Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Quito & Vicinity
W
elcome to Quito, the city of
eternal spring, bridge to
Ecuador's past, and your gateway
city. Even if you are not much of a
city person, this World Heritage
Site has a certain charm to it.
Nestled within the Avenue of the
Volcanoes, the breathtaking
backdrop blends with colonial ar-
chitecture to create a truly
unique surrounding. At 9,319
feet, Quito is Latin America's sec-
ond-highest capital, after La Paz
in Bolivia, and the main hub for
Ecuador's tourism traffic. Visit
Quito not only because it's your gateway city, but because it is well
worth spending a couple of days here. While running errands or
searching among the hundreds of adventure-travel outfitters, spend
some time enjoying the city's delights.
IN THIS CHAPTER
History 72
Flora & Fauna 73
Getting Here 73
Getting Around 74
Visitor Information 77
Touring & Sightseeing 81
Adventures near Quito 91
Tour Operators & Guides 94
Eco-Travel
98
Where to Stay
100
Where to Eat
107
Entertainment,
Nightlife & Shopping
110
Located along a narrow stretch of land in the northern Andean Si-
erras, Quito is themain hub between the coastal lowlands in thewest,
the mountains, and the upper Amazon Basin in the east. From here,
it is possible to fly or drive to virtually anywhere on the mainland.
The Andes Mountain Range geographically divides the country in
two from north to south, and the Pan-American Highway, which
passes through Quito, stretches along this line. Daily flights leave for
just about everymajor city, including Guayaquil, Loja and Cuenca, to
theGalápagos Islands and to Coca and Lago Agrio, deep in the jungle.
You might expect any place near the equator to be scorching hot.
Quito, however, is surprisingly pleasant, with a year-round spring-
like climate. This is due primarily to its high altitude. The days are
usually warm, with afternoon sprinkles or showers, and nights are
cool enough to require a sweater.
Keep a raincoat close at hand from January to
May - it never snows in the city, but weather is
always a factor in the Andes.
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