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Quito, Ecuador
Visa Requirements
Passport: All nationals entering as tourists need a passport
that must be valid for at least six months after your arrival. Check
the expiration date on your passport.
More about Ecuador>> |
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Surrounded by the impressive snow-capped peaks of the Andes,
at nearly 3,000m, who would believe that Quito lies within 25km
of the equator. Tropical it's not - but pleasantly spring-like throughout
the year it is. More like two cities rolled into one, the cobbled
streets of the old town gradually become the wider, tree-lined avenues
of the new town, colonial churches swapped for modern hotels and
banks, indian dress for pinstripes. But for a capital city there
is still a small, intimate feel about the place, just as there is
in the country as a whole. The beauty here is that all the history
and culture is contained within a small and perfectly accessible
area.
Plus points
Friendly Latin American city
Stunning mountain setting
Easy to see a lot in short space of time
College credits available
Usually only 1 student per host family
It also offers limitless opportunities for recreation with many
salsa clubs, fine restaurants, concerts and fiestas. In 1978 its
centre was declared a world cultural heritage site and today, as
you wander through the narrow streets lined with white-washed, red-tiled
homes, you will discover fine colonial churches and monasteries.
In contrast the northern part of the city has become the modern,
commercial and financial heart of Quito. However Quito is a fine
example of the old existing alongside the new, as everywhere you
go you will still see local native Americans in brightly-coloured
traditional dress going about their daily activities.
Just outside Quito is the bustling indigenous market of Otavalo,
dating back to pre-Inca times. The Otavaleño weavers are
famous for their skill in using the backstrap loom, a method that
has been employed for some 4,000 years. Adventure-seekers come to
the area to hike up Cotopaxi, which at over 6000 metres is the highest
active volcano in the world. There are also plenty of charming towns
in the nearby Andean highlands, and undisturbed cloud forest reserves
sheltering hundreds of unusual species of plants and animals.
City Sights
Museo de Arte y Historia: This museum contains
a wealth of early colonial art dating from the 16th and 17th centuries,
as well as modern art. The building is situated just off the Plaza
de la Independencia.
Museo del Banco Central: This is Quito's best
archaeology museum and is housed in the Casa de la Cultura. It houses
well-displayed pottery, gold ornaments, skulls a mummy and many
other interesting items.
Monastery of San Francisco: Ecuador's oldest monastery
is situated on the Plaza of the same name. Its construction began
a few weeks after the founding of Quito in 1534. It is the largest
colonial structure in Quito. The church contains excellent examples
of early religious art and sculpture.
La Virgin del Quito: This statue sits on the top
of the small hill that overlooks the town, El Panecillo. From the
summit there are some great views of the whole city stretching out
below, and also of the surrounding volcanoes.
Activities
Entertainment: Quito doesn't appear to be the
world's most exciting capital for nightlife, but there's a fair
amount happening if you search it out. Read the newspapers for exact
details. El Comercio has the most thorough coverage. The English-language
newspaper Q and Inside Ecuador also cover culture and entertainment.
Shopping: There are many good stores for souvenir
hunters in the new town along and near Avenida Amazonas. If buying
on the streets (there are street stalls and ambulatory vendors)
you should bargain. In the fancier stores, prices are normally fixed,
though bargaining is not out of the question, particularly if you
are buying several things. The better stores sell pre-Colombian
ceramics and colonial antiques. It is legal for Ecuadorian residents
only to buy these items. You are not allowed to export archaeological
or antique items and they will be confiscated at the customs upon
departure from Ecuador or arrival at your home country. Another
thing to avoid buying is anything made from animals -this includes
black coral jewellery and mounted butterflies, as well as the more
obvious things like animal skins. These are protected and it is
illegal to import animal products into most countries.
Special Events
Entertainment reaches its height during the various fiestas.
The founding of Quito is celebrated throughout the first week of December
and there are bullfights at the Plaza de Toros, just beyond the intersection
of Avenida America and 10 de Agosto. There is also street dancing
on the night of December 6. New Year's Eve is celebrated by erecting
life-sized puppets in the streets and burning them at midnight. These
puppets are often very elaborate and usually represent politicians.
Intense water fights celebrate the carnival, nobody is spared. Colourful
religious processions are held during Easter week.
Where Can I Find The……?
Tourist Office
The main CETUR tourist information office is at Eloy Alfaro 1214
(tel: 225 101). There is also one at the airport's domestic terminal
and one at Venezuela 914 (tel: 514 044) in the old town. Hours are
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. They can provide you with brochures,
maps and tourist information, and there is often someone available
who speaks English.
Post and Communications
The central post office is at Espejo 935 and Guayaquil in the old
town. Hours are 7.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 8am to 2pm on Saturday.
Currently, this is where you pick up your general delivery mail,
though there is talk of moving the office to the new town. Another
branch post office (tel: 508 890) in the new town is on Avenida
Colon at Reina Victoria, with the same hours. American Express clients
can receive mail sent to them c/o American Express, Apartado 2605,
Quito, Ecuador. Their street address is Avenida Amazonas 339, 5th
floor, and hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The area code
for Quito and the province of Pichincha is 02.
Foreign Consulates
The UK Embassy can be found at Gonzalez Suarez 111 and 12 de Octubre
(tel: 560 670, fax: 560 730)
Banks
Banks are open from 9am to 1.30pm (later in some branch). They will
handle money wired from your home bank and pay you in US dollars.
Most bank offices are on Avenida Amazonas. Banks may pay slightly
better rates than casas de cambio, but the latter are open longer
(9am to 6pm on weekdays plus Saturday mornings) and require less
paperwork. Exchange rates for the previous day are usually in the
newspaper, but rates can change from hour to hour. If you want to
change money on Sunday, you will find the Casa Paz airport office
open. Also, their office at the Hotel Colon is open on Sunday and
they are often open until 7pm on weekdays. Credit cards are widely
accepted in first-class restaurants, hotels, travel agents and stores.
Make sure you are getting a good exchange rate. Visa is the most
widely accepted, followed by MasterCard.
Medical and Emergency Services
An American-run hospital with an outpatient department and emergency
room is Hopital Voz Andes, Juan Villalengua 267 near the intersection
of Avenidas America and 10 de Agosto. A newer hospital, which has
been recommended as the best, is the Metropolitano, Avenida Mariana
de Jesus and Occidental. A private clinic specializing in Women's
medical problems is Clinica Pichincha, Veintimilla 1259 and Paez,
does lab analisis for parasites, dysentery, etc.
Note that foreign medical insurance, if it covers you hospital visit, normally
does not reimburse the hospital. Pay your own medical fees directly to the doctor
or hospital, and then bill your insurance company for reimbursement of the covered
portions. Doctors and hospitals normally accept credit card payments.
Some helpful numbers to have in an emergency are:
Police 101
Fire Department 102
General Emergency 111
Red Cross Ambulance 131, 580 598
Emergency 199
Airport Transfers
The airport is about 10 km north of the city centre, at the north
end of Avenida Amazonas. There are plenty of buses that run from
the airport into town, or alternatively it is a short taxi ride. |
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