Quito

Quito rises dramatically as one of the world's highest capital cities at breathtaking 2,850-meter elevation where magnificent Spanish colonial churches glitter with elaborate gold-leaf baroque altars, atmospheric cobbled Old Town plazas impeccably preserve 16th-century architecture earning prestigious UNESCO World Heritage status in 1978 as one of the very first sites ever inscribed on the list (it carries inscription number 2), and the famous Equator line monument at Ciudad Mitad del Mundo symbolically marking 0° latitude (the true GPS equator lies approximately 240m north) allows visitors standing in both Northern and Southern hemispheres—all dramatically framed by snow-capped Andean peaks including active Cotopaxi volcano (5,897m) visible from rooftop restaurant terraces on clear days. The elongated narrow city (pop. approximately 2.8 million Greater Quito metro) stretches remarkably 50 kilometers north-south in a scenic valley pinched between mountains, dividing functionally into atmospheric Old Town's colonial treasures and New Town's (Mariscal Sucre neighborhood) concentration of backpacker hostels, tour agencies, and nightlife.

The compact Old Town concentrates unmissable architectural sights: Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia) anchors impressive Carondelet Presidential Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Archbishop's Palace where presidents traditionally wave from balconies during inaugurations, La Compañía de Jesús church (often called most ornate church in entire South America) absolutely dazzles visitors with approximately 7 tons of gold leaf covering literally every square inch of elaborate baroque interior ($6 entry), and imposing Basílica del Voto Nacional offers adventurous tower climbs requiring ascending steep narrow ladders to Gothic spires for vertigo-inducing panoramic city views ($4 nave entry + $4 additional for towers access). San Francisco Monastery's vast plaza perpetually hosts indigenous craft vendors selling alpaca sweaters and Panama hats (actually Ecuadorian origin despite name!), while El Panecillo hill's enormous 41-meter Virgin of Quito aluminum statue overlooks entire city (take taxi as neighborhood sketchy for walking alone). The thrilling TelefériQo cable car (around $9 foreigners, significantly less for Ecuadorians with ID) ascends dramatically to Pichincha volcano's 4,050-meter elevation—bring warm layers as temperature drops significantly, stunning views on clear mornings, altitude genuinely hits hard at this elevation, optional hiking even higher for very fit acclimatized visitors.

Yet Quito primarily serves as essential base camp for Ecuador's jaw-dropping day trips and adventures: spectacular Cotopaxi National Park (2 hours south, active volcano reaching 5,897m, horseback riding and challenging hiking to 4,800m refuge), lush Mindo Cloud Forest (2 hours northwest, hummingbird feeders attracting 30+ species, waterfall hikes, canopy zip-lining, artisan chocolate tours), legendary Otavalo indigenous market (2 hours north, Saturday market absolutely packed—indigenous textiles, handicrafts, animals, South America's most famous), stunning Quilotoa crater lake's turquoise waters requiring hiking down 400m to water level, and therapeutic Papallacta hot springs. The hearty food scene blends indigenous Andean and Spanish colonial influences: locro de papa (creamy potato soup with avocado and cheese), fresh ceviche despite being landlocked (quality varies), controversial cuy (roasted guinea pig traditional but primarily touristy), and street food like empanadas de viento (fried cheese empanadas) and llapingachos (potato-cheese pancakes). New Town (Mariscal) concentrates essential backpacker infrastructure—competing tour agencies booking Galápagos and Amazon, affordable hostels, lively bars, international restaurants on pedestrianized Plaza Foch creating gringo hangout.

Most independent travelers spend strategic 2-4 days in Quito acclimatizing to altitude before heading to Amazon jungle lodges, prohibitively expensive Galápagos cruises ($300–$500 round-trip flights plus $1,500–$5,000 cruises), Pacific coast beaches, or continuing overland adventures. Visit year-round thanks to high-altitude eternal spring climate with daytime highs around 18-22°C and cool evenings around 10°C (Quito lacks true seasons), though bring warm layers for cool evenings/mornings and rain jacket as afternoon showers occur frequently especially March-May and October-November wetter periods. Most visitors (including EU/US/UK) get 90 days visa-free, US dollar as Ecuador's official currency since 2000 crisis (making budgeting and ATMs easy for Americans), predominantly Spanish language (English quite limited even in tourism), remarkably affordable prices (meals $3–$8 hostels $10–$25), and that essential combination of colonial baroque beauty, adventure tour access, high-altitude acclimatization necessity, and gateway positioning, Quito delivers necessary Ecuador stopover combining UNESCO colonial heritage with adventure tour booking base making it essential first stop before Ecuador's true highlights—Galápagos wildlife, Amazon jungle, and Andean adventures—beckon travelers onward.