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64°F / 18°C
(Scattered Clouds. Mild.)
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If Quito, the enchanting capital of Ecuador, is your destination, you will need to travel well-equipped and with a good dose of energy and enthusiasm to visit most of the attractive places this little city has to offer. This metropolis is a combination of legend, culture and modern development that can only be appreciated while actively touring the city.
Plaza San Blas
When Quito was declared a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1978, the houses, monuments, buildings and churches of this beautiful capital became a legend and tradition for all visitors. Visiting the colonial quarter is a must. It is easily reached from any point of the city. If you are in the city, use the trolley bus. You will need to get off at Banco Central Station and continue your trip on foot. You will first encounter Plaza San Blas and continue your tour down Calle Guayaquil, the axis crossing the historic quarter. This is a narrow road running from north to south, surrounded by old two- and three-story houses painted in white tones with brightly-colored front doors and balconies. As you make your way along, you will cross several streets, among them Calle de la Soledad, also called Esmeraldas, that will lead you to the popular neighborhood of El Tejar. Shortly afterwards you will reach an important and interesting place, the Plaza del Teatro, where you will find the Teatro Sucre, a beautiful old theater steeped in history. Nearby , past the San Agustin church, you will find the Cueva del Oso, an elegant restaurant of long-standing tradition in Quito that offers many local and international dishes. Stand at the corner of Calle Venezuela and you will see on your left, the Plaza de la Independencia, with the Palacio de Gobierno just in front of you. This is a good place to stop for a while, relax and enjoy the very heart of Quito’s historic quarter. On the ground floor of Palacio de Carondelet, the government building, and the Iglesia de la Catedral, there are restaurants and food stalls offering good sandwiches, chilled fruit juices and souvenirs.
The Middle of the World
Quito is often referred to as "the middle of the world", due to its proximity to the equator. If you are just passing by or plan to stay a while in Quito, you should take a thorough tour of the town, very easy to do, thanks to public transport. A trip by bus down the length of Avenida America to the central-north area will take you forty minutes through a landscape of houses, buildings and parks. Once you arrive, you will see an impressive monument with a globe at the top. There is no fee to enter the Mitad del Mundo monument or city, although entrance to the Museo Etnografico costs eighty cents. Before doing this, however, take a moment to stand on the equator and thrill at the thought of being exactly at the middle of the world. Inside the city are several crafts stores selling silver jewelry, typical clothing, leather slippers, bright necklaces, T-shirts, key rings, and many other articles with Mitad del Mundo motifs. After walking, taking pictures, and buying souvenirs, you will not be able to resist the aroma of the typical food prepared here. Restaurante Equinoccio offers countless options for your palate. A fritada (white corn or 'mote', pork, and plantain), guatita (cow's stomach, potatoes and peanuts), or the appetizing yahuarlocro (lamb soup) and other delicacies of the sierra await you. As well, this is a honey-producing area and many jars of it are on sale here. You can also find delicious nougat and specially prepared sweets. The archaeological ruins of Rumicucho, are just ten minutes from here. At the entrance you will receive historical information about this project, and professional staff will explain in detail the meaning and symbolism of the passages and stone compartments.
Convento del Carmen Alto
Across the Plaza de la Independencia is Calle Garcia Moreno, also known as Calle de las Siete Cruces, an attractive road with seven stone crosses in front of the Hospice, as well as in front of the Carmen Alto, La Compañía de Jesús, the Sagrario, the Cathedral, the Concepción and Santa Barbara churches. Walking down this road will take you to the Manuela Sáenz and María Augusta Urrutia museums, places created to promote an interest in Ecuadorian culture. At this point you will need to have to take Calle Sucre and then return to Guayaquil Avenue to stop at Plaza de Santo Domingo where you will find the convent and museum of the same name. These together house a gallery of works by artists predominantly of the Quito school. For a bite to eat after all this touring, try El Criollo for some traditional local cuisine.
Guided Tours:
The Metropolitan Tourist Police Office (+593 2 2586 591)
Calimatours (+593 2 2394 796/ http://www.calimaecuador.com/index.html)
Cotopaxi Tours (http://www.cotopaxitours.com)
Gray Line (593 2 290 7577/ http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/latinamerica/ecuador.go)
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