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¿When to visit Quito?

Even though Quito can be visited throughout the year, certain occasions such as early December when the city’s foundation by the Spanish is celebrated in a festive atmosphere with parades, festivals, exhibitions, traditional games, bullfights, popular music and street dances as well as other outdoor events make for a memorable experience. Holy Week, usually between March and April, is another special occasion but in which religion takes center stage. The climax is the famous Procession of “Jesus del Gran Poder” (Jesus the Great Power, a much venerated colonial sculpture), an event in which the people publicly express their faith, reminiscent of ancient Spanish traditions complete with the “cucuruchos”, participants dressed from head to foot in purple gowns, their faces covered, and topped off with high pointed bonnets. The May to August period is given over to the arts and culture, marked by concerts, exhibitions, parades and all kinds of cultural events.

¿How to Get There?

Mariscal Sucre International Airport is the main gateway to the city, served by various North American, European and Latin American airlines offering daily flights to and from several cities on their respective continents.

Domestic flights are covered by various national airlines providing connections to the country's principal cities and other internal destinations. Most domestic flights within mainland Ecuador average 30 minutes, except for the one-and-a-half-hour flight to the Galapagos Islands from Guayaquil .

How to Visit

Organized tours, either shared or private, offer tours of Quito and include transport and licensed guides. Alternatively, you may prefer to explore the city independently, taking the same precautions you would elsewhere. Taxis are the best option for transport, though don’t neglect to walk in those areas which you wish to appreciate. Negotiate your taxi fare before embarking. If you prefer to use public transport, it is best travel on the organized and safe routes with designated stops, such as the Trolebus, Ecovia and Metrobus. The Historic Center is certainly best enjoyed on foot if you wish to admire and photograph this magnificent this part of the city with its matchless architectural and colonial art treasures at your own pace.

At night, the Historic Center is resplendent with churches, towers, domes, historic buildings and monuments all magnificently illuminated. Night rides on old-style carriages pulled by horses are a novel – and romantic – way of exploring the streets, temples and monuments in the colonial area.