Ten Places to Visit in Quito, Ecuador

Quito is Ecuador’s capital and was founded in 1534 on the ruins of an ancient Inca city. Quito is also of the earliest declared UNESCO World Heritage sites and you can find here 40 churches, 17 squares and 16 convents and some excellent museums and plenty of restaurants and terrace cafes for a rest while sightseeing.



There are so many interesting places that you can see in Quito, here’s our list of Ten Places to Visit in Quito:

1. Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesus – This church is located in the Old City and highly regarded by many as the most stunning church in the Americas and it was partially destroyed by fire but was fully restored.



2. La Vírgen del Panecillo - El Panecillo is a large hill on top of where you can find a huge statue of the virgin Mary (winged). It is highly advisable not to walk uphill as it can be very dangerous. Take a short taxi ride instead.


3. Botanical Gardens – This is also known as the Jardin Botanico located on the southwest side of Parque La Carolina and it's a nice place to visit if you want to escape the hassle and bustle of the city and just enjoy the beauty of the gardens. They also offer a guided tour or you could just wander on your own around the gardens.

4. Museo Mindalae – This is one of the most interesting places to visit in Quito as it highlights the cultural diversity of Ecuador. Definitely a must visit.

5. Casa de la Cultura – This place showcases artworks of various local artists and a must visit for art lovers and the plus side is that the entrance is free.

6. Teleferico – Teleferico is the world’s second-highest cable car which overlooks the entire city of Quito. On a clear day, you can also see a few of the other nearby volcanoes.



7. Conjunto Monumental San Francisco – One of the oldest church in Quito which dates back from the 1570s and it was devoted to San Francis. The church contains art masterpieces such as the famous "Virgin of Quito" by Legarda among others. The sculpture is a winged virgin stepping on the demon's head in the form of a serpent and is displayed in the main altar.

8. Museo del Banco Central – This museum is just located across from the Casa de la Cultura and adjacent to the Parque El Ejido. This is highly regarded by many as Ecuador's most renowned museum. There are lots of exhibits devoted to pre-Columbian, Colonial and gold works of art, among other artefacts. Art lovers will enjoy a visit to this museum.

9. Itchimbia Cultural Complex and Park – This park will surely give you stunning views of central and northern Quito as well as the distant peak of Cayambe.

10. Calle de la Ronda - This street in the Old Town has cobbled street and an ambiance which takes you back to the past era. And just like any other popular areas for tourist, there are many shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. A good place to take a walk and wander around.

Have you been to Quito? Feel free to share your tips and recommendations.

Photo Credits (Flickr Creative Commons): Quito by waldopics/ Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesus by jimmyharris/ La Virgen del Panecillo by amanderson2/ Teleferico by Lesmode/ Calle dela Ronda by DFRod

Five Things to Do in Cuenca, Ecuador

The city of Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador making it a vibrant colonial city. It is also the capital of the Azuay province. The city of Cuenca has a lot to offer to its visitors like cozy cafes and galleries that are hidden among the narrow streets and whitewashed red-tiled buildings and its beautiful plazas and churches. Many travellers just see Cuenca as a last stop before heading to Peru but the city of Cuenca is so much more than that, we’ll list some of the places you want to see or do in the city.



1. Pamper Yourself in Baños – It is a beautiful place located just outside of Cuenca with large lakes and there are also thermal baths available at a hotel complex. Many local and foreign visitors come here to relax in saunas and swim in the hot or cold waters of the pools. A good place to go to if you want to do some serious pampering.



2. Take a Sightseeing Bus –The tour will cost $5 and will last for about 2 hours. The bus will take you to most of the must see places in Cuenca including a visit to the Mirador de Turi. The bus leaves from Parque Calderón. For such a very affordable price, you can get off the bus anywhere you like and you can get on the next bus that comes. A good thing to do if you want to enjoy some sightseeing.

3. Visit the New Cathedral of Cuenca - The construction of the church was started in 1885 and lasted for almost a century. The architecture of the church is very beautiful and it combines many architecture styles. A good place to see to enjoy some old architecture.



4. Check out El Sagrario - Or the old cathedral, the construction of the church has begun in 1557. The church is no longer in use and it is now a museum. The church underwent a meticulous restoration and has been completed just recently and now you can see the original paint and old murals for a $2 fee and it’s worth it.

5. Visit Museo del Banco Central – This is a great museum with sections on ethnography and old Ecuadorian money. The explanations though are in Spanish so you might as well tag along a Spanish speaking friend if you visit this place. Entrance is free by the way.

Have you been to Cuenca, Ecuador? Feel free to share your tips and recommendations.

Photo Credits (Flickr Creative Commons): Cuenca by mavik2007/ Baños by markg6/ New Cathedral in Cuenca by georigami/