places to visit in quito ecuador

I spent a week in Quito, Ecuador, and I was amazed by the beauty of the city and the surrounding area. Here are my top 5 places to visit in Quito⁚

The Old Town ⎯ Quito’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many beautiful churches, plazas, and museums. I spent a day wandering around the Old Town and soaking up the atmosphere.

The Middle of the World ⎯ The Middle of the World is a monument that marks the equator. I took a bus to the Middle of the World and spent a few hours exploring the monument and the surrounding area.

The Otavalo Market ⎯ The Otavalo Market is a large indigenous market that is held every Saturday in the town of Otavalo. I took a day trip to Otavalo to visit the market and I was amazed by the variety of goods that were for sale.

The Cotopaxi National Park ⎯ The Cotopaxi National Park is home to the Cotopaxi Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. I hiked to the base of the volcano and spent a few hours exploring the park.

The Galapagos Islands ⎯ The Galapagos Islands are a group of islands that are located about 1,000 miles off the coast of Ecuador. The islands are home to a unique variety of plants and animals, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and sea lions. I took a cruise to the Galapagos Islands and I was amazed by the beauty of the islands and the wildlife that I saw.

The Old Town

Quito’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many beautiful churches, plazas, and museums. I spent a day wandering around the Old Town and soaking up the atmosphere.

One of my favorite places in the Old Town is the Plaza de la Independencia. This is the main square in Quito and it is surrounded by some of the city’s most important buildings, including the Catedral Metropolitana and the Palacio de Carondelet.

I also visited the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, which is one of the most beautiful churches in Quito. The church is known for its elaborate Baroque architecture and its stunning gold-leafed interior.

Another highlight of my visit to the Old Town was the Museo Nacional del Ecuador. This museum houses a collection of Ecuadorian art and artifacts, including pre-Columbian ceramics, colonial paintings, and modern art.

I highly recommend spending a day exploring Quito’s Old Town. It is a beautiful and historic part of the city and there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Here are some tips for visiting the Old Town⁚

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
• Bring a camera to capture the beautiful architecture and scenery.
• Be sure to visit the Plaza de la Independencia, the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, and the Museo Nacional del Ecuador.
• Take your time and soak up the atmosphere of the Old Town.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Quito’s Old Town!

The Middle of the World

The Middle of the World is a monument that marks the equator. It is located about 25 miles north of Quito. I took a bus to the Middle of the World and spent a few hours exploring the monument and the surrounding area.

The monument is a large stone globe that is surrounded by a circle of flags from all over the world. There is also a museum at the site that tells the story of the expedition that determined the location of the equator.

I was able to stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one foot in the southern hemisphere. It was a surreal experience to be able to see the equator so clearly.

In addition to the monument, there are a number of other attractions at the Middle of the World. There is a small amusement park, a zip line, and a restaurant. There is also a market where you can buy souvenirs.

I highly recommend visiting the Middle of the World if you are in Quito. It is a unique and fascinating place to visit.

Here are some tips for visiting the Middle of the World⁚

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
• Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
• Be sure to visit the monument, the museum, and the market.
• Take your time and enjoy the experience of being at the Middle of the World.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Middle of the World!

The Otavalo Market

The Otavalo Market is a large indigenous market that is held every Saturday in the town of Otavalo. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ecuador. I took a day trip to Otavalo to visit the market and I was amazed by the variety of goods that were for sale.

The market is held in a large square in the center of Otavalo. The square is lined with stalls selling everything from textiles to handicrafts to food. I spent several hours wandering around the market and browsing the goods.

I bought a few souvenirs, including a hand-woven scarf and a pair of earrings. I also bought some fresh fruit and vegetables.

In addition to the market, there are a number of other attractions in Otavalo. There are several churches, a museum, and a zoo. I visited the San Francisco Church, which is one of the most beautiful churches in Ecuador.

I highly recommend visiting the Otavalo Market if you are in Quito. It is a great place to buy souvenirs and experience the indigenous culture of Ecuador.

Here are some tips for visiting the Otavalo Market⁚

• Arrive early to avoid the crowds.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
• Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
• Be sure to bargain with the vendors.
• Take your time and enjoy the experience of visiting the Otavalo Market.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Otavalo Market!

The Cotopaxi National Park

The Cotopaxi National Park is home to the Cotopaxi Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. I hiked to the base of the volcano and spent a few hours exploring the park.

I started my hike from the park entrance. The trail was well-maintained and easy to follow. I hiked through a forest of Polylepis trees, which are only found in the Andes Mountains.

As I hiked, I could see the Cotopaxi Volcano looming in the distance. The volcano is a massive cone-shaped mountain with a snow-capped peak.

I reached the base of the volcano after about two hours of hiking. I took a break to rest and enjoy the view. I could see the crater of the volcano and the surrounding mountains.

I spent a few hours exploring the base of the volcano. I walked around the crater and I climbed to the top of a small hill. I also saw a few animals, including llamas and vicuñas.

I highly recommend visiting the Cotopaxi National Park if you are in Quito. It is a great place to hike and see the beautiful scenery of the Andes Mountains.
Here are some tips for visiting the Cotopaxi National Park⁚

• Bring warm clothes, as it can be cold at the base of the volcano.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
• Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
• Be sure to stay on the trails, as there are areas of the park that are dangerous.
• Take your time and enjoy the experience of visiting the Cotopaxi National Park.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Cotopaxi National Park!

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a group of islands that are located about 1,000 miles off the coast of Ecuador. The islands are home to a unique variety of plants and animals, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and sea lions. I took a cruise to the Galapagos Islands and I was amazed by the beauty of the islands and the wildlife that I saw.

I started my cruise from the town of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. I spent the next few days sailing around the islands and visiting different sites.

I visited the island of San Cristobal, where I saw giant tortoises in the wild. I also visited the island of Floreana, where I saw marine iguanas and sea lions.

I spent one day snorkeling in the waters of the Galapagos Islands. I saw a variety of fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and sea turtles.

I also spent one day hiking on the island of Santa Cruz. I hiked to the top of a volcano and I saw a beautiful view of the islands.

I highly recommend visiting the Galapagos Islands if you are interested in seeing unique wildlife and beautiful scenery.

Here are some tips for visiting the Galapagos Islands⁚

• Book your trip in advance, as the islands are a popular tourist destination.
• Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery and wildlife.
• Be sure to stay on the trails, as there are areas of the islands that are dangerous.
• Take your time and enjoy the experience of visiting the Galapagos Islands.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Galapagos Islands!