Quito, Ecuador tourist tips

For the traveler interested in going to Quito, Ecuador, the following list of tips and ideas is designed to help you have a great time. Quito is a huge, amazing city nestled in north-central Ecuador amidst nine volcanoes. The culture, history, geography, and art of Ecuador can all be appreciated from here, in a city where technology and tradition are equally embraced, and people from all over the world can share an appreciation for diversity. There is a lot to do and see in Quito, and I have listed just a few ideas. So explore, be creative, and do as much as you can in the amount of time you have to spend. The opportunities are boundless!

- Carry your money and passport inside the waistline of your pants, or somewhere equally well-hidden. Make sure it is not accessible to anyone but yourself. This means that front shirt pockets, back and front pants pockets, and any places reachable by even the tiniest hands (children are the most covert) should not have anything valuable in them.

- The trolley, which runs lengthwise from north to south through Quito, is an inexpensive and direct way to get where you need to go. Check the different destinations posted inside the stations to determine where you will need to exit.

- Busses are also an inexpensive way to go. Each one is labeled on the front with the names of various destinations. Find one that matches where you need to go.

- Try not to look too much like a tourist. Carrying a map, looking blank-faced and distracted, as well as carrying a camera outside of your clothes are tell-tale behaviors. If you need to check your map, find a discreet corner or duck into an entryway.

- If you don't speak Spanish well, at least try. Use gestures or whatever necessary to convey your question or idea, but do not act as though everyone should be able to speak English.

- If you need or want to make a phone call, use an internet phone. It is much cheaper than even a calling card, provides you with a decent connection, and puts you in a nice ambience within the culture. Often, these "net-2-phones" are in cafes and casual dining places. You'll see the signs.

- When drinking juice or water, ask if the water has been boiled. It is not safe for you otherwise. "Agua hervida" or "agua pura" is what you're looking for.

- Agua pura is cheap and can be bought at any corner store and in restaurants. "H2Ola" is one nice brand.

- Fresh vegetables, unless washed thoroughly in agua pura, are to be avoided.

- Try the ceviche-it's the national dish of Ecuador, and is a soup composed of all kinds of seafood, lime, achiote (annatto), and a few other special ingredients. It is usually served cold, like gazpacho.

- Llampingachos are a delicious hot food composed of potatoes, cheese, onion, and achiote. They are somewhat like a potato pancake, and are a signature example of Ecuadorian cuisine.

- Try the jugo, or juice, of different kinds of fruits. These are very fresh and probably very different from anything you've had back home. (Once again, make sure it's made with agua pura!)

- Cafecito is an excellent hostel with very reasonable rates. It is located on Luis Cordero, two blocks east of Calle Amazonas. The location is nice because it is well-lit and a reasonable distance from the danger zone of downtown Quito, where tourists and even native Ecuadorians are at a higher risk for unfortunate crimes. They have excellent coffee and hot wine (vino caliente), as well as other fare. It boasts a wonderful ambience with a balance of both tourists and Ecuadorians.

- Kama Sutra is a great internet café with tons of character (the drinks are named after suggestions in the Kama Sutra!). It is an upstairs café with windows opening out so you can people-watch from this fun perch.

- Across the street is a Thai restaurant, owned by the same family that runs the Kama Sutra. The food is very good and well prepared. If you like ginger, go for the ice cream (helado)!

- The Lennon-bar down the street from these two is a nice hangout with a penchant for playing music by British and American bands.

- Quito is home to many unbelievably beautiful churches and cathedrals. The Iglesia (church) Compania de Jesus is a spectacular vision, and can be visited early in the morning and after four o'clock, free of charge. It is located in the older part of Quito, which is a great place to walk the narrow streets and appreciate a more colonial type of architecture.

- The Banco Central museum is 'muy fantastico', with four stories of widely ranging examples of the art and history of Ecuador. It is located downtown at the northeast corner of Parque El Ejido between the streets Seis de Diciembre and 12 de Octubre. The Museo Arqueologico del Banco Central, as well as the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, are located within the same building. Entry costs about one dollar for non-Ecuadorians.

- La Virgen de Panecillo, an enormous sculpture of a winged virgin that stands on top of a tall hill, is located between the north and south ends of Quito, and provides a breathtaking view of the entire city. There is a gift shop inside the sculpture of La Virgen, and a staircase which leads to an even higher view. It's best for the tourist to take a taxi up to the sculpture and back. The hill is ripe for muggings and theft.

- If you don't want to constantly eat in restaurants, buy a loaf of bread at one of the local bakeries, most of which are very small and can be located by their wonderful smells. Then, go into your nearest market or see what is available on the street, and purchase whatever interesting fruit you find. Ecuador is famous for its delicious, incredible variety of fruit.

- Travel in groups or pairs wherever you go. Women especially, DO NOT travel alone, or even in a pair with just another woman if it can be helped.

- The parks are simply not safe at night. Avoid them at all costs.

- To many Ecuadorians, America represents wealth for many political and socioeconomic reasons. Keep this in mind as you go about your business, and don't whip out any big bills or go on tangents about American politics and wealth.

- Sometimes you may be asked what country you are from. Use discretion. If it's a street vendor or taxi driver asking, he may be thinking that if you are from America you can afford to pay a little more. I would recommend saying you are from Canada or Australia in these instances, as well as if you are out traveling, staying in a beachside hotel, or sitting next to a curious person on the bus.

- On the bus make sure to always have your things around or on you. Pack lightly if you have any doubt. I would never suggest allowing the bus driver to put your bags in the outside luggage compartment. Many a bag has turned up missing that way. Your valuable items should, as always, be kept discreetly on your person.

- In taxis, ask how much it will cost to reach your destination at the outset. This way, the price will not be negotiable. If it seems like too much, say so, or find a different taxi. They're everywhere.

- When flagging down a taxi or bus, point at the ground on the street (your arm will be at an angle from your body).

- If you see that the driver looks suspicious or inebriated, or for whatever reason you don't have a good feeling about getting in the taxi, let him pass and wait for the next one.

- Taxis are great opportunities to practice your Spanish. Most drivers enjoy chatting with tourists, and will gladly oblige broken Spanish. Others are not so talkative, and you'll get that feeling pretty quickly.

- Downtown, the most highly populated area for people looking to dance, have a cocktail, go out for coffee, find an internet café, or go out to eat is commonly called "The Mariscal". A diverse blend of tourists, expatriates, and Ecuadorians can be found there at almost any time of day. It is a great area for having a good time, but not very safe for the solo tourist. Travel in groups or pairs, and don't venture past the well-lit areas. A few streets in and around this area include Mariscal Foch, Juan Leon Mera, Lizardo Garcia, Luis Cordero, and Amazonas.

- Street markets: don't accept the first price. Bargaining is expected. But remember that this is the artisan's livelihood, and bargaining him down below what you feel the work is worth to YOU is rude and unfair, and does not help the artisan continue with his industry.

- Any day of the week there will be people lined up on the sidewalk on Calle Amazonas selling all kinds of items from purses woven from agave root and original watercolors to heavy woolen sweaters and handmade jewelry. If you are interested in buying certain items and have a choice between purchasing them in any of the stores in the area or buying them on the street, your best bet would be to buy them from the street artisans. Here, you can bargain for the item at a lower cost, and there may be more variety.

- Every weekend there is an open market in Parque Elejido, where artisans come from all over and set up booths and tables of their wares. This can be fun, and gives you an opportunity to visit with Ecuadorian artists.

- If you see an item you would like to buy, examine it carefully to make sure it is not sloppily made. Most of the handiwork is well-put-together, but occasionally you may run into something not so nice, because some people figure that tourists will buy just about anything.

- Keep an open mind and a sense of adventure, and listen to your intuition. If something sounds like fun, or a type of food sounds different and interesting, go for it! Enjoy the incredible experiences Quito has to offer.

Have a great trip! Or as they say in Ecuador, "buen viaje!"