Favorite Things To Do in Quito Ecuador

Internationalliving.com / Wendy DeChambeau reported, each time I visit Quito, I get to explore new and interesting areas, hear of fabulous events taking place, and meet more wonderful people. Among Quito’s 2-million-plus populace is a large community of international folks enjoying the affordable life and big-city buzz. You’ll find them pretty spread out, as there are neighborhoods and lifestyles to suit most tastes. But they’re all making the most of what Quito offers…which is a lot.

Here’s some of my favorite things to do…

Parks: Ecuador’s capital is a large city that has immense amounts of green space. In the last decade there’s been much improvement and expansion of the city’s park system. Every neighborhood has a nearby park and they all cater to different activities.

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My favorite is Parque La Carolina. Within this 165-acre park you’ll find miles of jogging trails, a pond with paddle boats, the Quito Botanical Gardens, and even a Vivarium full of native-Ecuadorian snakes. It’s also bordered by large shopping malls, professional office buildings, and the city’s large sports stadium—Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa.

On a hillside at the edge of town sits another park that I love, Parque Metropolitano. Bigger than New York City’s Central Park, it’s different from La Carolina in that it has more of a natural feel. While there are clearings for sports and camping, much of the park is wooded with trails for walking or biking. It’s the perfect place to relax, take in the city views from its high perch, or admire the llamas grazing nearby.