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Voykit pocket guide · Ecuador
Quito
Quito sits at about 2,850 m: keep day 1 flat and slow, do the old town in the morning while the sky is clear, and take a car, not a walk, after dark.
Quito is a long north-south city in a high valley. The Historic Centre is a hillside grid of plazas, churches and steep cobbled streets; La Mariscal and La Carolina are the flatter modern districts to the north; Guápulo drops off a ridge to the east. The trips that go wrong are the ones that ignore altitude on day 1, walk the old town after dark, or plan an outdoor afternoon in the rainy months when clouds and showers arrive after 14:00. Four clusters cover a first visit; Otavalo, Mindo and Cotopaxi are trips away from one kept bed.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Best months
- Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Dec
- Time zone
- America/Guayaquil
- Stay
- 2 days: Historic Centre morning + La Mariscal / La Carolina afternoon
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- US dollars are the currency. Cards work in hotels, malls and most restaurants; markets, buses, small cafés and many taxis want cash. Carry $1, $5 and $10 notes: change for a $50 or $100 note is hard to find, and shops often refuse worn or torn notes.
- Daily spend
- Budget $25–45 excl. bed · Mid $45–100 excl. bed · High $100+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Install an eSIM before you fly, or buy a SIM at a carrier shop in the city with your passport; the airport booths cost more.
- Emergency
- All emergencies (ECU 911) 911
- Plugs
- 120 V, 60 Hz; two flat-pin sockets (types A and B). Most phone chargers work; check hair dryers and razors.
- Tipping
- Restaurants usually add 10% service and IVA (15% VAT, 2026 estimate, check) to the menu price. Leaving a little extra is optional. Round up a taxi fare; $1–2 for a bag carrier.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water. Buy bottled or filtered water; ice in established restaurants is normally made from purified water.
- Toilets
- Cafés, malls, museums and metro-side shopping centres; carry tissues and $0.25–0.50 in coins for public ones.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | $1.50–3.50 |
| Set lunch (almuerzo) at a market stall | $3–5 |
| Beer: local lager in a bar | $2.50–4.50 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) ride-hail car3.1 mi (5 km) ride-hail car | $3–5 |
| Metro or city bus ride | $0.35–0.45 |
| Tourist SIM or eSIM, about a week | $5–15 |
| Church or museum entry | $3–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
- UIO to the hotel: one pre-booked or ride-hailed car to the door, 45–90 minutes because the airport is out in Tababela; the risk is not the ride but arriving late to a hotel that closes its door.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Quitumbe bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe) | South and coast: Cuenca, Guayaquil, Baños, Riobamba, Latacunga (Cotopaxi), Loja | Metro line 1 (terminus) about 35–40 min to La Carolina; or a car 30–45 min, $8–12 |
| Carcelén bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre Carcelén) | North: Otavalo, Ibarra, Tulcán (Colombian border) | Car 30–45 min, $8–12; or city bus and metro (check) |
| Ofelia bus terminal (Terminal Ofelia) | North-west: Mindo, Mitad del Mundo area, Santo Domingo | Metro line 1 from El Labrador; or a car 25–40 min |
| Chimbacalle railway station (Estación Chimbacalle) | Tourist trains to the Cotopaxi area, when they run | Car 10–15 min |
| Quito Metro (Line 1) (Metro de Quito) | North-south axis: Quitumbe to El Labrador, 15 stations | San Francisco station is by the Historic Centre; La Carolina station is at the park |
| Private transfers and tour minibuses | Otavalo, Mindo, Cotopaxi, Papallacta, Quilotoa | Already there |
Typical fares
- Airport → La Mariscal, car
- $28–35, 45–90 min
- Car across the centre
- $3–8
- Metro ride
- $0.35–0.45 (check)
Show 8 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Eat, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk inside a cluster, take a car between clusters. The metro is useful north to south, buses are cheap but crowded, and most visitors use a ride-hailing app or a hotel-booked taxi.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Inside the Historic Centre, La Mariscal and La Carolina |
| Ride-hail car | $3–8 across the city | Between clusters, bags, night |
| Metered taxi | Minimum fare about $1.50–2.00, then per km (check) | Day trips within the city |
| Metro (line 1) | $0.35–0.45 (check) | San Francisco, La Alameda, El Ejido, La Carolina, Quitumbe |
| Trolebús, Ecovía and city buses | $0.35–0.45 | Budget north–south rides |
| Airport bus | Around $8–10 (check) | Budget airport transfer |
| TelefériQo cable car | $10–15 (check) | Pichincha viewpoint at about 4,000 m |
| Bicycle | Sunday Ciclopaseo is free; hire varies | Sunday bike ride on closed streets |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- No pass. Short taxi rides inside the city are cheap; use the meter or agree the fare before you get in.
- Late at night
- No rail constraint for the day plan; taxis and ride-hailing run all night.
See and do
01Plaza Grande in the morningPlaza Grande
The starting point for the old town, with the Presidential Palace and the cathedral, and quiet before 10:00.The starting point for the old town, with the Presidential Palace and the cathedral, and quiet before 10:00 AM.
Hours: best 08:00–10:00 · Price: Free · Time: 30 minHours: best 8:00 AM–10:00 AM · Price: Free · Time: 30 min · -0.2202, -78.5125
02La Compañía de JesúsIglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
The gilded Jesuit interior, the finest in the city; no photos, so look properly.
Hours: best Opening time · Price: $5–7 · Time: 40 min · -0.2211, -78.5124
03San Francisco church and plazaIglesia y Plaza de San Francisco
The oldest church complex in the city, on a wide plaza with a convent museum.
Hours: best Morning · Price: Church free; museum $3–5 · Time: 45–60 min · -0.2216, -78.5100
04Calle La Ronda
The narrow balcony street of cafés and crafts; live music at weekends.
Hours: best Late morning or weekend evening (by car) · Price: Free; drinks extra · Time: 45 min · -0.2198, -78.5107
05Basílica del Voto Nacional tower
A Neo-Gothic basilica with a climbable tower and animal gargoyles.
Hours: best Morning · Price: $2–5 · Time: 1 h
06El Panecillo viewpoint
The winged Virgin and a wide view over the old town; take a car.
Hours: best Morning, clear sky · Price: Small fee (check) · Time: 45 min
07Parque La Carolina
The city's big park, with paths, boats and a Sunday cycling scene.
Hours: best Morning · Price: Free · Time: 1 h · -0.1855, -78.4857
08Quito Botanical GardenJardín Botánico de Quito
Orchids and highland plants in a shaded garden inside the park.
Hours: best Morning or a dry afternoon · Price: $3–5 · Time: 1 h · -0.1851, -78.4842
09TelefériQo to Pichincha
A cable car to about 4,000 m, with a wide view across the volcanoes on a clear morning.
Hours: best First cars in the morning · Price: $10–15 · Time: 2–3 h
10Mitad del Mundo and a Cotopaxi or Otavalo day
The equator line and the highland day trips make Quito a hub for the Andes.
Hours: best Weekday, after two days at altitude · Price: $40–100 on a tour · Time: Half to full day
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mitad del Mundo (Equator monument) | Metro or bus to the north terminals, then a local bus; or a car about 45–60 min | Half day |
| Otavalo market and lakes | Bus from Carcelén terminal or a private car, about 2–2.5 h each way | Full day |
| Cotopaxi National Park | Tour van or private car, about 1.5–2 h each way | Full day |
| Mindo cloud forest | Bus from Ofelia terminal or a tour, about 2–2.5 h each way | Full day |
| Papallacta hot springs | Car or tour, about 1.5–2 h each way | Half to full day |
| Quilotoa crater lake | Tour or bus via Latacunga, about 3–3.5 h each way | Very long as a day trip; one night is better |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercado Central | Set lunch (almuerzo): soup, rice, meat, juice · Historic Centre | $3–5 | Budget |
| Heladería San Agustín | Helado de paila (hand-churned fruit ice cream) · Historic Centre | $1.50–3 | Budget |
| Cafetería Modelo | Empanadas de viento and coffee · Historic Centre | $2–5 (check) | Budget |
| Hornado stalls | Roast pork with mote, potato cakes (llapingachos) · Mercado Central and street stalls | $4–6 | Budget |
| Restaurants around Plaza Foch | Dinner tables: Ecuadorian and international · La Mariscal | $10–22 | Mid-range |
| Ecuadorian restaurants in the Historic Centre | Locro de papa, seco de chivo, encebollado · Around Plaza Grande and García Moreno | $8–15 (check) | Mid-range |
| Cafés and restaurants on the Guápulo ridge | Wine, dessert or a dinner with a view · Guápulo ridge | $8–20 (check) | Mid-range |
| Ceviche and seafood restaurants | Ecuadorian ceviche with corn nuts or popcorn · La Mariscal, La Carolina | $8–15 | Mid-range |
| Chef-led restaurants in La Floresta and La Carolina | Ecuadorian tasting menus · La Floresta, La Carolina, González Suárez | $40–90 (check) | Splurge |
| Hotel dining rooms | Andean-inspired multi-course menus · Historic Centre and La Carolina | $30–70 (check) | Splurge |
Per person, one dish or one meal, 2026 estimate in US dollars. Hours and addresses change: check the day before.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | $10–18 dorm bed · $30–55 double | La Mariscal and the Historic Centre | Hostels, guesthouses |
| mid | $55–110 | La Mariscal, La Floresta, Historic Centre boutique hotels | Boutique hotels, 3–4 star hotels |
| splurge | $150–350+ | Historic Centre heritage hotels, La Carolina towers | Heritage hotels, international chains |
| mid | $50–110 (cheaper by the week) | La Carolina, La Floresta | Serviced apartments |
Per room per night in US dollars, 2026 estimate; holidays add 20–50%.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / good morning | Hola / Buenos díasOH-lah / BWAY-nos DEE-as |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-syahs |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
| What is the set lunch today? | ¿Cuál es el almuerzo de hoy?kwal es el al-MWAIR-soh day oy |
| Without chilli sauce, please | Sin ají, por favorseen ah-HEE por fah-VOR |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favorlah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR |
| Please take me to this address | Lléveme a esta dirección, por favorYEH-veh-meh ah ES-tah dee-rek-SYON por fah-VOR |
| Please use the meter | Con el taxímetro, por favorkon el tak-SEE-meh-troh por fah-VOR |
| I feel dizzy from the altitude | Me siento mareado por la alturameh SYEN-toh mah-reh-AH-doh por lah al-TOO-rah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Churches: Cover shoulders and knees; hats off; no flash. Photography is banned in La Compañía and some others: look for the sign.
- Greetings: Say 'buenos días' or 'buenas tardes' when you enter a shop or taxi. A handshake or a cheek kiss is normal between acquaintances.
- Queues: Orderly at banks and museums; looser at markets. Let the elderly and pregnant women go first on the metro.
- Tipping: 10% service is often already on the bill; add a small extra for good service. Round up taxi fares.
- Paying and haggling: Haggle at craft markets; never in shops with tags or at food stalls with a price list.
- Photos: Ask before photographing people, especially indigenous vendors; some will ask for a small payment.
- Altitude: Walk slowly, rest on stairs and drink water: locals expect visitors to pause.
Red lines
- Churches: cover shoulders and knees; photography is banned inside many of them, including La Compañía.
- Do not walk the Historic Centre's quiet side streets or the park edges after dark; take a car door to door.
- Do not accept unofficial taxis at the airport or bus terminals; use the official rank or the ride-hailing app.
Scams and watch-outs
- Hailing a taxi on the street after dark: unregistered or 'express' taxis have been used for robberies. Use an app, a taxi your hotel or restaurant calls, or one from a marked rank.
- Distraction thefts in the Historic Centre and on buses: a spill, a stain or a stranger pointing at something while a second person takes the bag. Walk away and check your pockets.
- Drinks left unattended or offered by strangers in nightlife streets around Plaza Foch: buy your own, watch it poured, and do not leave with people you have just met.
- Unofficial airport taxis and 'free' hotel-booking helpers: use the official rank or your booked car, and agree the fare before the car moves.
- Tour desks selling Galápagos or jungle packages at very low prices: check the operator's registration and the written inclusions before paying.
One and two days
1 day
A stopover or the day before a Galápagos flight. Skip: Guápulo and the TelefériQo: both need a car and a clear morning.
- 08:008:00 AMPlaza Grande, quiet before groups
- 09:009:00 AMLa Compañía de Jesús interior
- 10:0010:00 AMSan Francisco church and plaza
- 12:3012:30 PMAlmuerzo at the Mercado Central
- 14:002:00 PMRest at altitude: hotel or a café
- 16:004:00 PMCar to Parque La Carolina, a slow walk
- 19:007:00 PMDinner around Plaza Foch, car home
2 days
The usual Quito stay before the Galápagos or a highland tour. Skip: El Panecillo on foot; the old town after dark.
Day 1 — Historic Centre
- 08:008:00 AMPlaza Grande
- 09:009:00 AMLa Compañía
- 10:0010:00 AMSan Francisco
- 12:3012:30 PMMarket lunch
- 17:005:00 PMLa Ronda by car, a canelazo
Day 2 — park and garden
- 09:009:00 AMParque La Carolina
- 11:0011:00 AMBotanical Garden
- 13:001:00 PMLunch near the mall
- 16:004:00 PMCar to Guápulo for the ridge view
- 19:007:00 PMDinner around Plaza Foch
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Ecuador Ministry of Tourism: ecuador.travel/
- Wikivoyage — Quito: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Quito
- Wikitravel — Quito: wikitravel.org/en/Quito
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Quito
Lléveme a esta dirección, por favor
Please take me to this address
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- Plaza GrandePlaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia)
- Iglesia de la Compañía de JesúsLa Compañía de Jesús
- Iglesia y Plaza de San FranciscoSan Francisco church and plaza
- Jardín Botánico de QuitoQuito Botanical Garden
- All emergencies (ECU 911)911
Most embassies are in the north of the city (La Carolina, Cumbayá and nearby); check the address on your embassy's website and save the 24-hour line.
Show the address with the cross street (for example 'Foch and Reina Victoria'): drivers navigate by intersection.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/quito). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.