Quito Overview

By Dawn Wohlfarth

This rapidly growing capital city has a past that stretches back to before the Incas made Quito the second capital of their empire. It appears that only the mountains that cradle the city remain unchanged. The historic Old Town features colonial architecture the Spanish constructed over the charred remains of the Incan city. Just north of Old Town, towering concrete and glass structures show off the modern structures of the business and tourist center of the city.

International travelers are drawn to Quito for its developed tourist infrastructure, international cuisine, spectacular setting, adventure travel opportunities and the gentle, generous culture.

Quito is a great place to start any trip around Ecuador or South America. It is known  for  some  of  the best Spanish schools in South America; there is a great backpacker community; and, there is plenty to do to escape the typical-tourist crowd. 

Quito makes a good base for travel around Ecuador, because it is easy to plan a whole trip around Ecuador or to neighboring countries around South America from Quito - most of Quito hotels, travel agencies and tour operators are found in The Mariscal sector within a five block radius of each other. Most travel agencies have an office here and transportation by land and air is readily available and sometimes cheaper, depending on the time of year.

Don't miss out on socializing with the locals, Quiteños tend to be relaxed, friendly and eager to help or make friends.

Quito Highlights

If you have a limited period of time in Quito, don't miss a tour of the Centro Histórico at night or the weekend market at Parque el Ejido (especially if you can't make it to the market in Otavalo). If you have more time, be sure to take a trip to the Panecillo, which offers excellent views of the city from the Virgin of Quito, or a trip to Parque Carolina, where you will get a true taste of the relaxed, life-loving Ecuadorian culture as families putt around the boat pond, send their little ones biking or skateboarding over concrete peaks in the skate park and dirt bike track, play soccer, volleyball, basketball or just lounge and enjoy the day. Some museums not to miss while in Quito are Guayasamin's Capilla del Hombre and the Museo Nacional del Banco Central del Ecuador.

Quito's Sectors

Divided into different neighborhoods (sectores), most tourists spend their time in the Mariscal, or the area north of Parque el Ejido and south of Avenida Orellana. The Mariscal has the highest concentration of travel agencies, hostels, international restaurants and inexpensive bars, but there are a couple of other neighborhoods that are worth devoting some time to, so be sure to branch out. The Centro Histórico, for example, hosts a diverse and rich colonial history with some beautiful plazas, churches, museums and pedestrian walkways. Other good neighborhoods include Guápulo, La Floresta and the North part of Quito. Quito was originally contained within the limits of what is now called the Centro Histórico. Today it is about 35 kilometers long from north to south (21 miles) and on average 8 kilometers (about five miles) wide east to west.