I flew into Quito in November 2019, we stayed in Quito for two nights before we continued our journey to the Galapagos, for our Galapagos cruise. We landed in Quito very early morning, so we were able to make use of the whole day when we arrived. After we had checked into the hotel, and had a bit of relaxation time to have a beer on the rooftop, we decided to explore the city.
We organised from our hotel a taxi to take us to the equator line. It doesn’t sound like much but the people of Quito have made a whole experience out of it. You paid an entry fee of $5 and the tour guide takes you around the history of Quito and the importance of the equator line. It was more of a lesson regarding the geography of the equator line. They had certain activities they showed us and allowed us to join in at certain points. For example, whether you are North or South of the equator line your sink tap will drain either clockwise or anticlockwise. Gravitation pull, we know this sort of stuff. But have you witnessed first-hand seeing in less than 10 minutes both ways a sink will drain it’s water? Since the equator line was right where we were standing, the guide was able to show us a sink drain either side of the equator line, it’s actually pretty cool when you think about it. Another task was to balance an egg on a single pin head, sounds easy? Well an egg is an oval shape so no it’s not, it will always topple if you are either North or South of the equator line. However dead on the equator line the gravitation pull means you can balance the egg perfect. Again, pretty cool when you think about it. There are a few other tasks they go into, but I won’t ruin all the fun. To reach this area where the equator line is the taxi drives around 20 minutes out of the Old Town; this was where we were staying. So you’ll need to make sure you communicate you want the driver to stay there while you look around and take you back when you are finished – this was why we asked the hotel to organise it, as our Spanish was no muy bien.
The rest of the time we were in Quito on the first day, we wandered round the Old Town taking in the architecture, including the cathedrals, the churches and the presidential buildings. We walked along many colourful, brightly, painted streets and we made sure that we tried any random street food that we could find. I have a feeling that one of the street food items that we ate was a baked plantain with cheese, but again not 100% sure. I usually just go for the items that I have no idea what they are, always the best way to try something new, no?
On the next full day we had in Quito we took the cable car up the mountain, this is definitely something I would recommend adding to your list, it’s called the ‘Teleferiqo’. It cost us $7 dollars per adult at the time as a return trip. Once you get to the top you have a choice of either doing different walking routes, some take you further into the mountains on hiking trails, some just take you to the best viewpoints which overlooked the city. If you didn’t fancy doing any walking, there is a lovely little café at the top with floor to ceiling panoramic windows which give you the same views. It can get a bit cold up there so we warmed up in here after a viewpoint walk, with a coffee, before heading back down. There is a great photo opportunity if you walk just 10 minutes along the mountain side higher than the cable car to the right. Someone has built a set of 2 swings so you can get a great photo, if you have a friend with you, of you swinging into the clouds over the city. I have that photo on my Instagram for anyone who wants to see.
If you are a mountain biker there were many people taking up their bikes to the top of the cable car. Therefore there must be a lot of different mountain biking routes that you can take from the top. Some mountain bikers were taking their bikes back down on the cable car, but some we overheard were going to head straight to the bottom of the mountain. I don’t have anymore knowledge of this, as I am not a mountain biker myself, but thought I would point it out in case anyone was interested. I’m sure there would be a place that you would be able to hire your mountain bikes from in Quito if you wanted to.
Now for the evening, be sure to get away from your hotel restaurant to go explore and try some traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. Calle De La Ronda is a lovely street in the Old Town which comes alive at 8/9 pm at night. All lite up with lively music, locals opening up their little boutique shops, and local restaurants opening up for the evening. If you head out for dinner early at around 5/6 pm you may not get the same experience. Please note that Quito is a very friendly city with lovely people, but like any city you may not want to be wandering the street alone at night time. Be savvy, be safe and just make sure you are with one other person, at least, or in a group. If you are staying in the Old Town area this tends to be the more touristy area so you should be fine, but just keep this is the back of your mind.
There are two different areas of Quito to book your accommodation – the Old Town, which is where we stayed. At the beautiful Casa Gangotena, which is just off the San Francisco Plaza, right in the heart of the historic buildings. A full review of this hotel is on my reviews page if you wanted to take a read. It’s worth keeping this hotel name in mind for a sunset cocktail on the rooftop terrace, it has stunning views over the city. The other area to stay in Quito is about 20 minutes drive from the Old Town area and here you will find hotels of a more modern style, big brand hotels such as the Novotel or the Marriott. Comfortable and more affordable, it’s whatever your travel style is. Just be aware that if you would like to explore the Old Town you will need to organise for a taxi to take you in and grab one for the return back to your hotel later on.
If you have any further questions about Quito please head over to my contact me page.
LEAH HANCOX 