Every reason Quito-Ecuador is the place to be this summer

What you may not know is that Quito is the capital city of Ecuador. What you definitely didn’t know (unless you’ve been there) is that it’s the best place to visit this summer. Here’s why:

Best place for foodies

First things first: food. Quito is a city for foodies! From delicious traditional street food and cool “hole in the wall” restaurants, to modern hip new restaurant, they’ve got it all. Start your day with some fresh coffee, bean-to-cup! For lunch, the options are endless. Try some locro, a silky potato-based soup made to perfection. Hornado (delicious roast pig) at the Mercado Iñaquito is a must stop. Ceviche, a cold soup made with shrimp or fish and lots of lime will make your mouth watery. Empanadas will take your heart away so treat yo’self. Seriously, you’ll want to stay here eating forever.

You’re in the middle of the world!

Where in the world can you have one foot on the Northern hemisphere and another on the Southern hemisphere for a fun photo-shoot with your friends? Well, that would be Quito. Strike a pose or two with the yellow line, then head to the Intiñan Museum and experience by yourself some of the coolest phenomena that happen in the middle of the world like an egg standing on top of a nail!

Fall in love with the city

Quito has one of the best-preserved Historic Centers in the Americas. Go ahead and stroll through the colorful streets of Old Town, it will feel like going back in time. Check out the multiple cloisters and convents, as well as Museums and the Presidential Palace. They all hide stories of insurrections, political schemes, forbidden love stories, and a couple ghosts ones!

If you’re looking for the best spot to take pictures of the city, go to Basílica in Old Town. Be brave and climb the 390ft high towers!

Get a “limpia”

Looking to go back from your trip totally renovated? You’ve come to the right place. Make a stop at Mercado San Francisco, in Old Town and head to the “Ancestral Medicine” section. Here you will meet some “curanderas,” women who have preserved the most ancient techniques to heal the body and soul. They will brush you with very aromatic herbs and cover you with positive energies. You will leave feeling like a completely new person!

Bike the main avenue

Every Sunday, the city’s main avenue is only open for pedestrians and bikers. Rent a bike and go from North to South. Make sure you make a stop at Plaza Grande and enjoy a big and delicious fresh juice. The scenery of the ride is gorgeous, and will give you a totally different perspective of the city. There are some hills once you get to Old Town, but just keep going!

Stroll around Quito’s Soho

Quito is a cosmopolitan city. There’s something for everybody, including an artsy and hipster scene. Head to the city’s Soho: la Floresta. Walk around the neighborhood and discover the cool murals by local graffiti artists. This will be a great place to buy unique souvenirs made out of wood, leather and more. Do a coffee shop hop and try all the different types of Ecuadorian coffee beans. The brunch options are to die for. If you’re here later in the afternoon, head to the independent movie theater “8 y medio” and check their films selection out.

Climb a volcano in a day!

Quiteños sleep under the shadow of active volcanoes. The views are breathtaking! You can actually climb Pichincha volcano (the closest to the city), and be back on time to go party! Take a cable card at “Teleférico” and then follow the paths. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world! If you have more time, plan a journey to Cotopaxi.

Perfect weather all-year-long

They say Quito’s weather is the eternal spring. It really is an all-year-long destination! In theory, there is a rainy season and a dry season. But you can experiment all 4 seasons in one day, sans snow of course! Bring a nice jacket and some sunscreen, and you’ll be ready to go.

Day trip to the jungle

The Andes is a very diverse region, with lots of different climates. Such is the case of the cloud forest, only a couple of miles away from the city. The weather is warm and humid, perfect to get sun-kissed and nicely tanned. This is the place to try some adventure water sports!

Vibrant nightlife

We Quiteños like to party and want you to have a great time. Local breweries have open bars to try their craft beers. The summer is also filled with outdoor concerts around the city. Really, you can design your experience, but make sure you dance the night away! Hands down, Quito will not disappoint.