Advice for Visitors: Quito
Some Hints for Travelers to the Capital of Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador hosts hundreds of visitors and exchange students each year. Are you going to be one of them? Here is what you need to know.
Pack Some Warm Clothes
Sure, Quito is ten miles south of the Equator. That doesn’t mean it’s hot: the city is also at almost 10,000 feet. Generally, the temperature hits about 75 during the day and can cool into the fifties at night. During the rainy seasons (October-December and March-May, roughly) it can get even cooler. Most inhabitants of Quito (who are called Quiteños, by the way) wear long sleeves every day, so even if 75 degrees is warm for you, you may feel a little odd in shorts and a t-shirt.
Pack Some Cool Clothes
Quito is a fantastic city, but hopefully you won’t spend all of your time there. If you leave the cooler central mountains and head into the jungle, coast, cloud forest or Galapagos Islands, you’ll want some cooler clothes. Wearing jeans in the jungle is a bad, bad idea. Pack some good shorts and lightweight long pants and rainwear.
Buy Almost Anything in Quito
Quito is a bustling, modern city, the capital of an important Andean nation. Therefore, you do not need to pack such things as toilet paper, shampoo, peanut butter, etc. That being said, there is not much selection when it comes to basics. If you have some sort of favorite super-fancy lavender and honey cream soap that you can only find in certain stores in the USA, and you refuse to use anything else, better bring it with you, as your soap choices in Quito may well be limited to “green soap or blue soap?”
You’ll want to bring some camera gear, because Ecuador is one of the most picturesque places in the world. Stock up on memory chips, film and other accessories before you come, because they’re pretty expensive in Quito.
The same goes for all electronics and luxury items. There are guys selling sunglasses on every corner for $5, but without proper UV protection they’re worse than useless. Invest in a very good pair before you go, as a pair of Ray-bans or other well-known brand will cost you at least double. If you want to bring your iPod, that’s fine, but don’t plan on getting one once you’re there.
Leave Extra Space in Your Luggage
Quito is a great place to shop. The world-famous Otavalo craft and textile market is only two hours away from the city, and is a great place to stock up on gifts and souvenirs. Even if you can’t make it to the market, there are lots of cool shops in Quito. You’re sure to want to buy something to remind you of your trip!
