Aside from the Galapagos Islands, you don’t hear folks talking too much about visiting Ecuador. But the capital, Quito, which just so happens to be the oldest capital in South America (and the second highest capital in the world) is full of things to do. Its old town has even been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While there are many lovely things about Quito, there are also a lot of precautions all travelers, especially solo female ones, need to take to ensure smooth sailing here. And despite the city being the largest in the country, one day is plenty to knock off the major touristy sites.
So, without further ado, here’s what to do with just one day in Quito, with a few safety tips and general precautions sprinkled in between.
Pro-Tip: Uber works in Quito and is a great way to get around, but the app is in a grey area when it comes to being legal. Ordering Ubers will save you money on cabs, but note that you have to sit in the passenger seat to avoid raising suspicion.
Traditional Ecuadorian Desayuno
Despite only needing one day in Quito, you should still plan to spend the night here, especially if you’re transiting through the city to get to another destination in the country. The Hampton by Hilton La Carolina Park is a prime choice because it’s in the pristine La Carolina neighborhood, but also because of their included breakfast. Each day, the buffet rotates with different traditional Ecuadorian dishes, along with a rotation of fresh fruit, eggs, juices, and bread.
Breakfast aside, I’d recommend this hotel for your stay in Quito due to the incredible location and low nightly rates. The views of the city from the rooms and the rooftop can’t be beat!
Head to Quito Old Town
If you had only one hour in Quito, this is where you’ll want to be. Quito Old Town is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the first city to receive such a title. The Spanish colonial architecture is a photographer’s dream, and there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops to visit while there. There are also tons of street vendors selling anything from keychains to street empanadas.
One thing to note about Old Town is the area can get EXTREMELY busy, and it can go from peaceful to overwhelming in the blink of an eye. At least, that was my experience. I turned down one street just from the center of town, and next thing I knew, I was in a herd of people yelling trying to sell things on the street (anything you can think of; I saw a man selling toilet paper!) and it felt like an ample opportunity to get pickpocketed. This did not happen, but my point is, stay aware of your surroundings.
Visit Museo del Cacao (and treat yourself to some chocolate)
Quito has over 40 museums to visit, so if you only have just one day here, you should try to visit at least one. My top recommendation, since you’ll be in Quito Old Town regardless, is Museo del Cacao. Ecuador produces some of the best chocolate on the planet, so stop by to learn about the country’s cacao and chocolate-making process. Make sure to treat yourself to something sweet afterward at Republica del Cacao. They have an ice cream made with 100% cacao, so if you like dark, bitter chocolate, you MUST order this. They also offer different chocolate bars with flavors like banana and sea salt, and a mocha with chocolate and espresso.
La Runda for Empanadas Gigantes
Hopefully you didn’t fill up too much on chocolate, because now it’s time for a dish that Ecuadorians take in serious pride: empanadas. While you will definitely want to try empanadas de verde pollo and empanadas morocho, in La Runda, you’ll want to try empanadas gigantes, which translates to “giant empanadas.” La Runda is an historic cobblestone street not too far from Old Town, and they’re known for serving massive empanadas that are the size of your head. They simply have a cheese filling which tends to coagulate with the dough, so it really feels more like fried dough with a small amount of cheese inside. Get it with some salsa, and expect to pay about 2 USD at one of the many shops in La Runda that serves it.
Pro-Tip: Want to taste the best of the city without any of the planning? Book this gastronomy tour.
Take a stroll through La Carolina Park
Now that you’ve done some sightseeing and eaten your way around the city, take a little breather and stroll around La Carolina Park. Parque La Carolina attracts families, locals, and tourists alike, often with many stalls setup to sell street food, and there’s even a botanical garden inside. There’s also an old airplane that has been decked out with graffiti and art. Safe to say, Parque La Carolina is referred to as Quito’s Central Park for good reason.
Check out the colorful neighborhood of La Floresta
If you’re looking for a hip neighborhood to walk through, do some shopping, grab a drink or small bite, you’ll want to head to La Floresta. At night, many street vendors pop up (if you’re catching a theme here, it’s that Quito loves their street vendors!), and there’s even a Japanese-style cafe, Cafe Ghibli, that serves very good chocolate cake.
Enjoy a meal from The World’s 50 Best Recommendations
Lima and Buenos Aires are often given all of the clout when it comes to gastronomical cities in South America, but Quito is not to be overlooked. Make a reservation at hotspots like Tributo, Urko, Quitu, Clara, or Ciré. Alternatively,
Optional: Day Trip
Should you find you have extra time in Quito, there are some seriously incredible day trips you can take to get out of the city.
- Cotopaxi is a great hike that can be done in a day trip from the city.
- Quito is uniquely situated on the equator, and one of the most popular day tours (which only takes a few hours) is “The Middle of the World” tour.
- Need a little wellness in your life? Papallacta Hot Springs is a short ride outside of the city, and can be explored in about six hours.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: Hampton by Hilton La Carolina Park hosted me for my stay in Quito.