Itinerary Quito

Seasonality: July is a great time to visit Quito. The weather is cool and mostly dry, making it ideal for exploring historic sites, museums, and mountain viewpoints.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1,500 USD
🏨 Accommodations	600 USD
🧳 Gear	50 USD
🗺️ On-site	300 USD
Total	2,450 USD

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇪🇨 Quito - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Historic Center of Quito ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)

  • UNESCO-listed colonial heart; walk Independence Square, La Compañía, San Francisco. Join a guided tour for background.

• [ ] 🏛️ La Compañía de Jesús Church ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Baroque masterpiece famed for gold-leaf interior. Arrive early to avoid crowds.

• [ ] 🏛️ San Francisco Church & Plaza ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • 16th-century monastery with a scenic plaza. Visit the museum for religious art.

• [ ] 🏛️ Basilica del Voto Nacional ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Neo-Gothic basilica. Climb the towers for city and volcano views.

• [ ] 🏙️ Calle La Ronda ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Historic alley of artisans, shops, and cafes. Best in afternoons.

• [ ] 🏙️ Plaza Grande (Independence Square) ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Quito’s main civic square surrounded by key colonial buildings.

• [ ] 🎨 Museo de la Ciudad ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Exhibits on Quito's history and culture; good English signage.

• [ ] 🎨 Casa del Alabado Pre-Columbian Art Museum ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Impressive indigenous art/fossils; beautifully presented.

• [ ] 🏙️ TelefériQo & Cruz Loma viewpoint ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Cable car ride up Pichincha volcano for panoramic city views; bring warm layers.

• [ ] 🌳 Parque Itchimbía & Centro Cultural Itchimbía ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Glass pavilion & park with sweeping vistas; laid-back spot for a walk.

• [ ] 🌳 Parque El Ejido ⭐ (~1h)

  • Weekend art markets, greenery, local culture.

• [ ] 🏙️ Guápulo Neighborhood ⭐ (~1h)

  • Bohemian hillside enclave; visit the historic church and enjoy the viewpoints.

• [ ] 🏛️ Museo Nacional del Ecuador ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Reopened with immersive displays on Ecuador’s history.

• [ ] 🏛️ Presidential Palace (Carondelet Palace) ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Free guided tours if booked in advance; glimpse national history.

• [ ] 🌳 Parque La Carolina ⭐ (~1h)

  • Central urban park; good for walking and people-watching.

• [ ] 🏛️ Convento de Santo Domingo ⭐ (~1h)

  • Famous for beautiful interior and religious artworks.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Vista Hermosa Rooftop Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Colonial center views; local wine/cocktails—book ahead, especially at sunset.

• [ ] 🍸 La Ronda at Night ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Live music, artisanal ice cream, vibrant street life.

• [ ] 🍸 Bungalow 6 ⭐ (~2h)

  • Trendy bar with live DJ and cocktails; good for a casual night out.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Mercado Central de Quito ⭐⭐⭐

  • Classic market—try hornado (roast pork), corvina (fried fish), fresh juices (~6-10 USD).

• [ ] 🍽️ Café Dios No Muere ⭐⭐

  • Historic former bell tower, global-Ecuadorian fusion, great for lunch (~15-25 USD).

• [ ] 🍽️ Vista Hermosa Restaurante ⭐⭐

  • Rooftop views + traditional dishes; beautiful night ambiance (~25-35 USD).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Mitad del Mundo Monument (~3h)

  • Straddles the Equator, 45 min from city center—iconic but touristy.
  • Optional due to distance; combine with nearby museums if time.

• [ ] 🎨 Capilla del Hombre & Fundación Guayasamín (~2h)

  • Art and architecture by Ecuador’s famed painter; slightly outside the center.

• [ ] 🏛️ Museo Mindalae (~1h)

  • Excellent on indigenous crafts—best if deeply into culture.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇪🇨 Quito

• [ ] 🎬 Ratas, Ratones, Rateros (1999) — ⭐ 6.5 — Social drama set in Quito, known for realism — YouTube
• [ ] 🎬 Qué tan lejos (2006) — ⭐ 7.1 — Road trip exploring Ecuadorian landscapes and society, partly filmed in Quito — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Soy el Mejor (2019) — ⭐ 7.0 — Ecuador’s popular reality/talent show, showcasing local culture — YouTube

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🍜 Local specialties

🇪🇨 Quito

• [ ] Locro de papa (potato cheese soup)
• [ ] Hornado (roast pork)
• [ ] Empanadas de viento (cheese-filled pastries)
• [ ] Fritada (fried pork, corn, plantain)
• [ ] Canelazo (hot cinnamon and sugarcane drink)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇪🇨 Quito

1. 🌤️ Historic Center of Quito
2. 🌙 Vista Hermosa Rooftop Bar
3. 🛍️ Calle La Ronda
4. 🏨 Hotel Patio Andaluz
5. 🍽️ Mercado Central de Quito

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Quito
• [ ] ✈️ Quito → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Quito	4	Hotel Patio Andaluz	600 USD
Total	4 nights		600 USD