Guidebook for Quito
Getting Around Town
Some of the options to get around
Trolleybuses is a common form of public transportation in Quito. At the "Plaza Santa Domingo" your will find one of the trolley stops heading towards the north or south parts of the city.
It costs a 25cents to ride.
Please see: Map of the Metropolitan Transportation System
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Metrobus-Q-map.svg
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Santo Domingo station
Simon BolivarTrolleybuses is a common form of public transportation in Quito. At the "Plaza Santa Domingo" your will find one of the trolley stops heading towards the north or south parts of the city.
It costs a 25cents to ride.
Please see: Map of the Metropolitan Transportation System
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Metrobus-Q-map.svg
Ecovía is a public transportation line in the city of Quito. Through its exclusive lanes, buses run from north to south through the avenues 6 of December, Gran Colombia and Pichincha; connecting to the historic center in the Playon de La Marín. Cost of the ticket .25 cents.
Please see Map of the Sistema Metropolitano de Transporte
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Metrobus-Q-map.svg
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Terminal Playón de la Marín
Ecovía is a public transportation line in the city of Quito. Through its exclusive lanes, buses run from north to south through the avenues 6 of December, Gran Colombia and Pichincha; connecting to the historic center in the Playon de La Marín. Cost of the ticket .25 cents.
Please see Map of the Sistema Metropolitano de Transporte
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Metrobus-Q-map.svg
Drinks & Nightlife
Chosen Bar
440 YUnique cocktails, great atmosphere, music and service!.
Food Scene
Khipus Artesanias Choco-Cafe - Morales OE 1-53, Quito 17015 Located in calle de La Ronda serves great coffee, organic chocolate, delicious pastries, ice cream and the signature drink of Quito, Canelazo!
35 moradores locais recomendam
Calle de la Ronda
Calle de la RondaKhipus Artesanias Choco-Cafe - Morales OE 1-53, Quito 17015 Located in calle de La Ronda serves great coffee, organic chocolate, delicious pastries, ice cream and the signature drink of Quito, Canelazo!
You will enjoy the best quality of Ecuadorian Arabic coffee, organic chocolate, and delicious pastries. There is available diet coffee!
San Mateo's
MejíaYou will enjoy the best quality of Ecuadorian Arabic coffee, organic chocolate, and delicious pastries. There is available diet coffee!
Café Dios No Muere
n4-62 Juan Pío MontúfarA cozy place serving good food.
It's a gorgeous hotel and an amazing place to have breakfast and lunch.
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Casa Gangotena Posse
CuencaIt's a gorgeous hotel and an amazing place to have breakfast and lunch.
In a unique environment with its panoramic view of the San Franciscan Plaza and the domes of the Compañía de Jesús Church, you will savor the delicious plates of Ecuadorian
cuisine.
http://www.tianguez.org/cafe.html
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Tianguez
E4-65 Francisco CalderonIn a unique environment with its panoramic view of the San Franciscan Plaza and the domes of the Compañía de Jesús Church, you will savor the delicious plates of Ecuadorian
cuisine.
http://www.tianguez.org/cafe.html
It's a beautiful colonial hotel and a great place to eat.
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Hotel Plaza Grande
It's a beautiful colonial hotel and a great place to eat.
Great atmosphere, very good food, both typical and international, and good prices.
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Pekaraz
Oe4-56 VenezuelaGreat atmosphere, very good food, both typical and international, and good prices.
Los Milagros Restaurant offers Gourmet Ecuadorian food. Large variety of authentic dishes. Nice atmosphere in outside patio, and great service. It is a Cultural Ecuadorian place in the
Historic Center of Quito. You can also visit a charming old chapel from XVI century well conserved "Lord of the Miracles", located just next to the restaurant.
You may need reservation.
http://www.losmilagrosquito.com/
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Los Milagros
De los MilagrosLos Milagros Restaurant offers Gourmet Ecuadorian food. Large variety of authentic dishes. Nice atmosphere in outside patio, and great service. It is a Cultural Ecuadorian place in the
Historic Center of Quito. You can also visit a charming old chapel from XVI century well conserved "Lord of the Miracles", located just next to the restaurant.
You may need reservation.
http://www.losmilagrosquito.com/
Parks & Nature
This urban park is right below our Casa LunaLoma. This a fantastic addition to our city. It used to be a bus terminal that was removed and turned into a community space.
Here you will find a complete gym, pools, volleyball court, soccer pitch, climbing wall, etc. And there is a variety of classes available for a very low cost.
They even have a bike trail that runs through the city. A space for sports and arts that has become an ideal space for
recreational activities. It is a modern complex where people of different ages can improve their health.
Open every day from 8 am to 9 pm.
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Parque Urbano Cumandá
Terminal TerrestreThis urban park is right below our Casa LunaLoma. This a fantastic addition to our city. It used to be a bus terminal that was removed and turned into a community space.
Here you will find a complete gym, pools, volleyball court, soccer pitch, climbing wall, etc. And there is a variety of classes available for a very low cost.
They even have a bike trail that runs through the city. A space for sports and arts that has become an ideal space for
recreational activities. It is a modern complex where people of different ages can improve their health.
Open every day from 8 am to 9 pm.
It's a park located along Avenue Patria in the Old Centre part of Quito, Ecuador. It's the third-largest park in the city. On weekends the park hosts art exhibitions of local artists.
Beautiful paintings, sculptures and handcrafts are sold directly from the artist.
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Parque El Ejido
It's a park located along Avenue Patria in the Old Centre part of Quito, Ecuador. It's the third-largest park in the city. On weekends the park hosts art exhibitions of local artists.
Beautiful paintings, sculptures and handcrafts are sold directly from the artist.
Cotopaxi National Park is a protected area in Ecuador situated roughly 50 km south of Quito. The Cotopaxi volcano that lends its name to the park is located within its boundaries, and is among the highest active volcanoes in the world. - Wikipedia-
This is a great touristic attraction to admire the snow capped mountain, 5,890 mts. over sea level, and for hiking, mountain biking and discovering the flora and fauna of the park, in only one day.
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Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi National Park is a protected area in Ecuador situated roughly 50 km south of Quito. The Cotopaxi volcano that lends its name to the park is located within its boundaries, and is among the highest active volcanoes in the world. - Wikipedia-
This is a great touristic attraction to admire the snow capped mountain, 5,890 mts. over sea level, and for hiking, mountain biking and discovering the flora and fauna of the park, in only one day.
Mindo is a village in the Andes Mountains of northern Ecuador. It's known for the many bird species, butterflies and orchids found in the surrounding cloud forest.
A tarabita (cable car) runs over the Nambillo River to a
mountaintop, where trails lead to several waterfalls.
Great touristic destination where you can do rafting, tubing, trekking, mountain biking, canoeing, horseback riding, bird
watching, etc.
The butterfly garden has an amazing and abundant population of butterflies. It's an interesting exhibit that takes you through the entire life of a butterfly.
Mindo Cloudforest Foundation
398 MiravalleMindo is a village in the Andes Mountains of northern Ecuador. It's known for the many bird species, butterflies and orchids found in the surrounding cloud forest.
A tarabita (cable car) runs over the Nambillo River to a
mountaintop, where trails lead to several waterfalls.
Great touristic destination where you can do rafting, tubing, trekking, mountain biking, canoeing, horseback riding, bird
watching, etc.
The butterfly garden has an amazing and abundant population of butterflies. It's an interesting exhibit that takes you through the entire life of a butterfly.
Quilotoa lagoon is a water-filled caldera and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The 3-kilometer (2 mi)-wide caldera was formed by the collapse of this volcano.
The route to the "summit" (the small town of Quilotoa) is generally traveled by hired truck or bus. -Wikipedia-
Quilotoa is a fantastic adventure for serious hikers and people who like the great outdoors. The view of the lake is
absolutely stunning! You can walk down into the Volcano. it takes about an hour, and it isn't difficult. The walk back up is pretty tough. It may help hiring a donkey or a horse for about $10.
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Quilotoa Lake
Quilotoa lagoon is a water-filled caldera and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The 3-kilometer (2 mi)-wide caldera was formed by the collapse of this volcano.
The route to the "summit" (the small town of Quilotoa) is generally traveled by hired truck or bus. -Wikipedia-
Quilotoa is a fantastic adventure for serious hikers and people who like the great outdoors. The view of the lake is
absolutely stunning! You can walk down into the Volcano. it takes about an hour, and it isn't difficult. The walk back up is pretty tough. It may help hiring a donkey or a horse for about $10.
Everything Else
Private resort that offer hot springs, hot and cold pools, massages with flower essences and oils, etc. This can be a day long trip, as it's only 1 hr away from Quito, yet if you have
extra time it's recommended to stay overnight.
Make sure you book ahead of time as they fill up fast!
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Termas de Papallacta
Private resort that offer hot springs, hot and cold pools, massages with flower essences and oils, etc. This can be a day long trip, as it's only 1 hr away from Quito, yet if you have
extra time it's recommended to stay overnight.
Make sure you book ahead of time as they fill up fast!
Sightseeing
El Panecillo is a beautiful hill that hold "La Virgen de Quito" a winged Virgen Mary, statue by Legarda, that overlooks the city. It's a great place to visit during the day and
spectacular at night. It offers an amazing view of the city. It's best to get there by taxi or in a tour bus.
You will find a large variety of small tends selling handcrafts. There is also a restaurant, Pim's, that serves Ecuadorian food.
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El Panecillo
El Panecillo is a beautiful hill that hold "La Virgen de Quito" a winged Virgen Mary, statue by Legarda, that overlooks the city. It's a great place to visit during the day and
spectacular at night. It offers an amazing view of the city. It's best to get there by taxi or in a tour bus.
You will find a large variety of small tends selling handcrafts. There is also a restaurant, Pim's, that serves Ecuadorian food.
The grounds contain the Monument to the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) and commemorates the eighteenth
century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission which determined its approximate location.
The Museo Etnográfico Mitad del Mundo, about the indigenous ethnography of Ecuador, is located in the same grounds.
There is a Latitude discrepancy. It was believed that the equator passed through those two sites. However, according to readings based on the World Geodetic
System, used in GPS systems, the equator actually lies about 240 meters north of the marked line. -Wikipedia-
You can get there by public transportation or taxi cab.
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Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
The grounds contain the Monument to the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) and commemorates the eighteenth
century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission which determined its approximate location.
The Museo Etnográfico Mitad del Mundo, about the indigenous ethnography of Ecuador, is located in the same grounds.
There is a Latitude discrepancy. It was believed that the equator passed through those two sites. However, according to readings based on the World Geodetic
System, used in GPS systems, the equator actually lies about 240 meters north of the marked line. -Wikipedia-
You can get there by public transportation or taxi cab.
The TelefériQo, or TelefériQo Cruz Loma, is a gondola lift in Quito, Ecuador, running fromthe edge of the city centre up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to lookout Cruz Loma.
The ascent takes about twenty minutes. At the summit there are restaurants, coffee bars and stores.
There are hiking trails with points where pictures can be taken of Quito. Due to the increased altitude and the wind on the
mountain it is cooler than the city and is susceptible to fog, especially in the mornings.
Sometimes the height of the upper station can cause symptoms of altitude sickness. - Wikipedia-
Stunning view of the Andes around Quito. Entry $8.50 both ways.
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Teleferico De Quito station
The TelefériQo, or TelefériQo Cruz Loma, is a gondola lift in Quito, Ecuador, running fromthe edge of the city centre up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to lookout Cruz Loma.
The ascent takes about twenty minutes. At the summit there are restaurants, coffee bars and stores.
There are hiking trails with points where pictures can be taken of Quito. Due to the increased altitude and the wind on the
mountain it is cooler than the city and is susceptible to fog, especially in the mornings.
Sometimes the height of the upper station can cause symptoms of altitude sickness. - Wikipedia-
Stunning view of the Andes around Quito. Entry $8.50 both ways.
Loma de las Antenas, on the skirts of the volcano Pichincha. This volacano presents several summits. Rucu Pichincha, Cruz Loma, Guagua Pichincha.
This mountain is a historical place. On the slopes of the volcano took place on May 24, 1822, the bloody battle of Pichincha that secured the independence of the territory that today is Ecuador. The independence army commanded by Mariscal Antonio Jose de Sucre confronted and defeated
the Spanish army. - Wikipedia-
You can reach this Loma driving or by taxi cab and then
hiking or biking along the road. Stunning views!
Antenas del Pichincha
Loma de las Antenas, on the skirts of the volcano Pichincha. This volacano presents several summits. Rucu Pichincha, Cruz Loma, Guagua Pichincha.
This mountain is a historical place. On the slopes of the volcano took place on May 24, 1822, the bloody battle of Pichincha that secured the independence of the territory that today is Ecuador. The independence army commanded by Mariscal Antonio Jose de Sucre confronted and defeated
the Spanish army. - Wikipedia-
You can reach this Loma driving or by taxi cab and then
hiking or biking along the road. Stunning views!
Independence Square or Plaza Grande is the principal and
central public square of Quito, Ecuador, and one of the symbols of the executive power of the nation. Its main feature is the monument to the independence heroes of August 10,
1809, the First Cry of Independence in America. The square is flanked by the Carondelet Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Plaza Grande Hotel. -Wikipedia.
It’s a very pleasant and enjoyable experience, walking by the surrounding streets, admiring the mountains and taking
some memorable pictures.
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Praça da Independência
N5-16 García MorenoIndependence Square or Plaza Grande is the principal and
central public square of Quito, Ecuador, and one of the symbols of the executive power of the nation. Its main feature is the monument to the independence heroes of August 10,
1809, the First Cry of Independence in America. The square is flanked by the Carondelet Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Plaza Grande Hotel. -Wikipedia.
It’s a very pleasant and enjoyable experience, walking by the surrounding streets, admiring the mountains and taking
some memorable pictures.
Otavalo is a town in the Andean highlands, province of Imbabura, about 90 km. north of Quito.
On Saturdays there is an outdoor market. The indigenous Otavaleños are famous for weaving textiles, usually made
of wool, which are sold at this market.
In the main square hundred of artisans display their handcrafts. It's quite an interesting place where you can shop for souvenirs, woven crafts textiles, tagua jewelry, musical instruments, leather goods, and much more.
Make sure to not pay full price as it's expected to 'regatear' which means to ask for a lower price! If you make a
large purchase make sure to ask for a 'yapa', quechua word to ask for something free'
78 moradores locais recomendam
Otavalo
Otavalo is a town in the Andean highlands, province of Imbabura, about 90 km. north of Quito.
On Saturdays there is an outdoor market. The indigenous Otavaleños are famous for weaving textiles, usually made
of wool, which are sold at this market.
In the main square hundred of artisans display their handcrafts. It's quite an interesting place where you can shop for souvenirs, woven crafts textiles, tagua jewelry, musical instruments, leather goods, and much more.
Make sure to not pay full price as it's expected to 'regatear' which means to ask for a lower price! If you make a
large purchase make sure to ask for a 'yapa', quechua word to ask for something free'
Essentials
On Rocafuerte street, at one block from Casa LunaLoma, you can find convenient grocery stores, pharmacy, laundry service, etc. Rocafuerte street is a commercial avenue that offer all kind of services. You can shop for fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, fresh juice, beers and other drinks.
Rocafuerte
Avenida Lola QuintanaOn Rocafuerte street, at one block from Casa LunaLoma, you can find convenient grocery stores, pharmacy, laundry service, etc. Rocafuerte street is a commercial avenue that offer all kind of services. You can shop for fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, fresh juice, beers and other drinks.