Thursday, August 02, 2007

Quito – Part 2

It is me again, this time with a list of your choices of things to do when you are visiting Quito, Ecuador.  If you want some travel tips for your visit, have a look at Part 1 below.

Quito is somewhat divided into two sections, the Old City and the New City.  The Old City is where you will want to go if you like looking at ancient cathedrals and public buildings.  You’ll also find that Quito is divided into a North and South sector as well.  Likely, you will spend the majority of your time in the North because that’s where the newer buildings and touristy areas are located.  Generally, the housing and oldest historic buildings are in the South.

We will now proceed on to places to see.  Here are my five favorites, hope you enjoy them during your visit!

  • Iglesia La Compañía de Jesús – You simply have to book in time at this UNESCO site of one of the 100 most important monuments in the world.  The church’s construction began in 1605 with many renovations taking place over the centuries.  Behold the fantastic gold work and the fantastic decorations covering the inside of the church.

  • Monastery of San Francisco – Located just a few blocks from the Plaza de la Independencia (another area that is a must visit and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) this monastery is the oldest colonial building in Quito.  You can enjoy the Museo Franciscano that features art, furniture and paintings.

  • Parque El Ejido and Parque La Alameda – Visiting these two parks are the perfect ways to behold the true beauty of the city.  You’ll find locals, artists, students and vacationers enjoying a picnic, selling handicrafts, relaxing or playing sports.  As you walk around, you’ll notice ponds, monuments, and an astronomical observatory.

  • National Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador – Don’t be fooled by the name of this museum – it really is far more fascinating than the name suggests.  For a low entry fee you can see a vast collection covering Ecuador’s history.  In fact, the Archaeological Court’s collection dates from 12,000 BC to 1534 AD, the date when the Spaniards invaded the area.  It is a fascinating museum that you don’t want to miss.

  • Guayllabamba Zoo – Opened in 1997, the zoo is actually located 29kms north of Quito, but it is well worth the short trip.  Covering an area of 12 hectares, you can see almost 180 animals.  In addition, the zoo features 45 species of native fauna displaying the diverse Eco-regions of the Ecuador area (the Coast, the Amazon region and the Galapagos Islands).


Beyond these attractions listed above, Quito and the surrounding areas offer so much to see and do.  I hope you get a chance to visit this magical, historical and breathtaking city, it is well worth every penny.  Happy travels to you!

Posted by Kelly on 08/02 at 12:51 PM
Travel Tips • Permalink
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