QUITO
History, Culture and Life
Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, is located in a plateau, at 2,800 meters above sea level. The many colonial churches show a mixture of styles and beauty in their architecture (baroque, Spanish, Flemish, Moorish, and pre-Columbian), plazas, and historical buildings have helped our city to be declared a cultural heritage sight by UNESCO. After sun set, the city takes to magical colors. Enjoy it from a popular chiva bus on an after hours tour ccompanied by live music and local drinks.
Hand in hand with the colonial beauty of Quito is a blooming commercial and modern city; with a fine selection of 5 star hotels, convention centers, museums, and good restaurants.
Quito has, since its foundation, been known as a “city of culture”. Local music at dinner and folkloric ballet shows. Sculptures and paintings that combine pre Inca, Inca and colonial art expressions decorate many buildings.
30 minutes north of Quito lies a “must see” for any visitor: the Equatorial Monument —”La Mitad del Mundo”—, situated right on the Equator line.
Other attractions are: Oswaldo Guayasamin’s Museum, or the archeological Central Bank’s Museum as well as various art galleries and handicraft shops.
Recommendations for all tours around highland cities:
Dress: casual, mornings and evenings are fresh, it is warm at midday. Comfortable shoes are suggested. It may rain in the afternoons, especially from November to April. It is cold at night, dress accordingly.
What to bring: camera, sunscreen, hat and some cash for shopping.
Recommendations: leave your valuables, tickets and documents at the safe or your hotel room. Avoid taking back packs or purses to walk in colonial centers.
In the Andean mountain range
Dress: You will be at 1000 - 13000 ft. of elevation. Cold and windy, heavy clothing is strongly recommended. Comfortable shoes or hiking boots suggested.
Recommendations: Walk slowly, remember you are at a high altitude. Use sunscreen; UV is much stronger at this elevation and latitude.