I’m glad you enjoyed this post! Visit Ciudad Mitad del Mundo to visit the equator at latitude 0° 0′ 0″. I always use Momondo and Skyscanner to search for the cheapest flights. Diamox doesn’t work for everyone, and for some people the side effects can be just as bad as the altitude sickness itself. On a clear day, you can see its conical, snow-capped top from Quito. I’m glad that the post inspired you. Sunscreen for fair skinned is a must. Visit Mindo in Ecuador’s cloud forest. Only one other human passed me on the way up, and no one else was on the bridge. Keep in mind that the last bus to depart from Mindo is at 5:00pm, so you have to be finished with your activities before that time. Quilotoa Lake is an 800 year old lake created in the crater of a dormant volcano. In retrospect, it may not have been the safest area to visit since there weren’t many people, but I visited in the early afternoon on a sunny day and felt safe. This is not the actual name. From here, standing below the immense winged virgin, you have a sweeping view of Old Town and the rest of Quito. While walking around the Plaza de la Independencia, see if there's a show on that night at the Teatro Nacional Sucre; if there is, buy a ticket and make a pre-show dinner reservation at Mea Culpa or Theatrum. Depending on the altitude height, my symptoms generally include a screaming migraine, loss of appetite, and general lethargy. Remember to drink lots of bottled water, too, especially in the early afternoon, when the sun is at its highest and the atmosphere at its driest. Thank you for your support! Great itinerary. On the other hand, Quito, capital city of Ecuador is temperate due to its high elevation. You’ll want about a week in Baños, especially if you are a fan of natural thermal spas, outdoor activities, and waterfalls. The guide led us through the central market, around most of the Centro Histórico. There are number of walking tours around Quito that you can join nearly every day of the week. With that said, the food was amazing, the interior was modest and cozy, and my chicken kebap only cost around $2.50. Thanks for your support, Katie! Mindo is hands-down, one of my favorite places near Quito. Quito’s Old Town is lined with cobble stone streets, charming colorful buildings, local markets, restaurants, and my favorite: mora (blackberry) flavored ice cream. El Panecillo is where you'll want to head next; it's a 10-minute ride up a steep hill. These typically include soup, a main meat and rice plate, and juice that costs between $2 – 2.50. Looking for a good microbrewery and some food to nosh on? I also love how many day trips you can take from Quito. Here you you’ll find shopping, art galleries, fine dining, dance clubs, bars, coffee shops, street performers, and live music. This is a massive urban park, which sits on a hill, and from the park you can get a tremendous view of Quito, and the mountains beyond. You can’t skip the teleferico. Absolutely stunning. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. I suggest returning to your hotel for a rest, because your body is probably not acclimated to the altitude and you may get tired easily. Break for a cup of coffee at a sunny cafe on or around the plaza -- there are plenty of spots to choose from. Top Things to Do in Quito, Pichincha Province: See Tripadvisor's 71,555 traveller reviews and photos of 386 things to do when in Quito. Free itinerary planning templates for Quito. Holy Week in Quito is the holiday of holidays, a spiritual celebration that lasts a week and involves hundreds of community leaders, volunteers and institutions (many of them religious, but others secular), thousands of outfits and millions of onlookers who come together and collaborate to fill the streets with color and devotion. This is a good chance to pick up any last-minute gifts. It was one of the more mentally challenging things I did on my trip, but totally worth it. Local Markets. Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, and to truly appreciate that fact you’ll want to head outdoors with a stroll through the Parque La Carolina or a ride on the Teleferico cable car. Club and Pilsner beers, you must pay the woman who lives at the top cultural... Clear day city ’ s Eve about all the typical tourist places... but does anyone know of lesser. Like best it introduced you to Quito ’ s volcanic hill peak sits iconic. 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