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When trying to decide on a place to visit we tend to focus on well-known and highly commercial destinations. One reason is probably because of how easy it is to find information about those places, but what if I told you that you may be missing out on some wonderful vacation spots. One of those “not-so-famous-but-awesome” places is Quito, Ecuador. A lot less famous than its neighboring Peru and Colombia, Ecuador surprised us with its captivating history, awe-inspiring nature and rich culture. Ecuador has been on our list of places to visit for a long time, but honestly, we had no idea what to expect or what we wanted to see. Many of you have heard of the Galapagos Islands famous for their fascinating wildlife, but we only had 4 days, so the Galapagos were out of the question. Instead, we decided to focus on Quito, the capital city of Ecuador and the surrounding areas and let me tell you…it was worth it!

After extensive research, we decided to stay in the Historic Old Town of Quito. We stayed at the boutique hotel La Casona De La Ronda, a private residence until 1738, centrally located in the old town with easy access to shops, restaurants and historic sights. Quito’s old town is also one of the biggest and most well-preserved old towns in South America. It was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

On day one we decided to stay in town to acclimate. The Quito Old Town is situated at a stunning 9350 ft elevation (2850 meter). It is the second highest capital city in the world (after La Paz, Bolivia). This became quickly apparent as we attempted our first casual walk through the city. We are used to walking miles back home in California but just one hill in Quito required us to take a break. The less oxygen and thinner air therefore really presented a challenge for us. Our lungs had to work much harder to accomplish the same activities. It was truly fascinating to experience.

Some of the most famous places to see in Old Town Quito are Plaza Grande (Independence Square)

The iconic baroque church built from 1605-1765 called Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (Church of the Society of Jesus). Its interior is incredible detailed and quite remarkable.

Another beautiful piece of architecture is the Basilica del Voto Nacional. It is a 19-th century neo-Gothic Catholic Church with beautiful views of the city.

Day two came around and as if the city itself was not high enough, we decided to head up even further to The TelefériQo, a viewpoint accessible by cable car or hiking (!). The TelefériQo, also known as TelefériQo Cruz Loma, is a remarkable gondola lift in Quito, Ecuador. It gracefully ascends from the edge of the city center, climbing the eastern slope of Pichincha Volcano, ultimately reaching the breathtaking lookout point known as Cruz Loma. The viewing platform is located at 13451 ft (4100 meters) above sea level, high enough to give some people altitude sickness. We didn’t get sick, but even walking on a flat surface became a challenge and required us to rest more often. Pretty fascinating! Also due to the high altitude it is common to have a cloud cover and fog especially in the early morning hours.

If you want to see a spectacular view of the city head out to the El Panecillo hill where you can also admire the aluminum made statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking the Old Town on Quito. The hill and statue are easily accessible by car.

While exploring the city of Quito is wonderful, we recommend to also take at least one day trip out of the city.  This will give you the chance to experience the beauty of the country’s cloud forest, the gripping volcano landscapes (8 surround the city and 85 total are scattered around the country), the mysterious Amazon, the historic nearby Pre-Inca ruins and of course the Equator line, the imaginary line the country is named after.

On our 4-day trip to Ecuador, we only had limited time, so on day three we chose to visit the Equator Line, the cloud forest and the Tulipe Archaeological Site. 

If you want to visit the Equator, there are a total of three places outside of Quito advertising to be the place where the imaginary line runs through. The most famous one is called Mitad Del Mundo. It is a monument constructed between 1979 – 1982 based on measurements from the 1736 expedition called the French Geodesic Mission. It has become a tourist hot-spot and the site for many prominent events. Later with the invention of GPS it was discovered that the Equator actually runs 787 ft (240 meters) to the north of the Mitad Del Mundo monument.

The Intinan Museum is the place where you can actually walk on the Equator. The museum offers guided tours that take you on a short journey through Ecuador’s history and a few fun experiments surrounding the mystery about being north, south or on the Equator itself. You get to balance an egg on the Equator, walk on the Equator, see water running in clockwise or counterclockwise on either side of the Equator, etc. If is definitely worth visiting. Both Mitad Del Mundo and the Intinan Museum are located about 16 miles (26 km) from Quito which is between 30-60 min drive depending on traffic.

Ecuador is also home to a number of historic archaeological sites, and we chose one of the lesser-known ruins called Tulipe Archaeological Site located about 2 hours by car from Quito. This site was home to the Pre-Inca culture of the Yumbo people. According to records and findings in the area, they occupied to area from about 800 AD to about 1660 AD when a volcano erupted and most likely forced, the Yumbo people to flee. The Yumbo culture was known to be peaceful merchants accommodating the movement of goods from Ecuador’s coast to the highlands and vice versa. They are believed to have been avid astronomers as well.

Last but not least we had the privilege to visit the Ecuadorean Cloud Forest. One of our favorite experiences was being surrounded by hundreds of hummingbirds. Ecuador is home to 132+ hummingbird species. We had never seen so many different colors of hummingbirds and they were not afraid of us. It was truly special to see them up-close and in such numbers.

Ecuador is also known as one of the most popular places for birdwatching. We don’t know much about birds, but we did appreciate the variety of birds and seeing them in their natural habitat. It gave a better understanding and appreciation for the diversity and life of birds and why people love to watch and study them.

Last but least, let’s talk about food! One of our favorite things of traveling is the food. Eating well and trying local specialties gives you a different appreciation and understanding for the country and its people. Ecuador’s food was simply delicious and may say plentiful. The plates and portions everywhere we went were generous and we of course ate all of it because it was so delightful.

One of our favorite places to dine was Casa los Geranios Restaurante – Centro Historico. The service, the food and the view were wonderful.

And one of our favorite places to go out for drinks was Leña Quiteña Bar and Restaurant. Once again excellent service and a wonderful view of the city. 

Embark on a captivating journey to Quito, where history, culture, and natural beauty converge in a mesmerizing tapestry. Nestled amidst the Andes, Ecuador’s capital city unfolds its rich heritage through colonial architecture, bustling markets, and vibrant streets. Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, where narrow cobblestone streets lead to centuries-old churches and lively plazas. Ascend to the panoramic heights of the TelefériQo for breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Quito’s dynamic spirit extends beyond its historic core, revealing a thriving arts scene, delectable cuisine, and warm hospitality. Immerse yourself in the diverse flavors and colors of Quito and discover a destination that seamlessly blends tradition with contemporary allure.

In only four days we fell in love with this wonderful destination!