Quito, Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador is located in a narrow valley between the base of the volcano Pichincha and the river canyon, Machangara. Because of the lush valley and river canyon, most people are intrigued by the setting of Quito. During the day, the city of Quito is quite beautiful with its modern buildings that are perfectly balanced with classic architecture. At night, the city looks like a sea of lights with a backdrop of solid darkness from the volcanoes and forested mountains around it.

For people interested in visiting Ecuador, Quito would make an excellent destination. Here you will discover museums, quaint shops, wonderful restaurants and cafes, mountainous hikes, diverse excursions, and so much more. For this reason, you will find that Quito is a popular travel choice for people interested in rich history, exploration, or simply relaxation in a friendly city with warm-hearted people.

During the pre-Columbian era, many different tribes called Quito home. One of these tribes was the Quitus, from which the name “Quito” was derived. In the early part of the 16^th century, the Inca Indians controlled Ecuador. At this time, the capital was Quito, covering the northern half of the empire. However, by 1533, the power of the Incas was too much, destroying Quito so the conquistadors did not gain control. Just the following year the Spanish conquered the Inca Indians and Quito was rebuilt through an effort led by Lieutenant Sebastian de Benalcazar.

Then from 1544 to 1720, Ecuador was a part of the Viceroyalty of Peru although in 1563, Quito became a Royal Audiencia under Spain, which meant the city was now allowed to work directly with Madrid on specific issues rather than having to go through Lima, Peru. The modern day Quito is actually a city divided into old and new. The old city has not changed much since the end of the colonial period while the new city is set apart as its own with modern day structures, crowds of business people milling about, and everything you would expect in a modern world of the 21^st century.

For this reason, you see two very distinct cultures in the old and new cities of Quito, Ecuador so when visiting, you want to experience the flavor of both. Keep in mind that Quito is located at 9,252 feet above sea level so some people feel a little tired the first day as their body’s become accustomed to the altitude. The days are mild and the nights cool almost all year long. For example, you would expect daytime temperatures around 76 degrees while nighttime dips down to about 55 degrees.

In addition to being two cities, there are also two seasons – wet and dry. For the wet season, the Ecuadorians call this their winter while the dry season is equivalent to summer. Typically, the summer time runs from June to September while the winter months are from October to May. Additionally, the months of October to May are quite rainy but the weather still very nice.

Typically, people coming to visit Quito will arrive at Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre (airport) and since the airport is located in the middle of the city, landing can be a little unnerving but the pilots are pros and will ensure you have a safe landing. To enter Ecuador, you will need a Visa and passport. Keep in mind that the Ecuadorians are strict about staying only as long as intended so to avoid penalty, keep to the schedule.

For accommodations, Quito offers many wonderful hotels and hostals, which are generally found in the center of the new city. Generally, the hotels range from cheap (usually in the old city) to very luxurious accommodations. We recommend for safety and comfort purposes, you stay in La Marical, which is where most foreign travelers stay. In this area, there are restaurants, shops, internet cafes, and many other conveniences.

You will also find several options for travel, most quite affordable. The most common form of transportation is by bus and if you ride the small pink or blue busses, called Populares, you will only pay $0.12. Now, for $0.20, you can ride the larger red bus, called Especiales or Selectivos. You can also travel for $0.15 by trolley car if you prefer. Additionally, tax cabs are available although most are old. Even so, you will generally pay just $1 for about a 20-minute ride.

For restaurants, most are very affordable and even less expensive is you buy a la carte. Lunch is called Almuerzo and dinner Merienda. For about $1.50 to $2, you would get a starter dish and drink. Then, you can choose from many main courses although usually offered is Pollo (chicken), Arroz (rice), Papas Fritas (chips and fries), and Platano Frito (fried bananas). Be careful when ordering in that some foods might not be appealing. For example, Cuv may sound succulent but only if you like roasted guinea pig.

Then for entertainment, there are several nice bars that also feature live music to include salsa or Ecuadorian folklore music. For rock and roll or western dance, you will find several nightclubs that cater to tourists. Just as with other countries, Quito usually has a $2 cover charge that may or may not include a beverage.

Finally, adventure is just outside your hotel door as you look out over the magnificent mountains. Quito is located in the Andes where mountains such as Cotopaxi Cavambe and Pichincha are nearby. You can take a daytrip with a guide if you like, even renting climbing equipment. In addition, there are many travel agencies in Quito that organize trips to Galapagos Islands. Well worth the trip as you see amazing wildlife to include penguins, turtles, sea lions, dolphins, and more.

Today, there are close to two million people living within 65 central and suburban metropolitan parishes that all work together. Quito is a diverse city with attractions, churches, monasteries and convents, a nature museum, Spanish Pavilion, and so many things to experience in this magnificently built city.