Parque Calderón (Calle Luis Cordero e/Simón Bolívar, Cuenca) – this park is located in the center of Cuenca, and has some charming squares and churches – even street markets. It is named after Abdon Calderón (a hero who Fought for Ecuador’s independence). Even though it doesn’t feel too busy, Parque Calderón is actually surrounded by […]
La Locanda (Av. 12 de Octube 1820 y Luis Cordero, Quito) – this upscale restaurant, located within Swissotel, offers Mediterranean cuisine with a strong Peruvian influence. There’s also a fine selection of wines. This restaurant also gets points for its stylist interior. Peruvian plates such as “lomo salteado,” are found alongside some of their more […]
Fried Bananas Café (Foch E4-150 y Av. Amazonas, Quito) – located near the trendy Plaza Foch, this restaurant offers both local and Italian pasta dishes (the most recommended one being the pasta con crema de azafran y camarones). Shrimps with mushrooms in fried banana style is another recommended specialty.
El Grill (Hostería Rincón de Puembo) (Manuel Burbano #6-66 e/Francisco Ruiz, Quito) – located in the Eastern outskirts of Quito, this restaurant offers a variety of grilled dishes as well as local specialties. Diners enjoy coming here for the relaxed atmosphere away from the city, as well as poolside dining.
El Cráter (Hotel El Cráter, Mirador del Pululahua) – located an hour north of Quito (near the Pululahua volcano), visitors are attracted to the mountainside dining that this restaurant offers. This restaurant, which serves both local and international dishes, has been visited by a number of prominent guests, from singer Gloria Estefan to Chilean President […]
Bus (Quito) – Quito’s public transportation system consists of three major bus lines (that use dedicated lanes & stations) – almost as though they are trains. These lines are: Trolebus (green line) – runs through colonial Quito Ecovia (red line) Metrobus (blue line). The standard bus fare is US$.25 cents per ride (there are free […]
CAR RENTALS – the following car rental agencies operate in Quito: Avis Rent a Car +593 2 2440 270 Budget Rent a Car: +593 2 3300 979 Hertz: +593 2 2254 257 Thrifty Car Rental: +593 2 222 8688
Quito Astronomical Observatory Museum (Av. Gran Colombia y 10 de Agosto – Parque La Alameda, Quito) – founded in 1873, this museum is a major attraction for students, scientists and tourists – providing a vivid history of the various scientific instruments that were used by early astronomers and scientists. The Observatory’s main attraction is the […]
Plaza de San Sebastian (Calle Mariscal Sucre y Talbot, Parque Miguel León, Cuenca) – located in the westernmost part of Cuenca, this plaza is located by a 19th century church of the same name. This plaza (the largest in Cuenca) was used to hold bullfights back in the 18th century. Nowadays, it’s a popular geographic […]
Plaza & Monastery of San Francisco (Calle Cuenca e/Sucre, Quito) – this is one of the oldest Spanish colonial era structures in Quito (the monastery was founded by Franciscan missionary Joedco Ricke). It’s surprising to hear that this plaza was built over an Inca temple. The monastery is worth a visit and here you will […]