A Frequent Visitor's Insider Guide to the Best 5 Days in and Around Quito, Ecuador
Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America yet ranks among the top ten most biodiverse countries in the world. Its ecological diversity boasts the Galapagos Islands, Costa (the coast), Sierra (the Andean region), and Oriente (the Amazonian rainforest). Named for the equator line that divides the country, Ecuador takes great pride in its location.
I’ve been visiting the capital, Quito, in the Andean region my entire life. Both of my parents are from there, and most of my family still lives there. Since the 1980s, I’ve easily traveled there twenty times or so. Every time I go back, I’m amazed at how much the city continues to evolve and welcome people from all around the world.
If Ecuador isn’t on your bucket list, it definitely should be. In this post, I’m sharing my recommendations on how to plan five days in Quito, which will likely be your launch pad to visit any other part of the country. Whether you spend five consecutive days in Quito or spread them out, these are all one-day itineraries that I’ve enjoyed time and time again and I think you will too.
GETTING TO QUITO, ECUADOR
It may sound obvious, but it’s really important to pre-book a place to stay when visiting Quito. When you arrive at the airport, Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), you will be asked to provide the address of the place you will be staying. Not to mention, you will likely be taking a connection to get to Ecuador, so your arrival time may very well be late into the day or night, so it’s best to have your place of arrival sorted out.
My top recommendations are in the neighborhood of La Carolina, Quito’s central business hub filled with shops, cafés and restaurants.
WHERE TO STAY IN QUITO, ECUADOR: Sheraton Quito & JW Marriott Hotel Quito
Throughout a lifetime of visiting Quito, I’ve opted to stay at a hotel mainly because you really can’t beat the value for a five-star place. My go-to’s have been the Sheraton Quito and the JW Marriott Hotel Quito. Both have top-of-the-line restaurants you can dine in and are very well located.
Photos of Sheraton and JW Marriott Hotel below courtesy of Marriott.com
WHERE TO STAY IN QUITO, ECUADOR: Airbnb: Large Suite With Big Balcony Steps From the Metro
I’m a huge Airbnb fan when I travel, but had never tried it in Quito. Before my most recent trip, I searched and found the only Airbnb Plus (an Airbnb stay verified for quality and design) available in Quito for my ten-day stay. The price was more than fair for a one-bedroom luxury apartment in an elevator building with a doorman/security guard, plus a balcony. This place made it worth it to not have to check in and check out of a hotel on a couple of nights I wouldn't be staying in Quito. If you’re planning an extended stay in Quito, I highly recommend the comfort of booking an apartment like this one. You can book it here.
PRE-BOOK TRANSPORTATION AND TOURS IN QUITO, ECUADOR
The old Quito International Airport was located in the middle of the city, surrounded by mountains and high winds, which posed a serious risk to air traffic. Not to mention its cramped runways couldn’t be expanded to accommodate the influx of tourism to Ecuador. It has since been shut down and now the new airport (Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), which opened in 2013, is located on the outskirts of the city about 11 miles east of Quito near the town of Tababela. It is ten times larger than the old airport and a total game changer for the country.
That said, since the airport is a bit of a ride from town (35 to 45 minutes away depending on traffic), I suggest booking a car service that should cost you about $25 one way to Quito. Though you can opt to take a taxi from the airport, I always prefer to go with a personal recommendation on a driver, so I’m sharing with you two great private drivers/tour guides below who you may want to consider booking for your ride into the city and tours during your stay.
For other transportation options from the airport, click here.
5 DAYS IN AND AROUND QUITO, ECUADOR
DAY 1 IN QUITO, ECUADOR: Mitad del Mundo AND Crater de Pululahua
Mitad del Mundo
Google Maps: Middle of the World City, Av. Manuel Córdova Galarza SN, Quito 170311, Ecuador
No trip to Quito is complete without a visit to Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World)where you’ll find the Monument to the Equator and the equatorial line drawn. In addition to shops and restaurants, you can also enjoy a museum, planetarium, and during the the weekends — musical and cultural events.
Crater de Pululahua
Google Maps: Mirador Natural Volcan Pululahua
The crater of Pululahua in northern Quito is located by the Pululahua Volcano in an area called the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. It is one of two volcanic craters in the world to be inhabited and the only one being farmed. One of the most peaceful views, I highly recommend it as a stop when visiting Mitad del Mundo.
DAY 2: DAY trip from quito otavalo and lago san pablo
OTAVALO MARKET
Google Maps: Plaza de Ponchos
Ready for a day trip? Otavalo, about a two-hour drive north of Quito, is one of my all-time favorite places to visit. The Otavalo Market, the largest indigenous market in Ecuador, is the place to go on a Saturday, to shop for local woven products and textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs.
Cabañas del Lago Hostería y Marina
Google Maps: Cabañas del Lago
After shopping your heart out at the Otavalo Market, stop by Cabañas del Lago Hostería y Marina for a tasty Ecuadorian lunch with a view of Lake San Pablo at Restaurante AWA. The grounds keep getting upgraded each year I go back and it’s better than ever. If you feel like spending the night, the cabañas and activities will be worth your stay. I’ve vacationed here with my family throughout the years and whenever possible I still try to at least sneak in a night for the joy of waking up to views of the Imbabura Volcano.
DAY 3 IN QUITO: TelefériQo AND Centro Histórico
TelefériQo
Google Maps: Fulgencio Araujo, y, Quito 170527, Ecuador
The TelefériQo is an aerial lift that opened in Quito in 2015 and offers sweeping views of the city. The twenty-minute cable car ride is one of the highest in the entire world, taking riders up to almost 13,000 ft! Tourists and locals who take the TelefériQo can enjoy the swing in the clouds, hiking, and other activities.
Centro Histórico
Google Maps: Centro Histórico, Quito
Quito is the world’s first city to ever be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today the Historic Center is the slice of Quito that has truly remained unaltered from colonial times and an important place to visit to really understand the importance of culture and religion in this area.
DAY 4: OVERNIGHT TRIP TO Baños
Luna Volcán Adventure Spa
Google Maps: Luna Volcán Adventure Spa
Baños, short for Baños de Agua Santa (Baths of Holy Water), is located about three hours south of Quito - right before the entrance to the Oriente (jungle). Tourists from near and far visit Baños to be immersed in nature. Over the years, I’ve vacationed with family and friends at a place called Luna Volcán Adventure Spa, where you get access to adventure activities and indulge in the volcanic pools, spa treatments, and food.
DAY 5 IN QUITO: La Cevicheria Guayaca, Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal (Mariscal Craft Market) AND Quicentro
La Cevicheria Guayaca
Google Maps: Av. Eloy Alfaro 32-544, Quito 170135, Ecuador
Google Maps: Av. 12 de Octubre y Colòn, Quito 170135, Ecuador
Google Maps: Francisco de Orellana 2-137, Quito 170901, Ecuador
By day five you’ll probably be ready to stay local in Quito. On my last visit, my sister who lives there, told me about La Cevicheria Guayaca which hands down serves the best ceviche I’ve ever tasted (and I’ve tasted a lot of ceviches!). It was so good I tried going here twice, but unfortunately, they were closed the second time I tried to stop in. I highly recommend this spot if you want to try any type of ceviche. I made up for it on my next trip though!
Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
Jorge Washington 611, Quito 170143, Ecuador
By day five you’re ready to start thinking about what you want to bring back home for yourself and your loved ones. If you didn’t make it to Otavalo, you still have a chance to shop a really good selection of local handicrafts at Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal.
Quicentro
Avenida Naciones Unidas entre, Av. 6 de Diciembre, Quito, Ecuador
Also, Quicentro, near you if you’ve decided to stay at any of the places I recommended in Quito, is one of several shopping centers throughout the city where you’ll have access to stores, supermarkets, and the occasional food court bite when you don’t have the strength to sit down at another restaurant at the end of your trip. TIP: I highly recommend shopping for coffee, chocolate, and other treats at a good price at El Comisariato supermarket.
Photo: Expedia.com
Photo: Quicentro Facebook
No matter how many times I visit Quito, there’s always something new to discover. Its blend of rich culture, history, and natural beauty makes it a destination that consistently surprises and delights. With so much to offer in just five days, you’ll find yourself immersed in the heart of Ecuador’s charm while having the perfect launchpad to explore more of this diverse country. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, Quito promises an unforgettable experience. So, get ready to explore and enjoy all that this vibrant city has to offer!
For more on Ecuador, check out my other blog posts:
3 Days in Cuenca: The Ultimate Guide to Ecuador’s Hidden Gem
5 Wonders of Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador: A Perfect Day Guide for Anyone