Quito Highlights for First Visits

October 29, 2026

Travel advisory, valid October 2026. Ecuador’s government has declared an internal armed conflict with criminal gangs, and states of emergency roll from province to province. Pichincha, home to Quito, is covered until mid-November 2026. A night curfew applied in Quito in May 2026, and another could be announced with little warning. The UK FCDO lists several coastal provinces and the Colombian border strip as “all but essential travel” areas; Quito is not among them. Watch for street crime and express kidnapping: ride only in registered taxis or app cars, particularly after dark and for any trip to El Panecillo. Check the UK FCDO page for Ecuador and travel.state.gov before booking.

A first visit to Quito fits into five stops. The capital stands at about 2,850 m, so spread them over several days and keep the first two easy. Drink water, go light on alcohol and rich meals, and watch for headache, nausea or breathlessness. No tea or pill reliably prevents altitude sickness; rest, and descent if symptoms worsen, are what help.

1. The historic centre

UNESCO listed the old town in 1978. Begin at Plaza Grande, then wander to Plaza de San Francisco and Santo Domingo to see cloisters, carved stone and painted ceilings. Go in the morning, when the streets are busy and safer. Mugging and pickpocketing are common here, so keep phones and cameras out of sight when you are not using them.

2. The TelefériQo

The cable car rises for 18 minutes over 2.5 km, from about 3,100 m to a station near 3,950 m. An adult ticket costs about $9, with lower prices for under-18s and seniors. Opening hours vary: Monday to Thursday 10:00 to 18:00, Friday 08:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday 08:00 to 19:00. Weather may interrupt the service. The operator’s page lists the current times and last-ticket cut-offs. The walk to the Rucu Pichincha summit from the top is strenuous and tough in cloud, so leave it for later in a trip and go with a guide.

3. Mitad del Mundo

The monument complex in San Antonio de Pichincha is about 26 km north of the centre. Adults pay $5, children and seniors $2.50. The true equator lies about 240 m north of the marker, a detail guides often mention. Treat egg-balancing and water-draining shows at nearby attractions as entertainment. The official site has current hours.

4. Mercado Central

This covered market on Avenida Pichincha serves cheap highland meals. Expect locro de papa, a potato soup with avocado, for about $2 to $2.50, hornado, roast pork with mote and potato cakes, for about $4 to $5, and juices of mora or taxo for about $1.

5. The metro

Line 1 opened in December 2023 and links 15 stations from Quitumbe to El Labrador. A ride costs $0.45. San Francisco station serves the old town and El Ejido serves the museum district. Hours run from early morning to late evening and can be reduced during curfews.

Practical notes

Currency is the US dollar. Many places refuse $50 and $100 bills, so carry small notes.
After dark, use an app ride or registered taxi, including from restaurants in the old town.
Do not walk up the stairs to El Panecillo; go by taxi or app.
Carry sunscreen. The equatorial sun is strong even when it is cloudy.

Booking help

Tickets for the places above are sold at the door. For guided city tours, browse Quito tours on GetYourGuide and compare what is included.