This city is more touristic than Guayaquil but still beautiful and vibrant to explore because of its rich culture. However, people recommended us not to go outside at night. And yes, it is a bit strange, no single person is outside even in the evening, so walking around alone seems conspicuous.
During the day, you see lots of people trying to sell their things on the road, shouting 'Oranges only $1' starting from 6 am. The streets are full of visitors, locals, musicians, and dancers. You can explore a lot, strolling around the city per foot and maybe using Uber/taxis for some parts.
Historic Center
Old Town: Plaza Grande, Presidential Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral
The old town and historical center present old well-constructed houses, colorful, with details, often broken down but keeping the old flair. The brick roads are narrow, surrounded by the historical atmosphere. The plazas are packed with restaurants, bars, the prices are low. You'll see locals with Lamas and Alpacas trying to convince you to take photos for $1. The Metropolitan Cathedral is not that big, but impressive to take a walk inside. To get into the tower, you need a ticket.
La Compania de Jesus
Presented on a hill, Jesus is a proud statue protecting the city, being a guard widely seen even from the other part of the city. Walking up there takes a long time, but get a taxi. Watch out; that was the first time they wanted to have enormous prices even though it is cheap to go up there usually. So don't accept the $12 offer from the taxi guy, but get the $2.5 ride from Uber. It takes around 20 min from the center to drive up there. On the top, you'll see many tourists, kids playing games, food stalls with sweets, burgers, sausages. You can take photos with Lamas, sit on the grass and enjoy the view. A very active and lively place up there. Also known for the traffic jam, many cars trying to park or simply drive up there make it messy and busy - no entry fee.
Basilica de Voto Nacional
The Basilicas, with its two towers, is a unique sightseeing place, enormous, gigantic it is showing off in the city center, presenting itself a beauty to the fullest. Entering, you have to pay a fee, we paid around $5 p.p. You can walk up on both towers, they are similar, on the one you can climb up a bit higher. The view is particular, and gives an idea across the enormous amount of buildings, the widely spread city, surrounded by the Andes mountains. Also, the inside of the Basilica is worth a visit. Colorful, expansive windows, detailed interior, and a lot of space. Inside one of the towers is a small bar, also a shop where you can buy sweaters, shirts, and accessories.
Teleferiqo/ Cable Car Ride
To enjoy an even broader and complete view, you should take the cable car ride up the mountains. We reached there with an Uber, around 30 min drive from the center, for about $4. The entry prices have been around $8 p.p. A four-seat cable car takes you up the hill for like 15 min, and you can already enjoy the landscape. We went there in the evening, so saw Quito still in the daylight and then at night, which was amazing to compare and see that kind of atmosphere. Keep in mind of bringing a jacket and a sweater, and it was freezing cold up there, especially without the sun. You can warm up at the cable car station taking a hot drink, but still, you might have to wait as we did in a long line to get down, and outside it is still cold.
Up there, you can't explore as much as I expected. There are a few paths you can go and enjoy the view. Or you do a super long hike. You'll be followed by street dogs, amiable and cozy, being pet all the time and companying the tourists.
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