Quito City Tours

Quito is the capital of Ecuador, which stands out for its colonial charm. Strolling through its streets you will discover features of European, Moorish and Inca architecture. There are tours for all tastes, but the experience of learning about local legends stands out, as well as riding a bicycle, streetcar or tourist bus.

If you plan to visit Quito for 3 days, you will have enough time to visit the Historic Center, the Middle of the World, the local markets and the Ecuadorian gastronomy.

Quito is a unique city, with adequate spaces to enjoy a bike ride. You will be able to pedal through the iconic streets, accompanied by a professional guide. This means of transportation allows you to avoid traffic while enjoying a safe experience. An activity that gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in local life, while tasting typical food.

Some of the places you can visit are:

• La Floresta: is a traditional neighborhood of Quito, here you will find galleries, luxury stores, traditional restaurants and more.
• Ochoymedio Ecuador: a funky café is located nearby, right in the heart of the most important street art street in the city. Drinks are made with Ecuadorian Arabica coffee.
• Avenida Amazonas: it is a very busy artery, it is also considered the most modern area of the city.
• Botanical Garden of Quito: it is a protectionist space, where you can learn about the typical plants of the region. It is an economic plan that you can access from 2 €.
• Parque La Carolina: located in the financial heart of Quito, its spaces offer recreational areas for all ages. It is completely free, it also has a botanical garden, a dinosaur learning park and a mini zoo.
• Mercado Iñaquito: located on Avenida 10 de Agosto, it is the best place to buy local products.

Details of interest

• Price: from 83 € per person.
• Duration: about four hours.
• Means of transport: the whole tour is done by bicycle, you must arrive on your own at the meeting point.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to tour the city in a fast and safe way.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is an activity you can only do if you have medical insurance or travel insurance.

This is a night activity, where you can learn more about the urban legends of the city. Additionally, it is a completely safe experience, since it is done with a professional guide on board a bus.

You will have the opportunity to explore artistic and cultural corners of the city, while hearing all about its history and legends. Some of the sites you will get to know are:

• The Basilica del Voto Nacional: a neo-gothic building located in the old town, it has an impressive structure and is one of the most emblematic stops.
• The Plaza de la Independencia: also known as Plaza Grande, it stars an area with colonial buildings. It is really worth a look, as it is close to the Government Palace.
• Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús: it has an impressive architecture, typical of the baroque period. It was built between 1605 and 1765, so it is a historical relic.
• El Panecillo: is a hill that offers privileged 360° views of Quito. At the top there is a statue of the Virgin Mary nestled, which can be seen from different points of the city.

Many people do not go out in Quito at night, for fear of insecurity. However, you can have a peaceful trip if you plan your itinerary properly. In general, I suggest avoiding lonely areas, as well as public transportation.

Details of interest

• Price: from 19 € per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: you will get to know Quito aboard a comfortable bus. Generally you can request a round trip transfer.
• Advantages of this option: it usually offers a cancellation policy, valid up to 24 hours before the experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is an option that sells out quickly, since it is designed for groups of maximum 20 people.

Quito offers a variety of options for family plans, a guided tour is one of them since it adapts to the needs of a group. It is ideal for sharing while exploring the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the Panecillo, the Plaza Grande and the Church of the Company of Jesus.

This type of experience is inserted in the colonial beauty of Quito, which has monuments considered a UNESCO heritage site. Other sites you can visit are:

• Mitad del Mundo: is a monument where you can see the division of the earth, known as the southern and northern hemisphere. It also has one of the best museums in Quito, where you will find objects of the Ecuadorian indigenous people.
• La Ronda Street: is an area with a variety of nightlife options, therefore it is a tourist spot par excellence. Its restaurants and street stalls, bring you closer to the Ecuadorian gastronomy.

Details of interest

• Price: from 55 € per person.
• Duration: about twelve hours.
• Means of transportation: these tours usually include the transfer to and from the agreed reference point.
• Advantages of this option: you will have the advice and accompaniment of a local guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for short itineraries.

Quito is a charming city, you will surely fall in love at first sight. If you want to take an in-depth look, nothing better than a full tour with the main attractions. This experience includes a chocolate tasting, as well as the opportunity to experience the history, culture and customs of the city.

Some of the sites you will get to know during this tour are:

• Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús: the walls of this church are truly impressive. It is a jewel of Latin American baroque, so you will have a great time.
• Church and Convent of San Francisco: it is known as the Escorial of the New World, due to its imposing façade.
• Museo Intiñán: it is a museum located in the Middle of the World, where very interesting experiments are carried out. Mostly related to gravity and the division of the earth.
• Teleférico de Quito: from here you will get the best views of the city, it is located a few minutes from downtown and is a magical place. It is not recommended for those who suffer from altitude sickness.
• Rucu Pichincha: it is a rocky and volcanic formation, it is easy to access from the cable car.

If you plan to arrive directly to the tour, I recommend you to ensure transfers between Quito and the airport. This way, you will avoid altitude sickness caused by excessive fatigue.

Details of interest

• Price: from 106 € per person.
• Duration: approximately nine hours.
• Means of transportation: these are activities that are carried out in private transportation, usually including pick up and return only in the Quito area. If you are near or in the outskirts, you must pay an extra charge.
• Advantages of this option: they usually include entrance to all attractions, as well as a bilingual guide who speaks Spanish and English.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is important to have good weather conditions for this tour.

Ecuadorian gastronomy is very varied, offering fish dishes and other options made with yucca, corn, quinoa, avocado, among others. At night there are many restaurants that offer tastings of typical dishes.

The most interesting are the street food stalls, here you will find the best ceviche made by locals. To learn more about the culinary culture, you can visit:

• José Navarro Park: located on Ladrón de Guevara Avenue, it is a quiet park with different gastronomic proposals.
• La Floresta: is a bohemian district, where bars and restaurants abound. You can enjoy the Ecuadorian gastronomy, while you take a look at the art alleyways.
• Guápulo: is a charming neighborhood, ideal for eating without filters. It combines the best of Quito's history, art and landscapes, so you can't miss it.

Details of interest

• Price: from 73 € per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transportation: these tours are done on foot, and generally do not include round-trip transfers.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know Quito through the palate, tasting authentic and tasty food. This type of experience includes dinner and a drink.
• Disadvantages of this option: not recommended for pregnant women.

The Middle of the World is a monument of Quito, proclaimed cultural heritage. It is very famous, as it is said to divide the hemispheres of the earth.

During the tour you can learn about the history of the division of the planet earth, since here is located one of the best museums in Quito, known as the Museum of the Middle of the World. Other things you can do are:

• Take a picture of yourself with one foot in each hemisphere, or pretending you are holding the globe.
• Find out what your weight is in the Middle of the World, since everything is lighter here. You will be surprised to discover that due to less gravitational force, you will lose at least one kilo.
• Take a look at the Coriolis, a tourist attraction where you can visualize the division of water on the equatorial line.
• Have an energetic cleansing, which takes place in the hut of Shaman Taita Carlos, where ancestral medicine is practiced.

Details of interest

• Price: from 23 €.
• Duration: about four hours.
• Means of transportation: usually includes round-trip transportation, if the option is selected. The tour is on foot and you can usually make a reservation for up to six people.
• Advantages of this option: it may include the entrance to Mitad del Mundo.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include tips, in all Ecuador it is mandatory to leave 10% in hotels, restaurants, bars and some attractions.

If you are a cyclist or simply enjoy bike rides, you will get the most out of this tour. It takes you to see Quito's modern perspective, as well as its parks, gardens and traditional markets.

Before you start pedaling through the city, you should be aware that Quito is located at approximately 2,850 meters above sea level. Many people suffer from altitude sickness, which can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. I recommend you rest and eat well before taking the tour.

Some of the places you can visit are:

• Ocho y Medio: a charming cinema, where Ecuadorian films and documentaries are shown. It is close to an emblematic café and colorful murals, typical of the street art of La Floresta neighborhood.
• Avenida Amazonas: here you can have a fun photo session, taking advantage of the spaces of the Botanical Garden of Quito, which has greenhouses with native plants and ecosystems of the region.
• Carolina Park: is a recreational area, ideal if you visit Quito with children. It has a magnificent energy, which can be felt in every space.
• Modern Quito: although the city stands out for its colonial areas, it also offers a panorama with great industrial, cultural and urban movement. There are many craft beer bars, which are worth a visit.
• Mercado Iñaquito: is one of the best places to buy seasonal products and handicrafts. It has been in the area since the 70's, so you can't leave the city without experiencing a local market.

It is important to bring identification, I also suggest you bring sunglasses, camera, hat, scarf, sunscreen, cash and backpack. This way, you will be equipped for the tour. It is also essential that you bring your water bottle, it is not offered on the tour for ecological reasons.

Details of interest

• Price: from 83 € per person.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transportation: you will tour the city on a bicycle, which may include chain, lock, key, vest and safety helmet. It does not usually include the transfer to and from the meeting point, and it is very important to arrive at least ten minutes before the meeting point.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes the license, as well as a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not suitable for people with health problems.

A turibus or tourist bus is a panoramic double-decker transport, ideal for touring the city comfortably. It takes you to the main tourist sites, and the best part is that you can choose the stops where you want to get off and explore on your own. Specifically, stops usually include the Boulevard of the United Nations (central stop), the Basilica of the National Vow, the Plaza de San Francisco and the Panecillo.

Note that in some places the bus stops for about five minutes, in case you want to take pictures and continue the tour. In addition, buses leave every hour, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Without a doubt, it is one of the best things to do if you plan to visit Quito in 3 days or less. Some of the monuments you can visit are:

• San Francisco Church and Convent.
• Independence Square.
• El Ejido Park.
• La Ronda Street.
• Mariscal Artisan Market.
• Center of Contemporary Art.
• La Carolina Square.

Details of interest

• Price: from 15 € per person.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Means of transport: double-decker bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will not depend on a guide or a group, since you will have an audio guide in your language.
• Disadvantages of this option: some areas can be very busy, especially in high season.

If you want to travel into Quito's past, all you need to do is take a streetcar tour. This vehicle was widely used in the 1920s, and tourist versions are still preserved in Ecuador's capital. It is a great option if you want to visit the Presidential Palace of the city, while enjoying an informative audio guide.

In this activity you can get to know the old town and the modern town, so it is always considered one of the best things to do in Quito on your first visit. You will have the opportunity to walk through restructured streets, with old houses and galleries.

It is ideal if you plan to visit Quito in 3 days, since you will be able to extend the tour and visit the Middle of the World without additional charges. Some other places you can visit are:

• El Panecillo.
• San Francisco Church and Convent.
• Independence Square.
• La Ronda Street.

Details of interest

• Price: from 39 € per person.
• Duration: approximately five hours.
• Means of transport: it is usually done in a traditional streetcar with all the comforts.
• Advantages of this option: there is a morning and afternoon schedule, so it fits any itinerary.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include tips or entrance fees to the monuments.