A year ago, for the first time in my life, I traveled down to South America. I only visited one country… in fact, only one city… but with all the adventures and incredible experiences I had in that week and a half, I could have traveled the entire continent. Quito, Ecuador is unlike any other city I’ve ever been to.
Picture historic, cobblestone streets, age-old buildings of all different colors lining sidewalks filled with hundreds of people on their way to work, vendors selling homemade ice cream on the street... children and their grandparents trumping up steep hills to get to the nearest bakery. It was nothing short of magical, and I’d never felt so alive in my life.
Day to day I would wake up, shovel up a quick breakfast of local bread and jam, and be on my way - never in need of a taxi or car to get anywhere, just walking from dusk till dawn.
Interested yet? Then, please, let me help you fill your days with the excitement, joy, and adventure I experienced cada dia de mi tiempo en este país hermoso.
Centro Historico
Okay, great… so where to start? Well, as a local in Quito, there’s one thing that you would never miss out on: a cool, sunny day in one of the many parks that characterize this beautiful city. The first park I visited was Parque La Carolina, something I guess you could describe as latino Central Park. Filled with positive messages on signs hanging from poles around the park and the jingling laughter of children being carried through the breeze over a lovely man-made lagune, immense botanical garden, playgrounds, and beautiful greenery spanning for over 160 acres of protected land, Parque La Carolina serves as the perfect day-cation for any family. Moreover, each park boasts something unique and exciting - Parque El Ejido with its popular weekend markets and Parque Itchimbia with an incomparable panoramic view of the entire city, exhibiting popular tourist destinations like El Panecillo, La Mariscal, Centro Historico, and more.
View from Parque Itchimbia
One of the many positive messages set up as inspiration in Parque La Carolina
Speaking of these places - why don’t we explore them a little? Well, first we have El Panecillo, also known as the Virgin of Quito, and a guardian that can be seen from almost any point in the city. La Mariscal and Plaza Foch are popular for both tourists and locals - especially on the weekends. Here you can find upscale shops, tasteful restaurants, Quito’s permanent artisanal market, and quite a few bars and clubs to explore. Centro Historico is probably my favorite. This is where I went to school every day - explored the local bakeries and ice cream shops - as well as incredibly beautiful historical sites. Centro Historico encompasses many amazing churches, including the famous Basilica; a few museums; multiple shops; and Plaza Grande in which you can find local eateries, cathedrals, and even the Presidential Palace. Also located in Centro Historico is an exciting street that lights up like fire on Friday and Saturday nights: Calle La Ronda. Home to unique restaurants, artisanal shops, hopping bars, and often a few local performances, Calle La Ronda is absolutely a must.
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
Furthermore, while you’re in Quito, I recommend exploring the surrounding areas as well. For example, you can visit Casa del Guayasamin, home of a much-admired local artist; Mitad Del Mundo, the actual center of the entire world (latitude 0°0’0’’); Teleferico, a sky tram that provides a view of the entire city and drops you off only a few minutes from Volcano Pichincha; Quilotoa Crater Lake; Mindo Cloud Forest, also absolutely breathtaking; or maybe take a nice stop to the Papallacta Hot Springs for a well-called-for relaxing day trip.
View from Teleferico
Other things you can do in the area would be to take advantage of the incredibly cheap prices and spend a couple days in a Spanish immersion or volunteer program (I highly recommend Yanapuma Spanish School). Also - try the food. I cannot stress this enough. After class, my mother and I would simply walk the streets for hours, and if we found something that looked interesting, we’d take a quick stop and buy it. It’s as easy as that when you can find lunch for $2, a mouth-watering pastry for $0.40, and incredible ice-cream on the street for just $0.10 more. The only advice I have is watch where you eat because not everything is what you’d call sanitary or safe. Avoid obscure restaurants or food off the street made in front of you. As tempting as it is - I’d avoid it… let’s just say I speak from experience, you will get sick.
Very popular dish - includes soft white corn, hard yellow corn, plantain, avocado, potato, and housemade salad
En Dulce Cafe - featuring popular treats such as figs with caramel and cheese, cafe con leche, a housemade frappuccino, and colada morada (Ecuadorian spicy oatmeal berry drink)
Luckily, in terms of food, there are plenty of other options. In Centro Historico, you must try these delightful cafes: Rincon Latino, be sure to try Morocho and their amazing cheese empanadas while you’re there; En Dulce, #1 bakery in Quito and completely deserving of the title; Govinda, incredibly vegan-friendly Krishna restaurant; and Cafe Colonial, another lovely taste of local food. Specific dishes I recommend trying are chocolate con queso, freshly made fruit juices (there are at least five different kinds offered in any restaurant), morocho, different types of corn,, quimbolito, bolon de verde, empanadas, any and every fruit in the world (seriously, it’s the equator - you can find all of these at Mercado Central), tea aromatica, specialty and street ice cream, cafe con pana, and the local frappuccino (check out Juan Valdez or El Español Café).
Final tips? Stay in hostels! Speak to locals! Immerse yourself… and more than anything: enjoy. You’re in Quito, one of the most special cities in South America, and in my opinion - in the world. Take advantage, email me with any questions you might have, y disfrute de to’!
Parque Itchimbia
