Is Quito Really So Dangerous For Tourist?
Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It lies at an altitude of 2,850 metres and is the highest capital city in the world. Somewhere you can read that it is the second highest capital in the world, but this is not entirely true. The first is the Bolivian city of La Paz, which is not the official capital of Bolivia.
The city of Quito offers a plethora of activities. You can visit the equator, take a stroll through the beautiful colonial centre or go on a more challenging trek to the top of the Pichincha volcano, at the foot of which the city lies.
How to get to the centre from the airport
Public transport
Once you arrive in the capital, you have several options for getting to the city centre. The cheapest is the public bus service. This runs directly into the city from the airport at a cost of US$2. The downside is that neither line goes directly to the city centre. So you have to go to one of the stations in the city and from there take local public transport to the centre. Travelling by public transport is really easy. You can buy a ticket directly from the platform for just 0.35 USD. However, it takes almost two hours to get to the city centre this way.
Aeroservicios
If you don’t have the time, you may find it easier to take the Aeroservicios bus. You can buy a ticket for this bus at the kiosk in the arrivals hall and for the price of 13,50 USD it will take you directly to your hotel. If you would like to check the timetables in advance or purchase a ticket, you can do so at http://www.aeroservicios.com.ec/.
Taxi
The last option to get to the city centre is by Taxi. There are plenty of taxis outside the airport and the price for a ride to the historic center is the same for all of them. For 26 USD, a driver will take you from the airport directly to your hotel in about 45 minutes.
Accommodation
We recommend staying right in the historic center of the city, from where it’s close to the major sights and streets that really come alive in the evening. From our own experience we can recommend Hostal Yumbo Imperial. The hostel is really basic but the rooms are clean and comfortable. And most importantly, it’s really close to everywhere. For a night in a double room here, you’ll pay just 10 USD. The contact at the reception is +593 984 059 790. You can also book a room via www.booking.com.
Things to see in Quito
Historic Centre of Quito
Within walking distance of the recommended hotel is the historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While walking around the city, don’t miss the sights around the main Plaza Grande, especially the Catedral Metropolitana de Quito, the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesús, the Convento de San Francisco, the Garcia Moreno Palace, the Sebastian de Benalcázar or the Basílica del Voto Nacional. If you spend more time in Quito and want to get to know the city more, be sure to make a note of the Mariscal Sucre, Parque La Carolina, Parque Metropolitano Guanguiltagua and the colourful Guápulo neighbourhood.
Equator
One very interesting place is easily accessible from the city centre and that is the Equator. In 1736, a French expedition with the help of Spanish colonizers first located the 0° 0′ 0″ latitude here. Simply put, the centre of our planet lies here.
However, the measurements at that time were not as accurate as they are today, and so it unfortunately happens that the line and monument that mark the equator and this latitude are about 240 metres further away than they actually are :-).
There are lots of different exhibitions and museums on the site. There is even a beer museum. You can try different experiments on the equator, such as putting an egg on a spike or finding out which way the water vortex spins in the southern and northern hemispheres. However, by already knowing that the equator is actually a bit off, you also know that these experiments are just a tourist trap.
How to get to the equator
The cheapest way to get to the equator from the city centre is by local bus. The journey is really easy. First, go to the Estación Marin Central bus station, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. From here, take the C3 line to the Terminal La Ofelia station. The journey here will cost you USD 0.35. Here, change to a bus to San Antonio or Mitad del Mundo. The stops are signposted, but this one is at the very back left corner of the terminal. On the bus to Mitad del Mundo, you will pay an additional USD 0.10 and in 1.45 hours you will be there.
Admission to the site is US$5 and you can stay as long as you like. In addition to the museums, various exhibits and the planetarium, which by the way we really recommend visiting, there are several restaurants, cafes and an ethnographic museum right in the monument standing at the supposed center of the planet. You can also head here from the city centre by taxi or with a local travel agency. However, prices for such a trip range from 45 USD.
Cruz Loma
Another great spot is the top of Cruz Loma, from where you can take an almost all-day trek to the top of Pichincha volcano, where you can see the whole city of Quito from a good height.
There’s a cable car that leads to the top of Cruz Loma, which you’ll find on maps as the TelefériQo Cable Car. The cable car ride itself is a great experience. The return ride costs US$9 and takes approximately 20 minutes one way.
The cable car will take you up to an altitude of 4,050 metres, where you can either just enjoy the view from one of the viewpoints or go on a trek into the mountains.
Not far from the cable car there is a swing on the edge of the mountain, we recommend you at least walk to this swing, you will take some really original photos from here. However, it is better not to walk to the cable car from the city centre. The route leads through not so safe neighbourhoods. However, the station can be reached cheaply by UBER or taxi.
El Panecillo
If you don’t feel like walking at such high altitudes, but still want to see the city of Quito from above, head to the top of a peak called El Panecillo. This peak is located a short distance from the historic centre of the city and you’ll know it by seeing the 45 metre high statue of the Virgin Mary standing on it. But don’t walk to this peak either. Unfortunately, the stairs to the top lead through a neighborhood where they like to rip off tourists. So again, use the UBER app or, in this case, the city bus line number 208. It will take you to the top for $0.35.
TIPS for visiting Quito
If you’re going to be spending more time here and moving around the city between different neighborhoods, use public transportation. The system is quite simple. At each stop, you can buy a ticket at the window for US$0.35 and you can travel across the city for just a few crowns. If you don’t dare take the bus, use the UBER app.
Local restaurants throughout Ecuador offer a lunch menu that includes a soup, main course, drink and sometimes dessert. There’s usually a vegetarian menu as well, and the price is around $3.50. From our own experience, we can definitely recommend the vegetarian Govinda Gopal Restaurante. The food here was really great.
WATCH OUT in Quito
Quito isn’t one of the safest cities, so don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself with expensive items.Be careful on public transport, where there is a high concentration of pickpockets. Don’t venture into the streets outside the centre and outside safe neighbourhoods. Especially at night, don’t walk the streets alone.
If you trek to Pichincha volcano, expect to be at altitudes above 4,000 metres. If you are not experienced with this environment, stay at least two nights in the city first to acclimatise. Also remember to pack plenty of water, food and warmer clothes for the trek.
