Hotel + Arte
Quito, EC
8.672 reviews
US$20
per night
Destination guide
Quito
Ecuador · South America
Search all hotels in Quito 2026-08-28 → 2026-08-31 · 2 · 1
About Quito
Quito is the world's second-highest capital (2,850 m) — a UNESCO-listed colonial old town (Centro Histórico) of baroque churches (La Compañía de Jesús gilded interior, San Francisco, Basílica del Voto Nacional gargoyles), cobbled plazas (Grande, San Francisco, Santo Domingo), and pastel republican mansions stretched along the Pichincha volcano flank. TelefériQo cable car climbs to 4,050 m for Andean panoramas; Mitad del Mundo Equator monument sits 30 min north; and Quito is South America's #1 Galápagos gateway (2h flights via LATAM + Avianca).
At a glance
- World's 2nd-highest capital + UNESCO colonial old town — Middle of the World + #1 Galápagos gateway.
- TelefériQo cable car goes to 4,050 m Pichincha — save for day 3+ after acclimatising.
- Old Town walking tours 10:30am + 2pm from Plaza Grande — fastest orientation.
- Base in Centro Histórico (atmospheric) or La Carolina (modern + business) for safer nights.
- Currency USD (Ecuador uses US dollars); Type A/B 110V plugs; drink bottled water.
Featured stays in Quito — live rates
Prices are live from our licensed booking partner and may change.
Suites Metropoli
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Casa Q
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When to visit
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).
Getting around
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.
Where to stay
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.
Cumbayá + Tumbaco (valleys)
1,000 m lower + warmer — expat + business district east; airport-side; malls + fine dining but away from tourist sights.
Mindo (cloud forest day / overnight)
2h northwest — hummingbirds, waterfalls, zipline, cacao — perfect 1-night Andean-forest extension.
Your Marhaba Trip Plan
Quito at a glance
- Recommended trip
- 3 days (+ 6–8 nights Galápagos)
- Best time to visit
- June–September dry season (16–20°C days, cold nights 5–10°C) — sunny + peak.
- Getting around
- Historic centre is walkable + steep — pace yourself the first 48h at altitude.
- Recommended areas
- Centro Histórico (Old Town) · La Mariscal + La Floresta · La Carolina + Iñaquito
Top experiences
- Centro Histórico walking tour (La Compañía + San Francisco + Plaza Grande) — Free walking or US$20–40 guided; La Compañía church US$5 (7 tonnes of gold leaf interior).
- TelefériQo cable car to Pichincha (4,050 m) — US$9 return + 20 min up — Andean panorama; hike Rucu Pichincha (4,700 m) 4h return if acclimatised.
- Mitad del Mundo Equator + Museo Intiñan — US$5 monument + US$4 Intiñan — stand on the true equator line (Intiñan is the accurate GPS line, not the monument); 45 min north.
- Basílica del Voto Nacional gargoyles + towers — US$2 — climb the neo-Gothic towers via ladders + planks for the best Old Town + Pichincha view.
Book your trip
Do I need a visa for Quito?
- Policy
- Varies by nationality
- Typical stay
- 90 days
Visa-free 90 days per calendar year for US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia/most Latin America (extendable to 180). Yellow-fever certificate required if arriving from a risk country.
Official government sourceHow do I get to Quito?
Airports
- UIO · Mariscal Sucre (Tababela) · 40 km
45 min via new expressway — Aeroservicios shuttle US$8; taxi + Uber + Cabify US$25–35.
By rail
Historic Tren Ecuador tourist line runs limited scenic routes (Devil's Nose) but not commuter rail.
Ecuador uses US dollars — no currency exchange needed on arrival for USD holders.
How do I get around Quito?
- Metro Line 1 — Opened 2023 — 15 stations Quitumbe ↔ El Labrador — game-changer for north-south travel; US$0.45.
- Trole + Ecovía BRT — Electric-bus trunk lines running Colón ↔ Old Town ↔ south; US$0.35.
- Taxi / Uber / Cabify / InDriver — US$2–6 city trips — always safer than street taxis, especially after dark.
- Walking — Old Town compact but steep + high-altitude — pace yourself first 48h.
Passes & tickets
No integrated pass — pay individual metro + BRT + bus rides in cash or contactless.
Use apps (Uber + Cabify + InDriver + DiDi) instead of street taxis, especially after dark.
What should I eat and know about food culture in Quito?
Signature dishes
- Locro de papa — Andean potato-cheese-avocado soup — Ecuador's comfort classic.
- Encebollado — Tuna + onion + yuca soup — Ecuador's morning hangover cure.
- Hornado — Slow-roasted suckling pig with mote (hominy) + llapingacho potato cakes.
Etiquette
- Tip 10% at sit-down (rarely included — check bill for 'servicio').
- Almuerzo lunch menu US$3–5 at neighbourhood restaurants — best value + local experience.
Bottled water only. Canelazo (warm cinnamon + aguardiente cocktail) is Quito's cold-night staple; Pilsener + Club the local beers.
Is Quito safe for travelers?
Overall risk: ModerateEmergency: 911
- Old Town + La Carolina safe by day; take taxis + apps after dark.
- La Mariscal nightlife area has petty theft + occasional violent robberies late — Uber after 10pm.
- Avoid El Panecillo hill on foot — walk with a guide or taxi to summit + back.
- Emergency 911.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Ecuador?
No visa for US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia/NZ/Japan/Korea/most Latin America up to 90 days per calendar year on arrival. Extension possible up to 180 days at Quito immigration office. Passport must be valid 6+ months. Yellow-fever certificate required if arriving from a risk country.
How do I combine Quito with the Galápagos?
Quito ↔ Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY) 2h direct LATAM + Avianca + Equair from Mariscal Sucre + Guayaquil (US$300–500 return). Add: US$20 INGALA transit card at UIO check-in + US$200 park fee on arrival (cash, cards not accepted). Book cruise 3+ months (5-8 days) or island-hopping stays (Santa Cruz + Isabela + San Cristóbal). Marhaba's classic Ecuador flow: 2 nights Quito Old Town + 1 night Mindo + 6 nights Galápagos + 2 nights back Quito.
How do I combine Quito with Morocco?
Quito ↔ Madrid / Amsterdam 10h Iberia + KLM + Air Europa → Madrid/AMS ↔ Marrakech / Casablanca 3h — total 15–18h. Marhaba's Andes-Atlas arc: 3 nights Quito + Mindo + Otavalo → Madrid 2 nights → Marrakech + Sahara 5 nights. Ancient trans-continental cultural bridge — Andean + Andalusi + Atlas heritage on one itinerary.
How do I handle Quito altitude (2,850 m)?
Milder than Cusco (3,400 m) but still real — rest 24h on arrival, hydrate heavily, avoid alcohol + heavy meals day one. Coca tea (mate de coca) is legal + helpful. Pichincha TelefériQo goes to 4,050 m — do this on day 3+, not day 1. Symptoms >48h or severe headache → descend to Cumbayá valley (2,400 m) or Mindo (1,250 m).
Is Quito good for families?
Yes — TelefériQo cable-car ride (kids love), Mitad del Mundo Equator monument + Intiñan museum (stand on the equator line), Parque La Carolina (bikes, pedal boats, weekend fairs), Yaku water museum, Vulqano Park amusement, Mindo cloud forest zipline + butterfly farm. Family rooms best at Swissôtel, JW Marriott, Casa Gangotena. Altitude-friendly for kids — they usually adjust faster than adults.
What's the best luxury stay in Quito?
Casa Gangotena (Plaza San Francisco boutique — Quito's finest, Relais & Châteaux), Illa Experience Hotel (Old Town boutique — restored 1900 mansion), Swissôtel Quito (La Carolina — long-standing luxury), JW Marriott Quito (business + design), Hilton Colón (La Carolina landmark), Le Parc Hotel (González Suárez ridge), Casa El Edén (Old Town boutique).
How do I get from UIO airport to my hotel?
Mariscal Sucre (UIO) sits 40 km east in Tababela valley — Ecuador's newest + best airport (2013). Aeroservicios shuttle US$8 / 45 min every 30 min to Quicentro north Quito. Taxi US$25–35 / 45 min (Uber + Cabify comparable). Airport hotels (EB Hotel, Wyndham UIO) useful for very early flights. New expressway makes 45 min reliable outside rush hour.
Is Quito safe for tourists?
Historic centre + La Carolina safe by day; take taxis after dark. La Mariscal nightlife area has petty theft + occasional violent robberies late — use Uber after 10pm. Avoid El Panecillo hill on foot (walk with a guide or taxi to summit + back). Pickpockets on Trole + Ecovía at peak hours. Do NOT flash phone or camera in crowds. Emergency 911.
You may also like
More ways to extend or combine your Quito trip.
Ecuador flagship — Quito ↔ Galápagos
LATAM + Avianca + Equair 2h direct — the essential Ecuador itinerary. Book cruise or island-hop 3+ months ahead.
Andean pair — Quito ↔ Cusco (Machu Picchu)
LATAM 5h via Lima — UNESCO + Inca + Ecuador Middle-of-the-World twin capitals.
Colombia ↔ Ecuador pair — Bogotá + Quito
Avianca 1h30 direct — Andean regional-hub twin capitals + Cotopaxi + Zipaquirá add-ons.
Quito ↔ Morocco Atlantic culture arc
Via Madrid 15–18h — Andes-Atlas ancient-culture bridge.
