La Mariscal Things to See and Do

Despite the absence of golden cathedrals and fancy art museums, La Mariscal remains the place to be. The area's nickname, Gringolandia, easily expresses its popularity among backpackers, though you’re likely to find twice as many locals roaming between the boundaries of Seis de Diciembre and Amazones, Parque el Ejido and Av. Colon. La Mariscal is home to an overwhelming amount of restaurants and internet cafés, pirated DVD shops and nightlife venues. Most travelers stay at hotels or hostels in the area, so it’s good to get to know where the coffee shops are and how long the Mercado de Mariscal stays open. You will most likely use this area as your hub for your stay in Quito, but plan to spend a day to explore this neighborhood as well.