THINGS TO DO 

Calle La Ronda: Traditional place that Ecuadorians go for dinner and drinks. Most restaurants have live music. You could go here after checking out the Centro Historico sights. Best on Thursday-Saturday nights. Also, salsa dancing!

Centro Historico: It’s basically the “old city.” Scenic and cool to walk around. Make sure you check out La Basilica and El Panecillo. The former being a Gothic cathedral, and the latter a big statue of “the Virgin of Quito.” Be careful here, the walk up can be kind of dangerous with pickpockets.

Guapulo: This is the artistic/bohemian neighborhood. Nice restaurants complimented with a good view of the city.

Guayasamin Museum: He is Ecuador’s most famous artist. His paintings are usually based on the racism/suffering that surrounds the indigenous people of Ecuador. It’s somber, but fulfilling and interesting. The museum is his old house and it’s awe-inspiring.

Mercado Artesenal: Go here if you don’t go to Otavalo. See below section, “Around Quito.” It’s a mini-Otavalo and the place to get souvenirs.

Mitad del Mundo: Located at the center of the Earth and dubbed the equator monument. Cool to visit, but you basically just go for the picture.

Plaza Foch:  Hoppin’ plaza with tons of restaurants with favorable drink specials. Very commercialized/touristy but there is a giant sign that says “Foch Yeah,” similar to the LOVE statue in New York City.

Quicentro Area: There’s a big mall and it’s a safe area. Also, the Olympic stadium is here!

Teleférico: Gondola ride up Mount Pichincha to get a great view of the city at about 14,000 ft. elevation. There are donkeys & horses at the top that can take you further up, or you can hike it.  

PLACES TO EAT 

La Briciola: Fancy Italian.

La Oficina: Great dinner spot across from the secret Garden Hostel.

Rodriguez Tacos: Awesome atmosphere and has rooftop seating outside that overlooks Foch Plaza.

Taste of India: Might sound weird to eat Indian food in Ecuador, but, this place is DOPE. Highly recommend, seriously. 

Menestras del Negro: This is a chain and you’ll see them all over Quito. Go here for traditional meals with a meat/fish + rice and beans.

Zazu: Quito’s closest resturant to a Michelin star, with a beautiful 7 course menu. Our favorite place to try cuy! 

Panificadora Ambato: Bakery that’s perfect for a quick pastry breakfast. There are a few locations sprinkled around the city.

Urko: A locally sourced menu that changes every week. The value for an 8 course menu was phenomenal, as the owner, Daniel, also pairs the dishes with drinks. 

La Platea: Area of food trucks for any taste you’re feeling

Mercado Central: Large market with local cuisine (see below). 

ZFOOD: great place to eat fresh seafood, but in a casual setting. 

*We had the best luck wandering the streets and heading where the locals went! It’s easy to get a massive meal for under 4 dollars a person. 

Food to Eat:

Bolón con Queso: It’s basically mashed plantains formed into a ball with cheese. Also available with chicharrón (pork).

Canelazo: A hot spiced drink that’ll warm you up in the cool nights. 

Choclo Loco: Grilled corn covered in mayo and rolled with shredded cheese. Don’t knock it til ya try it!

Cuy: Guinea pig. It’s the country’s delicacy and will run you around $20.

Ceviche: Mixture of shrimp, peppers, tomato juice, and citrus juices. Quite popular around town and always a great option. Note that it is way different than Peruvian ceviche. 

Granadilla: Basically a passion fruit indigenous to Ecuador. Might feel weird in texture, but it’s extremely refreshing! 

Locro de Papa: Ecuadorian potato soup. 

Mora: a red blackberry that makes a delicious juice! 

Morocho: Corn pudding drink with cinnamon.

Muchines: Yucca stuffed with cheese. They can be found randomly at little stands.

Naranjilla: Means “little orange.” This is a big smoothie option and very refreshing.

Pan de Yucca: Yuca bread. Sweet and delectable.

Pinchos: Meat on a stick. Served in little stands everywhere. 

Tigrillo: This is more common towards the coast. It’s essentially plantain mash with an egg on top.

Tomate de Arbol: Means “tree tomato.” A personal favorite!

Tortilla de Papa or “Llapingachos”:  Simplified, it’s a potato patty. Unexpected, but ended up being a favorite.

Aguardiente: Sugarcane alcohol. Aguardiente is fairly common and worth trying but be weary, it’s a sure-fire hangover. 

Traditional restaurants will offer almuerzos (lunch) for around $2.50. It comes with a soup, usually a meat of choice, rice, yucca or something similar, and a juice.

PLACES TO DRINK

Aladdin: Laid-back hookah bar with cool ambiance.

Bungalow: Go here for ladies’ night on Wednesday. You’ll drink for free until 10 p.m. and they will separate the men and women until then. It’s a weird concept, but it’s fun and gets wild.

Chupitos: Go here for pregame shots. There’s a burning shot that’s really popular.

Finn McCool’s: Trivia on Tuesday nights. There’s an awesome burrito place tucked away next door as well.

G-Spot: This is a  venue to hang out and watch sports. Solid tacos. Owned by Americans and a lot of expats hang out here. 

No Bar: This is an ideal bar to casually pregame or end up later at.

Plaza Foch: Touristy, but a lot of two for one specials.

The Attic: Kinda sketchy, attracts different characters, but definitely a good time

Zinc: delicious cocktails!

PLACES TO STAY

Posada del Maple: Quaint and clean hostel located on a cute street with big elm-like trees and pale colored hostels. Only about three blocks from La Mariscal. The “mom” of the hostel was the sweetest and always makes sure guests are doing okay.

Secret Garden Hostel: Come here strictly for the views and low price. Also great if you want to head to Secret Garden Cotopaxi after. 

Masaya: super beautiful hostel (that doesn’t feel like a hostel) with massive solo rooms and in the heart of the historic district. They also have a cute courtyard. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Major Bus stations

Carcelen: Northern bus station. Use to get to: Otavalo, Ibarra, Mindo, Esmeraldas, and other northern destinations.

Quitumbe: Southern bus station. Use to get to: Guayaquil, Cuenca, Ambato, Baños, Latacunga, and other southern destinations.

Take Metrobús all the way south to the big bus station and you can get on the buses to go long distances. Be careful in South Quito. It’s known to be more dangerous due to economic disparities.

Chivas: If you get the opportunity to do this with people you meet at your hostel or wherever, do it. It’s an open-air party bus that takes you around the city and provides alcohol. Then, it usually drops you back off in La Mariscal to go out

Taxis: We don’t recommend taking them. Take uber instead! 

The airport is pretty far away and costs 20-35 dollars. We recommend planning transport in advance or using Uber. 

Be careful on public transportation! Known for pickpockets, keep your head on a swivel, especially if you are obviously a traveler or are on your own.

Don’t carry too much cash with you in La Mariscal and don’t walk down any super dark streets (obviously).

Parks: Don’t go too deep in the parks. This is usually where we have heard of people getting robbed. If you go, stay around the edges.

DAY TRIPS FROM QUITO

Mindo

Only two hours from Quito but not a day trip. Dubbed “The Cloud Forest” it’s very chill. You can zipline here, waterfall rappel, jump off a 35 foot waterfall, and home to amazing hiking. Plus, a butterfly forest and a chocolate museum.

Otavalo

A couple hours away from Quito. This is a huge indigenous market. Will take hours to walk through it and this is where you’ll get your souvenirs. Also, check out Termas de Papallacta — they’re hot springs heated by a nearby volcano. Beautiful and relaxing. Good place to spend an evening.

Quilotoa

Vast crater-lake inside of a caldera volcano that erupted and collapsed. Offers incredible views and good hiking. You can also kayak in the lake and ride horses back up to the top after hiking down. Roughly three hours from Quito. This is also accessible from Latacunga (about two hours) but the town is pretty uneventful.Come here