Quito

Explore the Old Town

With its gorgeous mixture of colonial and republican/independence era architecture late 1500's to 1800's, relaxing plazas and a stunning number of churches. if you happen to be there during christmas or easter, you'll be amazed at the number of events, masses, and processions that bring out the crowds. you'll find craft shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels across its grid of streets.

A recommended walking tour

That could enhance your vision of the historic center is as follows. take the trolley watch your belongings south until "cumanda" stop. get down, you are on maldonado street. there you will have an impressive view of what once was the "jerusalem" ravine, which stands between panecillo and the core. walk north past the trolley stop and go down a narrow stairway that brings you to la ronda street, of pre-columbian origins. walk up picturesque la ronda until you reach av. 24 de mayo. this boulevard was built on top of this section of jerusalem ravine to connect the two sides of town. on garcia moreno street turn north and you will arrive to the museo de la ciudad, which provides an easy and interactive history of quito. then walk on garcia moreno street until sucre, which is a pedestrian street. la compania is at the corner and if you go up sucre street you will reach san francisco. if you continue on garcia moreno you will reach the main independence square. if you go to san francisco, then walk to la merced and down to the main square. this itinerary follows a chronological and logical sequence of sites. most people do it backwards, turning la ronda and museo de la ciudad as distant points where you're usually worn out by the time you get there. in any event, the historic center is so vast that you need more than one visit to see it all. the recommended walk provides you with a good overview if you're short of time or want to see as much as possible on a first day.

The Middle of the World

45 mins from the capital quito, you can go to see the monument to the middle of the world. it's a big monument with many events and things to do. for example, national indigineous music groups play different songs of their culture. there are museums with the history of the 0 latitud and history of quito as well. there are many unique artworks and once you are there you can even weight your self and you will find out how you weigh less on the equator.

Bicycle Ride

The ciclopaseo takes place every sunday. 30 kilometres 20 miles of roads running north-south through the city are completely closed to traffic. people cycle, run and blade the route. up to 30,000 people take part. several bike shops rent bikes for visitors to be able to take part.

Cable Car

There is a cable car ride up the side of ruco pichina. it's called "teleferico" in spanish. ask your hotel about the special buses that run through the city taking people towards this destination. you can also find your own way there through taxi or bus.

There are many outfits offering one- to multi-day mountain biking trips to the surrounding volcanos, lakes, and valleys. Biking Dutchman is one of the oldest and most well-regarded.

Spanish classes for foreign students in Ecuador. Affordable classes as well, at a teachers co-op.

The Pululahua Crater is one of the most amazing places to ride, but chances are you will not find anything about it in your guide book. Astrid, the owner of the ranch who moved to Ecuador from Germany about 15 years ago, will pick you up in Quito and bring you to the ranch about 45 minute drive. Rides of various lengths are available and she has a wide variety of horses ready for novices and experts. Her and her staff are incredibly friendly and everything is included in the price.