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So, how long do you need in Quito? In my opinion, three days in Quito is the perfect amount of time. It gives you enough time to really get a feel for the city, acclimatise to the crazy altitude and try some of the local foods.
There are plenty of things to do in Quito; from being able to visit the âmiddle of the worldâ (where the equator line lies), to exploring the Old Town with its grand buildings and churches.
Then the quirky pubs in La Floresta, chocolate tours in the Historic Centre and day trips to nearby towns such as Otavalo and Mindo. Quito has a lot to offer a first time visitor!
In the following post, I explain all of the best things to do whilst spending 3 days in Quito. As Iâve mentioned, this is a great amount of time to spend in the capital of Ecuador, so letâs get started!
Still got a question about how many days in Quito or a 3-day Quito itinerary? Let me know over onInstagramor shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!
đȘđšOther Ecuador posts:
- Quito To Cotopaxi: FULL Guide, Routes + Tips
3 Days in Quito: A Summary
Contents
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and is a popular starting point for backpackers travelling around the country. As well as being the oldest capital city in South America, it is the second-highest city in the world; sitting at an impressive 2850m (9350ft) above sea level.
San Francisco de Quito (the official name) was also the first UNESCO city in the world, along with the Galapagos Islands in 1978.
As well as having some fun things to do within the city, itâs a great base to have in Ecuador to explore some of the nearby locations; such asMindo,Cotopaxi,Banosand theAmazon Rainforest!
Itâs also perfect for budget backpackers or tourists, as itâs one of the cheapest cities weâve ever been to.
When you first arrive in Quito, I recommend booking or at least knowing what youâre doing next. Whether itâs your Galapagos flight, a Cotopaxi hike or a trip to Mindo Rainforest, know what youâre doing next so that you can plan your transfers or journeys on day three.
If you want my recommendation, itâs to head to the Amazon Rainforest from Quito. Stay at Community Hostel for your 3 days in Quito, and book a 4-day/3-night tour to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This means all of your onward transfers are sorted, and youâre in for the adventure of a lifetime!
But if the Amazon Rainforest isnât your thing, Iâve listed a few other locations to visit after Quito in the âonward travelâ section.
Day 1 in Quito
Summary: acclimatize and rest, have an easy breakfast and walk around the Old Town and Museo de la Ciudad. Do the Middle of the World tour, and have either a family-style dinner at Community Hostel, or head to Cafe Mosaico for sunset drinks.
Day 1: Morning
When you first arrive in Quito, itâs likely youâll need to acclimatize from the altitude. If you need to take it easy, donât feel guilty. Quito is the second-highest city in the world, so take it easy!
If youâre not feeling the effects of the high altitude, I recommend heading out for breakfast, grabbing a coffee, watching the world go by and enjoying your first morning in Quito.
After breakfast, take a walk around the Old Town. You donât need to spend too long doing this, as tomorrow youâll be taking a free walking tour of the city (which is also a great opportunity to make new friends).
Afterwards (if you still have the energy) head to the Museo de la Ciudad. Located in the colonial centre of Quito, itâs a great way to learn a little more about the city.
Day 1: Afternoon
Get ready for your Middle of the World tour! Depending on the tour you have booked (you can book online here or via Community Hostel), tours start around 2 pm.
All tours have transfers included, but you need to pre-book before arriving in Quito for the best availability.
The tour includes visiting the equator line, proof of visit certificate, a museum visit, magnetic field games, tram rides and more. Itâs a must-do when in Quito (and itâs a pretty chilled activity for your first day!)
Day 1: Evening
At the end of your first day in Quito, you can either relax back in your accommodation or head out for dinner. If youâd like to watch the sunset from a pretty rooftop bar, I recommend Cafe Mosaico.
Itâs only a 10-minute walk from both Secret Garden Hostel and Community Hostel, so you donât need to worry about walking around too much at night.
Day 2 in Quito
Summary: Free walking tour of Quito, Parque El Ejido, La Ronda neighbourhood for dinner and drinks.
Day 2: Morning
After breakfast, I recommend doing a free walking tour of Quito. You can do the free walking tour with Community Hostel (which starts at 10 am every day, and they meet on the rooftop). This includes iconic sights such as La Compania de Jesus, Basilica del Voto Nacional and Plaza de la Independencia, and is the perfect chance to make friends and meet new people.
TOP TIP: If youâre doing the walking tour, donât forget to tip your tour guide at the end. We found around $8-10 USD was the standard tip amount in 2023.
Day 2: Afternoon
Not far from the Old Town is Parque El Ejido. Itâs great to walk around and to have some time away from the bustle of the city. If youâre on a tight budget, pick up some lunch from the supermarket and have a picnic in the park.
Day 2: Evening
âMagicalâ La Ronda is known as Quitoâs most âromanticâ and pretty neighbourhood. Full of colorful buildings, craft shops, art galleries and lantern-lit streets, itâs a beautiful and safe area to spend your evenings in Quito.
Spend your time in La Ronda roaming the streets, drinking co*cktails and enjoying a pizza and craft beer at Panaderia Reina de la Paz.
Day 3 in Quito
Summary: breakfast and coffee in the Old Town, Quito cable car and viewpoint (or Quilotoa crater lake), afternoon drinks, Community Hostel family dinner and onward transfers to the Amazon Rainforest!
Day 3: Morning and afternoon
By day 3, your body should be a little more used to the altitude (although if you havenât acclimated, I do not recommend the next activity). First, head to a supermarket and stock up on snacks and drinks.
Then head to Quitoâs TelefĂ©riQo, the main station for the Quito cable car. This takes you even higher in altitude (another 1100m!), and youâll get to see VolcĂĄn Pichincha up close. When at the top, you can either take a hike, walk or relax and enjoy your picnic.
When you return to town, take it easy, grab a coffee, a glass of wine, or head to the Bandido Brewing pub for a couple of cheap beers (happy hour is between 4-7 pm).
But donât go too over the top, youâre off to the Amazon Rainforest in the evening, so you need to rest!
Not acclimated yet? Take a day trip to the wonderful Quilotoa crater lake. Just 2 hours from Quito, itâs a fun day trip full of hikes, beautiful views and epic scenery.
Day 3: Evening
Be sure to sign up early for the Community Hostel family-style dinner. If youâre up for it, join in on one of the evening social activities, or just chill in the lounge area whilst waiting for your Amazon tour transfer to pick you up. It usually arrives around 11.30 pm â 12 am, so get comfy!
As well as running a family-style dinner, they host free karaoke, salsa lessons, quiz nights and more. If thatâs not your thing, chill in their TV room, read your book or catch up on your favourite series!
Other things to do in Quito
Where to stay in Quito
Knowing where to stay in Quito is important. Why? Well, there for starters, itâs a big city. There are many areas to choose from, and picking the wrong one could be detrimental to your trip. Secondly, some of the areas are less safe and tourist-friendly than others.
If youâre in Quito for the first time, I recommend booking accommodation in either the main Historic Centre or La Floresta.
The Old Town (Historic Centre) is perfect for 3 days in Ecuador, as itâs in the centre of town, close to all of the major attractions and has some great hostels and hotels.
La Floresta is better suited to digital nomads and long-term stays in the city.
Some of thebest accommodations in Quito include:
- Viajero Hostel(city centre): a beautiful hostel that includes free breakfast!
- Community Hostel(city centre): the perfect social hostel for theAmazon Rainforest tour!
- Secret Garden: (city centre): around a 15-minute walk to the main square, and is ideal for specific Cotopaxi tours.
- Hotel Stubel Suites & Cafe(La Floresta): a hotel with offers stunning views of the GuĂĄpulo Valley.
- NH Collection Quito Royal(La Floresta): a more luxurious stay with a health club, free WiFi and free breakfast.
Where to eat in Quito
If youâre interested in the best food options in Quito, Iâve listed some of our favourites below. But, we found the best cafes and brunch spots by simply walking around (theyâre sadly not all listed on Google Maps), so keep your eyes open!
đł Breakfast, brunch and lunch:
- Magnolia Cafe Arte: a lovely cafe in the Old Town for breakfast and lunch. The staff are the sweetest! (Old Town)
- Ocho Cafe: the perfect spot for coffee and breakfast. (La Floresta)
- Jervis: a cute coffee spot with tasty bagels and amazing cappuccinos (La Floresta)
- Coffee Zular: a brunch spot for good coffee and food (Old Town)
- Atavico Cafe: a busy breakfast and lunch spot serving amazing sandwiches (Old Town)
đ Dinner:
- Bandido Brewing Company: an excellent beer brewing pub with delicious food options. Happy hour is from 4-7 pm daily. (Old Town)
- YiYi Dumplings: a cute dumpling and dim sum cafe (La Floresta)
- El Hornero: a pizza and pasta spot (La Floresta)
- Sinners: for American-style pub food (La Floresta)
Budget for 3 days in Quito
Quito is a great city for backpackers travelling on a budget. You can easily spend a day in Quito for under ÂŁ30 per person ($35 USD) and comfortably travel around the city, eat in a restaurant and even buy some souvenirs.
If youâre visiting Quito with a mid-range budget (similar to Tom and myself), I recommend budgeting around ÂŁ60-80 per day. This includes a private Airbnb apartment, a meal in a restaurant, taxis and trams and a few evening drinks.
Accommodation (per night) | Food (per day) | Activities (some activities are free!) | Transport | |
Low-budget backpacker | Shared dorm: ÂŁ8-15 | ÂŁ3-6 | ÂŁ0-50+ | ÂŁ0-ÂŁ3 (public transport) |
Mid-range backpacker | Private room: ÂŁ30-60 | ÂŁ10-30 | ÂŁ0-80+ | ÂŁ0-10 (taxis) |
Of course, prices will vary and depend on the time of year that you are visiting Quito,but on average, most things cost under ÂŁ10 ($12 USD); including nightly accommodations!
Day trips from Quito
If youâre staying in Quito for longer than one day and want to head out of the city,I recommend the following day trips (or overnight trips).
- Amazon Rainforest tour (Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve):not a day trip, but so worth it if you have the luxury of time on your side! Itâs a must-do, must-see and must-experience when in Ecuador. Find out more about visiting theAmazon from Quito here!
- Mindo: Mindo is a beautiful cloud forest just 2 hours north of Quito, and is theperfectday trip. Mindo can be visited either independently or with a tour â you can see how to get toMindo from Quito hereorbook a day trip to Mindo here!
- Cotopaxi: Cotopaxi volcano is one of the most iconic sights in the country, and is a must-see for any nature fan. Again, you can eitherbook a day trip to Cotopaxi,ortravel there independently.
- Otavalo: Otavalo is a bustling market town around 2 hours from Quito. Itâs a popular choice for those wanting to learn a little more about the local culture and traditions. You can either visit Otavalo independently or book a guided tour from Quito here.
- Quilotoa Crater Lake: just 2 hours from Quito, Quilotoa Lagoon was formed when a (now extinct) volcano collapsed. Itâs now a dazzling emerald Green lake thatâs well worth the journey.
- Middle of the World Equator Line:one epic day trip from Quito thatâs only 20 minutes outside of the city! I recommend booking a tour for this rather than visiting independently.Youâll visit the literal âmiddle of the worldâ,be given an âEquator line certificateâ and play some fun games testing the surrounding magnetic fields!
- Quito cooking class:another tour located in the city itself, this is a great way to fill some time in Quito and to learn more about the local history and culture. I highly recommend booking ahomestay cooking class similar to this one!
Related posts: Frog Concert Mindo: Just WHAT Is It? FULL Guide | Quito To Cotopaxi: FULL Guide, Routes + Tips
Onward travel after 3 days in Quito
Quito tends to be at the start of most backpackersâ Ecuador trips. After Quito, as itâs well located in the country, you can get to most other major destinations, and even embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Amazon Rainforest or the Galapagos Islands.
Some popular routes include;
- Starting in Quito, then heading into the Amazon Rainforest
- Flying from Quito to the Galapagos Islands
- Heading north to Mindo cloud forest
- Heading south to Cotopaxi volcano, the worldâs highest active volcano
- Taking a trip to Otavalo, a market town in the Andean highlands
- Travelling to Banos, the adventure capital of the country
- Heading straight to Guayaquil, the biggest city in Ecuador, before flying to the Galapagos
There are so many options to choose from when deciding where to go after Quito! To help you decide, Iâve written a3-week,2-weekand10-day itineraryfor Ecuador, with all options starting from Quito (or Guayaquil if youâre working in reverse). Enjoy!
Related posts: | What To Pack For Ecuador: All-Year Round Guide
3 days in Quito: FAQs
1) How many days do you need in Quito?
Two-three days is enough time to explore Ecuadorâs capital city. This gives you enough time to explore the Old Town, eat some local food and see some of the major sights. Itâs also a city at an exceptionally high altitude; so a few days gives you some time to acclimatize.
2) Is it safe to walk around Quito at night?
Safety is subjective, so I can only share my personal experiences when it comes to safety in Quito.
We found walking around during the day to be safer than at night, although there were certain areas that I wouldnât have visited alone at any time of day.
Both hostels we stayed in in Quito (Community HostelandViajero), either served family-style dinners or were right next to restaurantsfor us to use. This meant we didnât have to wander too far after dark.
Areas such as La Mariscal and La Ronda are popular with tourists and locals after dark, and of course, you can have an epic time in Quito after dark (and Iâd love to hear from you if you did!).
Whne it comes to safety at night in Quito, you decide for yourself and whatyouârecomfortable with.
3) Is Quito a walkable city?
Yes, Quito is walkable.You can easily walk around the Old Town and La Floresta without needing to use any public transport. Distances between the areas can be relatively far, so if you want to travel from one area to another area, I recommend Uber, the tram or bus.
Remember; Quito sits at an altitude of 2850m, so you might find it a little hard to walk around at first! We often became out of breathe and tired after a short walk; so you might want to factor that into your itinerary!
4) What is the best month to visit Quito?
In summary, August is generally the warmest month of the year, with a high of 20°C (60°F). February is the coldest, with a low of 10°C (50°F).
But tourists can visit Ecuador year-round, and there isnât a specific âbestâ time to go.You can explore the country in any month and have great weather.
As Quito sits at an altitude of just under 3000m, itâs colder than most locations in the country. Even though itâs close to the equator, the altitude means most of the year Quito is windy, chilly and even a little cold (under 20°C / 60°F).
5) Do you need a SIM card to travel around Ecuador?
Yes, I highly recommenddownloading an eSIMon your phone to ensure you can use it for directions andsafety in Ecuador.
We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards.ESIMsare easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so thereâs no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! âĄYou can check out the prices and packages foreSIMs here!
Donât forget travel insurance for South America!
If youâre visiting South America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it issoimportant to havetravel insurance.Andif you ended up on a post thatâs called âepic party tipsâ, you know (just as well as I do) that youdefinitelyneed travel insurance.
Personally, I recommendSafetyWing.As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest â they have deals that start atjust $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, youâre thinkingâbut I canât afford that!â. I was the same! Itâs tough to fork out $42 a month on something âyou might not needâ. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help atany pointwhilst in South America,you needtravel insurance.
WithSafetyWing, youâre covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpackerâs price!)
Donât even think twice about getting travel insurance for South America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who havenât had insurance and have ended up in alotof debt. Donât be that person!
If youâve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research thebest travel insurance companies, I understand. Thatâs why Iâve done the hard work for you. Sign up forSafetyWing, and the job is done!
3 Days in Quito: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it!Everything you need to know about spending 3 days in Quito and how many days in Quito are enough.When youâre planning a trip to Ecuador, make sure you let me know over onInstagramor in the comments below!
If you havenât seen my blog before, I write posts aimed atreal-lifetravellers wanting authentic and down-to-earth information.
Iâm currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend(read morehere!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Ecuador content,all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updateshere!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling đ
Jennie x
đȘđš Other Ecuador posts:
- Ecuador Itinerary 3 Weeks: FULL Route + Guide
- Quito To Cotopaxi: FULL Guide, Routes + Tips
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Jennie
TRAVEL BLOGGER
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).