito. If the busy streets and bus exhaust become a bother, these parks are the perfect escape right within the city. In Quito’s parks, visitors can be greeted by hummingbirds in the fresh air amongst a forest of trees.

Our best Quito park suggestion is:   Parque Carolina.  This big park right in the middle of the city is somewhat reminiscent of New York’s Central Park. But Parque Carolina is distinctly and charmingly Ecuadorian.

Carolina Park can be best experienced on weekends. That’s when it seems all of Quito comes here for some outdoor fun. Lots of food vendors are set up to serve Ecuadorian favorites like fritada , ceviche de chocho , fresh juices, and more.

Quiteños come to Parque Carolina for a bit of recreation within the city. Or a fiesta. It’s never surprising to find a local festival or even a concert happening within this park.

Parque Carolina also holds more than just futbol fields, playgrounds, and running tracks. It also boasts the largest free skatepark that we’ve seen anywhere in the world. Additionally, there’s a man-made river, where park-goers can rent paddle boats for a leisurely float around the park ($4.50 per boat, per half hour).

Explore Quito’s Botanical Gardens

Perhaps most notable for travelers, within Parque Carolina there’s the really well-done  Quito Botanical Gardens . Visitors will find multiple greenhouses offering a glimpse into the different regions of Ecuador, from the high paromo (alpine) to lowland jungle environments. It’s an expansive and impressive garden, with meandering trails throughout.

Both the rose garden and orchid garden are highlights. There’s even a Japanese zen garden. But perhaps most interesting is the greenhouse showcasing carnivorous plants !

8) Climb the Steps to Itchimbía for Views and the Crystal Palace

It’s a healthy climb up the many flights of stairs on the eastern side of Quito’s Old Town to reach the area known as Itchimbía. Itchimbía is where that big orange Quito sign makes for great photo ops overlooking the city. So after catching your breath from climbing the stairs, go check out the sign and pose for a selfie.

Itchimbia is also home to Quito’s Crystal Palace . This massive structure of iron flanked with glass walls was shipped over from Germany over 100 years ago. It’s said to resemble the Las Halles market in Paris, and as such, has served as a market itself.

The Crystal Palace now functions as a cultural center that hosts events. Yet it often sits empty, making for a particularly pleasant chill-out spot in Quito that is complete with bean bag chairs.

A third great reason to make the trek up to Itchimbia is simply for more sweet views of this awesome city. For the best photos, visit Itchimbia during the morning. That’s when the eastern sun lights up the Old Town to the west.

While the afternoon sun isn’t favorable to taking pictures towards the west, there is a great reason to visit Itchimbia after 4:00 pm.

On the street just below Itchimbia Park, Manuel Samaniego , there are three restaurants directly next to one another. They each offer spectacular views of the city as you dine and are in the perfect position to watch the sunset over Quito. At the very least, consider popping in for a drink to reward yourself for climbing up all those steps. We enjoyed Cafe Mosaico . But you can also try Vista Hermosa and Pideme La Luna .

9)  Plaza Foch: It’s What to Do in Quito at Night

Plaza Foch is THE party place in Quito . All around this central plaza in New Town, there are many cafes, bars, and clubs. It’s in this area that young Quiteños mix with travelers who frequent the area, each looking for a good time. An evening partying around Plaza Foch is among the most fun things to do in Quito at night.

Plaza Foch is a place for celebrations and revelry. Grab a table outside. Plaza Foch can be equally as good for people watching as it is for drinking.

Celebrating in Plaza Foch also makes for a great thing to do in Quito on New Year’s Eve! Here’s a video to give an idea of what the scene is like in Plaza Foch on December 31.

But Plaza Foch is more than just loud clubs. Cozy bars and even a number of craft beer pubs are also found in this area. (More on the latter in section #12 of this Quito travel guide!)

10) Drink Canelazo on Calle La Ronda

Speaking of drinking in Quito, La Ronda street is another good place to do that. This quaint pedestrian walkway slices right through Quito Old Town. With its balcony-lined cobblestone street, La Ronda may just be one of the most scenic stretches of Quito’s historic center .

A few shops and many cafés line this picturesque cobblestone alleyway. These buildings actually date way back to the 1600s. So La Ronda makes for a particularly inviting setting in Quito to stop in for a drink. Find an empty table at any one of these second-level balconies and order the specialty here: a canelazo .

Canelazo is a warm alcoholic drink found throughout the Ecuadorian highlands. This distinctly Ecuadorian beverage is made from hot cinnamon-sugar water that’s usually flavored with local fruit, most commonly naranjilla . Aguardiente (sugarcane alcohol) is added to give canelazo its kick. Know that the strength of canelazo can vary drastically based on how much aguardiente is used.

Canelazo tends to be quite sweet, with lots of panela (raw sugar) added. But the spiciness of the cinnamon and the citrusy tang of the naranjilla fruit helps to balance it out.

Canelazo is a popular drink throughout Ecuador during December, particularly so for Fiestas del Quito and Christmas. But on La Ronda, canelazo is popular all year long. And we can’t think of a more perfect setting to sip canelazo than perched on a balcony in La Ronda.

11) Eat Your Way Around Quito: Try the Local Specialties

One of the best things to do in Quito is simply to eat! Ecuadorian food is delicious and there are some particularly tasty regional dishes to the Quito area to be on the lookout for.

Here are a few favorite local Quito dishes we recommend to try:

Eat Locro de Papa in Quito

This is a creamy and hearty soup that’s quite popular throughout the Ecuadorian Andes. But it is most iconic to Quito to the point that it’s sometimes even called Locro Quiteño . It’s a soup made with three of our favorite local i ngredients: potato, cheese, and avocado!

This rich & creamy soup is a perfect way to keep warm in these higher elevations. A white mozzarella-like cheese is what’s plunked into the milk-based broth. Locro de papa is further flavored with onion, garlic, cumin, and ground annatto seed (achiote). The soup is completed by being topped with freshly sliced avocado – yum! 🌱 It’s vegetarian-friendly too !

Locro de papa is commonly found throughout Quito. In Old Town, try the locro de papa in the historic courtyard surroundings of Hasta la Vuelta . At $8, it’s a bit pricey for this soup. But the atmosphere and quality helps to justify it.

Eat Empanadas de Viento in Quito

Translated to “wind empanadas” because of the airy interior that’s created when it’s fried. G ooey melted cheese is tucked inside the crispy fried dough and a bit of sugar is sprinkled on top. These snacks are often huge and sharable.

Empanadas de viento pair great to pair with a canelzao. They can be found throughout Quito. Empanadas de viento are most commonly found in La Ronda. Expect to pay $2-$4, depending on the size and location.

Eat Fritada in Quito

Fritada has many local Ecuadorian components, anchored by flavorful pork. That pork is boiled in spiced-up water until it evaporates, when the pork is then fried in its own fat.

This culminates in some tasty pork morsels that are good on their own merit. But one of the best aspects of fritada is the variety of sides it comes with. Here’s what you normally get: hominy, toasted corn, avocado, ripe plantain, and llapingachos .

What are Llapingachos? They’re fried potato pancakes stuffed with cheese. Often served as a side to many dishes in Quito. Be sure to try them too, whether with fritada or on their own!

Where to find good local food in Quito?

For lunch in Old Town, one of the best places to try local Quito cuisine is at the Mercado Central . An array of food stalls awaits to compete for your business. Prices are inexpensive and all of Quito’s classics can be found here. It’s also a great place to mix with the local Quiteño crowd.

For dinner in La Floresta, try the street food stalls in Parque Navarro , which similarly sports a charmingly local vibe amidst this neighborhood that’s better known for its upscale restaurants.

If you’re either a foodie who wants to explore Ecuadorian cuisine further or simply hesitant to approach unfamiliar street foods on your own, then definitely consider taking this Quito Food Tour . It’s a deal at only $25, including lots of nibbles. But it’s only offered on Friday nights.

12) Stumble onto a Quito Craft Beer Pub Crawl

There’s no better way to wash down Quito’s street food than the city’s delicious craft beer. Quito’s craft beer scene is exploding right now and there are great microbreweries scattered all throughout the capital. In traveling extensively in Ecuador, we can definitively say that Quito has the best craft beers and the most brewpubs anywhere in the country.

This makes for a fantastic opportunity to go on a craft beer pub-crawl in Quito. It’s possible to create your pub crawl or leave it to the professionals by joining an organized Quito Craft Beer Tour. Both options are a blast for any beer-lovers traveling to Quito.

Quito Craft Beer Tour

For an easy and fun way to discover the best craft beer places in Quito, book this Quito Craft Beer Tour . A designated driver conveniently takes drinkers around to three notable Quito brewpubs. The modest $44 price not only includes the transportation, but also beer at each brewery and a liquid welcome gift! Besides the convenience of a driver, guests also learn a lot about the flourishing Quito craft beer scene and potentially meet some of the brewers. Check the availability calendar and recent reviews here .

A DIY Craft Beer Pub Crawl

Or form a craft beer pub crawl of your own. Some Quito brewpubs are within close proximity of each other to walk. Uber and taxis make it easy getting to further-flung microbreweries. All in the name of research, we visited over a dozen craft breweries in Quito. Below are some of the favorites that we recommend, with happy hours noted to save you a few bucks while sampling Quito’s finest brews!

Best Quito Craft Breweries in Old Town :

🍺  Bandido Brewing is our favorite brewpub in Quito Old Town. During the weekday 4-7 happy hour pints are $3. 🍺  Santa Rosa Cerverza  recently opened this second location to now offer Old Town some of the best beers in Quito. 🍺 La Oficina brews up their own San Blas beers, which are decent and very well-priced. $4 pints drop to $2 during their generous 5:00-7:00 happy hour.

Best Quito Craft Breweries in New Town :

🍺 ABYSMO Brew Pub  has some high-quality brews in Quito. Great IPAs, but it’s the bourbon stout that is the best of its kind in Ecuador. Half-liters $5.50-$6.50. 🍺 Santa Rosa Cerverza Artesanal Bar  arguably has some of the best craft beer in Quito. The IPAs are excellent, particularly the Dark IPA. Pints: ~$6. A Tuesday-only happy hour drops select taps to $3.50 from 4:00-8:00. 🍺  Bandidos del Paramo :  This Quito brewpub is a taproom collaboration of two established Quito craft breweries: Bandidos and Paramo. Happy hour is 3×2 beers until 8:00. Now with two locations (1) Plaza Foch and (2) Whymper. 🍺 3 Monjes : La Floresta staple with some particularly strong and tasty brews. $5.50 half-liters.

Honorable Mentions in New Town

🍺  Cherusker Cerveceria : Cherusker goes for a German flair and it’s their German styles that shine the brightest. We recommend the Bavaria Wheat Beer. 5 beers on tap. $3.50-$3.90 per pint. 🍺  Indie Beer Company : 6 beers on tap (2 of their own, 4 guest taps.) $4.50 per pint, or 2 for $6. Pleasant atmosphere with okay beer. 🍺 Cervecería Camino del Sol : This is a fairly common craft beer brand in Ecuador and their Plaza Foch brewpub makes a convenient location. 5 beers on tap. $4.90 per half-liter. The beer is decent and the label artwork is awesome.

13) Admire La Floresta’s Street Art

La Floresta is a trendy Quito neighborhood in New Town with with historic hacienda-style houses that help to define this Quito enclave. There’s some great restaurants here too. Yet it’s the flourishing street art scene that’s really beginning to make La Floresta stand out.

Dozens of intricate murals and tasteful graffiti can be found all throughout the La Floresta neighborhood. It can be like walking through an outdoor art museum! But to see the best works, you must know where to look.

Thankfully there’s a great street art walking tour of La Floresta. The free (tip-based) walking tour hits all the most notable places in La Floresta, led by a passionate and knowledgable street artist. While street art is the focus of this La Floresta tour, it also takes in some of the neighborhood’s best viewpoints, a visit to an artist’s workshop, markets, and more.

This La Floresta waking tour makes an interesting exploration to discover a different side of Quito.

14) Join Quito’s Sunday Bike Ride: Quito Ciclopaseo

Every Sunday morning beginning at 8:00 am, a 30-kilometer stretch of Quito’s streets are closed off to vehicular traffic so that cyclists can enjoy a car-free ride around Quito. It’s a fantastic way to mix with locals and cover a lot of ground across Quito.

The Ciclopaseo has an interesting route that meanders from highways in New Town to the cobblestone streets of Old Town and even passes right through a few of Quito’s parks!

Many places in the city tend to be closed on Sunday. So the Ciclopaseo can be one of the best things to do in Quito on Sundays. Take to two wheels and explore Quito from behind the handlebars!

Here’s a glimpse into what that’s like.

15) Tour the Government Palace and Meet the President of Ecuador

How cool is this! Every Monday in Quito, there is a big changing of the guard ceremony outside of the Presidential Palace, also known as Carondelet Palace. During this procession, it’s a weekly tradition for the president to come out and wave to the crowd gathering on Plaza Grande down below.

It’s all quite the pomp and circumstance! A marching band parades through. Guards on horses have a choreographed moment. And then everyone in the plaza gets a chance to wave to the President of Ecuador.

If in Quito on a Monday, it’s highly recommended to squeeze this procession into your Quito itinerary. Greeting the President may be one of the most unique free things to do in Quito. Occasionally the president misses the weekly tradition, but the changing of the guards still takes place, regardless of his attendance or not. It all goes down in Plaza Grande every Monday at 11:00 am.

⚠️ Important tip : Be extra vigilant of pickpockets as the plaza gets crowded during the ceremony and many become distracted while sneaky pickpockets are out in force.

It’s also possible to tour Quito’s presidential palace! This is an interesting opportunity to be able to tour the Ecuadorian equivalent of the White House. And it’s yet another free thing to do in Quito. The grand tour can take up to two hours, visiting the stately interior of offices, banquet rooms, courtyards, and the balcony. Note, there is no longer a ticketing system as there once was. Now advanced reservations are required. Info below.

Best Quito Day Trips & Excursions

Perhaps one of Quito’s best attributes is its Andean location. This lends itself to so many awesome Quito day trips & excursions throughout the region. We attempted to explore the surrounding mountains at length so that we can give you our recommendations for the best Quito day trips.

Although each of these suggestions can most certainly be accomplished by day trips, those who have time should consider doing some of them as overnight excursions. You’ll get a chance to explore each place deeper. That said, each can still be accomplished on a day trip from Quito.

16) Go to the Mindo Cloud Forest for Birding and Adventure

The Mindo Cloud Forest is a fascinating environment located less than a two-hour drive from Quito. This cloud forest is similar to a rainforest. But the elevation and nearly constant low-lying cloud cover is what makes Mindo a cloud forest instead. People come to Mindo from all over the world for its biodiversity that boasts over 500 bird species!

Yet Mindo is highly recommended not only for its nature and birding, but also for adventure!

In Mindo, there are many recreation pursuits. Common outdoor activities in Mindo include hiking , canyoning , repelling down waterfalls , zip lining , hand-pull cable cars , rope bridges, and river tubing .

Additionally, Mindo may have some of the best value adventure activities we’ve seen anywhere in the world! To give an example, zip-lining starts at $10 for a half-course run through the cloud forest and tube rafting is $6!

In addition to the many adventures in Mindo, there’s also a worthwhile butterfly garden ($7.50), a chocolate factory   ($10), and quaint riverside cafes to relax at over a beer.

While it is possible to visit Mindo as a day trip, those who enjoy outdoor adventure should consider a minimum of staying one night. Personally, Mindo is one of our favorite places in Ecuador. If you also enjoy nature and adventure, then be sure to read our separate travel guide that details the: 10 Best Things To Do in Mindo Cloud Forest . And check out all the video highlights below:

17) Cotopaxi Day Trip: Hike Toward the Snowy Summit of an Active Volcano

A day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi is a must-do excursion for any travelers who enjoy adventure. This glacier-capped beauty is one of the tallest active volcanoes in the world and is the 2nd highest point in Ecuador . The summit is 5,897 meters (that’s an elevation of about 3.6 miles high)!

To reach the summit of Cotopaxi, it takes a grueling overnight ascent that is occasionally off-limits due to heightened volcanic activity. But during Cotopaxi day trips from Quito, it’s possible to trek as far up as base camp at an elevation of 4,864 meters! The journey begins after breakfast with a drive through the clouds and up the side of Cotopaxi. Wild horses can often be spotted in this area of Cotopaxi National Park.

The dirt road eventually ends and that’s when the hiking begins. It’s a steep yet short trek, a bit more than 1 km. But the lower oxygen levels at this altitude make it a more difficult trek up the volcanic terrain. Depending on weather conditions at the time, there’s a chance of snow towards the Cotopaxi base camp. It’s there that hikers can warm up with some hot chocolate or try the coca tea to help combat any potential altitude sickness.

Yet perhaps the most thrilling part of the Cotopaxi day tour is the descent! For those who have opted to take a Cotopaxi day tour, mountain bikes provide a bumpy ride down the side of this active volcano! It’s awesome, and the entire experience makes for one of the best Quito day trips.

❌🚕 Quito to Cotopaxi Taxi: It’s possible to find a taxi willing to drive to Cotopaxi for the day. Expect to pay ~$100 for the return trip. But without 4-wheel drive, the taxi likely won’t be able, or willing, to drive towards the top of Cotopaxi for the trek to base camp.

🚂 Quito to Cotopaxi Train:  There is a tourist train that runs from Quito to Cotopaxi. But it doesn’t let passengers off to hike up Cotopaxi. Instead, the train is more of a relaxing day that only goes near the base of the volcano for a short walk. Best for those not wanting to trek. Be forewarned the train only goes to view Cotopaxi, which may be obscured by clouds. The $39 trip runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, by Tren Ecuador .

✅🚐 Cotopaxi Day Tours:  A Cotopaxi Day tour is the best option for adventure travelers. It’s convenient, good value, and the hike-and-bike tour makes a great combo. Here are three options:

18) Take a Laguna Quilotoa Day Trip to this Scenic Crater Lake

A day trip to Laguna Quilotoa Crater is a very popular and worthwhile thing to do from Quito. This former volcano collapsed from an eruption that is estimated to have occurred about 600 years ago. Now the remaining crater lays filled with water, transformed as a deep crater lake. And it’s an awe-inspiring sight.

Pictures don’t even really do it justice. Quilotoa is simply one of those places that you have to see in person. It’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

There are some great views from the Quilotoa Crater rim. But it’s a fun hike down the steep path to the bottom. Along the way, there’s an awesome swing that flies over the edge of the crater. Amazing!

Once at the bottom of Laguna Quilotoa, there’s a chance to kayak around the crater lake ($2.50). It’s then a tough hike back up to the top. For those who don’t quite have the energy, some men with some mules are happy to offer their services.

While going to Laguna Quilotoa does make a good day trip from Quito, it’s also possible to pursue an awesome 3-day trek in around the crater and through Andean farming villages, with great hostel stays and filling meals. This is known as the Quilotoa Loop. It’s one of our favorite treks in South America.

For more info on that, see our separate post: How To Trek the Quilotoa Loop the Cheap & Easy Way .

🚐 Laguna Quilotoa Crater Day Trip from Quito : It’s recommended to travel to Quilotoa as part of a day tour from Quito. This makes for a long day but the impressive crater is so worth the journey. Most day trips help break apart the long drive by stopping at a local market or historic church on the way to Quilotoa. On the return, detours are made to a local home and Cañon del Rio Toachi. The Laguna Quilotoa day tours are good value, starting at $45 and some include lunch. Here’s where to book:

19) Day Trip from Quito to Otavalo for Crafts and Crater Lake

Otavalo is home to Ecuador’s most famous local market, which is one of the largest and most renown markets in all of South America. We recommend an Otavalo day trip for anyone who enjoys shopping for local crafts, as you’ll find the best craft shopping in all of Ecuador here.

The Otavalo market tradition goes back hundreds of years all the way to pre-Incan times. The craft market is a particular highlight with so many colorful items on display. This famous Otavalo market really expands on Saturdays, and to a lesser extent, on Wednesdays.

On Saturday the market sprawls out across dozens of blocks of Otavalo’s streets. The market runs from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Although we notice people begin to start packing up after 4:00 pm. While Saturday and Wednesday are best, it is possible to visit the craft market any day of the week.

On Saturdays, there’s also an animal market. It may seem like a novelty, but we suggest passing on that. There’s really not much to it, other than disturbing animal conditions.

More things to do around Otavalo

There’s an impressive condor rehabilitation center, Parque Condor , which can be reached by taxi from Otavalo for $4. Near there is a beautiful waterfall, Waterfall Peguche , accessible by a short hike.  Also nearby are many stunning Andean lakes, such as Laguna Cuicocha (below).

It’s so worth it to take a day tour to Otavalo since they easily include stops at many additional locations. Due to timing and connections, it would be impossible to visit them all on your own during a single day. The highlight of a day tour in the Otavalo area is the stunning crater lake known as Laguna Cuicocha ! If going to Otavalo, ensure this is a stop on your day tour.

20) Lagunas de Mojanda is a Hiking Utopia on a Clear Day

This area just outside of Otavalo is a hiker’s paradise on a clear day. What looks like picturesque green foothills are actually high-altitude alpine volcanoes! In between them, scenic crater lakes abound. It can be a magical place to visit when the weather cooperates.

There are dozens of treks to pursue at Lagunas de Mojanda, but the summit of Fuya Fuya is the most popular. It’s a great (and steep) hike to the summit of Fuya Fuya (4,263 meters) that offers some specular views of the lakes below and the many volcanoes that surround. 💡 Pro tip: pack some cardboard to slide down this volcano on the descent!

While it may be among the most beautiful places in the region, it does take a bit more effort to reach from Quito than the aforementioned day trip suggestions. Unfortunately there are no organized day tours go to Lagunas de Mojanda.

🚌 Quito to Lagunas de Mojanda bus + taxi : It’s not possible to get all the way Lagunas de Mojanda by bus. It can be accessed from Otavalo (see bus directions in Otavalo section above). From Otavalo, it’s a $15 taxi to Lagunas de Mojanda, each way. Consider paying the taxi to wait or to return (particularly so on a weekday), as taxis are not frequent here.

Quito Ecuador: Travel Tips

Before pursuing all the fun things to do in Quito, there are other logistics and travel tips to be aware of. We’ve scouted out the cheapest flights to get to Quito, the best places to stay in Quito, and important travel tips you need to know.

Getting to Quito Ecuador & Inexpensive Flight Routes

🇺🇸 Flights from  US to Quito

There are many flight routes from US to Quito. Direct flights can be found from Atlanta, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

The best-priced airfares from the US to Quito are typically found from Florida; either Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Each of those locations regularly have airfare to Quito under $250 each way.

To secure and inexpensive fare, try to book at least three weeks in advance. There’s a nonstop JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale to Quito that we’ve even seen priced less than $100 each way !

Other flights from the US to Quito can cost upwards of $1,000. So i t’s worth considering booking a separate flight to Florida first in order to save several hundred dollars in airfare. New York City also tends to have competitive rates to Quito, with a layover is involved.

We’ve found the best rates from US to Quito by searching Skyscanner .

🇪🇺 Flights from Europe to Quito

Direct flights from Europe to Quito exist from Paris, Amsterdam, and Madrid.

Yet the most inexpensive ticket from Europe to Quito tends to be through Spain. As of 2o2o, we’ve regularly seen direct flights between Madrid and Quito listed around $330, one-way .

So if flying from Europe, it can be worth considering flying to Madrid first, then onward to Quito. Elsewhere in Europe, you may be spending well upwards of $1,500 on a round-trip ticket to Quito. You can flights these cheap flights from Madrid to Quito using three different airlines that serve this route: Iberia, Air Europa, and Plus Ultra Lineas Aereas.

Again, we’ve found the best rates from Europe to Quito by searching Skyscanner

Where to Stay in Quito Ecuador

Although it’s a very large city, there are two main areas most Quito visitors stay in:

• New Town: La Mariscal & La Floresta

So which should you choose? It’s a tough call and there’s no right answer. Yet we’d suggest a stay in Old Town, particularly so for shorter stays. In Old Town, you’ll be right in the heart Quito’s historic center to more easily experience some of the capital’s cultural highlights, just outside your doorstep.

Yet for those who are in Quito for a longer stay, New Town may prove a better option. New Town enjoys a location with more modern conveniences. There are lots of restaurants, malls, supermarkets, and bars. There’s also more of a nightlife scene around Plaza Foch compared to Old Town. So those looking to party may also be better situated in New Town. And it can be a bit safer at night.

Either way, it really doesn’t make too much of a difference, as these two locations are only separated by a few stops on the Ecovia or a $2-$3 Uber/taxi.

Hostels in Quito Are Best for Solo Travelers ⭐

Great Deals for Private Budget Rooms in Quito ⭐⭐

You can actually find some very decent private rooms in Quito for under $20 per night! They may be fairly basic, but they’re clean & comfy crash pads. 🏨 Hotel Yumbo Imperial : You can’t beat the location, smack in the middle of the historic center just two blocks form Plaza Grande. Hotel Yumbo boasts small but colorful rooms, at an incredible bargain, with a great location. 🏨 Hotel Margarita 2 : This hotel has very nice rooms for under $20 price. Thus, it may be one of the best values in Quito that includes private bathrooms (rather than shared). It’s next to a park and only about a 10-minute walk to the historic center. 🏨 L’Auberge Inn :  While not located in Mariscal nor in the historic center, the hotel’s location in between the two, making either area accessible. With great reviews and a great value, this is certainly a place to consider staying in Quito.

Excellent Value Quito Hotels ⭐⭐⭐

There are a few 3 & 4-star hotels with excellent reviews, yet with prices at only around $50 per night! Both of the steals even include breakfast, and can be found in La Mariscal, close to Plaza Foch: 🏨 Embassy Quito : This must be the most modern and stylish hotel you can find in Quito for under $50 and includes breakfast. 🏨 Sierra Madre :  This is another great option near Plaza Foch, with breakfast, and rooms under $50 per night.

Enjoy Luxury for Less ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For a little luxury, Quito has some fantastic value 5-star hotels to consider. Each of these can be booked for around $100 per night, which is a steal for the high-quality accommodation they deliver. Even if it’s out of your price range, just take a look at some of these elegant properties in Quito. 🏨 Casa San Marcos Hotel Boutique : If looking for a classy place in Quito Old Town that retains the area’s historic charm, look no further. This boutique hotel offers all the modern conveniences amongst gorgeous antiques and old-world charm. This intimate space boasts an excellent location in Old Town. If we were to splurge in Quito, this would be our #1 choice. 🏨 GHL Hotel Le Parc : Add some elegance to your stay in Quito with this swanky hotel in the financial district right next to Parque Carolina. 🏨 NH Collection Royal Quito :  This modern hotel is all class in the trendy La Floresta neighborhood.

For Long-Term Stays in Quito: Airbnb 🏢

For longer stays in Quito, Airbnb can be a great option to have the conveniences of a kitchen, laundry, etc. There are plenty of Airbnb throughout the city. We stayed in a modern one-bedroom furnished Airbnb apartment for as low as $400 for the month (28 days) including utilities. $600/month can be a good price range to shoot for in a centrally located area.

Of course, shorter stays are possible too. But we find that quick stays in Quito can be better served by a hotel or hostel, which are similarly inexpensive. If interested in Airbnb and have never used it before, feel free to use our referral link to save up to $40+ on your first Airbnb booking .

More Quito Travel Tips:

🌩️  don’t check the weather in quito.

Seriously, don’t bother. It’s usually wrong. The weather in Quito is very unpredictable. The forecasted temperatures can be somewhat trusted. But Quito’s sun/cloud/rain forecasts have proven to be consistently wrong.

☔  Always bring a rain jacket with you

Or a compact travel umbrella like this . Weather changes in an instant in Quito. A beautiful sunny day can turn into a torrential downpour with almost no transition. Always take a rain jacket or umbrella with you even if it appears to be a bright sunshiny day. June through August are the driest months in Quito. But it still rains then too.

🍽️  Get to know the “almuerzos”

The Spanish word for lunch is almuerzo . But in Quito, it takes on a slightly different meaning. Restaurants offering almuerzos are generally dishing out a set 3-course set menu of soup, a main w/ sides, dessert, and juice.

Almuerzo prices typically range $2.00-$3.50, so they are great options for budget travelers to eat amongst the local crowd in Quito. The incredible values are very common. Simply look for the sandwich boards or a handwritten sign outside of restaurants during lunchtime.

⛰️  Beware of Quito’s altitude

Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world, with an altitude of 3,000 meters. That’s about two miles high!  Altitude sickness can occur at altitudes higher than 2,400 meters. Quito is 600 meters beyond that.

Some people visiting Quito from sea level experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Allow a few days to acclimatize before pursuing physical activities like hiking Cotopaxi and Quilotoa.

For those who are particularly prone to altitude sickness, consider taking this natural medication . It’s well worth it, as evidence from these great reviews it gets on Amazon . Avoid that throbbing headache and instead enjoy your trip to Quito!

☀️  Use lots of sunscreen.

In Quito, visitors are hit with a double-whammy of the equatorial sun and altitude. The sun in Quito is no joke. Visitors manage to get burned even on cloudy days.

Pack sunscreen with you. It tends to be much more expensive in Quito compared to US prices. Use at least SPF 50. We like this Banana Boat sunscreen that Amazon sells at a good price.

🚱 Don’t drink the water in Quito

The tap water in Quito is regarded as generally not safe to drink. Use bottled water only.

Also, consider traveling with this compact LifeStraw . We have one and it really came in handy a few times when we realized we were out of bottled water at night after all the stores were closed.

💸 Cash is king

Ecuador uses the US dollar as its currency. While some businesses in Quito do accept credit card, most don’t. Some places that do accept credit cards may add a fee. ATMs are frequent, so it’s best to use those and have cash.

💵  Use small bills

Most businesses generally won’t accept $50 or $100 bills. Come with small change as you’ll otherwise have a very difficult time breaking a hundo spot. Even twenties can sometimes be tough to break. Carry small change if possible.

🆔  Carry your ID

It’s not only the law. Bars often ask to see your ID upon entry (even when you’re clearly of age). It is almost always required if you do make any credit card purchases. Some of Quito’s free attractions, such as museums, also require an ID upon entry.

🚇  Reconsider public transportation for short trips

We’re often advocates of public transportation as a cost-effective and more ecological means of transport. But in Quito, we often noticed the $0.25 Ecovia, Troles, and buses can become packed to the point that you can barely breathe. With all the people up against you and further threats of pickpockets, you may want to reconsider taking the $0.25 ride during busy times.

It can be worth it to spend a few extra quarters to take an Uber or taxi, which both have reasonable rates. Traveling a few kilometers across town is typically less than $2.

🚕  Use the meter for taxis in Quito.

Often a taxi driver will turn on his meter upon you entering the cab. If he does, go with it. It’s a good rate. If not, be sure to negotiate a price immediately or you could end up paying more than expected.

🚗 Better yet, Uber in Quito .

We found Uber rates tend to be about the same, or slightly cheaper than a taxi. Ubers in Quito are safe and reliable.

Uber is also a good option for non-Spanish speakers. The destination is input into the app, so there’s no need to explain directions.

As long as you have an international data connection, the same Uber app you use at home works in Quito.

👛  Watch out for pickpockets.

Keep very vigilant, particularly in crowded places frequented by tourists. We found Quito to be safe overall. But there is a real threat of pickpockets in touristic areas. This holds particularly true in Old Town and in crowded public transport.

Be very mindful if someone seems to be innocently bumping into you. Keep belongings close in these instances.

 ⚠️  Important: Be Sure to Have Travel Insurance in Quito.

You never know what could go wrong during a trip to Quito, from a minor incident like lost luggage or flight cancelation to a major disaster like an earthquake or a car accident. Travel insurance will not only come to your rescue. It will also cover those unexpected costs.

Whether you sprain an ankle while hiking Cotopaxi or become a pickpocketing victim in Plaza Grande, don’t let something like this ruin your trip to Quito. We always use travel insurance while roaming around Ecuador and recommend it. We like World Nomads , which has what we’ve found to have the best price and coverage combination (particularly for longer trips).  Enter the dates for your trip  to get a quick estimate.

💼  What to Pack for Quito

Pack for Quito as you would for any cool-weather destination. We recommend plenty of activewear and sun protection. Also, be sure to pack comfortable shoes for all the walking you’ll undoubtedly be doing. It’s wise to pack either a travel umbrella or a rain jacket too.

Of course, pack all of your regular travel gear that you’d pack for any international trip. Don’t forget the camera and your passport! Check out our Ultimate Travel Packing List for all our packing tips and travel gear ideas, which we wrote while based in Quito.

Traveling to Quito Ecuador?

We hope this Quito travel guide has helped to show what we’ve found are the best things to do in Quito. If you’ve used this guide to help plan a trip to Quito, please let us know in the comments. We always love to hear from people who may have stumbled across our posts.

Or if you have any questions while planning a trip to Quito, feel free to ask and we’ll try to answer. Finally, if you’ve been to Quito and have your own favorite thing to do in Quito, let us know so we can check it out next time.

And there will be a next time. Quito is way too fun not to return!

Lastly, if this post has helped you, please consider sticking with us to continue receiving travel tips and inspiration! Join thousands of other savvy travelers on our Facebook and/or Instagram to get more awesome travel ideas into your social feeds!

Where to Next in Ecuador?

If you found this Quito Travel Guide helpful, then you may be interested in other travel guides we’ve published about Ecuador.

 🇪🇨 For the most comprehensive round-up on traveling Ecuador, be sure to check out our article that sums up the best experiences and where to go.

Read : 20 Best Things to Do in Ecuador & Interesting Places to Visit

🐢 Did you know that you don’t have to take a pricey Galapagos tour? You can actually visit the Galapagos independently for cheap! This post reveals exactly how it’s possible.

Read :  How To Afford the Best of the Galapagos: Budget Travel Tips

⛪ Cuenca is Ecuador’s colonial gem and is another one of the country’s Unesco World Heritage Sites. It’s nicknamed the Athens of Ecuador for its historic center and being a cultural hub. Yet adventure abounds in the Andes that surround and our latest guide spills all the details.

Read: 20 Best Things To Do in Cuenca Ecuador: Travel Guide

🎡  Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city. In comparison to Quito, it’s so different. Guayaquil is near the coast with a warm and tropical vibe. There’s lots to do in Guayaquil to consider a stopover of a few days.

Read :  15 Best Things To Do in Guayaquil Ecuador: Travel Guide

🚣 We weren’t sure if it was possible to travel by boat from Ecuador to reach the Amazon River . So we set off on a rural adventure to find out. Read our tale to see how.

Read :  How to Travel the Napo River by Boat from Coca to Iquitos

🏔️ Riobamba  is a 3-4 hour bus ride from Quito further into the Andes. This city sits at the base of Ecuador’s tallest mountain , Chimborazo, and hence is an awesome gateway to numerous adventures that about in the area.

Read : Riobamba Travel Guide: Best Adventures & Things to Do

Publishing note: This article about the Best Things To Do in Quito is continually updated to best reflect the latest and up-to-date info. Last updated January 29, 2020.

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January 19, 2023 at 1:26 AM

Am about to embark on a trip to Quito and the Galapagos. Thanks for all the helpful information. Have taken note and altered my itinerary. On a Trip Advisor site I saw that there was a Hop On Hop Off bus in Quito but I have not seen mention of this anywhere else. Can you confirm if this still operating? Someone mentioned that it was called Wanderbus?

February 7, 2023 at 12:00 PM

Wanderbus is a bus transportation option that makes multiday trips across Ecuador, allowing passengers to hop-on and off at various destinations across the country. If you’re looking for a hop-on-hop-off tour of Quito, there is a 2.5-hr double-decker bus tour of Quito but the ability to hop-on/off is limited. For a thorough tour of Quito, we instead recommend the Original 1914 Trolley Tour .

November 25, 2022 at 9:07 PM

This is very detailed! Bravo! I love your little blue boxes with tips and specifics on each activity. This page was easy to navigate and had a lot of really good information. Having been to Quito myself, and enjoyed many of the same things, I can only say well done, and I agree!!

October 30, 2021 at 2:54 AM

Thank you so much for this very detailed blog. It is absolutely EXCELLENT. The best of any destination guide I have seen for any city! Keep up the great work.

We are looking forward to our visit in Jan. 2021

November 4, 2020 at 12:18 AM

We plan to trip to Ecuador. This post help a lot. Thank you for the post.

August 3, 2020 at 3:33 PM

Love your info. Need more guides like this.

February 23, 2020 at 7:03 PM

Just wanted to thank you for all the great info. I will be in Quito for 10 days in June for my 60th birthday. I have reserved a room at the Community Hostel and will be booking my trips through them. I loved all your links and videos. Job well done, thanks again.

February 26, 2020 at 2:58 PM

So great to hear – hope you have a fantastic trip! 🙂

December 20, 2019 at 1:26 PM

Wow, great information on this site! Thanks so much for taking time to write and update it. I have one question about the Sunday bike days – do we have to rent bikes to go on the roads or can we get them elsewhere? I’m planning to do the free city bike program with biciquito, so wondering if I can just use one of these. Thanks!

December 20, 2019 at 4:08 PM

So glad you found it helpful! 🙂 The Sunday bike ride is open to everyone regardless of where you get the bike from. Most people that do the bike ride are local to Quito, so just bring their own bikes. You bring grab a bike from wherever to join in the fun. I’d imagine the Biciquito bikes should work just fine, so long as you completed their registration process. Have a great trip!

August 15, 2019 at 7:01 AM

This article was SO HELPFUL!! Thank you 🙂

One question: as we won’t be in Quito on a Saturday or Wednesday but wanted to do a combined day tour of equator and Otavalo – do you know if the two can be done on public transport? i.e. is there a bus connecting the two?

Also, do you happen to have restaurant recommendations apart from the amazing markets?

August 20, 2019 at 11:49 AM

It could be possible, but time would be tight. The main equator monument, Mitad del Mundo, is located on a different highway than the road to Otavalo. They’re both accessed from the North side of Quito, so that may help. If trying to squeeze them both into one day, I’d suggest going to Otavalo first, early in the morning, then hitting the equator monuments if you have time once you return. From Terminal Carcelen, it’s about a 2-hour bus ride each way to Otavalo. Once you return back to Quito, if you still have time before it closes (6pm), then you could take a taxi/Uber from the terminal directly to the equator monument. Depending on traffic, it could take up to 30 minutes and cost $5-$8 to Uber from Carcelen to Mitad del Mundo. Also, just note that the Otavalo market isn’t as big on days other than Wed and Sat. Have a great trip!

August 5, 2019 at 10:27 PM

Thank you for this guide! I really like and appreciate the details and organization of information. We referred to it a few times during our one week stay in Quito, and it was very helpful. There were a couple of things that were different than what was described here, not sure if it was just our luck or maybe some things have changed since your last update. I’ll just mention them here in case it’s helpful for other travelers, feel free to fact-check them and reply if it’s not generally true (and just our random experience). 1) Bus to Mitad del Mundo: There is actually a direct bus that’s not too hard to get to from the Centro Historico, which doesn’t require the transfer at Ofelia and was pretty easy. We boarded at the El Tejar bus stop (although I imagine there are other stops along the route that people could get to), which was about a 15 min walk from Plaza Grande, along Meijia until it turns into El Tejar (rough coordinates here: -0.214157, -78.51636). It’s not the bus stop at the island in the middle, just the one on the closer side if you’re walking along Meijia from Plaza Grande and the bus companies are called Transporte Mitad del Mundo. The ones to Mitad del Mundo will have a yellow sign saying “Mitad del Mundo” or “Ciudad del Mundo” in front. It costs $0.40. We heard it runs every 30 mins or so, although we waited no more than 5 mins so we can’t verify that. 2) Guard Change: We were told by our walking tour guide that this happens 8am most Mondays, except the first Monday of the month, when it’s at 11am. Since we were here the first Monday, it was at 11am as you mentioned, so we can’t verify the other time mentioned by our guide, but maybe it’s worth looking into to confirm. 3) Bike rental for Ciclopaseo: We actually didn’t find any bike rentals at Plaza Grande and were told by the Tourist Info Office that there aren’t any in the Centro Historico (unless you made some sort of advance reservation or something). We were instructed to go to La Mariscal, where we also didn’t see many bike rentals on Av. Amazonas until we reached La Carolina Parque area, where we saw a few, but not as many as we expected. If we were to do it again, we would probably plan ahead and reserve bikes since it didn’t seem as easy to just walk around and get one the day of. 4) Not quite mentioned in your Quito guide but rather in your Galapagos post, we actually did find snorkel sets in Quito and they weren’t so expensive (not $60+). We found many in the ‘Casas de Deportes’ sports stores around the Centro Historico, many near the Santo Domingo bus stop/plaza, although we’ve seen some more stores elsewhere as well. They ranged from $10-35. Probably cheap unknown brands so we can’t vouch for the quality though. We already bought ours in Costa Rica as we thought we couldn’t find any cheap ones in Quito and we are traveling for a while so we can’t get them from the U.S. shipped to us. There was an ‘Aquatek’ brand one in Quito for $35, though we got the same thing in Costa Rica for about $30. 5) We found the bus travel in Quito to be relatively safe, not that uncomfortable (we only had a crowded bus a couple of times and most other times we could find a seat), very economical for budget/backpack travelers (.25 for most buses), and definitely more ecological than taking cars around all the time. We understand of course that many of your readers are probably coming straight from North America/Europe for only a short vacation so maybe Uber/taxi is just easier to deal with and much cheaper than back home, but we would like to advocate for buses a little because it’s much more environmentally friendly (less carbon footprint per passenger). Quito even has some electric buses, and the Trole bus/Ecovia stops are very established. Google Maps has pretty good transit information on Quito, and we used it to get around with no problem. The only thing that was confusing on Google Maps is that they use numbers for routes that aren’t really displayed on the buses (e.g. Google will show bus 112 or 78 but the buses will not have these signs), so it’s easier to go by the destination (e.g. if Google says Rio Cuca, then just watch for the label that says Rio Cuca on the bus windshields).

Anyway, sorry for the long comment. We really found your guide super helpful and just wanted to share a little of our experience in case it’s helpful for others too. Now we’re headed to Galapagos next and will be looking at your post as well 🙂

August 6, 2019 at 8:08 PM

Am glad to hear this was helpful! Thanks so much for taking the time for your thoughtful response and feedback. Pointing out differences you noticed will surely help other travelers and we’ll definitely make some upcoming edits to this post to reflect this.

1) Thanks so much for the added info about the direct bus to Mitad del Mundo. Great to hear about not having to do the transfer. And your details are awesome. Will incorporate this info into the directions when we make a quick update to this post again soon. 2) The guard change has been at 11:00, every Monday in the past. Thanks for the heads-up about a potential 8am change. Will research this a bit further to confirm if it’s changed other than the first Monday at 11:00. Glad you were still able to catch it! 🙂 3) The bike rentals on Av Rio Amazonas alongside Parque Carolina are probably more abundant. That’s actually where we always go to rent them. Yet when we were last in Quito a few months ago, there were bikes still available at Plaza Grande, even at mid-day. Perhaps the demand for bikes is much greater at the Plaza though and they get scooped up in advance. I’ll soon edit this to suggest going to Parque Carolina as more of a sure thing to actually get a bike. 4) Glad to hear that there are some cheap-er masks around somewhere in Quito. Due to taxation, all the imported masks, and any merch really (cars, electronics, everything) are all so much more expensive than if purchased back in North America, or even across the border in Colombia. We’ve only encountered very high prices for masks, among the sporting goods stores throughout EC. Other travelers have been surprised by this in what is otherwise an economical country to travel in. So we like to advise packing a mask to avoid the potential of overpaying once in EC. In Galapagos, we’ve seen mask & snorkel sets being sold closer to $100 (yikes!) 5) The public transport is certainly worth considering, particularly for the more environmentally-friendly mode of transportation you mention on Quito’s sometimes heavily trafficked roadways. It’s really such a responsible move to make as a traveler and we totally applaud that. Yet we have found the Ecovia, in particular, to get regularly packed with everyone pressed up against each other and we’ve even had friends living in Quito who’ve gotten pickpocketed in those conditions. So it’s tough to fully recommend. Perhaps it’s best for more seasoned travelers and when it’s not overly crowded. I’ll change that tip to reflect not ignoring the public transport entirely.

Anyhow, thanks again so much for all the feedback. I really like to keep these guides up-to-date, based on reader feedback and changing conditions. Most people rarely take the time to stop back by after their trip to note any differences or changes. So this is all so helpful to us! Muchas gracias! 🙂 Hope you have an excellent time exploring all the magic of the Galapagos that awaits you!

June 14, 2019 at 1:54 PM

Felicito por esta guia muy completa y fácil de utilizar. Recomiendo siempre a mis pasajeros Arbnb que la visiten y así aprovechen mejor su estadía en Quito. Solo una observación, requiere actualizar la foto de Visita al Presidente.

June 19, 2019 at 7:58 PM

Nos alegra saber que el artículo está completo y es fácil de seguir. Lamento haber usado la foto de cuando vimos a Correa en el palacio hace años. Tendremos que volver para capturar una foto del presidente Moreno. Tales cambios pueden ser difíciles de mantener actualizados.

March 22, 2019 at 10:40 AM

Truly an amazing guide- muchísimas gracias!! I just arrived to Quito this morning and will be using this guide as a bible to all things cool in Quito! I’m definitely booking my hostel and Mitad del Mundo tour through your guide/site. Thanks again for such an easy and detailed guide!!

March 22, 2019 at 7:38 PM

Welcome to Quito! 🙂 It’s so great to hear this because we actually just spent the past few days giving this post a major update, after having just returned to Quito ourselves earlier this month. So it’s nice to know this fresh info is getting out there. Have an awesome trip to Quito and Ecuador!

March 21, 2019 at 6:02 PM

I’m so glad I found your post just before we went to Quito on March 3! I literally wrote down my list of things to do (and eat!) from this post, and everything was right on! Especially appreciated were the notes on taxi prices and approximate distances/drive times to sights.

Thanks so much for all the time it took to put this together. Lisa

March 22, 2019 at 7:30 PM

So glad to hear this proved helpful! Thanks for taking the time to stop back by our blog to let us know. Always encouraging feedback to hear. 🙂 Hope you had a great time in Quito!

March 19, 2019 at 9:58 PM

Hi, Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive guide. Heading to Quito for a few days in coming months and this guide really helps us choose how to best spend that time. Any packing tips? –seems long pants and sleeves and a fleece would be wise…Cheers!

March 21, 2019 at 4:09 PM

De nada! 🙂 So glad to hear this has been helpful. In the last day or two, we actually just did a big major update to this guide for 2019. It’s largely the same recommendations, but some logistics had changed and a few new things in Quito we discovered had popped up. Regarding packing, yes definitely long pants and long sleeves. Some days it gets warm enough for short sleeves. But it tends to cool off quickly at night. Fleece would be ideal. No need for a thick winter jacket or anything. And be sure to pack stuff for the sun and the rain. Hope you have a great trip to Quito!

February 18, 2019 at 12:23 PM

I have literally refered back to this article throughout my entire 10 days in Quito. So helpful. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing. Alan, Ireland.

February 19, 2019 at 6:59 AM

Ah, that’s so great to hear! 🙂 Thanks so much for dropping by with the comment to let us know. We’re really looking forward to returning Quito later this month! Cheers!

January 26, 2019 at 10:35 AM

Awesome post….you have tons of helpful tips, with specific details which most posts are missing. We are going to Quito in March for a week. This helps me feel more prepared. Thank you!

January 28, 2019 at 9:11 AM

Thanks for the kind feedback and so glad this proved helpful! 🙂 Hope you have a great trip to Quito! We’re getting excited to be heading back there next month ourselves.

November 24, 2018 at 4:50 PM

This is a really awesome guide. Thank you for all of the work on this!

November 12, 2018 at 5:09 PM

That i call a Guide – amazing work!

May 19, 2018 at 3:21 PM

Great suggestions! I have some notes I will post about somethings that have changed in the past 12 months, just finished a great visit with my husband.

May 25, 2018 at 1:05 PM

So glad to hear you had a great visit! Yes, please do let us know any changes you’ve noticed as we’re just getting ready to update this article. 🙂

February 28, 2018 at 4:47 PM

Wow – this is an awesome itenery. I plan on my first travelling experience and start in Quito. There seems so much to do i might plan in a few extra days! Onto the galapagos islands blog next! Thank you for this – your time is appreciated

March 20, 2018 at 10:26 AM

Thanks Abby! There’s so much to do in Quito, I’m sure you’ll be happy if you build in a few extra days. Enjoy exploring Ecuador, you’ve picked an excellent country to kick off your travels!

January 23, 2018 at 7:35 PM

I agree with all the previous compliments on how great this article is! I have a quick question. Where did you stay the night for the 2 day trip to Mindo? I would love to do the 2 day trip exactly how you suggest in the article.

January 24, 2018 at 10:40 PM

Always glad to hear this is helpful! 🙂 We stayed at Bio Hostal Mindo Cloud Forest. I was very inexpensive, good enough (yet nothing amazing), good location, and had a great hot breakfast. We were satisfied but really, there are loads of great inexpensive places in Mindo! Have a great trip – buen viaje!

October 11, 2017 at 8:17 PM

Thank you very much for this great guide. I am staying in Quito right now and find it very useful

October 24, 2017 at 11:23 PM

So glad to hear this Quito travel guide is proving helpful! Thanks so much for stopping by with the positive feedback.

September 27, 2017 at 7:34 AM

Hi John! Wow, this is a really comprehensive post with lots of really useful information and tips. It makes me want to go back to Quito. It’s such a beautiful city. I loved the Quito Craft Beer Tour. It was really fun! I actually just wrote a blog post recently too about alternative things to do in Quito.

July 19, 2017 at 8:53 PM

I would suggest doing one of the Escape Rooms in Quito. The games are quite cheep in comparison to the US or other parts of the world and some of them are well themed and thoughtfull. I would recommend Escape 23 in the Mariscal Area. Some more are: Exit, Room Escape Ecuador and Reto Eureka.

PS: Great Bog! =)

July 27, 2017 at 1:47 PM

We’ve seen those escape rooms popping up all over the place and have always wanted to do it. With costs lower in Quito compared to other places in the world, sounds like it could be worth doing there. Definitely something to consider checking out – thanks for the idea!

May 5, 2017 at 6:33 PM

Hey! What a winderdul article so helpful thank you very much for your work and passion. Quick questioni eant to do otovalo tour tomorrow but i want to take my time and buy a lot of souvenirs… do you think it is a great idea to do it with a grouo or it s best on my own???

May 7, 2017 at 4:55 PM

Not sure if this has reached you in time, but I’d suggest that if your main priority in Otovalo is shopping, then just do it yourself. But if those other activities interest you, the tour would make for a more complete day. I’d imagine that it would give you enough time to shop. It’s a big market but most of the handicrafts are clustered together in one area. I would assume that you would have enough time on the tour to buy all that you wanted but it really depends on just how much shopping you’re planning to do. If in doubt, I’d say just go on your own and you’ll have all the time you want. 🙂

March 1, 2017 at 12:44 AM

This is so informative and helpful especially for us who is planning to visit quito ecuador. I’ll be saving this to my bookmarks. And by the way, this will be my first travel so I’m excited haha! But, thank you so much! I love this. 😀

March 3, 2017 at 1:12 PM

Hey Esther, thanks for the comment! We’re so happy to hear that you have found our guide to be useful when planning your trip. Enjoy beautiful Quito!

February 22, 2017 at 3:39 PM

Wow, that’s a very nice and comprehensive guide to Quito! I’m planning to visit Ecuador this year, so definitely bookmarking it.

February 23, 2017 at 1:40 PM

Hey Pedro, thanks for the comment. We have no doubt that you’ll enjoy Ecuador just as much as we are!

February 22, 2017 at 4:43 AM

Quito Ecuador is really pretty. You are really lucky! I really want to visit here now.

February 22, 2017 at 2:13 PM

Hey Karla, thanks for the comment. We feel very lucky to travel through such a beautiful country 🙂 Hoping that you’ll get to experience it too!

February 21, 2017 at 4:56 PM

Excellent comprehensive article. I’ll be forwarding it to others bookmarking for myself. Thank you.

February 22, 2017 at 2:10 PM

Hey Alicia, thanks for the comment. We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the article and thank you for sharing!

February 21, 2017 at 10:03 AM

We stayed the night at Casa San Marcos, and it was fabulous! We were only really in Quito for a day and a half (we went to Canar, Banos, and Otavalo) and it was very rainy, but the Centro Historico was beautiful!

February 21, 2017 at 4:36 PM

Hey Teresa, thanks for the comment and sharing your experience at Casa San Marcos. Sounds like you had some really full days during your visit! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the historic charm in Quito as much as we did 🙂

February 21, 2017 at 7:12 AM

Bookmarked. This is a really comprehensive guide. I bookmarked it because we have plans to visit Ecuador and Quito of course, and this will surely be an asset to us. Great work. 🙂

February 21, 2017 at 4:27 PM

Thanks for the comment! We have no doubt that you’ll have a wonderful time in Quito. Please let us know if you have any questions when planning your visit.

February 20, 2017 at 10:16 PM

Wow this is SUCH comprehensive guide to Quito. I have heard great things about this city, but I can see there is even more to do than I had heard of. Fabulous write up.

February 21, 2017 at 4:17 PM

Hi Skye, thanks for the comment and compliment. We were absolutely amazed with the amount of activities and sights to keep us busy, there’s certainly no shortage of things to do 🙂

February 19, 2017 at 11:26 PM

First of all kudos for writing such an extensive and detailed article. Most people are busy writing listicles and this is a perfect mixture of story telling and point wise details to help travelers. Ecuador and the neighboring countries is, for me, a completely different world that I am always fascinated with but never had the opportunity to explore. There’s obviously so much to do here and the architecture and the vibe seems to be very European. I love how you gave such a well rounded posts covering all aspects of the city and the country to an extent. Reading the article my feet are itchy to really get up and start exploring again.

February 20, 2017 at 4:11 PM

Hey, thank you so much for the compliment! As you can see, we think that Quito and the surrounding area is a perfect travel destination with endless activities to keep one busy. Glad to hear that you’re considering exploring again. Please let us know if you add Quito to your itinerary and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.

June 16, 2017 at 7:51 PM

Best travel article ever! I am curious if you know the scoop on easy to reach waterfalls or swimming holes? I know there are waterfalls in the mountains but are there any other spots? Leaving June 29th til July 2nd from Miami, I’ve gotta take a dip or dive there! Thank you for sharing your experience in such a remarkable way!

June 20, 2017 at 4:14 PM

Oh you’re making us blush. Thanks! 🙂 As for waterfalls, if you are planning to go to Mindo (and you should!), there are many many waterfalls all around there. Otovalo has some nice Falls around it too, such a Peguche. Closer to Quito, you could perhaps try the Rio Pita Waterfall that is about 1-hour South of the city and there are some excursions that go there, but it’s not a very common one. Hope that helps and have an awesome trip to Quito!!

February 19, 2017 at 6:07 PM

This is a fantastic guide to Quito!!! No need for any other guide just yours. Would love to get back over to South America some time and visit Quito – when I do I know were I will be heading for info 🙂

February 20, 2017 at 4:06 PM

Hey Melissa, thanks so much for the comment and kind words. I hope that you’ll be able to make it back to South America and add Quito to your itinerary 🙂

February 19, 2017 at 4:18 PM

What a fantastic article! We’re looking to visit Cuito early next year, and we’re definitely going to stay a few days, just so that we can fit in the craft beer crawl! Looks like there’s plenty going on there

February 20, 2017 at 4:04 PM

Hey Nicky, thanks for the comment. So happy to hear that you’ll be traveling to Quito. There’s so much here to do, and as you mentioned, the craft beer crawl is reason alone to stay. Please let us know if you have any questions when planning your trip to Quito.

February 19, 2017 at 2:57 PM

WOW. This is such a detailed post! You bet that I’m bookmarking your post now! After all, I aim to visit this part of the world sometime soon this year.

Thanks for this!

February 20, 2017 at 4:01 PM

Hey Aileen, thanks for the comment! I’m confident that you won’t regret adding Quito to your travel itinerary this year. Please let us know if you have any questions when planning your trip.

February 19, 2017 at 2:25 PM

By far, the most comprehensive guide to Quite I’ve read. I feel like you provided more information and detail than Lonely Planet does! Very impressed! I had no idea there was so many interesting things to do in Quito, because like you mention, most people I know who have been tend to just do an overnight before moving on. Interesting that it has a fun beer culture too, which is something I certainly would like to dive into!

February 20, 2017 at 3:59 PM

Hey Drew, thanks for the comment and kind words. Comparing this post to the Lonely Planet is quite the compliment 🙂 Quito is such an amazing city with loads to keep one busy, definitely deserves more than just a stopover. I hope you have an opportunity to check out the craft beer scene!

February 19, 2017 at 3:04 AM

Wow! What a super comprehensive guide. There are loads of things to do in Quito. We were just there last year and reading your post was fun! Great tips. 🙂

February 20, 2017 at 3:53 PM

Hey Anna, thanks for the comment! Glad to hear that you’ve been to Quito and reading this post brought back some memories for you.

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Best time to visit Quito , Ecuador

Our verdict

The best time to visit Quito is April

In the summer months, temperatures can reach as high as 20℃ (68℉) in Quito. The weather at night in the winter, which is around June-time, can get down to a minimum of 6℃ (43℉).

The longest days between sunrise and sunset in Quito are usually in August, so if you want to get the most out of your daytime activities, be sure to plan your visit around this time. On average it rains the most days in November, making it the wettest month of the year. Although it’s the wet season, it can often rain a little bit during the day or evening but have fine weather for a majority of the day too, so don’t let this put you off.

Keep reading to learn more about the best times to go to Quito, including detailed weather information and tools to help you find and book great deals on your travel.

Quick links: Fast facts / Seasons / Average temperatures / Monthly climate / FAQs / Map

Warmest month

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Quito seasons

Before you continue, it’s important to know when the seasons are in Quito as they might be different to yours depending on where in the world you’re travelling from. Quito is in the Northern Hemisphere, so the seasons fall during these months:

Average temperatures in Quito

If the temperature is a big factor for you to help you decide when to visit, the chart below shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures in Quito for each month side-by-side so you can easily see the difference in weather throughout the year. To see the temperatures in both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), hover or tap the shaded boxes on the graph.

Quito climate by month

If you already have a rough idea about which months you might want to travel, the section below shows a detailed breakdown of the climate in Quito for each month so you can see if it all suits your wants and needs. Scroll down, or use the quick menu below to jump to your preferred month.

Quito in January

• Average temperature: 12℃ (54℉)
• Average high temperature: 16℃ (61℉)
• Average low temperature: 9℃ (48℉)
• Average humidity: 87%
• Average sunny days: 4 days
• Average rainfall: 135mm (5") over 26 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in January, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Add visitor or local insider tips >

Quito in February

• Average low temperature: 9℃ (49℉)
• Average humidity: 88%
• Average sunny days: 5 days
• Average rainfall: 127mm (5") over 23 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in February, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in March

• Average high temperature: 16℃ (60℉)
• Average humidity: 89%
• Average sunny days: 3 days
• Average rainfall: 178mm (7") over 27 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in March, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in April

• Average sunny days: 2 days
• Average rainfall: 211mm (8") over 28 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in April, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in May

• Average humidity: 86%
• Average rainfall: 174mm (7") over 29 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in May, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in June

• Average temperature: 11℃ (53℉)
• Average high temperature: 16℃ (62℉)
• Average low temperature: 8℃ (46℉)
• Average humidity: 82%
• Average rainfall: 85mm (3") over 25 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in June, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in July

• Average high temperature: 17℃ (63℉)
• Average low temperature: 7℃ (45℉)
• Average humidity: 78%
• Average rainfall: 69mm (3") over 24 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in July, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in August

• Average temperature: 12℃ (53℉)
• Average high temperature: 18℃ (64℉)
• Average humidity: 76%
• Average rainfall: 71mm (3") over 25 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in August, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in September

• Average low temperature: 8℃ (47℉)
• Average humidity: 77%
• Average rainfall: 113mm (4") over 26 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in September, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in October

• Average high temperature: 17℃ (62℉)
• Average humidity: 85%
• Average sunny days: 1 days
• Average rainfall: 215mm (8") over 30 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in October, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in November

• Average sunny days: 0 days
• Average rainfall: 229mm (9") over 29 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in November, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

Quito in December

• Average rainfall: 203mm (8") over 29 days

What to pack: If you’re heading to Quito in December, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.

😎 When should I go to Quito for the hottest weather?

☀ when does it rain the least in quito, ☔ when does it rain the most in quito, 🌤 when should i go to quito if i want the most daylight.

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The best time to visit Ecuador: a guide to plan your trip

Wondering when is the best time to visit Ecuador? This guide will explore the best time of year to travel to Ecuador based on the different areas of the country that are popular for travelers.

Gabrielle Budget Travel With Gabby

Jan 30, 2023

For a relatively small country in South America , compared to some of its neighbors, Ecuador is incredibly diverse.

It has the Amazon Rainforest, which is hot, humid, and tropical, and is filled with unique, exotic plants and animals. Also, it has the Andes Mountains. This area of Ecuador is full of volcanoes, crater lakes, interesting natural rock formations, and lots of national parks.

Ecuador has beaches, surf camps, and the fascinating islands of the Galapagos. You can even visit the Equator, which the country was named after.

In between all this nature there lies big cities like Quito , Cuenca , and Guayaquil . There are small towns and traditional villages. Ecuador has a special indigenous culture as well as modern cities with backpacker hostels and new technologies.

Ecuador is a very special country also for solo travel in South America . So if you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Ecuador and Galapagos, this article should make it clear for you!

When is the best time to visit Ecuador?

Most of Ecuador has a humid tropical climate , except the highlands which are in the Andes Mountains. Because the country is very diverse, the weather and crowds may vary depending on region.

I’ll first give a brief overview of Ecuador weather, and then explain the best time to visit Ecuador based on region.

Overview of Ecuador weather

Ecuador generally has two seasons: wet and warm, and dry and cool.

• Wet and warm season in Ecuador: December to May

These months have warmer temperatures, more humidity, and more rain.

December through February usually doesn't have rain all day, so this is still a great time to visit Ecuador. Most days will begin with clear skies and sunshine, with potential rain showers in the afternoon.

Holiday season increases tourism in December and January, so flight prices and crowds also increase. By February, crowds drop and the rain increases.

March and April are extremely rainy, often with rain all day long. By May, the temperatures get cooler and rain drops off. May and June could be considered shoulder season, as they are in between the wet and dry season.

• Dry and cool season in Ecuador: June to November

June marks the start of the busy season. June, July, and August are the busiest months in Ecuador. The weather is nice, with lots of sunshine and cool but pleasant temperatures. It usually doesn’t rain, except for the occasional shower. Crowds and flight prices are also high at this time due to Summer Holidays in Europe and North America.

September, October, and November are less crowded and touristy. Dry season is ending, the rain may increase a little bit, and crowds will decrease. This is also shoulder season.

Now let’s break down the different areas of Ecuador and when is the best time to visit each.

Andes Highlands

Includes: Quito , Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Loop, Cuenca , Otavalo .

The climate in the Highlands is a subtropical highland climate. That means the weather feels like spring year round . It never gets too hot or too cold.

Daily temperatures are usually between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (19-25 Celcius). Night temperatures are usually around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celcius). At high elevations, especially around volcanoes, the weather can be very unpredictable and storms can occur at any time.

Dry season is more favorable for hiking in the Andes Highlands. A bit of rain here and there is fine, but consistent rain makes hiking much less enjoyable and more dangerous. Anytime from May to October is ideal for visiting the Highlands .

If you’re hiking or camping in the mountains at high elevations, the nights and mornings can get very cold, with snow or hail occurring occasionally. Pack warm layers and cold weather gear just in case.

If you want to avoid the crowds during peak season of June through August, go hiking during shoulder season. May is great, and September through November as well. Those times will have fewer crowds and cheaper prices.

Ecuador Beaches and Coastal Cities

Includes: Montañita , Salinas , Puerto Cayo, Canoa Beach, Guayaquil .

Ecuador’s coast has a humid tropical climate. You may think that the best time for enjoying the beaches is the Dry Season, but that isn’t necessarily the case.

Dry season from June to November is actually quite cloudy and has cooler temperatures so it’s not ideal for beach days . This season is best for hiking and exploring the Highlands.

If you want to enjoy the beaches and go surfing and swimming, the start of the warm and wet season is actually best.

From November to January the temperatures are much warmer, and it most likely won’t rain all the time. You’ll still get some amazing weather for enjoying the Ecuador beaches.

The Amazon Rainforest

Includes: Baños , Puyo , El Coca, Yasuni National Park, Cayambe Coca National Park.

Because the Amazon Rainforest is a tropical climate, it rains year round . This keeps the land lush and green and the biodiversity thriving. If you are planning on visiting the Amazon in Ecuador, you’ll want to go during the dry season .

December through May in the Amazon is extremely wet. Floods may occur, and road closures are common. Wildlife is also harder to find while they are seeking shelter from the rain. However, crowds will be very low and prices on tours in the Amazon may be on sale.

From June to October , the weather in the Amazon will be a bit cooler and more enjoyable, and the rain won’t be too intense. This is the best time for exploring the Amazon!

The Galapagos Islands

Includes: Isabela Island, San Cristobal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fe Island, Baltra Island.

June through September and December or January are peak seasons for the islands because of the holiday season. If you’re traveling to the Galapagos Islands during the peak season, book everything far in advance as tours, flights, and accommodations may sell out.

However, the temperatures are a bit cooler so it’s not necessarily the best weather. The wet season is actually ideal for visiting the Galapagos, as the weather is warmer and there may be fewer crowds if you avoid the Christmas and New Years holidays.

The best weather in the Galapagos is from December to May . The weather is warm and more pleasant, and the ocean is calm because the wind drops off. This also means better water visibility for snorkeling and diving.

You can spot wildlife in the Galapagos year-round. But some specific events are time-sensitive. For example, humpback whales are active in the waters from June to September.

Sea lions are born in August , and they take to the seas in November if you want to swim with them.

Green turtles lay their eggs at the start of the year . The babies hatch in January through March . Giant tortoises start hatching in December .

Keep reading: How to plan your dream Galapagos Islands vacation on a budget

Work Exchange in Ecuador

Now that you know the best time to visit Ecuador, let’s discuss some of the best work exchanges here. If you’re looking for a unique experience in Ecuador , a Worldpackers work exchange is the best way to get involved in the local culture.

There are over 200 Worldpackers work exchanges available in Ecuador . 

Here are a few of the top rated and most reviewed Ecuador work exchanges:

Cook in an eco lodge in the amazing rainforest : This eco lodge in the jungle accepts volunteers to help with cooking as well as other tasks like translating, cleaning, and media. It has 20 five star reviews from other travelers!

Volunteer at a dog rescue near Cotopaxi Volcano : This big farm in the Andes Highlands has lots of dogs that need love and care. You can practice your Spanish here, help animals in need, and explore the gorgeous Cotopaxi National Park on your days off. 

Promote a hostel in the beach town of Montanita : For a fun, social, beachside experience, volunteer at this hostel. You will help with promotions and general tasks around the hostel, and you'll get to meet guests and other volunteers from all over the world. 

Work as a textile designer in the capital city of Quito : This homestay in the bustling city of Quito allows you to learn new skills regarding textile design and production. You'll stay with the family who owns the business and learn about their work. 

If you want to know more, check out  How I had the best Worldpackers experience in Ecuador .

Recap: The best time to visit Ecuador

So whether you are backpacking South America, doing work exchanges, or just planning a quick trip to Ecuador, now you know the best time to visit Ecuador.

Just do a bit of research on the weather patterns depending on where you want to visit. The weather and crowds may vary from the volcanoes of the Andes Highlands, to the jungles of the Amazon Rainforest, to the coastal cities and beaches.

And the Galapagos Islands are some of the most unique and special places on the planet, so you want to make the most of your visit.

For more travel inspiration about South America, check out these articles: 

• 7 Cheap vacations in South America .
• The best time to visit Peru: a complete travel guide .
• 5 Paraguay travel tips .

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Gabrielle Boucher

Budget Travel With Gabby

Hello! I am a 25 year old from the USA with a knack for traveling on a budget. I fell in love with traveling while studying in Europe, and that love grew even more when I started volunteering abroad in South America. Since then, I've worked odd jobs and volunteered all over the globe while cultivating passions for hiking, wildlife photography, food, wine, animals, permaculture, and more!

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Choosing the best times to travel in Ecuador...

Picking the right time of year on when to travel can play a vital role in creating the perfect itinerary for your dream trip. As a year-round destination, Ecuador is certainly an easier place to plan for! That said, there are still certain months that are better than others, especially if you are on the hunt for a particular species of flora or fauna.

Due to Ecuador straddling the equator, the country does not have the four defined seasons that many of us are used to. With such varied terrain, different regions of the country have different climates. Below are details of the climate in each of the main areas:

Best time to visit Ecuador - Quito

With Quito’s 2,800m altitude in the Andes, it is never hot; yet, surprisingly, it also never gets overly cold. Temperatures tend to fluctuate between 10-20C throughout the year. Ideally, visit when cloud cover and rainfall are at their lowest, between June – September . The wettest months are March and April. If you're looking for a party, visit at the beginning of December for a week-long fiesta, celebrating the founding of the city.

Best time to visit Ecuador - The Avenue of the volcanoes

It is difficult to summarise the weather for a region that stretches approximately 200 miles from north to south! Therefore, we have focused on Cotopaxi’s climate; as the volcano is roughly the half-way point and also the most popular destination to visit.

Like Quito, temperatures are fairly consistent year-round. The best option is to focus on clear skies, as the views of this snow-capped behemoth against a blue sky are breathtaking. June to September are the clearest months, with July & August particularly cloud-free.

Best time to visit Ecuador - The Amazon

There are two certainties with the climate in the Amazon: 1) It will be hot & humid; and 2) It will rain! Whichever time of year you visit, there is no getting away from this. The rainfall is lowest from August – February (between 250-320mm per month) and highest between April – July (450-475mm per month). Everything, of course, is relative…when you consider London receives less than 70mm during its wettest month!

Irrespective of when you visit, the rain tends to fall hard and fast, allowing the rest of the day to be clear and warm. The advantage to visiting in dry season (other than getting less wet) is for the wildlife. Fish tend to lay their eggs in the dry season, which results in much more predation on show, all the way up the food chain.

Best time to visit Ecuador - The Cloud forests

Like the Amazon, you will face rainfall all year, although not quite to the same volume! The dryer months are June to October, leaving a majority of the year (November to May) as the wet seasons.

However, the wet season is the best time to visit for the famous birdlife in the cloud forest, with December – April being particularly rewarding, with the arrival of additional, migratory species that mate and nest during this period.

Best time to visit Ecuador - Guayaquil & the coast

This is the one part of mainland Ecuador that does have two easily defined seasons. From June to November there is practically no rainfall at all, although this dry season is often overcast. January to April days will feature heavy downpours, but these alternate with gloriously clear, sunny spells.

For those wanting to take a dip in the Pacific, the coastal ocean temperatures are highest (around 25C) in February & March , which drops to 20C in August and September. Humpback whales can be seen breaching from June - September .

Best time to visit Ecuador - The Galapagos

Please click here to visit our dedicated 'When to visit the Galapagos" page.

Best time to visit Ecuador:

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15 Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador

Quito is a South American city nearly the size of Paris, dangling from the Ecuadorian Andean mountains at a staggering 9,350 feet above the sea. It was the first city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rests on the equator, and is included in the Ring of Fire. Plus, it’s steeped in art and culture, boasting more than 60 museums and two dozen historical churches. And one thing is for sure, you definitely don’t want to bypass Quito on your way to the Galapagos Islands .

Instead, dedicate a few days to this iconic city. You just might find yourself standing on the equator, riding a gondola to a volcano, climbing an ancient church, riding a trolley, and so much more.

Stand on the Equator at La Mitadad del Mundo

Quito is an equatorial city famous for its interpretation of the center of the earth. The Mitatad del Mundo hovers on the outskirts of the city and is a science center, historical monument, and geographical pride-sake bundled into one. It’s where you’ll have the unique opportunity to set your compass to 00°00’00. Or, to hold hands with someone in another hemisphere. You can even spend hours in the park doing scientific experiments, gazing at the planetarium, and viewing pre-Columbian art museums. Plus, you can eat, drink, and shop without ever leaving. And don’t forget to snag that coveted passport stamp, proving you stood on the equator.

Ride the TeleferiQo Up the Pichincha Volcano

The capital of Ecuador is one of many major cities located along the Ring of Fire, aptly mixing volcano life and downtown chaos into a dazzling juxtaposition. In Quito, the epicenter of adventure begins at the TeleferiQo , a glass gondola that takes you from downtown Quito to the wilds of the Andean mountains in just 10 minutes. Once on top of the active, but currently sleeping volcano, you can embark on a full-fledged five-hour high-altitude trek to the Ruca, one of three peaks on the volcano. Or, you can simply soak up the epic views of one of the world’s highest metropolitan areas.

Play in the Park at Parque Metropolitano del Sur

If you’re one for green spaces, Quito is sure to please. The city has more than a dozen designated parks offering miles after mile of trails and forests big enough to get lost in.

The biggest is Parque Metropolitano del Sur, located on the south side of the city and harboring an astounding 1,400 acres of mountaintop splendor. It includes meandering meadows and eucalyptus groves brimming with native orchids and wildflowers plus 80-plus species of birds. Laced into that are several wooden playgrounds, rugged workout stations, and 7 miles of rugged trails.

Other Quito parks worth exploring include Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, La Carolina Park, and La Alameda Park.

Climb the Stairs of Basilica del Voto Nacional

Start exploring Quito’s UNESCO heritage with the highlight of the skyline, Basilica del Voto Nacional. It’s the largest neo-Gothic church in South America, protruding 377 feet into the air from the historic center. The eternally incomplete architectural masterpiece is best admired from the inside, where you’ll find 24 distinct chapels, intricate stain glasswork, and unique gargoyles inspired by Ecuadorian animals. And if you’re not afraid of heights, it’s certainly worth the $2 to ascend the towers and witness Quito from the rooftop.

But don’t stop there. There are at least two dozen historic churches and convents in the ancient city. A few more worth seeing include Quito’s own take on the Sistine Chapel at  La Compañia de Jesús, and the San Francisco Convent and Monastery , the oldest monastery in South America.

Meet the Angel Overlooking Quito at La Virgen del Panecillo

The Virgen of Panecillo , or Bread Virgin, is a massive winged homage to Mary, mother of Jesus, that showers Quito with her blessing. Named for the loaf-like hill she occupies and standing at an astounding 135 feet—taller than Rio’s Christ the Redeemer—the Virgin of Pancillo is the world’s largest aluminum statue and the largest statue of Mary.

It’s an iconic experience to climb the hill and gawk at her patchwork aluminum construction. While you’re there, be sure to step into the towers that line the inside of the statue. That’s where you’ll gather fascinating pieces of her 125-year story of inception, construction, and modern-day relevance.

Gander at the La Floresta's Street Art

If art’s your thing, you can’t skip through Quito without experiencing the 21st-century influence on the city. Like many other urban centers around the globe, Quito has a special section cloaked in street art. But, in contrast to the Bohemian vibe of La Ronda, La Floresta has more of a chic, upscale ambiance emphasizing conceptual rather than traditional art. And if you ask a local, you might hear them call this ‘the area of the snobby artists.’ It’s where you’ll find walls, entire buildings, and even light poles etched in the signature art of graffiti murals. But perhaps it’s the brightly painted historic mansions and tree-lined streets wrapping around avant-garde art studios that really give this street its edge.

Stumble Through the Plaza de Independencia

Plaza de Independencia is the pocket of Quito responsible for gaining this Inca city the UNESCO stamp of approval. The agency calls it “the best-preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America.”

It’s best to save at least half a day to explore Independence Plaza, starting with a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral followed by some shopping at Palacio Arzobispal. If you’re there on Monday, be sure to pause for the 11 a.m. changing of the guards at the presidential palace, Palacio de Carondelet. Afterward, take a tour of the palace and meet the current president, Guillermo Lasso.

Go Bohemian on Calle La Ronda

Calle La Ronda offers a must-see insight into modern-day Quito, where the ancient city collides with an urban metropolis. Originally constructed by the Inca as a gateway between Quito and Cusco, a colonial neighborhood was gradually built up and around it.

Over the years, it inadvertently became a pole star for artisans, musicians, priests, poets, and travelers. And today, it retains its identity as the Bohemian center of Quito. It’s a spot where you can wander down cobblestone streets, peruse quaint galleries, and peek at artisans deep in their craft. Yet, it is also where you’ll find an array of micropubs, fine-dining establishments, and charming little chapels.

Shop for Colorful Andean Textiles

When it comes to souvenir shopping in Quito, there’s no better place to beeline than towards the artisanal markets. This is where you’ll find vibrant alpaca wool ponchos, woven tapestries, intricate pottery, Andean paintings, Panama hats, beautiful beadwork, and so much more. Start at the main artisanal market, Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal, where you’ll undoubtedly find everything you’re looking for all days of the week.

But, don’t miss the smaller, niche markets to find unique or specialty items. For those, take some time to peruse the pop-up stalls in Parque El Ejido every weekend. And the Tianguez street market in Old Town—known for its fair trade product.

Take a Sunday Bike Ride on Quito Ciclopaseo

To experience an entirely different perspective of the Andean city, immerse in a little something called the Ciclopaseo. It’s a rather inspiring effort to keep Quiteños active; a tradition of closing the main north and southbound streets from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday. The result is a casual, car-free biking route passing 17 miles through the normally congested city center. It’s the perfect way to mingle with the locals and experience the distinct culture of Quito. Just grab a bike, your skates, or even a stroller and jump into this Sunday ritual nearly 20 years in the making.

Eat Eclectic Ecuadorian Street Food

Quito has some very unique foods to try, and the best way to get an authentic version is on the street. Simply wait for the weekends and spill out into the open-air markets, just like the locals do.

If it’s tripa mishki (grilled cow intestines) or gautita (cow stomach and peanut soup) you’re after, head to Parque Genaro Larrea or Parque José Navarro. For Ecuadorian fish and chips, Mercado Santa Clara is the spot. For everything else, every day around the clock, Mercado Central has all the classics like empanadas, llapingachos (potato pancakes), chicarrón (fried pork), and salchipapas (French fries with hot dogs), and so much more.

Wander Through the Botanical Garden of Quito

Some call it the Eden of Quito, and perhaps it’s a worthy testament to the 200,000 square feet dedicated to four ecosystems and 1,200 species of orchids. It’s the perfect place to spend a rainy day and gawk at the majestic world of plants. The Botanical Garden of Quito is located within Parque La Carolina and has special exhibits dedicated to the Ecuadorian roses and regional medicinal plants. Depending on how much you love greenery, you could spend an hour or half a day here.

Ride the Historic Quito Trolley

An unforgettable way to see all of the major sites in the city is via the 1914 Quito City Trolley Tour. In a nod to city transport a hundred years ago, guests are picked up on the front stoop of their hotel and boarded onto a charming, red trolley. The guided tour is offered in English and shuttles passengers all around the city in about four hours. It’s a truly iconic way to visit and photograph the most iconic sites, even if you only have 24 hours in the city.

Embrace Art & Culture at Quito's Museums

If you’re one for museums, Quito is a paradise for art and culture lovers. Boasting more than 60 museums , you could literally spend weeks ducking in and out of galleries. You’ll find everything from quaint, hole-in-wall collections to sprawling, world-class establishments. But, start with one of Quito’s beloved, La Capilla Del Hombre . It’s a museum dedicated to architecture, art, and history inspired by local, contemporary artist Oswaldo Guayasamín.

Other must-see museums include the National Museum of Ecuador , the Museum of the City , the Astronomical Observatory of Quito , and the Numismatic Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador .

Cheer at the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium

Soccer is a major pride point of the Ecuadorian culture, and there’s no better way to immerse in it than with a game at the historic Atahualpa Olympic Stadium. It was opened in 1951 and has served a key role in city and national games, including FIFA World Club qualifying matches. Be sure to wear the Ecuadorian colors of yellow, red, and blue—and plan to pay between $30 and $65 per ticket. Expect lots of noise, a rowdy crowd, flowing beer, and oodles of Ecuadorian street food.

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When Is The Best Time To Visit Quito And Ecuador?

Visit – Travel Season

Galapagos islands.

When to visit Quito Ecuador

• Sunny, clear days in the highlands; less rain in the Orient.
• December to April is high season on the coast: expect warm temperatures and periodic showers.
• January to May is high season in the Galápagos.
• Cooler temperatures, more showers (usually sun in the morning and rain in the afternoon) in the highlands.
• Cooler, you can expect occasional showers in the highlands.
• June to December is low season in the Galápagos, with cooler, drier weather and rougher seas.
• Low season is April to July in the Orient, when rains are more common.

More than enough reasons to visit Casa Joaquin Boutique Hotel in Quito Ecuador

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Best time to visit Ecuador (By a local)

• April 1, 2023
• - Quito Tour Bus

Ecuador is located on the equatorial line, producing little seasonality yearly. The country has two defined seasons: wet and dry seasons, called winter and summer, respectively, which vary depending on the region. The rainy season generally runs from December to May, while the dry season lasts from June to November. However, there are exceptions and variations depending on the region and altitude.

When is the best time to visit Ecuador? The answer depends on what you want to see and do and where you want to go. Ecuador has four distinct regions: the coast, the highlands, the Amazon, and the Galapagos Islands. Each region has its own climate and weather patterns, which vary throughout the year. In this note, we’ll tell you a little about each region of the country and the best time to travel to each of them.

Insular Region – Galapagos Islands

The Insular Region, or Galapagos, is one of Ecuador’s four geographical regions. The climate of the archipelago is strongly influenced by the complex system of ocean currents that surround it. Galapagos is the confluence point of the Cromwell, Humboldt, South Equatorial, and Panama currents. This particularity allows you to constantly appreciate its unique wildlife and enjoy moderate temperatures throughout the year.

Galapagos has a hot and humid season from December to May, with an average temperature of 27 to 32 ºC (81 ºF to 90 ºF). The average temperature in the hot and dry season is 21 to 27 ºC (70 ºF to 81 ºF) from June to November.

If you wonder about the best time to visit the Galapagos, the best time to travel there is between December and May. During these months you will enjoy sunny weather and the marine currents will allow you to navigate in a calm sea. These aspects must be considered if you want to enjoy a desirable climate and wave conditions that allow you to carry out all the outdoor activities you have in mind. Remember to read our note to know the Best time to travel to Galapagos . 

Sierra Region (Andes Highlands)

The Sierra or inter-Andean region is a geographical region of Ecuador that extends from north to south through the Andes. In this region of the country is the city of Quito, officially San Francisco de Quito, the capital of the Republic of Ecuador and the oldest capital of South America.

If you wonder about the best time to travel to Quito, any time is a good time to visit the country’s capital. Quito is located at 2,800 meters above sea level (9186 feet) and is very close to the line of Ecuador. Generally, the city enjoys clear skies and plenty of morning sun. However, it is characterized by its cold and constant temperatures. There are two well-defined seasons: the dry season, which runs from June to September, and the rainy season, which runs from October to May. Hence, the best time to visit the city is between August and September when it is not so cold and the probability of rain is less than in the rest of the year.

Quito is also characterized by its sudden weather changes: one day, you can enjoy a wonderful sunny day and end with a copious downpour. Hence, when you visit the country’s capital, we recommend you wear several layers of clothing, that is, in the morning you should wear a light sweater, and at night you might need a coat or even a raincoat in case it rains.

Generally, the sierra region is characterized “by a humid tropical climate in transition zones towards the coast and Amazonia, temperate semi-humid to humid in the inter-Andean zone, warm and dry in the inter-Andean valleys and cold high mountain in the páramos, above 3000 m altitude. […] The temperature is linked to the height; between 1500 and 3000 m, the average values ​​vary between 8 and 20 ºC”. The temperature decreases ~5 ºC (41 ºF) for every 1000 m altitude ( Ron, S. R., Merino-Viteri, A. Ortiz, D. A. 2022. Amphibians of Ecuador. Version 2022.0. Museum of Zoology, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, access date March 2023 ).

Since the temperature fluctuates greatly from morning to night in the country’s highlands and changes markedly as you gain altitude, you must take several layers of clothing with you whenever you visit the highlands. The optimal months to visit this region of the country are from June to December since there will be little rainfall and you will enjoy more pleasant temperatures.

On the other hand, if you come to Ecuador to ascend its iconic volcanoes, located in the Andes mountain range that crosses the country, November to February is the best time to do so. This time is perfect for hiking in the Andes and enjoying the cities of the highlands of Ecuador. It is not recommended to carry out mountain activities in June, July, and August as there is a lot of wind.

Now that you know the best month to visit Quito, the highland region of Ecuador, and the ideal months for mountaineering, we recommend you visit the country’s capital and its historic center, the largest in South America, in our company. On board the only double-decker bus in the city, the Quito Tour Bus, you can safely tour this famous Latin American capital and have fun on our Quito City Tour . 

Coast region

The Coastal region, also called the coastal region, is another of the four geographical regions into which the Republic of Ecuador is divided. The climate of the coastal region of Ecuador “is characterized by a tropical arid climate to the southwest, dry to humid towards the center-south and very humid to the north, in the Chocó area. […] The average temperature of the entire region ranges between 24-25 ºC (75-77 ºF). However, it can be less than 22 ºC (72 ºF) in mountainous areas” ( Ron, S. R., Merino-Viteri, A. Ortiz, D. A. 2022. Amphibians of Ecuador. Version 2022.0. Museum of Zoology, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, access date March 2023 ).

The ideal time to visit the country’s coastal region that borders the Pacific Ocean is the rainy season, which runs from December to April-May. Indeed, the rainy season has a sunnier climate than the dry season, and the rains are usually in the afternoon and are intermittent. The dry season, characterized by low temperatures and scant rainfall, lasts from June to November or December.

Also, if you want to know when the beach season is in Ecuador, the best time to visit the beaches is from December to April. The water temperature is warmer, and the days are sunnier. Generally, the sea temperature drops between May and November, although in Ecuador, the sea is never really cold; that is, the sea temperature is appropriate for swimming all year round.

If you visit this region of Ecuador, we recommend wearing light clothing, although you could also take a raincoat with you in case of rain and thin pants or lycra to avoid annoying mosquito bites. Also, you must know that the equinoctial sun is quite intense and can cause burns even when there are clouds, so you should always wear sunscreen and sunglasses.

If you wonder when is the best time to travel to Guayaquil, the second most populated city in Ecuador, located on the Pacific Ocean coast in the country’s coastal region, we recommend you do it between May and December, since usually the rainiest and those with the highest temperatures are January, February, March, and April. However, Guayaquil is a destination that can be visited at any time of the year as it enjoys warm weather.

Amazon region

The Amazon region of Ecuador, also known as Amazonia or Oriente, is another of the country’s geographic regions. This extends over an area of ​​exuberant vegetation, typical of humid-tropical forests, and represents 43% of the Ecuadorian territory. The average temperature in this area “is 24-25 ºC (75-77 ºF), which fluctuates very little, with maximums of up to 40 ºC (104 ºF) in May” ( Ron, S. R., Merino-Viteri, A. Ortiz, D. A. 2022. Amphibians of Ecuador. Version 2022.0. Museum of Zoology, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, access date March 2023 ).

The Amazon of Ecuador has a warm and humid climate with a high amount of rainfall throughout the year, which suffers a significant increase, especially between December and June. However, this does not mean that it rains constantly. At this time, you can enjoy even more the exuberance of the jungle vegetation. While the season in which the rains decrease somewhat is between July and November, this does not mean it never rains. Despite that, you will enjoy clearer skies and drier trails for hiking. For this reason, the best time to visit the Amazon of Ecuador is between July and November. However, any time of the year is perfect for visiting this region since, both in the dry season and the rainiest season, you can appreciate different species more easily.

If you visit the Amazon region of Ecuador, remember to pack simple, loose-fitting, light clothing, preferably cotton and light-colored (Dri-Fit), with long sleeves to avoid mosquito bites and other insects, as well as a raincoat.

Ecuador is one of the countries with the greatest diversity in the world. In its territory, although small compared to other countries in the region, you can find more than 25 active volcanoes, the Amazon jungle, virgin beaches, and others full of atmosphere and brilliant life. nightlife, and the incomparable Galapagos Islands. Located on the equator line, it cannot be said that there is a specific time when it is not recommended to visit Ecuador since the country does not experience extreme climate changes and is considered one of the countries with the best climate on the planet, thanks to its geographic location.

Ecuador has two seasons: wet and dry. These seasons are not very pronounced and can vary from year to year. The rainy season generally runs from December to May, while the dry season lasts from June to November. However, there are exceptions and variations depending on the region and altitude. In addition, to define the dates of your trip, you must know that the high season in Ecuador runs from June to August, while February and March and what goes from September to November are considered low season months.

If you are going to visit this extraordinary destination in Latin America and you want to know what is the best time to travel to Ecuador, you must select which part of the country you want to know and what activities you are going to do. The best time to visit the Galapagos is between December and May, since during these months you will be able to enjoy sunny weather and the ocean currents will allow you to navigate in a calm sea; while the best time to visit the mountain or inter-Andean region of the country is between June and December since there will be little rainfall and you will enjoy more pleasant temperatures. Remember that if you intend to climb to the tops of the country’s volcanoes, the mountain season runs from November to February.

For its part, the best time to visit the country’s coastal region is from December to April-May. This time is perfect for visiting the beaches as the water temperature is warmer and the days are sunnier. Finally, as for the Amazon region of Ecuador, the driest season lasts from July to November. However, any time of the year is perfect for visiting the Ecuadorian Amazon since both the dry season and the rainiest season, different events in nature are always worth seeing.

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Quito & Guayaquil in 3 Days: A Cultural and Historic Journey

April 17, 2024 · 2 min read

Embark on a 3-day adventure through the historic and cultural landscapes of Quito and Guayaquil. Begin your journey in Quito, the capital city rich in history, by exploring the Quito Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for an hour, soaking in its colonial charm. Next, marvel at the grandeur of the Palacio de Gobierno, a historic building that tells tales of Ecuador's past, also for an hour. A short stroll away is the iconic Independence Square, where you can spend 30 minutes admiring the monuments and the bustling square life. The Basilica del Voto Nacional, a stunning church, awaits your visit for an hour, followed by an intriguing hour at the Middle of the World City, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Day 2 is a leisurely day spent at Parque La Carolina, a lush city park in Quito, where you can relax and enjoy nature for the entire day. Don't miss the Church of the Company, another hour-long visit to a magnificent church that showcases exquisite architecture. On Day 3, you'll transfer to Guayaquil, starting with El Faro de Guayaquil, a picturesque lighthouse, for an hour. Dive into the cultural depths at the Museum of Anthropology and Contemporary Art for two hours, before taking a leisurely hour-long walk along Malecon 2000, a characteristic neighborhood. Conclude your trip with a two-hour visit to Parque Seminario, a city park known for its friendly iguanas, and a final hour at the Catedral Católica Metropolitana de Guayaquil, a church that stands as a historic site, before you depart from this memorable Ecuadorian experience.

• Day 1: Quintessential Quito - A Journey Through History and Monuments

Quito Old Town

Begin your adventure in the heart of Ecuador with a visit to Quito Old Town, a historic site that promises a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the past. As the first stop of the day, wander through the cobblestone streets and marvel at the well-preserved colonial architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage site, with its vibrant plazas and intricate churches, offers an hour-long journey back in time.

Attraction Info

• Quito, Ecuador
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
• Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Palacio de Gobierno

Next, a short stroll leads you to the majestic Palacio de Gobierno. Nestled on Chile Avenue, this historic building stands as a testament to Ecuador's political history. Spend an hour exploring the grandeur of the presidential palace, where the intricate designs and the aura of power blend to create an unforgettable experience.

• Chile Avenue between Venezuela and Garcia Moreno, Quito, Ecuador
• Open 24 hours，The exterior tour is open all day, and the specific internal business status is subject to the opening conditions on that day.

Independence Square

Just a heartbeat away, Independence Square awaits, offering a serene half-hour respite amidst monuments and the bustling square. Surrounded by the city's most significant buildings, this iconic plaza invites you to reflect on Ecuador's journey to freedom, with the Monument to Independence standing proudly at its core.

• and Chile St Venezuela, García Moreno N5-16, Quito 170401, Ecuador
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour

Basilica del Voto Nacional

Continue your exploration to the Basilica del Voto Nacional, a church that reaches towards the heavens with its stunning gothic architecture. Dedicate an hour to admire the intricate details and the panoramic views of Quito from its towers, making it a spiritual and visual highlight of your day.

• Basilica of the National Vow, Carchi, Quito EC170130
• Open on Mon-Fri,9:00am-5:00pm;Open on Sat-Sun,9:00am-6:00pm

Middle of the World City

Conclude your day with a visit to the Middle of the World City, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. This monument marks the equatorial line and offers a unique experience and photo opportunity. Spend an hour at this geographical wonder, capping off a day filled with the marvels of Quito.

• Middle of the World, Pichincha
• Suggested tour duration: 1 hour
• Open on Sat-Sun,9:00am-6:00pm;Open on Mon-Fri,9:00am-5:00pm

Where to Stay Tonight

Chaupimundo lodge.

• Day 2: Exploring Quito's Urban Oasis and Historical Sanctuaries

Parque La Carolina

Begin your second day in Quito with a refreshing morning stroll through Parque La Carolina, the city's verdant heart. Nestled amidst the urban landscape, this expansive park offers a tranquil retreat with its lush greenery, scenic walking paths, and vibrant local life. As the day unfolds, immerse yourself in the park's dynamic atmosphere, where joggers, families, and street performers converge, creating a microcosm of Quito's community spirit.

• Av.de los Shyris, Quito 170135, Ecuador
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day

Church of the Company

After basking in the natural beauty of Parque La Carolina, transition to the divine serenity of the Church of the Company. Just a short journey from the park, this architectural masterpiece beckons with its ornate facade and rich history. Spend an hour marveling at the intricate gold leaf interior and the stunning blend of Baroque, Moorish, and indigenous designs that make this church a testament to Quito's cultural tapestry.

• Garcia Moreno and Sucre, Quito
• Open on Mon-Thu,9:30am-6:30pm;Open on Fri,9:30am-5:30pm;Open on Sat,9:30am-4:00pm;Open on Sun,12:30pm-4:00pm

Hotel Casa Gangotena

Hotel san francisco de quito.

• Day 3: Cultural Wonders and Scenic Views in Guayaquil

El Faro de Guayaquil

Begin your final day with a visit to El Faro de Guayaquil, a beacon of light guiding your morning exploration. This iconic lighthouse offers a serene escape and a chance to witness the city from a unique vantage point. Spend an hour soaking in the panoramic views and capturing memories of the sprawling city below.

• Guayaquil EC090150, Ecuador
• Open from 5:30am-2:00pm

Museum of Anthropology and Contemporary Art

Next, delve into the rich tapestry of Ecuador's heritage at the Museum of Anthropology and Contemporary Art. Set aside two hours to wander through a world of historical artifacts and modern masterpieces. This museum is not just a treasure trove of cultural insights but also an architectural gem, nestled along the scenic Malecon Simon Bolivar.

• Malecon Simon Bolivar 206 Malecon 2000, MAAC building, Guayaquil 090150 Ecuador
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour

Malecon 2000

Continue your cultural journey along the Malecon 2000, a picturesque waterfront promenade that's the heartbeat of Guayaquil. This characteristic neighborhood is perfect for a leisurely hour-long stroll, where the river's gentle breeze complements the vibrant atmosphere and the views of the Guayas.

• Simon Bolivar Palacios, Guayaquil 090313, Ecuador
• Open from 7:00am-0:00am

Parque Seminario

As the afternoon unfolds, find tranquility amidst the city's hustle at Parque Seminario. Known affectionately as 'Iguana Park', this verdant oasis offers two hours of leisure among its friendly reptilian residents. It's a unique urban retreat that provides a delightful contrast to the surrounding urban landscape.

• Chimborazo, Guayaquil 090313, Ecuador
• Open on Fri-Sat,8:30am-6:30pm;Open on Mon,8:30am-6:30am;Open on Tue,8:00am-6:50pm;Open on Wed,8:30pm-0:00am;Open on Thu,0:00am-6:30pm;Open on Sun,8:00am-6:30pm

Catedral Católica Metropolitana de Guayaquil

Conclude your Guayaquil adventure with a visit to the majestic Catedral Católica Metropolitana de Guayaquil. Dedicate an hour to this historic site, where the church's grandeur and spiritual ambiance offer a peaceful respite. Its architectural beauty and historical significance are the perfect finale to your three-day journey.

• Clemente Ballen, Guayaquil, Ecuador
• Open from 7:00am-7:00pm

Grand Hotel Guayaquil, Ascend Hotel Collection

Unipark by oro verde hotels.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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15 Fun Things to do in Quito, Ecuador on a Family Vacation

A ll travel to Ecuador begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador. This capital city sits at an elevation of 9,350’, nestled in the towering Andean Mountains and there are lots of things to do in Quito, Ecuador on a family vacation before you head out to explore more of the country such as the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, or the Andes.

On one side, Volcano Guagua Pichincha rises high above the city and on the other, Panecillo and Ichimbia. Enveloped in the long narrow crease between these mountains is a city with origins dating back to the Incan empire.

Many visitors to Quito barely spend a full day barely scratching the surface of this remarkable city. However, it’s a huge mistake to gloss over Quito  in your eagerness to fly on to the Galapagos.

I was fortunate enough to meet our friend Jorge Perez. His family owns an Ecuadorian guest ranch called Tierra Del Volcan at the foothills of Cotopaxi. He encouraged us to spend more time in the Andes as their guest.

We were also fortunate to have been able to experience Ecuador working with Metropolitan Touring , an Ecuadorian-owned full-service travel operator. They provided us with significant discounts to experience their properties and tours.

Explore more of the country! Check out our review of Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador’s cloud forest.

Things to do in Quito, Ecuador on a Family Vacation

What makes quito, ecuador such a special city.

When Spanish conquistadors discovered Quito, they too were wowed by its beauty. This mountainous area is a place of tremendous beauty with steep streets, staircases, and homes stacked one on top of the other.

The city sprawls up the hillsides from the central artery of the city, Mariscal Sucre Street. Building a colonial city on this terrain offered many challenges. Nonetheless, the Spanish brought their European city planning sensibilities and erected a network of narrow streets and spacious colonial squares.

The architectural style of the historic district is unique to Quito. It is described as the “Baroque School of Quito”. Old town Quito was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1978.

Walking through the Old Town District, you might think you were in a European town. But the next moment, you are mingling with locals clothed in traditional Ecuadorian dress and surrounded by shops packed with local wares.

This is the charm of Ecuador. It is a delightful juxtaposition of old and new, tribal and colonial, highlands and oceans. The list of dynamic contrasts is endless. A large part of a visiting Quito is just about being in a very unique place. We loved people watching in her squares, exploring down her narrow streets, and digging deeper.

Explore more of the country! Here is how to visit the Amazon in Ecuador .

1. Roam the Streets of Old Town Quito, Ecuador like a Local

Old Town Quito isn’t just one big history museum. Its narrow streets are packed with locals going about their everyday lives.

The ground floors of the 3-4 story buildings have little storefronts selling everything under the sun. From huge bags of colorful potatoes to bundles of herbs in every strange scent. Crafts people make and sell embroidered shoes, felt hats, and religious icons.

Weaving between the cars and people along these tight streets makes entering one of the spacious colonial squares a delight. The squares are lined with street vendors selling seasonal fruit, quail eggs, or a shoe shine.

You can certainly roam the streets of Old Town Quito on your own, but I highly recommend Metropolitan Touring’s “Live Quito Like a Local” walking tour .

We met up with a local host who lives in Old Town Quito and she took us to visit her friends. We got to learn about their businesses and way of life. Without her, we might have felt too shy to stop at many of these places.

This included the only remaining flour mill in the city where farmers still bring small batches of grain to be milled every day. We also visited a family who repairs religious statues, a craft passed down from generation to generation.

Climb the Spires of Basílica del Voto Nacional and Search for Animal Gargoyles

With over 200 churches and religious buildings in one city, it would be overwhelming for kids to visit more than a handful. However, Basicilica de Voto Nacional is a must see.

Our kids loved the adrenaline rush of climbing up to the very tippy top of a church spire. All the while, keeping their eyes peeled for animal gargoyles featuring local Ecuadorian wildlife.

If you have little ones, keep a close eye on them and skip climbing to the very top where ladders get super steep. I confess, my knees were shaking and I was glad for an excuse to stay with our five-year-old.

Learn to Spin a Wooden Top and Enjoy some of the World’s Best Chocolate in La Rhonda

A stroll down Juan de Dios Morales Street is a walk down history lane. Also known as La Rhonda, this street was once an old Incan trail that was used to transport water to homes from a nearby creek. But in more recent history, La Rhonda gained a reputation as the Bohemian district where the fringes of society reside.

This area, once in disrepair, has received a face lift. It is now home to boutique hotels, clubs, novelty stores, and trendy restaurants. A visit with kids must include a stop at Heladería Dulce Placer and a visit to the award-winning Pacari chocolate factory. Then stop at the delightful Zabalartes toy store. You’ll find a wide selection of handcrafted tops and wooden toys and the kids can learn how to spin a top.

 Visit the Quito Central Market to Enjoy an Exotic Local Fruit

The center of any city is the market, and in Quito, this is where the locals shop for their food. Our kids always love tasting exotic looking local fruit and looking at funny things like chickens with feet sticking up in the air.

There are also a few traditional healers in the central market selling a wide array of medicinal herbs to cure any manner of spiritual or physical ailment.

Get a Herbal Cleansing (limpiadores) from a Traditional Female Healer

When local Ecuadorians have a spiritual or physical ailment, they don’t go rushing off to the doctor’s office. Instead, they first visit a curandero, a traditional female healer who can cleanse you with a combination of “magical” plants.

She learns her craft from her mother and the knowledge is passed down from one generation to the next. The walls of her store are lined with cubbies stuffed with bunches of fresh herbs. And she seems to be a lexicon of healing properties locked within each herb.

A cleansing involves her rubbing these herbs all over your skin and may even include a prescription for a bitter concoction to drink. Our son who had been having a stomachache was thrust into her care. He wasn’t so amused, but we were.

Visit the Winged Virgin at the Top of Quito El Panecillo

It’s hard to miss the huge statue of the winged virgin on a hill from just about anywhere in Quito. Standing at an impressive 135ft tall, you’ll see that she is crowned with stars, angelic wings, and is standing on a snake.

You’ll also be rewarded with one of the best 360-degree views of picturesque Quito and her surrounding volcanoes. Visit in the morning when you are least likely to have clouds obscuring your views. The walk up the little bun (Panecillo) is a bit much for the kids, and some say it can be dangerous, so take a taxi up.

Ride into the Clouds on the Pichincha Teleférico

Pichincha Teleférico, ahigh altitude cable car ride, will take you from to 9,514’ to 13,451’ in 18 minutes. It’s a thrill to ride up on this steep cable car and an opportunity to say you’ve been above 13,000’.

At the top of the Teleférico, there are hiking trails and inexpensive horseback rides to enjoy the views. There could not be a more spectacular place on earth to enjoy a horseback ride. Be prepared for the high altitude. Drink lots of water, apply sunscreen, and bring extra layers to keep you warm.

Visit a Gold-gilded Church – Ingelsia de la Compañía de Jesús

The other church that grabbed our kids’ attention is the gold-gilded Ingelsia de la Compañía de Jesús, Quito. Entry is free, but photography inside the church is not allowed.

This ornate baroque-style church was built in 1605 by the Jesuits and took 163 years to build. A full restoration in 2006 included the addition of seven tons of gold leaf. The kids were very impressed by all the bling.

See Some Old Money at Museo Numismática Banco Central

Our kids were surprised to discover that Ecuador uses the American dollar after it abandoned its own currency. It was a result of a severe financial crisis in 2000.

One place you can still see an Ecuadorian Sucre (pictured above) is at the Museo Numismática Banco Central (Numismatic Museum) in Quito, located in the former Banco Central del Ecuador in Old Town Quito. All the informational placards are in Spanish, but it was still interesting to see the currencies dating back to the Spanish conquest.

Visit the Home of a National Hero – Museo Casa de Sucre

It’s hard not to be curious about what’s behind those small doors as you walk through Old Town Quito. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of some beautiful Spanish courtyards.

If you are really curious about getting behind those secretive doors, you can visit José Antonio Sucre’s House . Sucre is a national hero for his role in liberating South America from Spanish occupation. His house, La Casa de Sucre, in Old Town Quito is now a museum furnished as he would have had it in the 1820’s.

Go Underground into the Burial Crypt at Metropolitana de Quito

Quito is home to numerous monasteries, convents, churches, and grand cathedrals. The magnificent Catedral Metropolitana de Quito (Cathedral of Quito), allows you to descend underground into a catacomb crypt and take a tour with a friar.

Thread through tight passageways up to the roof for a stunning view of Quito. The national hero Antonio José de Sucre is buried here.

Dine on a Rooftop to the Twinkling Lights of Quito

A fun way to experience Quito with kids is dining on the rooftop at the Vista Hermosa restaurant in the Old Town district.

Ride up to the rooftop in an old elevator and be greeted by wait staff with elaborately painted faces. The menu has local favorites as well as kid-favorites like pizza and pasta.

Stand at the Center at of the Earth at the Equatorial Divide

Apparently finding the exact line of the equatorial divide isn’t the easiest thing in the world. At Mitad del Mundo , the official monument was erected. However, with the arrival of GPS technology, it was confirmed that the real equatorial divide is actually a few hundred meters up the street next to the Museo de Sitio Intiñan (Intinan Solar Museum).

It is a fun place to visit with kids because of the hands-on experiments that demonstrate some of the unique phenomenon that happens at the equator , including the Coriolis effect. The museum also features a few exhibits about native peoples of the Andes.

Go Where the Local Families Love to Hang Out

We always love getting off the tourist track, so I asked the Perez family to share some places that local families enjoy.

“Yaku Parque Museo Del Agua (Yaku Water Museum), has one of the best views of old town Quito. It is fun for the children because they have the opportunity to learn about the water cycle in the Andes in a very interactive way.

The giant soap bubbles are at  Zoológico de Quito  (Quito Zoo), but it’s also a fun place to try some local fruits which are plentiful in this area. The Quito Zoo is a good place for kids to get up close to animals from the Andes and the Amazon Basin.”

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A Country Awash in Violence Backs Its Leader’s Hard-Line Stance

Voters in Ecuador gave their new president, Daniel Noboa, who deployed the military to fight gangs in January, even more powers.

By Genevieve Glatsky

Ecuadoreans voted on Sunday to give their new president more powers to combat the country’s plague of drug-related gang violence, officials said, supporting his hard-line stance on security and offering an early glimpse of how he might fare in his bid for re-election next year.

President Daniel Noboa, the 36-year-old heir to a banana empire, took office in November after an election season focused on the violence , which has surged to levels not seen in decades. In January, he declared an “internal armed conflict ” and ordered the military to “neutralize” the country’s gangs. The move allowed soldiers to patrol the streets and Ecuador’s prisons, many of which have come under gang control .

In a referendum on Sunday, Ecuadoreans voted to enshrine the increased military presence into law and to lengthen prison sentences for certain offenses linked to organized crime, among other security measures. With about 20 percent of the votes counted on Sunday night, Ecuador’s electoral authority declared that the trend toward approval of the security measures was “irreversible,” though voters rejected other proposals on the ballot.

Mr. Noboa claimed victory on social media. “I apologize for jumping the gun on a triumph that I cannot help but celebrate,” he wrote on X .

A flood of violence from international criminal groups and local gangs has turned Ecuador, a country of 17 million, into a key player in the global drug trade. Tens of thousands of Ecuadoreans have fled to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Experts saw the results of the voting Sunday as an indicator of how strongly the public supported Mr. Noboa’s stance on crime. “What is clear is that the people are saying ‘yes’ to the security model,” said an Ecuadorean political analyst, Caroline Ávila. She said the voters also had “high expectations” that the crime problem “will be solved.”

Mr. Noboa, who is expected to seek a second term in February, has high approval ratings , though they have slipped lately. He became president after his predecessor, Guillermo Lasso, facing impeachment proceedings over embezzlement accusations, called for early elections; Mr. Noboa is in office until May 2025, the remainder of Mr. Lasso’s term.

Some human rights groups have criticized Mr. Noboa’s anticrime tactics as going too far, saying they have led to abuses in prisons and in the streets. Still, most Ecuadoreans seem willing to accept Mr. Noboa’s strategy if they think it makes them safer, analysts said.

“Noboa is now one of the most popular presidents in the region,” said Glaeldys González, who researches Ecuador for the International Crisis Group. “He is taking advantage of those levels of popularity that he currently has to catapult himself to the presidential elections.”

He deployed the military against the gangs in response to a turning point in Ecuador’s long-running security crisis : Gangs attacked the large coastal city of Guayaquil after the authorities moved to take charge of Ecuador’s prisons.

Mr. Noboa’s deployment of the military was followed by a decline in violence and a precarious sense of safety, but the stability did not last. Over the Easter holiday this month, there were 137 murders in Ecuador, and kidnappings and extortion have been increasing .

Two weeks ago, Mr. Noboa took the extraordinary step of arresting an Ecuadorean politician who had taken refuge at the Mexican Embassy in Quito, in what experts called a violation of an international treaty on the sanctity of diplomatic posts. The move, which drew condemnation across the region, sent a message in line with Mr. Noboa’s heavy-handed approach to violence and graft.

Mr. Noboa said he had sent police officers into the embassy to arrest Jorge Glas , a former vice president who had been convicted of corruption, because Mexico had abused the immunities and privileges granted to the diplomatic mission. Mr. Noboa said Mr. Glas was not entitled to protection because he was a convicted criminal.

Taken together, the raid and the deployment of the military were meant to show that Mr. Noboa is tough on crime and impunity, political analysts say. Though polls show that Mr. Noboa’s approval rating has fallen in recent months, it remains high, at 67 percent.

Voter turnout on Sunday was 72 percent, according to the country’s electoral authority. Analysts considered that low, in a country where voting is mandatory and turnout usually exceeds 80 percent.

Just as voters were heading to the polls, they received another reminder of the surge in violence, as the authorities announced that the head of a prison in Manabí, a coastal province that has become a hub for transnational crime, had been killed.

Some proposals from Mr. Noboa’s government that were unrelated to security were voted down on Sunday. Ecuadoreans voted against one that would have legalized hourly employment contracts, which are currently prohibited. Labor unions say employers could use them to undermine workers’ rights and essentially pay lower salaries than the law requires. A proposal that would have allowed international arbitration of commercial disputes was also voted down.

But analysts said the overall result yielded a robust mandate for Mr. Noboa. Ms. González said it would “help the government argue that it needs more time in power to continue with these changes and these reforms in its general fight against organized crime.”

The results of the referendum are binding, and the national assembly has 60 days to pass them into law.

Some analysts said the referendum results had more to do with Mr. Noboa’s popularity than with whether the security measures were likely to be effective.

“We do not vote for the question; rather, we vote for who asked the question,” said Fernando Carrión, who studies violence and drug trafficking at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, a regional research and analysis group.

He added that measures like increasing prison sentences were likely to exacerbate the problems of overcrowding and violence in prisons.

Despite the tumultuous few weeks that preceded the voting, some voters said they were undeterred.

“I am going to vote ‘yes’ in this referendum because I am convinced that it is the only way for Ecuador to have a change, and we can all have a better future,” said Susana Chejín, 62, a resident of the southern city of Loja.

“He is making good changes for the country, to fight crime and drug trafficking,” she said of Mr. Noboa.

Others said they thought the questions on the referendum were not enough to address the country’s insecurity.

“We are still in the vicious circle of focusing on the symptoms and not on the causes,” said Juan Diego Del Pozo, 31, a photographer in Quito. “No question aims to solve structural problems, such as inequality. My vote will be a resounding ‘no’ on every question.”

Thalíe Ponce contributed reporting from Guayaquil, Ecuador, and José María León Cabrera from Quito, Ecuador.