Updated January 2020 following our second visit to Quito

It's easy to get paranoid or confused when reading about Quito, with some making it sound like a hot-bed of crime and others an up-and-coming city for South American travellers.

We’ve spent more than two weeks in the city on two separate visits, and want to help bust some myths and give some practical advice to help you make the most of your visit.

Here are 10 essential things to know before you visit Quito.

know your Quito bus stations

Quito has recently consolidated its previously fragmented system into two new, main terminals - Terminal Carcelen and Terminal Quitumbe - alongside the older La Ofelia, which continues to service the popular backpacker and birdwatcher stop of Mindo. Here’s what you need to know about the main stations:

Terminal Carcelen | Located in the north of the city. This is the place to get your buses to Otavalo, the Mitad del Mundo, Tulcán (for the Quito-Colombia border crossing) or to access the northern coast and its beaches (Esmeraldas, Atacames). A taxi to/from the station will cost $10-15.

Terminal Quitumbe | Located in the south of the city. If you're heading to Baños, Guayaquil, Cuenca or the Amazon region, this is where you need to depart from. To reach it, take the ‘Role bus’ south to the last stop or a taxi for between $12 to $15.

Terminal Terrestre La Ofelia | Located in the north of the city. La Ofelia services destinations to the northwest of Quito such as Nanegalito and Mindo, as well as Cayambe. To get here either take the Metrobus north, to the end of the line or a taxi which should cost no more than $10 from the old town.

It’s likely that you’ll visit at least two bus stations during your time in Quito, so take the time to work out which one is best located for your hostel or Airbnb in the the capital. Some bus services will included a stop at both Carcelen and Quitumbe, so it’s important you know in advance which one to get off at - if in doubt, just send your accommodation a quick message the night before to confirm the best bus station and how much the taxi should cost to them.

Some bus companies (such as Trans Esmeraldas, PanAmericana) still have offices in La Mariscal. Buses DO NOT leave from here, but they are convenient spots to buy your ticket in advance if you’re in the area.

Remember, you will need identification to purchase a bus ticket in Ecuador.

are you an old town or new town sort of person?

99% of visitors will base themselves in either the historical area or the new town, better known as La Mariscal. What's the difference between the two?

Well, the old town has narrow streets and plazas lined with local restaurants, bakeries and fruit sellers. Quito's cathedral rises above the rest of the buildings and the Virgin statue looks over all from its position atop El Panecillo hill. During the day it's bustling with activity, but at night the area is pretty quiet. Although not the prettiest part of Latin American by a long shot (and certainly not the most appealing UNESCO World Heritage Site) it's the most authentic and charming area Quito has to offer.

La Mariscal, on the other hand, looks like the 21st century vomited on concrete. Full of karaoke joints, some dodgy clubs and bars, lots of gringo-centric restaurants and more than a few dodgy characters, it's noisy and ugly. However, for those wanting a proper night out or some western food, it's the place to be.

We chose to stay in the old town (at The Secret Garden Hostel) on our first visit, and take taxis (costing $3-4 each way) to La Mariscal; we were very happy with the choice. On our second stay, we opted for this cheap Airbnb in the old town.

If you don’t know where to stay in Quito, or want some inspiration, then read our guide to the Seven Best Hostels in Quito!

lunches are cheap and filling

On our budget, eating out is often a luxury. However, in Quito we treated ourselves to lunch out most days. This is because almost every local restaurant offers an 'almuerzo' deal: a starter of hearty soup followed by a plate of rice, beans or lentils, fried plantains, salad and your choice of meat or fish. A fresh juice is also thrown in.

At around $2 or $3 per person, it makes lunch out the sensible and economical option - as well as an authentic travel experience.

take a copy of your ID everywhere

After many a drunken night out in Central America and Colombia, we had completely forgotten showing I.D. to gain entry was even a thing. However, in Quito, it's a necessity.

We learned this on our first night out in La Mariscal where our group, none of whom had I.D., were refused entry to four or five different bars. The reason places require it is not for age-verification, but more to do with local regulations on security - and this is pretty strictly adhered to. One afternoon, we wanted a 3 p.m. beer in a studenty bar but they refused to serve us until they saw identification!

Most bars will accept a photocopy, so make sure you get a few done and carry them with you. Alternatively, have a scan or picture of your ID on your phone - just never take your passport on a night out!

fake taxis are a real risk

Quito has to be applauded for recognising that it had a crime problem and taking some positive action to address it; express kidnappings and robberies of taxi passengers were prevalent and a real risk.

When we crossed the border from Colombia to Ecuador, we were handed a pamphlet by the immigration officials. On one side was a handy map, on the other – rather than lovely information about the country – was a guide on how to avoid fake taxis. We had read numerous stories on-line, but this official correspondence from the government made us think that perhaps it wasn't all paranoia.

The key tips to know a real taxi versus a fake taxi are:

only take a yellow taxi with orange licence plates
the taxi should have 'transporte seguro' stickers on the outside (usually on the back window)
real taxis will be fitted with two security cameras and a small red panic button.
the security cameras should have white tape over them showing they have not been tampered with
real taxis will have a meter, the use of which is compulsory
do not take taxis which already have other passengers

Now for the reality. The first taxi we got from the bus station ticked all these boxes, but he refused to put the meter on and said they ‘don't do that in Quito’. We insisted and showed him the pamphlet, but to no avail. We therefore stopped and agreed the price with him.

Other taxis we took in the city all put the meter on as soon as we entered.

Personally, back in that first visit to Quito, we only took taxis driven by old guys who we liked the look of. This may sound a bit silly, but we met two travellers who had been robbed separately from taxis within a few days of arriving in the city, so we really were taking every precaution possible.

Fast forward to 2019 however, and the taxi situation for travellers and locals had improved massively due to the ubiquity of Uber across Quito! We exclusively used the app for transport across the city (except from Terminal Carcelen) and would highly recommend you do the same - it provides cost certainty, removes a number of fake taxi security issues, and is incredibly convenient. It’s also completely legal and regulated in Ecuador (unlike in Colombia).

If not using Uber in Quito, then you should reserve a taxi with your hostel if heading to the bus station or airport, especially after dark or early in the morning. At night, be particularly vigilant with your taxi selection. If you feel insecure, ask the driver to stop straight away, get out and go into the nearest shop, cafe etc until they've gone.

If you’ve never travelled in this part of the world, then we recommend taking a look at this staying safe in Latin America post.

it can be pretty chilly at night

This shouldn't be a surprise given the city is 2,800 metres above sea level, but a number of other travellers were a little unprepared for just how chilly it could be at night.

Make sure you've got a couple of warmer items packed to wrap up in! You should also understand the risks of being at high altitude before you arrive - read How to Avoid Altitude Sickness in South America for more tips.

you can travel from the airport to the city for $2

If you want to save some money, you can take the local green bus from Quito’s Mariscal Sucre airport to Rio Coca Terminal for just $2. They depart every 15 minutes or so, with the journey taking an hour.

From Rio Coca, you can take the public bus for 25 cents to either La Mariscal or the Old Town (journey time of 30 minutes). We wouldn't recommend this option after dark if you're unfamiliar with the city. Taking a taxi or Uber onward from Rio Coca will still save you money overall.

If you do take a taxi from the airport, you will find an official taxi desk next to the main information point. State your destination and you will be handed a slip of paper to give the driver. Prices are fixed and vary according to distance, but expect to pay between $25-35. Alternatively, you can pre-book a private one-way transfer from the airport here.

altitude adaptation is important

For those coming into Quito by bus from lower altitudes, you will acclimatise naturally. However, if flying from the coast or any other location near sea level, be aware that you could feel a little unwell initially. Symptoms such as headaches and nausea are not uncommon, and a quick run up a flight of stairs could leave you feeling a little more out of puff than normal.

A lot of people arriving in Quito intend to do at least a little trekking at one of the many surrounding volcanoes. These are not small hills, so it is probably a good idea to spend a couple of days in the city adjusting to the altitude before going even higher.

For more information on dealing with altitude sickness, be sure to head over to this post.

this is where you'll find last minute trips to the galapagos

Costing around £1000 to visit independently, and anywhere between £1500 to £4000+ to join an organised tour, visiting the Galapagos Islands is never going to be a cheap excursion. Which is exactly why, after two trips to Ecuador, we’ve still not made it there.

If you’ve got your heart set on going on a cruise to the islands, one way to lean up the price a little is to book your tour last minute (or at least leave it to a few weeks before you plan on leaving). To do this, you have two choices: either wait until you arrive into Quito and try your luck at the local agencies, or take a look at sites like G Adventures who offer really good discounts on relatively last minute trips. Follow this link to find out more.

If you have your trip already booked and are flying out of Quito, it’s important to know that airlines are quite strict with baggage limits. Thankfully, many of the city’s hostels able to store your heavy packs whilst you are away - often for free - if you spend a night or so with them before.

You really do need to watch your bags on buses

On any bus in, out or within Quito, you must be aware of the risk of bag slash thefts:

keep your small backpack on your lap at all times
never put it below or above your seat
if someone tells that you must put your bag elsewhere, politely decline, no matter how insistent they are or whether they’re wearing a uniform (crooks have been known to dress up in the outfits of a bus driver).

Public buses in Quito are very cheap ($0.25 per person) so are a great budget traveller choice for getting around the city. Just take sensible precautions like those above so it doesn't cost you a lot more than you planned - bag slashes are particularly prevalent on the buses from Quito to Mindo.

Read more about how to stay safe in Latin America in this post.

but, remember, don't let crime ruin your time in the city

As with a number of capital cities in Latin America, in certain areas, crime is a real issue - and Quito is no exception.

However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit, or spend your entire stay utterly paranoid that something dreadful is going to happen.

Just be sensible and aware of the risks.

In La Mariscal, don't go wandering off the main streets at night. When sight-seeing take only the cash you need and little else. Do not advertise that you have a phone, iPad or fancy camera. Be aware of fake taxis. Only take a taxi up the hill to see the Virgin statue - it really is stupid to go up there on your own. Be aware of the people around you and trust your gut if it feels dodgy.

And, for the love of God - don't travel without travel insurance! We recommend True Traveller or World Nomads but, if you're confused about travel insurance, then read this post first.