Travel to Quito in Ecuador

The beautiful city of Quito, Ecuador is nestled in a valley at the base of the Pichincha Volcano. Its exquisite natural surroundings are virtually unparalleled and they provide the perfect background to this picturesque city. Quito is more than just the capital of Ecuador; it is a place of adventure. You will find quite a few ecotours in Quito.

Many years ago, Quito was the northern capital of the Incan Empire. The Incas destroyed the city in an effort to prevent it from falling into the hands of the conquistadors. When the country came under Spanish rule only a year later, the city was rebuilt from the ruins that scattered the area. It has stood proudly ever since and the impressive array of colonial architecture in Quito’s Old Town is quite breathtaking. As Quito has the best preserved historic center in Latin America it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. And while there are some wonderful museums and many elegant buildings to see, Quito is not just about ancient history.

Many of Quito’s hotels are built in the newer part of the city – not far from the burgeoning business sector. Most tourists prefer to book a flight to Quito instead of trying to travel there by road since Quito offers the perfect base from which to start your Ecuadorian travels. After touching down at the Quito airport, it is usually a good idea to allow yourself one or two days to adjust to the altitude – at 2850m it can leave you feeling quite light headed. Once you are suitably acclimatized the fun can begin. There are ecoadventures in Quito to suit everyone. Hiking, climbing and birding in Quito are just a few favorites.

It would be wise not to assume that because it is located on the equator it is blistering hot all year around. Quito has an unusual climate with quite a few months of intermittent rain. It is very cool in the evenings – mostly due to its high elevation. It also tends to get quite hot during the day time so don’t forget to pack in the sunscreen. Whether you are looking for adventure travel in Quito or just need a great place to relax and take a break, you can be sure that this is the city for you.

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