Itinerary · Quito
Quito 5-Day Itinerary
A realistic 5-day Quito itinerary: what to see each day, where to stay, how to move between areas and when to go.
Updated 2026-07-01
How this 5-day Quito plan works
Quito + Otavalo + Mindo cloud forest
Each day below is grouped geographically so you spend your time in Quito rather than in transit. Historic centre is walkable + steep — pace yourself the first 48h at altitude. Trole + Ecovía electric-bus trunk lines US$0.35 run Colón ↔ Old Town ↔ south. Metro Line 1 (opened 2023) US$0.45 runs Quitumbe ↔ El Labrador (15 stations) — game-changer. Taxis + Uber + Cabify + InDriver all cheap (US$2–6 in centre). Airport (UIO — Mariscal Sucre in Tababela) 40 km east — Aeroservicios shuttle US$8 / 45 min; taxi US$25–35 / 45 min; new expressway.
Day by day
Day 1
Day 1–2 — Quito Old Town + Mitad del Mundo.
Day 2
Day 3 — Otavalo Saturday market day trip (2h north) + Peguche Waterfall + Cotacachi leather.
Day 3
Day 4 — Mindo cloud forest — hummingbirds + zipline + chocolate farm + overnight.
Day 4
Day 5 — Mindo morning waterfalls + return Quito + TelefériQo sunset.
Where to base yourself
Centro Histórico (Old Town)
UNESCO colonial core — Plaza Grande, Cathedral, La Compañía, San Francisco — Casa Gangotena (Quito's flagship), Illa Experience Hotel, Casa El Edén.
La Mariscal + La Floresta
Backpacker + expat + nightlife (Mariscal) meets bohemian + film-cafés (Floresta) — mid-range boutiques + Airbnb dominate; safety varies at night.
La Carolina + Iñaquito
Modern financial + park district — Swissôtel, JW Marriott, Hilton Colón, EB Hotel Quito Airport hub.
González Suárez
Upscale ridge overlooking Guápulo valley — Le Parc Hotel, Dann Carlton, Casa Aliso boutique.
Best time to run this itinerary
June–September dry season (16–20°C days, cold nights 5–10°C) — sunny + peak. December–February mostly dry + cooler. March–May rainy afternoons but clear mornings + fewer crowds. Equator means near-constant 12h daylight year-round. Quito is a year-round destination — pack layers always (sun at altitude is intense; nights are cold).
Before you go
Rest at 2,850 m altitude 24h before hiking or Pichincha cable car — coca tea (legal) + hydration help most travellers.
Use Uber + Cabify + InDriver for all city trips — cheap (US$2–6) + safer than street taxis, especially after dark.
Old Town free walking tour 10:30am + 2pm from Plaza Grande (tip US$10–15) — the fastest orientation to colonial Quito.
Ready to book your Quito trip?
Everything in this guide is bookable through Marhaba's licensed partners.
