ECUADOR - Quito

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and stands almost 3,000 metres high on a plateau nestled among the Andes mountain range.  It is just 22 km south of the Equator and yet, because of its height, it benefits from a warm eternal spring-like climate. It is a large and sprawling urban mass that is split into the two distinct areas of old city and new city.   This produces a place of startling contrasts – a strange mixture of old colonial and new contemporary architecture, streets populated equally with wealthy businessmen and poor beggars, noisy bustling markets separated by quiet parks and streets, upmarket fashion and souvenir shops contrasting with impoverished street stalls. There are many attractions here including the huge Virgin of Quito who looks down over the city from her lofty position on Panecillo Hill.  The views from here are excellent and include the surrounding volcanoes as well as the city itself.

The old city is a place of churches and traditional markets. The central square is the Plaza de la Independencia at the heart of colonial Quito.   The square is surrounded by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace as well as the much more modern City Hall. There are a number of spectacular churches in this area although many are in need of significant repair. The second major square in the old city is the nearby Plaza de San Francisco. This open cobblestone square is dominated by the Monastery of San Francisco and its associated buildings. 

Although much of the new city is modern office blocks, it also offers an extensive range of shops and various significant museums.  The Casa de Cultura Equitoriana lies just to the side of the Parque El Ejido (near the Hilton Colon Hotel). This is a large museum with displays covering the history of the country and a substantial number of 19th century and modern paintings. There are a number of attractions that are very close to the city and can easily be visited either within a city tour or as a special outing. Perhaps the most popular is the Mitad del Mundo. This monument is just 30 minutes north of the city and marks the exact position of the Equator. The monument itself contains an interesting museum covering the distinct ethnic tribes that live in different parts of Ecuador. And, of course, you can have your picture taken astride the Equator line. 

Just a few kilometres north lies the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve that traces the rim of an extinct volcanic coldera.   You can drive to the rim and will normally get impressive views during the morning. By the afternoon, however, the clouds will race over the summit obscuring all in their path. The Otavalo Market is one of the best known Ecuadorian attractions and has been around for at least 4000 years.  It is located about 100 km north of Quito and forms the social and economic centre of the northern highlands.  It is best visited as early in the morning as possible before the tourists begin to outnumber the locals.  The market covers all sorts of food, clothing and general goods - plus handicrafts for the tourist.  Everyday is market day, but Saturday is the biggest. As in all crowded places, beware of pickpockets.