Quito, Ecuador: Authentic, Affordable, and Worth Exploring
“The world is not only as it is, but as we dream it.” Jorge Enrique Adoum
5/4/202611 min read
Ecuador is not at the top of most travel lists. We have never heard someone say, you have to go to Ecuador, but that is exactly why you should. It offers incredible diversity without the crowds, and because of that, it still feels raw, authentic, and untouched compared to many other destinations.
There are many people who believe Quito is unsafe, but we had no issues and never felt uncomfortable or unsafe. Like any major city, you still need to be aware of your surroundings, avoid unnecessary risks, and don’t stay out late in places that you have no business in being. As always, we also recommend enrolling in the U.S. State Department STEP program (https://step.state.gov/) before traveling so you receive alerts and updates while abroad.
The U.S. dollar is used everywhere, which makes things easy. We recommend bringing small bills for tipping and everyday purchases, especially in the historic areas.
Arrival into Quito was seamless. The airport is modern, clean, and very well organized. If you are staying in the city, there is no need to prearrange transportation. After exiting baggage claim, there is an official taxi stand with attendants who speak excellent English. You can book your ride there and pay by credit card. A taxi to the city center, or in our case the JW Marriott, cost about $25. None of the Uber or Taxi drivers we encountered spoke English, so using the official taxi stand made everything simple and stress free.
Quito itself has a deep and fascinating history. Founded by the Spanish in 1534, it sits high in the Andes at over 9,000 feet and is one of the highest capital cities in the world. Its historic center is one of the best preserved in South America and was one of the first cities ever designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through Quito, you see a blend of Spanish colonial architecture, indigenous culture, and modern city life all in one place.
For our first few nights, we based ourselves in Quito and stayed at the JW Marriott. The hotel is a destination in itself and, at times, we did not even want to leave to go sightseeing.
After a long day of travel, we arrived tired and worn down. That quickly changed thanks to the incredible welcome from the staff. Ysabel at the front desk immediately stood out with her warm smile and genuine kindness. The bellhop welcomed Crystal with a beautiful Ecuadorian rose, which was a thoughtful touch we will not forget.
The property itself is outstanding. The gym is one of the best we have seen in any hotel, with modern equipment and plenty of space. The executive lounge was another highlight, where Isaac and Jenny took great care of us throughout our stay. Breakfast each morning was excellent, and Henry’s omelets quickly became something we looked forward to.
One evening, we dined at Raíces, the hotel’s restaurant, and it was one of the best meals we had during our time in Ecuador. The octopus was exceptional, and we had the opportunity to meet Chef Patricio, who was both gracious and passionate about his craft.
As full time travelers and owners of a travel agency, we stay in hotels around the world. This JW Marriott stands out as one of the best we have experienced and quickly became our home base while traveling through Ecuador.
On our first full day in Quito, we booked a tour with Guru Free Walking Tours called “Historic Center of Quito: History, Art, Legends, and Local Gastronomy” (https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/45245-historic-center-of-quito-history-art-legends-and-local-gastronomy). Our guide, Stefy, was outstanding and brought the city to life with her knowledge, passion and personality.
The tour began at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, one of the most iconic landmarks in Quito. This massive neo-Gothic church is unique because of its gargoyles, which are not traditional European designs but instead feature native Ecuadorian animals such as iguanas, tortoises, and condors. Construction began in the late 1800s and, like many cathedrals, it is technically still unfinished. You can climb its towers for some of the best views in the city.
From there, we continued through the historic center, stopping at Independence Plaza, also known as Plaza Grande. This is the heart of Quito and home to the Presidential Palace, where Ecuador’s government operates today. The square has been the center of political life since colonial times and remains one of the most important gathering places in the country.
Another highlight was La Compañía de Jesús, often considered one of the most beautiful churches in South America. The interior is covered in gold leaf, reflecting the wealth and influence of the Spanish colonial era and the Catholic Church. It took over 150 years to complete and is one of the most visited sites in Quito.
The tour also included stops at San Francisco Plaza, one of the oldest public squares in the city, and several smaller streets and markets that gave insight into daily life. Throughout the walk, Stefy blended history, architecture, local legends, and food recommendations, which gave us a well rounded understanding of Quito.
This tour was extremely thorough and provided a strong foundation for exploring the city on our own. It made everything we did afterward more meaningful and gave us a deeper appreciation for Quito’s history and culture.
Stefy also recommended several local restaurants, and we chose Don Cho for ceviche. It was filled with locals, which is always a good sign, and we both ate large bowls of ceviche for under $10 total.
On our second full day, we retraced much of the same route, but this time at our own pace. During the Guru Walking tour, we saw many of the churches and learned about them, but we did not have time to go inside. What we discovered is that many of these churches allow access to their rooftops for a small fee, usually around $2, and the views are incredible. This ended up being one of the highlights of our time in the city.
After a few days in Quito, we continued our journey with a “Five Day Amazon Express” tour through Gate 1 Travel. Normally, we avoid group tours and prefer to travel independently or with private guides. However, since we have the ability to sell Gate 1 to our clients, we wanted to experience it ourselves before recommending it. We were extremely impressed and are already planning another trip with them and it will be to India. We will share more details in our Amazon article: https://allinglobaltravel.com/amazon-rainforest-ecuador
Following the Amazon, we traveled to the Galápagos Islands, which was another unforgettable experience which we highly recommend. That article can be found at https://allinglobaltravel.com/galapagos-islands-ecuador
Overall, we were very happy with our time in Quito. The city offers a unique blend of history and culture that makes it an excellent starting point for exploring Ecuador.
The Spanish colonial influence is everywhere, from the architecture to the food, and the city feels both historic and alive at the same time. Pair that with the comfort and luxury of the JW Marriott, and it creates a great balance between exploration and relaxation.
Quito exceeded our expectations. It felt authentic, welcoming, and full of character. It is a destination that deserves more attention, and we look forward to returning.
*Check out our articles with information on our stay in the Amazon and in the Galapagos at the following links:
Ecuador is not at the top of most travel lists. We have never heard someone say, you have to go to Ecuador, but that is exactly why you should. It offers incredible diversity without the crowds, and because of that, it still feels raw, authentic, and untouched compared to many other destinations.
There are many people who believe Quito is unsafe, but we had no issues and never felt uncomfortable or unsafe. Like any major city, you still need to be aware of your surroundings, avoid unnecessary risks, and don’t stay out late in places that you have no business in being. As always, we also recommend enrolling in the U.S. State Department STEP program (https://step.state.gov/) before traveling so you receive alerts and updates while abroad.
The U.S. dollar is used everywhere, which makes things easy. We recommend bringing small bills for tipping and everyday purchases, especially in the historic areas.
Arrival into Quito was seamless. The airport is modern, clean, and very well organized. If you are staying in the city, there is no need to prearrange transportation. After exiting baggage claim, there is an official taxi stand with attendants who speak excellent English. You can book your ride there and pay by credit card. A taxi to the city center, or in our case the JW Marriott, cost about $25. None of the Uber or Taxi drivers we encountered spoke English, so using the official taxi stand made everything simple and stress free.
Quito itself has a deep and fascinating history. Founded by the Spanish in 1534, it sits high in the Andes at over 9,000 feet and is one of the highest capital cities in the world. Its historic center is one of the best preserved in South America and was one of the first cities ever designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through Quito, you see a blend of Spanish colonial architecture, indigenous culture, and modern city life all in one place.
For our first few nights, we based ourselves in Quito and stayed at the JW Marriott. The hotel is a destination in itself and, at times, we did not even want to leave to go sightseeing.
After a long day of travel, we arrived tired and worn down. That quickly changed thanks to the incredible welcome from the staff. Ysabel at the front desk immediately stood out with her warm smile and genuine kindness. The bellhop welcomed Crystal with a beautiful Ecuadorian rose, which was a thoughtful touch we will not forget.
The property itself is outstanding. The gym is one of the best we have seen in any hotel, with modern equipment and plenty of space. The executive lounge was another highlight, where Isaac and Jenny took great care of us throughout our stay. Breakfast each morning was excellent, and Henry’s omelets quickly became something we looked forward to.
One evening, we dined at Raíces, the hotel’s restaurant, and it was one of the best meals we had during our time in Ecuador. The octopus was exceptional, and we had the opportunity to meet Chef Patricio, who was both gracious and passionate about his craft.
As full time travelers and owners of a travel agency, we stay in hotels around the world. This JW Marriott stands out as one of the best we have experienced and quickly became our home base while traveling through Ecuador.
On our first full day in Quito, we booked a tour with Guru Free Walking Tours called “Historic Center of Quito: History, Art, Legends, and Local Gastronomy” (https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/45245-historic-center-of-quito-history-art-legends-and-local-gastronomy). Our guide, Stefy, was outstanding and brought the city to life with her knowledge, passion and personality.
The tour began at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, one of the most iconic landmarks in Quito. This massive neo-Gothic church is unique because of its gargoyles, which are not traditional European designs but instead feature native Ecuadorian animals such as iguanas, tortoises, and condors. Construction began in the late 1800s and, like many cathedrals, it is technically still unfinished. You can climb its towers for some of the best views in the city.
From there, we continued through the historic center, stopping at Independence Plaza, also known as Plaza Grande. This is the heart of Quito and home to the Presidential Palace, where Ecuador’s government operates today. The square has been the center of political life since colonial times and remains one of the most important gathering places in the country.
Another highlight was La Compañía de Jesús, often considered one of the most beautiful churches in South America. The interior is covered in gold leaf, reflecting the wealth and influence of the Spanish colonial era and the Catholic Church. It took over 150 years to complete and is one of the most visited sites in Quito.
The tour also included stops at San Francisco Plaza, one of the oldest public squares in the city, and several smaller streets and markets that gave insight into daily life. Throughout the walk, Stefy blended history, architecture, local legends, and food recommendations, which gave us a well rounded understanding of Quito.
This tour was extremely thorough and provided a strong foundation for exploring the city on our own. It made everything we did afterward more meaningful and gave us a deeper appreciation for Quito’s history and culture.
Stefy also recommended several local restaurants, and we chose Don Cho for ceviche. It was filled with locals, which is always a good sign, and we both ate large bowls of ceviche for under $10 total.
On our second full day, we retraced much of the same route, but this time at our own pace. During the Guru Walking tour, we saw many of the churches and learned about them, but we did not have time to go inside. What we discovered is that many of these churches allow access to their rooftops for a small fee, usually around $2, and the views are incredible. This ended up being one of the highlights of our time in the city.
After a few days in Quito, we continued our journey with a “Five Day Amazon Express” tour through Gate 1 Travel. Normally, we avoid group tours and prefer to travel independently or with private guides. However, since we have the ability to sell Gate 1 to our clients, we wanted to experience it ourselves before recommending it. We were extremely impressed and are already planning another trip with them and it will be to India. We will share more details in our Amazon article: https://allinglobaltravel.com/amazon-rainforest-ecuador
Following the Amazon, we traveled to the Galápagos Islands, which was another unforgettable experience which we highly recommend. That article can be found at https://allinglobaltravel.com/galapagos-islands-ecuador
Overall, we were very happy with our time in Quito. The city offers a unique blend of history and culture that makes it an excellent starting point for exploring Ecuador.
The Spanish colonial influence is everywhere, from the architecture to the food, and the city feels both historic and alive at the same time. Pair that with the comfort and luxury of the JW Marriott, and it creates a great balance between exploration and relaxation.
Quito exceeded our expectations. It felt authentic, welcoming, and full of character. It is a destination that deserves more attention, and we look forward to returning.
*Check out our articles with information on our stay in the Amazon and in the Galapagos at the following links:
info@allinglobaltravel.com