What are some must-see sights in Quito, Ecuador?

Question

What are some must-see sights in Quito, Ecuador?

Answer 1

Quito has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, even if some say the scene isn't diverse. The locals are friendly wherever you go, so you're bound to make a local friend--reason enough to go out. Worth mentioning are the different types of cover charges (some you pay up front, others you pay upon leaving, most charge a flat fee and give you a token for a "free" drink) and safety (the bar area of town is particularly dangerous at night--always take a taxi). Most close at 2, thanks to a local law (only a few manage to, illegally, dodge this).

Some of Quito's better known watering holes include: Kama Sutra Bar & Café (Calama 380 and Juan León Mera ), one of Quito's most happening from after work to late night; La Boca del Lobo (José Calama and Reina Victoria), an artsy bar/café with international cuisine; Varadero (Reina Victoria 17-51 and La Pinta) for live music; No Bar (José Calama and Juan León Mera) where most of the young gringos in town rage away; Seseribó (Veintimilla and 12 de Octubre) for salsa and expensive drinks (did I mention the salsa?!); Ghoz Bar (La Niña 425 and Reina Victoria) for pinball, darts, pool, foosball, and beer; El Pobre Diablo (Isabel la Católica and Madrid), a cultivated and sedate jazz bar; Turtle's Head (La Niña 626 and Amazonas, between Amazonas and Juan León Mera), the only place for locally-brewed beer; and Kings Cross Bar (Reina Victoria 1781, between Orellana and La Niña), where the Canadian owners serve hamburgers and Labatt's Blue to make you forget you're in Ecuador. For clubs, try Papillon Disco (on Pinezón and Colón), where the music and people are a healthy mix, making it the most popular disco in town. No Bar is more the frat-style disco, and Seseribó offers a unique salsa experience.

Answer 2

History Lies in the Capital

Quito, the provincial of Pichincha and the nation’s capital, is the departure point for Ecuador’s main tourist destinations. Due to its strategic location and well developed tourist infrastructure Quito is an ideal place from which to start a trip and a great place to hold both national and international conventions and other events. The city lies at the foot of the western Andes range and enjoys a spring-like climate, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 24 degrees centigrade. Its Mariscal Sucre Airport, is one of Ecuador’s international terminals.

Apart from its historical capital, Pichincha has an abundance of interesting destination: protected areas with extensive forests and towering volcanoes, archaeological sites, and villages indigenous markets that sell the finest in artisan crafts.

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Quito - Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Situated in an Andean valley at 2,850 m above sea level at the foot of Volcano Pichincha (4,794 m), Quito is a modern city with a living history. One of Latin America’s most historically important cities, Quito has been declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO. Noteworthy for its architectural beauty, Quito is home to numerous churches and convents built in the colonial period. The Metropolitan Cathedral, located in Independence Plaza, is one of the city’s most impressive historical and architectural sites. Others worthy of mention are the following cathedrals and historical sites: San Francisco, la Compañía de Jesús, San Agustín, Santo Domingo, El Sagrario, La Merced, Carmen Bajo, San Sebastian, Santa Barbara, and San Blas. A large part of their interiors, especially the altars and pulpits, are gilded in gold and house innumerable works of religious art. Some of their museums hold valuable collections of paintings and sculptures belonging to the artistic genre which has been come to known as the Quito School.

Another important building is the Carondelet Palace, the seat of the Central Government. In Quito’s historical center, with its steep, narrow, cobblestone streets, the artistic and architectural influence of Spain can be seen in the general architectural style of the homes, their balconies, their tiled roofs, and their interior patios. Another colonial area, outside the of Old Town, is the suburb Guápulo. Perched on the eastern slopes of the city, Guapalo’s most impressive sight is its famous sanctuary to the Virgin of Guápulo, the oldest sanctuary of its kind in the country.

However, despite its rich living history, Ecuador’s capital is at the same time a modern metropolis with a variety of hotel facilities to chose from, including many of the world’s major hotel chains. Quito also has countless restaurants (serving national and international cuisine, alike), shopping centers, theaters, convention centers, and everything else that the most demanding tourist could possible need.

The city has its annual festival in December, when festivities such as bullfights, the election of the Queen of Quito, national and international concerts, street dances, and fireworks turn Quito into the site of a national gala for an entire week. The celebrations are in honor of founding of Quito on December 6, 1534 by Sebástian de Benalcázar.

Answer 3

I would recommend you to walk around in Colonial Quito. Worth to visit the museum and the churches if you fancy the arts.

You definitively need  to visit Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) which is about half an hour north of Quito.

If yuo are into hiking, visit Pasochoa National Park, south of Quito. Great hikes and if you are lucky, you may see the Condor, the biggest bird in the world.

With more time and if you are interested in eco tourism, find your way to Mindo, which is located about 2 hours North West of Quito. Subtropical weather and great location to practice extreme sports as wild water rafting.

Otavalo, another Ecuadorian city close to Quito, offers you a large handicrafts markets and you can see the outfits and culture of one of the most native american indian tribes, the Otavalos.

Other site, this time on the north East of Quito, Papallacta, has termal mineral water pools, very popular among Ecuadorian people.

Banios, worth to visit its zoo and hike in the surrounding mountains...

If you want to go further away from Quito, certainly worth to visit Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, very progressive and modern. About two hours outside Guayaquil, you'll find Salinas. The main beach resort of Ecuador. Best time to visit it is between November and February.

Manta, Cuenca, Loja ... all worth to visit as well.

Try Ecuadorian food. I strongly recommend sea food! Really unique!