Quito - Pichincha - Ecuador

It is a canton of the Province of Pichincha, Ecuador. Its cantonal head is the city of Puerto Quito.

At the foot of the Guagua and Rucu Pichincha sits the city of Quito, one of the most beautiful cities of the Western Hemisphere, is at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level. Due to its scenic beauty and its history in the year of 1878 Quito was declared as the first city Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity. The colonial zone shows streets, squares, temples, convents and monuments that reflect a transcendental past. Modern Quito shows a cosmopolitan city in the process of development.

Brief Historical Review Cantón Quito

When the Quito-born Atahualpa faced Huascar for the control of the Tahuantinsuyo, the Spaniards commanded by Francisco Pizarro appeared. Atahualpa defeated in Cajamarca, Sebastián de Benalcázar advanced to Quito. He found it burning by the hand of Rumiñahui, leader of the resistance. With this heroic gesture a stage in the history of the region was closed. Benalcázar established the new city of San Francisco de Quito on December 6, 1534. Two months earlier, the city had been founded by Diego de Almagro south of the current site. Seven years later Francisco de Orellana, leaving Quito in search of the country of cinnamon, discovered the Amazon. Twenty-one years later, Felipe II created the Real Audiencia de Quito.
Its jurisdiction covered a surface five times greater than that of the present Republic of Ecuador, for all this past Quito is considered as "The Nucleus of Ecuadorian Nationality" The colonial city was covered with glory thanks to the splendor of its art, to the advancement of their culture, their missionary zeal and the love of freedom.

Enriched by mining and textile production, it was able to build Baroque and Mudejar temples adapted with originality to the local environment and ornamented them with great profusion of paintings and carvings that form a magical world of undeniable religious didactic value. It was the time of the famous Quiteña School, the work of Indian and Spanish miscegenation. For this display of genius Quito is called "Reliquary of Art in America."

How to get to Quito?

How to get to Quito from Guayaquil?

In the Terminal Terrestre de Guayaquil you can take the following companies that travel directly to Quito: Aerotaxi, Imbabura Fleet, Panamericana, Patria, Transportes Ecuador, Santa, San Cristóbal.
Approximate distance by land 410 Km, travel time 7 hours.

How to get to Quito from Cuenca?

In the Terminal Terrestre de Cuenca you can take the following companies that travel directly to Quito: Imbabura Fleet, Oriental Tourism, Homeland, Santa, Express Sucre, Super Taxis Cuenca, CITCA, Jahuay, Panamericana, Imbabura Fleet.
Approximate distance via land 465 km, travel time 8 hours.

How to get to Quito from Manta?

In the Manta Terminal you can take the following companies that travel directly to Quito: COACTUR, Carlos Alberto Aray, Imbabura Fleet, Panamericana, Portovejenses Routes, Tamarindos Royals, Sucre, Trans Esmeraldas.
Approximate distance via land 374 km, travel time 7 hours.
Quito city of history, art and legends. Capital of Ecuador, located in the Middle World. Top of places to visit: churches, parks, craft markets

Climate of Quito

The climate of the city of Quito corresponds to the sub-tropical climate of the highlands, which range from arid and temperate to humid and cold climates. The temperature ranges from 10 to 27 ° C, which favors tourism. Quito is divided into 3 zones; South zone is the coldest place for its height, center area is hot, and the north is temperate.

Flora of Quito

In the surroundings of the city there are natural species such as: Maywa de Quito, San Antonio tuna and Calderón, arrayán, guava de Tumbaco and Los Chillos, chocho, sage, blackberry, among others.

Species symbol

Flor de Taxo.- is a species of wide distribution in the surrounding ecosystem of Quito, traditionally used in food, ornamentation, gardening. It is an attractive flower for its colorful and striking.

Fauna of Quito

In the surroundings of the city there are species that are true treasures for tourism in Quito, such as: spectacled bear, paramo wolf, Andean toucan, Yumbo, sparrow, turtle dove, blackbird, huairacchuro, quilico, guagsa, boba snake or green snake, Andean marsupial frog, rocket frog, preplicailla, butterflies such as papilio polyxenes and ascia monustes, catzo Blanco, among others.

Species symbol

Hummingbird Zamarrito "Pechi negro" .- Endemic species that lives in the territory of the Metropolitan District, confined to the Andean forests of the northwestern slopes of Pichincha. Spiritual symbol, image of delicacy, fleeting brilliance, vagabond spirit of colors and a flying prism.

Calendar of celebrations and events in Quito

- Carnival - Parades, music and masquerade are some of the activities that take place.
- Procession Jesus of the Great Power - Good Friday.- Hundreds of cones and Veronicas participate in the procession, each one with its history of faith and gratitude.
- Month of the Arts - promotes art and culture in the city
- Day of the Dead - November 2 .- are characterized by a mixture of traditions and ancient customs such as purple laundry.
- Fiestas de Quito - December 6. - is one of the most important citizen and popular festivities nationwide. This is characterized by the presence of: town bands, platforms for all kinds of artistic expression in many parts of the city. It is celebrated from the end of November and culminates on December 6, day of the Spanish foundation of the city.
- Cribs or births contest.- Cribs are a living tradition of the city, the goal is to open a space for the creativity and ingenuity of the people of Quito.
- Contest of old years of the avenue Amazonas - December 31

Quito Typical Food

LocroLocro of potatoes with cheese.- is a very creamy soup, typical of the Andes. It is served with avocado, cheese and chili. It is also customary to serve it with toasted corn or canguil. The locro of potatoes is a dish from the time of the Incas.

Yahuarlocro .- is a soup based on potatoes, also contains belly, booklet and liver of sheep, which is accompanied with avocado, onions and blood cooked. It is typical of the Interandina Region of Ecuador.
The term yawarlocro comes from the kichwa, yawar = blood and locro = stew

Cevichocho .- is a dish that has chocho as its main ingredient. The cevichocho has become one of the most popular dishes of Quito in recent years.
It is served with toasted corn and banana chifles.

Quito Drinks

Morocho.- The morocho is a thick and sweet milkshake made from dark corn, which is also added milk, cinnamon, sugar and go. It is accompanied with empanadas.

Canelazo.- To frighten the Andean cold of Quito, nothing better than a warm Canelazo! A soft drink and easy to drink. But beware, if you consume too much, it can turn out to be a good chuchaqui. It's that this drink has brandy, in addition to water boiled with cinnamon, boiled orange juice and other things ...
Desserts

Figs with cheese.- This delicious Andean dessert is made with figs, panela and cinnamon. It is served with fresh cheese.

In addition to the aforementioned meals there are other dishes that you should try: The crispy chifles, toasted corn, hornado, fried Quito, guatita, mishqui tripe, potatoes with leather, broth legs, empanadas de viento, empanadas de morocho, purple drink, pristiños and ripe with cheese.

Places to Visit in Quito

Quito's Historic center

Nestled in the depth of a narrow valley formed by Andean volcanoes, at 2,800 meters above sea level, the spectacular old city of Quito stretches for more than 320 hectares. It is the largest Historic Center in America. It houses churches, chapels, monasteries and colonial convents, squares, museums and charming inner courtyards, republican buildings and interesting architecture of the early twentieth century, as well as notable contemporary works that make this a place of enormous historical, architectural and aesthetic value. Unesco universally recognized Quito in November 1978 when declaring it the First Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The statement states: "Quito forms a harmonious sui generis assembly, where the actions of man and nature have come together to create a unique and transcendental work in its category." Three decades have passed since this recognition, a period in which the authorities have worked on the preservation and rehabilitation of elegant public spaces, historic buildings and the legacy of their intangible cultural heritage.

The bagel in Quito

In 1976, the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorral made the monument to the Virgin of Quito, which is located at the top of the hill and dominates the landscape of this area. This sculpture is 45 m high and is a large-scale copy of the sculpture of the Virgin of Quito by Bernardo de Legarda, which is displayed on the main altar of the church of San Francisco. It is built with around seven thousand pieces of aluminum. You can climb inside to get an even more spectacular view of the city.

Church of the Company of Jesus in Quito

The Church of the Company of Jesus considered the most representative example of the baroque style of colonial Quito, is part of the Jesuit architectural monuments, which constitutes a true emporium of faith, art and history of the city. The Company, built by the Jesuits from 1605, took approximately 160 years to be completed. Only two years later, the Jesuits were expelled from these lands, due to the Edict of estrangement decreed in 1767 by Charles III, King of Spain. The Quito Company was abandoned until 1794, when it was entrusted to the Camilo friars. All the evangelizing, missionary and educational work carried out by the Jesuits in colonial times was missed during the time of their absence (1767-1862). The Society of Jesus returned to the country in 1862, when Gabriel García Moreno, then President, returned the church and part of the monumental architectural complex to the Jesuits.

San Francisco Church of Quito

On the western side of this wide Plaza de Piedra, stands the oldest church in Quito and its monastery, San Francisco. Only weeks after the foundation of Quito, in 1534, began the construction of this church, which took 70 years to complete. The complex was founded by the Franciscan Fray Jodoco Rico, honored with a statue on the far right of the terrace erected in front of the church (Fray Jodoco Rico is credited with being the first man to plant wheat in Ecuador). A truly imposing temple, its symmetrical façade fills the landscape, the white walls, dominated by its twin bell towers and its beautiful portico carved in stone, the majestic entrance make this an immense religious complex. Hidden behind a fabulous facade, is a great baroque masterpiece, the gold leaf ceiling creates a penumbra. Light enters the church through stained glass windows that highlight the gold of its decoration, hiding the shadows that surround the paintings and images of Miguel de Santiago.

National Vote Basics in Quito

Father Julio María Matovelle promoted the construction and the materials were brought from the neighborhood of San Juan. The project was contracted in France by the architect Emilio Tarlier, who, inspired by the cathedral in Bourges, made the plans between 1890 and 1896. From any corner of the city you can see the largest Gothic Basilica of Ecuador and all of Latin America. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the city, adorned with gargoyles inspired by the country's fauna such as armadillos, iguanas and Galápagos tortoises. If you are not afraid of heights and want to enjoy one of the best panoramas of the new and old city of Quito, go up the stairs of the main tower. Each section offers postcard images of a city in continuous growth. And from a height of 117 meters you can see the entire city. Fortunately, there is also an elevator!

Barrio La Ronda in Quito

Today La Ronda has recovered its charm with galleries, cafes and shops that occupy the old houses, perfectly enabled for different uses. We bring you the latest news about this area.
One of the emblematic sectors of the Historic Center of Quito, known as La Ronda, was completely restored during 2006. One of its streets, the Morales, was the bohemian heart of that area of ​​the city in the mid-twentieth century, where many houses of artisans, painters, poets and musicians. Today La Ronda has recovered its charm with galleries, cafes and shops that occupy the old houses, perfectly enabled for different uses. We bring you the latest news about this area.

Alberto Mena Caamaño Museum in Quito

On April 3, 1957, Mr. Alberto Mena Caamaño donated his valuable collection of art objects and documents accumulated throughout his life to the Municipality of Quito. Two years later, on November 9, 1959, the Museum when inaugurated takes its name. The new permanent exhibition offer for the museum of Alberto Mena Caamaño named "from Quito Ecuador" and it will be a trip from 1700 to 1830, from Pedro Vicente Maldonado to the outbreak of the new independent republic that decided on the name of Ecuador. The museum's collections will be managed in temporary thematic exhibitions distributed in four rooms and a conceptual site, which will allow the visitor to understand, interpret, reflect and interact with the exhibited thing, and, through the route through the metropolitan cultural center, know the historical points that reconstructs the events that happened in the building.

Central Bank Museum in Quito

The museum has an extraordinary display of ceremonial masks made of gold, which will leave you open-mouthed. The most impressive part of the Central Bank Museum is the Archeology Hall with its artifacts from the pre-ceramic era (4000 BC) until the Inca era (1533 AD). The techniques to work gold and platinum were extraordinarily advanced for that time. In addition to the fantastic similarity with objects found in Asia, and in Japan in particular, what makes us think that at that time there were links between cultures along the Pacific Ocean. In the Golden Room you can see objects of the Inca culture , in which no one can resist the impression by the beauty and weight of the corporal adornments. For what can explain the madness of the Spaniards and their cruel conquest of El Dorado. There are also sections of colonial, republican and contemporary art.

The Middle of the World in Quito

You can not say goodbye to Ecuador without visiting the greatest world attraction to put your feet exactly in the middle of the globe. It is a unique and fascinating experience. Hundreds of years after the Indians of present-day Ecuador established Catequilla as half of the world, a French expedition came to confirm geographically the measured center. In the dusty foothills of the Equatorial Andes, the famous monument of half the world marks the equatorial line: the center of our planet Earth. When the day breaks over the town of San Antonio de Pichincha and the clouds and the mist of dawn rise and the sun illuminates everything, the silhouette of a trapezoidal monolith rises with a sphere at the tip and can be seen with the background of a mountain colossus.

Cableway of Quito

There is no better way to appreciate the privileged location of Quito in the middle of the Andes than from a Telefériqo car in the city. The route of its cabins lasts 10 minutes and begins at 2,950 meters above sea level and reaches 4,053 meters (on a 2.5-kilometer double-lane route), the place where this lookout is located, which allows practically any observation the city. At the departure and arrival sites of the Cable Car, pleasant complexes have been set up with craft shops, exhibition halls, cafeterias and restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisine for all budgets.

Zoo of Guayllabamba in Quito

It is home to more than 50 species of fauna from the various bio-regions of Ecuador, ranging from the Andean plains to the tropical forests of the Coast, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands. Meet the rare Andean spectacled bear, the Andean condor, the largest bird in the world, the huge and ancient Galápagos tortoise, 23 species of mammals and 21 species of birds. The Zoo is located in the small town of Guayllabamba, which is almost halfway between Quito and Otavalo on the Panamericana Norte. It is an easy stop. It extends over several slopes of dry forest and includes picnic areas and a cafeteria.

Botanical Garden of Quito

The Botanical Garden of Quito (JBQ) is located inside the Parque La Carolina, in the north of the city. It is a multicolored paradise, surrounded by the cold tapestry of the páramo and the tropical exuberance. Its objectives are the cultivation, inventory, exhibition and dissemination of the main species of the native flora of Ecuador.
In the JBQ you will be able to know the Andean ecosystems such as the Cloud Forest, the Páramo, the Wetland, the Dry Thorn Scrub and several thematic gardens. One of its main attractions are the Orquidearios, where you can enjoy watching 850 species of orchids represented in 5000 plants (the largest orchid collection of public display) and a large variety of bromeliads, ferns and several families of flowering plants.

Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve in Quito

The Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is 17 km north of Quito, near La Mitad del Mundo in the Pichincha Province of Ecuador. The reserve is located inside and on the slopes of the volcano of the same name.
It has an area of ​​3383 hectares. It is located at altitudes ranging from 1800 to 3400 meters, its climate is moderately cold in the highlands and the northwest is temperate and subtropical, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 15 ºC. Summer runs from June to December and winter from December to June. The annual pluviométricas precipitations that oscillate between 500 and 3000 millimeters.

Important information for the visitor in Quito

When visiting the Quito Canton do not forget to bring cool clothes and warm comfortable shoes, sun block, umbrella, hat and a camera.