I had never been to South America before, so for 2026 that became the mission. After researching different destinations, I kept coming back to Ecuador. For such a small country, it offers incredible diversity. From the Andes and the Amazon to cloud forests, volcanoes, and the Galápagos Islands.
Most trips to Ecuador begin in Quito, the country’s capital. Sitting at over 9,000 feet (2,850 metres) above sea level, Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world. One thing that surprised us was the weather. Despite being close to the equator, Quito’s high elevation means temperatures are much cooler than many travellers expect. We found it quite chilly at times, especially in the mornings, evenings, and whenever the clouds rolled in. Layers quickly became our best friend, and having a light jacket was essential throughout our stay.
We spent our first two nights in Quito to acclimatize to the altitude. We stayed at Casa Alquimia Hotel, which was perfectly located for exploring the city. The rooms are clean and comfortable, with cute decor. One of the highlights was waking up each morning to a delicious home-cooked breakfast on the terrace before heading out to explore. We loved it so much we rebooked our final night stay here before flying back home to Canada.
Exploring Quito’s Historic Centre
Quito’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved colonial centres in South America and is incredibly walkable. Some of the highlights include:
- Plaza Grande, the city’s main square
- La Compañía de Jesús Church, famous for its stunning gold-covered interior
- Basílica del Voto Nacional – I highly recommend paying to go inside. It is absolutely worth it. The church is stunning and climbing the stairs on the exterior of the building was not only thrilling but had some beautiful views of the city
- El Panecillo, a hilltop viewpoint overlooking the city
- La Ronda, a charming historic street filled with shops, restaurants, and local culture
Even if you only have a day in Quito, wandering through these streets is a must.
Day Trip to Mitad del Mundo
One of the most popular excursions from Quito is Mitad del Mundo, the monument marking the equator line. It’s located about 30 minutes from the city and can easily be reached by Uber or public bus.
Details:
- Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Admission: approximately $5 USD per person
- Location: Av. Manuel Córdova Galarza KM 13.5
Of course, the classic photo opportunity is jumping between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Don’t forget your passport if you’d like to collect the equator stamp as a souvenir.
Ride the TelefériQo
For some of the best views in Quito (weather depending!), take a ride on the TelefériQo cable car. The gondola climbs high into the Andes and offers breathtaking panoramic views over the city and surrounding mountains. We were unlucky and the rain caused a lot of fog so our view was minimal. It was still a fun ride to the top!
El Panecillo
The iconic Virgin of El Panecillo statue can be seen from almost anywhere in Quito. While we considered visiting the monument itself, we ultimately decided against it after reading mixed reports about safety in the immediate area.
That said, there are plenty of fantastic viewpoints throughout the city where you can admire both the statue and Quito’s dramatic setting among the mountains.
Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
If you’re looking for souvenirs, handicrafts, or local food, make time for Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal. The market is packed with vendors selling everything from woven textiles and alpaca products to artwork and Ecuadorian snacks.
It’s a great place to pick up gifts while supporting local artisans.
Dinner in La Floresta
One of our favourite evenings in Quito was spent in the trendy La Floresta neighbourhood. We made a reservation at Café Mosaic and were rewarded with stunning rooftop views overlooking the city.
The atmosphere was relaxed, the food was excellent, and as a bonus, there were several friendly dogs wandering around the terrace. It was the perfect place to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Before we flew out we spent another night in Quito and opted for another rooftop dinner at Vista Hermosa. The night time views are absolutely stunning. This was a more elevated dinner experience and the live music was fantastic.
Final Thoughts
Quito exceeded our expectations. Between the beautiful colonial architecture, mountain views, unique equator experience, and vibrant neighbourhoods, it was the perfect introduction to both Ecuador and South America. Whether you’re spending a few days acclimatizing before exploring the rest of the country or visiting Quito as a destination in its own right, there’s plenty here to keep you busy.
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