7 tips for visiting Quito

7 tips for visiting Quito

After a few months in South America, the cities start to merge together. (“Where was that great ice cream parlor? Santiago or Buenos Aires?”, “Where was that yellow church? Montevideo or Asunción?”)

However, Quito, with its elegant colonial buildings and charming small-town feel, remains in our memories months after our visit. However, as is usual in South America, things didn't go smoothly. Here we share some tips you should know before visiting Quito.

1. Be patient – ​​very, very patient

If you fly to Quito, you're in luck. If you're traveling by bus - especially from the border town of Tulcan - prepare for one of the longest journeys of your life.

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We'd had several long bus trips through Colombia and Peru (a couple of 15-hour trips and one 32-hour trip), but it was the trip from Tulcan to Quito - just five hours long - that nearly drove us crazy.

This bus stops almost every 15 minutes to pick up passengers, newspaper vendors, miracle pill pushers, religious preachers, wannabe rappers, fortune tellers and everyone in between.

Sometimes he stops for no reason and snorts on the side of the road like an unwieldy animal. It's very, very hard not to fall into impatient Western mode. Try to remember that this seemingly endless journey supports local people, then grit your teeth and pray for it to end.

2. Don't just use Quito as a base for your Galápagos trip

Some tourists make a quick detour to Quito on their way to the Galápagos Islands. This is a mistake. Quito is a travel destination in itself. The Old Town is full of charming architecture and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the second site after the Galapagos Islands.

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Don't miss the Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus, La Capilla Del Hombre, Basílica del Voto Nacional or Iglesia de San Francico (below).

To expand on this point, don't just use Ecuador as a base for the Galápagos Islands. There is so much more to do and see, including the Cotopaxi volcano, Mitad del Mundo with its official equator line, the hot springs of Baños and Chimborazo, the closest point on Earth to the sun.

3. Take the free walking tour

Walking tours are a great way to see a city. Sure, you'll be hanging out with a group of gringos, but you'll also get a great shot of a city.

We took the Free Walking Tour Ecuador and were introduced to a range of cultural and culinary highlights by Ovi, a local guide with deep knowledge and a ready smile.

The tour runs Monday to Saturday and departs from the Community Hostel on Pedro Fermin Cevallos at 10:30 a.m. rain or shine. Don't forget to leave a tip for your guide ($5-10 per person).

4. Do not climb El Panecillo on foot

If you join the free walking tour, you may be warned not to climb El Panecillo on foot.

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This hill south of the Old Town offers magnificent views of Quito and the opportunity to see up close La Virgen de Quito, a giant statue of the “Virgin of Quito,” adorned with a crown of stars, angel wings, and a chained dragon by her foot (entrance fee: $1).

While you're sure to meet one or two travelers who have safely visited the city on foot, don't take any chances. The area is said to be sketchy and passing traffic can be dangerous for pedestrians. Instead, opt for a $4-5 taxi ride.

5. Don't be sloppy

In general, Ecuadorians in Quito dress conservatively. You'll have an easier time interacting with locals if you leave the tie-dye T-shirt and ripped sandals at the hostel.

A clean t-shirt with smart shorts, slacks or dark jeans are more appropriate. Be warned that if you are a foreigner who looks “alternative” (e.g. a man with dreadlocks or long hair), you may be offered drugs multiple times.

6. Visit the interior of the basilica

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The Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional is one of the most beautiful buildings in Ecuador. On the way to the entrance we met two fellow travelers who were turned away at the door because the basilica was closed for church services.

When we got there just five minutes later, we were greeted inside with a smile (and a small fee of $2 per person). If you are turned away, wait or come back later because the inside is definitely worth a visit.

Shaky walkways and steep stairwells lead visitors through the echoing interior up to the clock tower and beyond. Vertigo sufferers may struggle, but for the rest of us it's more than worth it.

7. Don't trust the laundromats

This is more of a light-hearted anecdote than a tested gospel, but still worth considering. We were told to pick up our Thursday laundry after 9am on Saturday. When we arrived at 9:15 a.m. the laundromat was closed.

A window was open and music was playing inside, so we thought perhaps the owner had come out for a short while. Fast forward 20 minutes and we start to worry as we have to catch our bus. We ask our hosts in the hostel next door if they know the owner. They call her over and over again to no avail. Our laundry bag contains about 90% of our clothes (yes, it got a little desperate).

Peter suggests climbing through the window, but our host warns us not to. Another 15 minutes pass. We are getting dangerously close to our departure and still have to pack 90% of our clothes. Finally, Peter makes an executive decision, leaps full force to the window shelf and jumps in.

Somewhere in the bowels of the building a dog barks, but he combs the room and manages to retrieve our stuff sack. Our host apologizes profusely on behalf of the owner, we run upstairs and throw everything into our backpacks, rush to the departure point and make it just in time.

It wasn't the first time we had laundry problems in South America, so we learned an important lesson: always allow time for late arrivals and no-shows!

The essentials

What: A stay in Quito, Ecuador, officially the highest capital in the world.

Where: We stayed at Quito Backpackers Guesthouse, which has a great location near the historic center. The rooms are large and spacious, if a bit cold, and the staff are super helpful. If you're looking for a livelier hostel, book the Secret Garden Quito, where Australian host Tarquin runs a bustling, lively spot that offers fantastic views from the rooftop breakfast bar.

When: High season across Ecuador runs from mid-June to early September (dry season) and late December to early January. The weather in Quito is pleasant all year round, so you may want to visit outside of peak season (we went in March and it was lovely). Keep in mind that even though Quito is almost on the equator, it is very high up so it can still get cool. Bring layers.

How: Quito is very well connected with over 100 companies connecting the capital with destinations throughout Ecuador. Visit Andes Transit or Latin Bus for schedules. If you are flying to Quito, book flights through skyscanner.net.

For more information about visiting Quito, check out the Lonely Planet Guide to Ecuador.

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