When in Quito
Located in a lush valley, surrounded by volcanoes and forests, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito takes some getting used to. At 10,000 feet, most visitors will find the altitude difficult to overcome in the first couple of days, especially if they are keen to get about and see the sights. Air pollution is also a problem and can be off putting to some. However, the general climate is friendly, with temperatures rarely getting above 26 C and hardly ever dipping below 7 C. Watch out for the rain, there is plenty about between October and May. If these initial problems are overcome, however, visitors will find that the city has much to offer.
The Old City is one of the key locations for the tourist in Quito. It has much to offer, including stunning old cathedrals from the Spanish colonial era, a large number of quaint churches and a variety of beautiful public buildings and piazzas. Those arriving at the times of major religious festivals such as Easter will be impressed by the number of parades and events taking place in the area.
It is here that you will also find the Museo de le Ciudad, which offers visitors a social history of the country, including a number of waxwork recreations.
Close to the Old City is the La Virgin del Panecillo monument, which can be seen from miles around. Walking up is an option but it is less of a struggle if you take a bus or taxi. The views from the top are superb.
Those wishing to venture out of town should join a tour or take a taxi to the monument known as the Mitad del Mundo or Middle of the World. Situated at 0 latitude, the site contains a number of equatorial facts and allows you to weigh yourself to find out just how many pounds lighter you are in the centre of the world. Recent global tracking technology has shown that the equator is actually a few hundred yards away.
The Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre is around six miles from the city centre and welcomes regular flights from North, Central and the rest of South America and some from Europe. Vouchers for taxi rides in to town can be purchased close to the baggage reclaim area. Those who want to dive straight in and enjoy the unique Quito bus experience can grab one heading to J L Mera.
The city's main bus station is the Terminal Terrestre, from where a number of buses fan out to all parts of the country and occasionally beyond. Long distance buses will drop you off and pick you up anywhere along the route, even in the city centre. There is a railway network in Ecuador but it is showing its age and will be considerably slower than a bus.
Local buses are plentiful and cheap if you want to get around the city, although their lack of ventilation can make it an unpleasant experience. Taxis are also pretty cheap although visitors should only get in to official yellow ones, as other varieties can be pricey and potentially dangerous.
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Introduction
