We are Ecuadorian guides who live and work in Quito, and our office sits on the edge of the historic center. Every week we walk these plazas with travelers, eat in these markets and drive the roads to Cotopaxi and Otavalo, so this list is what we actually recommend to friends, including the few popular spots we think you can skip.

What are the best things to do in Quito? Top 10 at a glance

If you only have a short stay, start with these ten. Prices are for foreign adults as of 2026 and can change, so treat them as a guide.

How many days should you spend in Quito?

Two full days covers the Old Town, one viewpoint and a museum or two. Three days lets you add the TelefériQo, a neighborhood like La Floresta and a relaxed market lunch. With four or five days you can use Quito as a base for day trips, which is what most of our guests do before heading to the Amazon or Galápagos.

Take it easy on day one. Quito sits at about 2,850 m, and many travelers feel short of breath, get headaches or sleep badly the first night. Read our guide to preventing altitude sickness (soroche) in Quito and save the TelefériQo and Cotopaxi for day two or later.

Old Town essentials: what to see in Quito’s historic center

Quito’s historic center was among the very first sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978, and it is still a living neighborhood with markets, schools and government offices. For a step-by-step route, see our one perfect day in Quito Old Town itinerary.

1. Take a free walking tour of the Old Town

The easiest way to understand the historic center is to walk it with someone who grew up here. Our three-hour tour covers the main plazas and colonial churches, stops at a local market and includes a chocolate tasting. It is the best first-morning activity: you get oriented and learn which streets to use.

2. Plaza Grande and the Presidential Palace

Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia) is the political heart of the country, framed by the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and Carondelet, the presidential palace. The palace has offered free guided visits for years; bring your passport and ask at the entrance for the day’s times, since schedules change. On Monday mornings you may catch the changing of the guard.

3. Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús

This Jesuit church, finished over about 160 years, is covered inside in gold leaf and is the one church we tell everyone not to miss. Entry is around $4–6 for foreigners, and it opens weekdays from 9:30 with shorter weekend hours. Photos inside are not allowed.

4. San Francisco church and plaza

Plaza San Francisco is the largest square in the Old Town and a great place to sit and watch the city. The church and convent are among the oldest in South America, and the museum and cloister are worth an hour if you like colonial art.

5. Casa del Alabado pre-Columbian museum

A beautifully designed museum of pre-Columbian art in a restored colonial house on Calle Cuenca. It opens Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, and the adult ticket is $10 as of 2026. Allow about 1.5 hours.

Where are the best viewpoints in Quito?

6. TelefériQo cable car and the Rucu Pichincha hike

The TelefériQo lifts you from the city’s west side to about 3,945 m on the slopes of Pichincha volcano. The standard ticket for visitors without an Ecuadorian ID is $9, and it runs daily, from 10:00 on Monday to Thursday and from 8:00 Friday to Sunday (official hours and fares). Go early, because clouds usually roll in by late morning. Fit, acclimatized hikers can continue to the Rucu Pichincha summit (about 4,700 m), a 5–6 hour round trip; start before 10:00 and turn back if the weather closes in.

7. El Panecillo

The winged aluminum Virgin on El Panecillo hill watches over the Old Town, and the view down the length of the city is excellent. The grounds are free, and there is a small fee to climb inside the monument. Go by taxi (a few dollars from the Old Town) and do not walk up the stairs from the Old Town, which are known for robberies. More history in our guide to the Virgin of El Panecillo.

8. Basílica del Voto Nacional towers

This neo-Gothic basilica has gargoyles shaped like Ecuadorian animals, from tortoises to armadillos. According to the basilica’s official site, the nave costs $2 and the towers $4 for foreign adults, with the towers open weekdays 9:00–17:00. The climb ends on steep ladders above the clock tower, so skip the last stretch if you are not comfortable with heights.

9. Itchimbía Park

A free hilltop park east of the Old Town with a glass-and-iron cultural center and wide views of the historic center and the volcanoes. It is quieter than El Panecillo and good at sunset. Take a taxi up and back rather than walking the steep streets after dark.

Which museums in Quito are worth visiting?

10. Capilla del Hombre and Casa Museo Guayasamín

Oswaldo Guayasamín is Ecuador’s best-known painter, and this chapel-museum in the Bellavista neighborhood holds his huge, powerful works about Latin American history. Entry is around $10 and covers the chapel and his former house, with guided visits in English and Spanish. Allow 2–3 hours and combine it with a taxi to Guápulo afterward.

11. Chocolate tasting

Ecuador grows some of the world’s finest cacao, and several small chocolate shops in the Old Town offer tastings and short workshops. Our walking tour includes a tasting, and if you want more, a dedicated chocolate class usually runs 1–2 hours.

Food and markets: what to eat in Quito

12. Lunch at Mercado Central

Mercado Central is where Quiteños go for a filling lunch: corvina fried fish, locro de papa (potato and cheese soup), hornado (roast pork) and fresh fruit juices, usually $3–6 a plate. Go for lunch between 12:00 and 14:00; many stalls close by mid-afternoon. Here is our guide to eating at Quito’s Central Market.

13. Mercado San Francisco

Smaller and older than Mercado Central, this market is known for its herbal healers who perform limpias (cleansing rituals) and for fresh juice stalls. It is a short walk from Plaza San Francisco and easy to combine with a morning in the Old Town.

14. Street food and the Friday Foodie & Beer Tour

Empanadas de viento, humitas, tamales and colada morada are all easy to find in the center. If you want a guided tasting across different regions of Ecuador, our Friday evening tour is the fun way to do it. Browse our list of Ecuadorian street foods you must try first.

Which Quito neighborhoods should you explore?

15. La Ronda

This narrow cobbled street on the southern edge of the Old Town is lined with craft shops, cafes and small bars with live music. Daytime is calm; evenings, especially Thursday to Saturday, are livelier and a good place to try canelazo, a warm cinnamon drink. The street is patrolled and fine at night, but take a taxi back rather than walking the empty surrounding blocks.

16. La Floresta

A residential neighborhood with street art, independent cafes, craft beer bars and the Ocho y Medio art-house cinema. It feels far less touristy than La Mariscal and is good for an afternoon coffee and dinner.

17. Guápulo

Guápulo clings to a steep hillside below La Floresta, with a white colonial church at the bottom and views over the valley. Walk down in daylight, visit the church, and take a taxi back up, because the climb is hard at this altitude.

18. La Mariscal and Plaza Foch

The main nightlife area, full of bars, clubs and international restaurants. It is fun for a night out but has the most petty crime in the city, so keep your phone in your pocket and use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps after dark.

Where can you find nature inside Quito?

19. Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua

One of the largest urban parks in South America, with eucalyptus forest trails, picnic areas and viewpoints over the Tumbaco valley and, on clear mornings, Cotopaxi. It is free and a good low-key acclimatization walk. Go in the morning and stay on the main trails.

20. Parque La Carolina and the Botanical Garden

La Carolina is Quito’s central park, busy on weekends with football games, joggers and families. Inside it, the Jardín Botánico has an orchid collection and native Andean plants for a small entry fee.

Getting around is easier since the Quito Metro opened: a ride costs $0.45 as of 2026 and it crosses the city in about 30 minutes, with stops at San Francisco in the Old Town and La Carolina.

What are the best day trips from Quito?

Quito is the best base in the country for day trips. These are the ones we run most often.

21. Mitad del Mundo and the Intiñan Museum

The official equator monument at Ciudad Mitad del Mundo costs $5 for adults (official ticket page). The GPS equator actually runs a couple of hundred meters away, and the small Intiñan Museum nearby (around $5–6 with a guided tour) is where you will see the water and egg demonstrations. It takes about an hour each way by car. Our Mitad del Mundo guide explains the history.

22. Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes at 5,897 m, is about 1.5–2 hours south of Quito, and park entry is free. Most visitors hike from the car park toward the José Rivas refuge and walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon at about 3,800 m. Go on a clear morning, and see our Cotopaxi and Quilotoa guide for independent options.

23. Quilotoa crater lake

A turquoise lake inside a volcanic crater at around 3,900 m, about 3.5 hours from Quito. The hike down takes 30–45 minutes, and the climb back up is hard at this altitude (a mule costs about $10). It is a long day by bus, so many people join our Quilotoa Crater Lake tour (from $57.50, Tue/Thu/Sun) or combine it with Cotopaxi on the 2-day adventure.

24. Otavalo market

Otavalo’s Plaza de los Ponchos is one of the biggest Indigenous markets in South America, open daily with the largest market on Saturdays. Buses leave from Quito’s Carcelén terminal about every 20 minutes and take roughly 2 hours for around $2.50–3. Read our complete Otavalo market guide before you go. Our Otavalo Indigenous Market tour runs Tuesdays and Saturdays from $57.50 with lunch.

25. Mindo cloud forest (and Papallacta hot springs)

Mindo is a cloud forest town about 2 hours north-west of Quito, known for birdwatching, hummingbirds, waterfalls, zip lines and chocolate. Buses run from the La Ofelia terminal for about $3–4, or join our Mindo Cloud Forest tour on Fridays from $57.50; more in our Mindo guide. If you prefer a lazy day, Papallacta’s thermal pools sit about 1.5 hours east at around 3,300 m, and the public pools cost roughly $10–11.

What can you skip in Quito?

Honestly, we would skip the double-decker hop-on bus unless mobility is an issue, since the Old Town is best on foot. Walking up to El Panecillo is not worth the risk. And if you are short on time, pick either the Basílica towers or the TelefériQo for the big view, not both on the same day.

Where should you stay to explore Quito?

Stay in or near the Old Town if sightseeing is your priority, or in La Floresta or La Mariscal for cafes and nightlife. Our where to stay in Quito guide compares the neighborhoods, and our own Community Hostel is right next to where the walking tour starts.

Plan it with us

Start with the free walking tour on your first morning, then let us know which day trips fit your dates. Message our local team on WhatsApp at +593 97 953 3832 or email info@communitytravel.ec, or drop by our office at Pedro Fermín Cevallos N6-78 y Olmedo. You can see all our trips on the tours page.

Frequently asked questions

Het bericht Things to Do in Quito: 25 Picks from Local Guides (2026) verscheen eerst op Community Adventures Ecuador.

We are Ecuadorian guides based in Quito’s Old Town, and Cotopaxi and Quilotoa are the two trips we run more than any others. This guide is the honest version of what we tell travelers at our front desk every morning: how far each place really is, what the altitude feels like, what each option costs as of 2026, and when doing it yourself makes more sense than booking a tour.

Cotopaxi vs Quilotoa: what is the difference?

Cotopaxi (5,897 m) is the classic snow-capped cone you see on postcards of Ecuador. It sits inside Cotopaxi National Park, roughly 1.5 hours south of Quito. The standard visit is a drive up to the parking area at about 4,600 m, a steep hike to the José Rivas refuge at 4,864 m, and a stop at Limpiopungo Lagoon (about 3,800 m) on the high páramo grassland below.

Quilotoa is a collapsed volcano whose crater filled with water, leaving a green-turquoise lake roughly 3 km wide. The rim sits at about 3,900 m, and the lake is around 400 m below it. You walk down a sandy trail to the shore and then, the hard part, back up. It sits in Kichwa farming country near Zumbahua.

How far are Cotopaxi and Quilotoa from Quito?

Both are south of Quito along the Pan-American Highway, the stretch known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Cotopaxi is close; Quilotoa is not.

• Quito to Cotopaxi National Park (south entrance): about 60 km, 1.5 hours by private vehicle, a little longer by bus plus a truck into the park.
• Quito to Quilotoa: about 180 km, 3.5 to 4 hours by private vehicle via Latacunga, Pujilí and Zumbahua. By public bus, count on 4 to 5 hours with the change in Latacunga.
• Cotopaxi to Quilotoa: about 2 to 2.5 hours by road, which is why an overnight in between works so well.

A Quilotoa day trip means roughly 7 hours in a vehicle. Squeezing both volcanoes into one day is possible with a private driver, but it means 10 to 12 hours on the road and little time on either. We do not recommend it.

Should you do Cotopaxi and Quilotoa in one day, two days, or on your own?

There are three realistic ways to do it. Here is how they compare, with prices as of 2026.

Our honest take: if you are on a tight budget and already comfortable with Ecuadorian buses, doing Quilotoa independently is easy and cheap. Cotopaxi is harder alone because buses cannot enter the park, so you need to hire a truck at the gate. If you have two days and want both volcanoes without the logistics, the 2-day trip gives you the most time on the trails for the least time in a van.

What is the Cotopaxi and Quilotoa 2 day tour like?

Day 1: Cotopaxi hike and bike

Pickup is at 07:10 at Plaza Foch in the New Town or 07:20 at Plaza San Blas in the Old Town. We drive south on the Pan-American, register at the park entrance and continue up the dirt road to the parking area below the refuge. From there it is about an hour of slow, zig-zag hiking on loose volcanic sand up to the José Rivas refuge at 4,864 m.

After the walk back down, you swap boots for a mountain bike and ride about an hour downhill across the páramo to Limpiopungo Lagoon, often passing wild horses and Andean lapwings. Lunch is included, then we continue to a lodge on the Avenue of the Volcanoes (Casa Sakiwa or similar) for dinner and the night. The shared room is standard; a private room is available on request.

Day 2: Quilotoa crater lake

After breakfast, pickup from the lodge is around 08:00 to 08:30. Depending on the day, we stop at an indigenous market (Saquisilí on Thursdays, Pujilí on Sundays), then drive through the Tigua valley, famous for its painted leather-and-wood folk art. At Quilotoa you pay the community entrance and walk down to the lake. Back at the rim you can hike up on your own feet or rent a mule. We are back in Quito around 18:00.

What will you see at Cotopaxi National Park on a day trip?

A Cotopaxi national park day trip usually covers three things:

• The José Rivas refuge (4,864 m): a mountain hut used by climbers as the base for summit attempts. It serves hot drinks when open. The hike up from the parking area is only about 1 km, but you gain roughly 250 m at extreme altitude, so it takes 45 to 60 minutes.
• The glacier edge (around 5,000 m): on good days, fit and well-acclimatized hikers can continue about 30 to 45 minutes above the refuge toward the ice. Your guide will decide based on weather and how the group is feeling.
• Limpiopungo Lagoon (about 3,800 m): a flat, easy 2 km loop around a shallow lagoon with the volcano behind it and the jagged Rumiñahui peak to the side.

Park entry is free. You register with your passport at the gate. According to the park’s published schedule, vehicles can enter from about 08:00 to 15:00, so an early start is important both for access and for clear views.

Can you visit Cotopaxi without a guide or a tour?

Yes, for the park itself. You do not need a guide to walk around Limpiopungo or hike to the José Rivas refuge. The catch is transport: public buses drop you on the Pan-American Highway near the south entrance, and buses are not allowed inside the park. You either drive your own vehicle or hire one of the local guides who wait at the entrance with pickup trucks.

We cover the independent route step by step, including which bus to catch from Quitumbe terminal and what the truck drivers charge, in our guide on how to travel to Cotopaxi independently.

Can you climb Cotopaxi without a guide?

No. Climbing to the summit (5,897 m) is a different trip altogether. Since the park reopened summit climbs in 2024 after the 2022–2023 eruptive period, ascents are only allowed through licensed tour operators or registered mountaineering clubs, with a certified mountain guide, glacier gear and a registered quota for the refuge night. Primicias reported the park’s conditions for the summit reopening, and rules can change with volcanic activity, so check the Instituto Geofísico updates before you commit. A summit climb also needs several days of acclimatization first; it is not something to add onto a day trip.

How hard is the Quilotoa hike down to the lake and back up?

Going down is easy on the lungs but slippery on the legs. The trail is steep, sandy and dusty, and most people reach the shore in 30 to 45 minutes. Coming back up is where the altitude hits: you climb roughly 400 m starting from about 3,500 m, and 1 to 1.5 hours is normal. Walk slowly and stop often.

If your knees or lungs say no, mules and horses wait at the shore to carry you up for around $10. At the lake you can rent a kayak for around $5. Swimming is not allowed because of volcanic gases and cold water.

If you want more than the short down-and-up, the full rim hike is 10 to 12 km and takes 4 to 6 hours, with the steepest, most exposed sections on the far side. That is also where the multi-day Quilotoa Loop begins or ends, walking between villages like Chugchilán, Isinliví and Sigchos.

How do you get from Quito to Quilotoa on your own?

A Quilotoa day trip from Quito by public bus is doable but long. The usual route in 2026:

1. Take a bus from Quitumbe terminal in south Quito to Latacunga: about 2 hours, around $2.50.
2. In Latacunga, change to a bus toward Zumbahua and Quilotoa: about 2 hours, around $2.50–3.
3. Pay the community entrance at the crater: $2 per person has been the standard fee for years, but confirm on arrival.

Afternoon return buses from Quilotoa are limited, so ask about the last departure as soon as you arrive. Many independent travelers solve that by sleeping at the crater or in Latacunga and continuing on the Quilotoa Loop the next morning.

When is the best time to visit Cotopaxi and Quilotoa?

You can visit all year, but the weather in the Andes changes by the hour. Some patterns hold:

• June to September: the driest months and usually the clearest views of Cotopaxi’s cone. Also the windiest, so pack a real windproof layer.
• December and January: a shorter spell of fairly good weather, busy with holiday travelers.
• February to May and October to November: more rain and cloud, especially in the afternoon. Mornings can still be spectacular.

Whatever the month, mornings are clearer than afternoons, which is why every good Cotopaxi and Quilotoa tour starts early. At the refuge, expect temperatures near freezing and possible snow or sleet at any time of year. At Quilotoa, strong sun and cold wind often arrive at the same time.

How do you deal with the altitude at Cotopaxi and Quilotoa?

Quito is already at 2,850 m, but the Cotopaxi refuge is over 2,000 m higher. Headaches, breathlessness and nausea are common at that height, and a few travelers stop before the refuge. That is fine; the parking area and lagoon views are still worth it.

• Spend at least two nights in Quito before either trip.
• Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol the night before, and eat a real breakfast.
• Walk slowly from the first step. The “rest step” pace your guide uses is not for show.
• If a headache becomes severe or you feel confused or dizzy, go down. Symptoms usually improve quickly with lower altitude.

For the full breakdown, including coca tea, medication to ask your doctor about and warning signs, read our guide to preventing and treating altitude sickness (soroche) in Quito.

What should you pack for Cotopaxi and Quilotoa?

You will go from mild sun to freezing wind in the same morning. Dress in layers:

• Warm base layer and a fleece or light down jacket
• Windproof and waterproof outer jacket
• Hat, gloves and a buff or scarf (the Cotopaxi wind is serious)
• Hiking shoes with good grip for loose sand on both trails
• Sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen; UV at nearly 5,000 m is intense even through cloud
• At least 1.5 liters of water and some snacks
• Passport (or a copy) for the park registration
• Small bills for fees and extras

For the Amazon and Galápagos too, see our complete Ecuador packing list.

How do Cotopaxi and Quilotoa fit into an Ecuador itinerary?

Both work best right after your first days in Quito, once you have started to acclimatize. A common plan is two days exploring the city (starting with a perfect day in Quito’s Old Town), then Cotopaxi and Quilotoa, then south to Baños or on to the Quilotoa Loop. If you are traveling south anyway, you can ask to be dropped in Latacunga instead of returning to Quito.

For full 7, 10 and 14-day routes, see our Ecuador itinerary guide, and for a realistic daily budget, our Ecuador trip cost guide.

Plan it with us

Our office is at Community Hostel, Pedro Fermín Cevallos N6-78 y Olmedo, on the edge of Quito’s Old Town. Not sure whether one day, two days or going independently fits? Message us on WhatsApp at +593 97 953 3832 (0979533832 in Ecuador) or email info@communitytravel.ec. We will tell you honestly what fits your dates, even when a bus ticket is all you need.

Frequently asked questions

Het bericht Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Tour: The Complete 2026 Guide (Day Trip, 2 Days or Independent) verscheen eerst op Community Adventures Ecuador.