When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Now in Quito—:—Sunrise—:—Sunset—:—
June–September. Dry season with clear Andes views; October–May is rainy season with afternoon downpours.
Warmest in Quito: Aug (19°C / 66°F) · Coolest: Jan (17°C / 63°F) · Wettest: Mar (~29 rain days)
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)
Daily Spend in USD
Budget
Budget
$45/day
Mid-range
$110/day
Luxury
$320/day
- Budget $45/day ≈ €39 · £34 · ₹4,300 · A$65 · C$64
- Mid-range $110/day ≈ €96 · £82 · ₹10,500 · A$160 · C$155
- Luxury $320/day ≈ €280 · £240 · ₹30,500 · A$460 · C$455
Converted at ECB reference rates, refreshed daily.
Excellent value; restored old-town colonial hotels in San Marcos push the top tier.
With Kids
Family Travel
The TelefériQo cable car to Pichincha, the equator monument (Mitad del Mundo), the basilica gargoyle towers.
Together
Couples Travel
A San Francisco rooftop dinner, a Cotopaxi day trip, a Mariscal nightlife evening.
On Your Own
Solo Travel
Hostels in La Mariscal and the old town are sociable; Spanish required for the markets, English in tourist spots.
Food
What to Eat
- Llapingachos. Cheese-stuffed potato cakes with peanut sauce and a fried egg — the Quito breakfast.
- Encebollado. Tuna stew with cassava, pickled onions, lime — the universal hangover cure.
- Locro de papa. Creamy potato soup with avocado and queso fresco — Andean comfort food.
- Empanada de viento. Air-fried empanada with cheese inside, sugar dusted on top — a Quito sweet snack.
Transportation
Getting Around
Trolebús and Ecovía are the BRT lines; Uber and Cabify are cheap and the safer late-night option.
Don’t hail street taxis at night — use Uber. Old town is best explored walking with a registered guide.
Where to Base Yourself
Neighborhoods
- Centro Histórico. UNESCO old town — La Compañía gold church, the basilica, Plaza Grande.
- La Mariscal. Backpacker zone — restaurants, hostels, the Plaza Foch nightlife.
- La Floresta. Hip residential side — artisan coffee, indie restaurants, the Ocho y Medio cinema.
Get Your Bearings
Quito Map & Walking Distances
City centerNeighborhoodsClick the map to enable scroll zoom
- Centro Históriconeighborhood7.4 km from center
- La Mariscalneighborhood3.4 km from center
- La Florestaneighborhood3.7 km from center
What to Know
Safety
Use normal big-city caution; the old town is safe by day, avoid empty streets at night. Altitude (2,850 m) affects newcomers — pace day one.