Hostal El Taxo, Quito

Advantages: Stunning mountains surrounding a bustling and colourful city
Disadvantages: The smog

..., but definitely worth checking out. You can get an events guide for what's on each month in Quito from the tourist information office, also in the old city. The Teleferico: for even better views of Quito. The teleferico is a cable car at the west side of Quito which takes you up the mountain to an altitude of 4100m. It's quite expensive, from what I remember, and rising 1300m in about 10 minutes definitely does strange things to your head, but it does give you the most wicked views of the whole of Quito and the mountains beyond. Shopping: For artesania, the Artisan market at the other end of Juan Leon Mera from Gringoland - a permanent covered market which mostly sells clothes, shawls, and jewelry. For more high-street shops, El Jardin, which is a bloody expensive shopping mall about a 15 minute walk from Gringoland, or the Quicentro shopping... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Wonderful insight into South America all in one small country.
Disadvantages: Poverty and associated social impacts.

.../pizza place. Huge choice of pizzas available. We had 2 enormous pizzas and 2 Corona beers for $17. Not the cheapest in Quito but a nice mid range place to eat out. Magic Bean- a must for pancakes! Lunch of steak sandwich and fries x 2, falafel and smoothies $20. Adams Rib- home style fries/chips lush ribs, fab cheesecake and pecan pie. $21 not bad. Quito Old Town is worth a full day exploring. Beautiful churches and museums, views over the city from El Panecillo are breathtaking, some good bargain shopping for us Brits and a nice vibe about the markets and streets. The New Town is where to go for drinks, food and banking. Nighttimes can be risky and taxis seem to charge $2 for every journey, despite meter readings of 60cents!! Tried refusing to pay the extra but things can turn nasty. Its not really worth it for 40p! Plus we can afford... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: pleasant climate, lots to see, bustling with local activity
Disadvantages: usual big city issues - traffic, smog, beggars, street vendors

...are excellent and include the surrounding volcanoes as well as the city itself. The old city is a place of churches and traditional markets. The central square is the Plaza de la Independencia at the heart of colonial Quito. The square is surrounded by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace and the Archbishop's Palace as well as the much more modern City Hall. There are a number of spectacular churches in this area although many are in need of significant repair. The second major square in the old city is the nearby Plaza de San Francisco. This open cobblestone square is dominated by the Monastery of San Francisco and its associated buildings. Although much of the new city is modern office blocks, it also offers an extensive range of shops and various significant museums. The Casa de Cultura Equitoriana lies just to the side of the Parque El Ejido... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful