Hotel Ikala Quito: The best place to organize corporate events
15/07/2024What to do during a long stopover in Quito Ecuador?
Walking the cobblestone streets of Quito is definitely walking through the past of a conquered city, but forever free.
Walking through the airport from top to bottom and strolling through the different stores can be entertaining if the waiting time for the layover is not so long, although the situation certainly changes when we talk about an 11-hour wait. What could we do in that time to not get discouraged on the trip? We know that sitting and complaining about it is not an option.
We recommend that you plan your trip in advance, if you bought the flights and the stopovers are already considered, check if it is possible to leave the airport during a stopover or not, in Ecuador, fortunately it is allowed, so the things you can do in Quito They depend on the waiting time between one flight and another.
Of course the answer is always to go out and enjoy the city, Quito is the best way to take advantage of your time on your small visit to Ecuador.
Here we leave you some ideas on what to do during a long stopover in Quito.
Half-day tours in Quito
Ecoandes Travel is one of the best tour operators in Ecuador, and often offers fantastic half-day tours of Quito. They will pick you up at the airport and take you through beautiful and iconic places in the Ecuadorian capital.
Tour to Colonial Quito (3 hours)
From the airport you will be taken to the colonial sector of Quito. This place was named World Heritage for preserving the vibes of that time, the architecture emanates the representations and influences of other societies that came to this land to stay.
You will visit the Plaza de la Independencia, a beautiful urban park that brings together the Government Palace, the cathedral and more buildings that tell stories of freedom and independence of the Ecuadorian people.
The colonial passage through Quito is certainly linked to the stories of Latin American emancipation and traveling through it is one of the best things to do in Quito during a stopover.
Tour to the Middle of the World (4 hours)
If, on the other hand, you want to get to know the renowned Middle of the World, you can hire a half-day tour,
They will pick you up at the airport and take you to the San Antonio parish. There you will visit the Ethnographic Museum, where the history, tradition and customs of various cultures that live in Ecuador are presented.
They will tell you about Charles Marie de la Condamine’s expedition to verify the measurements of the earth and truly determine that Ecuador is the Middle of the World.
You will visit the monument that symbolizes the expedition and participate in several activities that involve the equatorial line that divides the northern and southern hemispheres of the world; like the well-known activity of placing an egg on the tip of a nail, if you succeed you will earn a certificate for doing it (a recognition that not many achieve).
Walk and get to know Quito
If purchasing a tour is not in your plans but you do want to visit Quito, take a tour of the most recognized places in the city, we recommend some places and activities to do in Quito during a stopover. like the aforementioned Mitad del Mundo and Historic Center, you can even visit other churches and monasteries in this place; Just remember that you manage the times and you must make it a priority so as not to miss your flight.
Places to visit Quito
Independence Square.- Main historic square.
Virgin of the bun.- Sculpture of the Virgin Mary from the biblical book of the apocalypse.
Carondelet Palace.- Headquarters of the Ecuadorian Government
The Metropolitan Cathedral.- One of the colonial Catholic architectures of Quito.
Alberto Mena Caamaño Museum.- Wax exhibition of popular and historical figures.
The Basilica of the National Vow.- Gothic style construction that represents the consecration of the Republic to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Plaza San Francisco.- Historic square and colonial church
Casa del Alabado Museum.- Museum that exposes the amazing pre-Columbian cultures of Ecuador
Yaku Water Museum.- Museum dedicated to promoting individual and collective reflection on the use of and relationship with water.
If you would like to have a different plan to do during a long stopover in Quito Ecuador, you can also visit other places like Itchimbía Park which is a beautiful viewpoint of the north of Quito, and there you can also visit the < strong>Crystal Palace, a construction of glass sheets where various artistic and cultural presentations take place.
La Floresta is another place that has a real charm, with giant murals and areas full of street art, this neighborhood represents an interesting cultural and commercial circuit, art galleries, concept stores, and more ventures that promote the avant-garde and artistic creativity of Quito and the Country.
La Carolina Park is one of the most important green places in Quito, its 64 hectares are full of life, both in its gardens and the areas intended for sports and learning.
Among its Pine and Eucalyptus trees scattered throughout the 64 hectares of the park to maintain the open concept there are several points of interest such as: The lagoon where you can enjoy a small boat ride while watching the cyclists on the outline of the lagoon, you can also visit the Botanical Garden, a beautiful and protected place that collects a wide variety of plants such as Ecuadorian orchids, one of the country’s most important export products.
After learning a little about the flora of Ecuador in the botanical garden, and you don’t know what to do during a long stopover in Quito, you can enjoy the Museum of Natural Sciences of Ecuador and appreciate the exhibition about the botanical and paleontological wealth of this incredible country.
To finish your tour of La Carolina, you can visit the park’s iconic yellow airplane and take a couple of fun photos.
Gastronomic tour
Putting together your own food tour of Quito can also be fun; To taste the flavors of the capital and its cultural influence, we recommend the historic center, there is so much to try, empanadas de viento, fritada or figs with cheese, you can try some traditional sweets such as broad beans, sweet and salt peanuts and other mountain dishes with humitas , bolones with cheese and pork rinds, quimbolitos.
Other activities you can do while waiting for your flight
If you finished the half-day tours of Quito, and you still have time to wait, you can take a walk around the airport and take advantage of the brands you find in the duty free, review the photos and souvenirs that you found in the city, read a book that have pending or listen to a good podcast; It all depends on the waiting time you have, the important thing is to go out and see how beautiful Quito is.
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