Overview
A city nestled into a valley in the high Andes, Quito is one of the hottest destinations in Latin America. Its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town has been beautifully restored, its nightlife is fun, the food is varied and delicious, and within easy reach lie several natural and cultural attractions, including mystical cloud forests and majestic snow-capped volcanoes.
Quito Visitors' Bureau: The city's official Web site provides extensive information on local attractions and events happening throughout the year. The Visitors' Bureau has information centers in the Old Town (Plaza Grande), the international arrivals terminal, the Museo Mindalae and the Museo del Banco Central del Ecuador.
Web: www.quito.com.ec
Hotels
Café Cultura: Quito offers a wide range of accommodations for travelers. Samantha chose to stay at one of the city's most unique properties - Café Cultura. Sixty years ago, the hotel was the home of one of the capital's oldest families. Today, Café Cultura has 26 uniquely designed and decorated rooms. Samantha liked that the hotel had no TVs in the rooms, because the living room and public areas were always filled with guests gathering to share their daily experiences. What's also great is that the hotel offers pictures and details about each of their rooms on their Web site, allowing you to pick the perfect room for your stay. Café Cultura is located in the shopping, museum and café laden Mariscal neighborhood.
Web: www.cafecultura.com
El Monte Sustainable Lodge: Samantha took a road trip about two and a half hours outside Quito to the town of Mindo. It's a popular spot for hiking, water tubing, bird watching or Earth watching. Just 15 minutes from the little town, Samantha hopped on a 'tarabita' (a cable car of sorts) and found herself within El Monte Reserve - a huge tropical cloud forest. Samantha's final destination was El Monte Sustainable Lodge, where she met up with Tom, the lodge's owner, for an unforgettable hike through the cloud forest. On her trek with Tony, Sam came across a tree that bleeds and a frog whose species has just been discovered. You can also stay at El Monte, in one of the lodge's pristine riverside cabins. If you plan to go bird watching and need a guide, ask for Javier Pérez. Bring your rain gear - it's wet up there!
Web: www.ecuadorcloudforest.com
Food/Restaurants/Bars
Calle de La Ronda: Samantha was told that one of the best empanada restaurants in Quito doesn't really have a name. Locals know it by its street address - 762 Calle de La Ronda (officially Calle Morales OE1-134 y Guayaquil). It's located in the Old Town, in a bohemian area where artists and writers once lived. Today, new cafés and shops are bringing the district back to life. The empanada restaurant, run by Martha Paredes and her family, is set in a quaint courtyard with just a few tables. Samantha gets a "wind" empanada - it's called that because it's filled with, well, air.
Web: www.callelaronda.com
La Boca del Lobo (close to the Plaza El Quinde, or "Plaza Foch"): Quito has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from. The popular area for locals is Plaza El Quinde, of "Plaza Foch", in the Mariscal neighborhood. Nightlife begins fairly late, around 10 p.m. and goes until 3 a.m. Samantha met up with her friends Sophie and Janine, who took her to their favorite spot - La Boca del Lobo (the Wolf's Mouth). One thing Samantha discovered about Quito nightlife is that you should be prepared to dance - and the dance of choice is salsa! Not sure what bar or club to check out? Ask your hotel's staff for tips on nighttime activities and neighborhoods.
Sights/Landmarks/To Do
Old Town: Quito was the first city to be named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1978. Its historic center is a restored jewel of colonial-era churches, convents, plazas and streets. It's a great place to explore on foot, with several intriguing museums and baroque churches decorated from tip to toe in gold leaf.
Plaza San Francisco: Samantha began her tour of Quito's Old Town here, in the capital's largest square, beneath the twin towers of the city's oldest church. You'll find a good café for local snacks and people watching on its northwestern corner.
La Mitad del Mundo: About an hour outside Quito is La Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World). Whether the actual equator can be found there is confusing, to say the least. Tourists venture to La Mitad del Mundo, to have their picture taken by where the equator was believed to be in the 19th century. It costs $1.50 to get inside the park; entry to other attractions within the park cost extra. Like everyone else who visits this popular spot, Samantha got her picture taken with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern.
Intiñan Solar Museum: According to GPS, the actual equator lies within a park called Intiñan Solar Museum (right next door to La Mitad del Mundo). The entry fee costs $2. While inside the park, Samantha participated in all sorts of hands-on experiments that help to demonstrate the effects of gravity on both the North and South sides of the equator, as well as directly on it.
Web: www.vivecuador.com
Telefériqo (Teleferico): At 9,000 feet above sea level, Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world. To get a better perspective on Quito and all it has to offer, Samantha hopped a ride on the Telefériqo. One of the city's newest attractions, this aerial cable car ascends Pichincha Volcano all the way to the hill known as Cruz Loma, at 12,000 feet. The ride costs $4 round-trip. While at the summit Samantha discovered an oxygen bar, which offers curiously flavored oxygen to travelers struggling with thin air and altitude. Samantha chose the flavor called "uplifting." Web: www.teleferiqo.com
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