Why visit
Quito is the capital of Ecuador. A practical starting point for museums, food, and onward routes into the country.
Quito at a glance
City population
1.9 million
Metro: 2.8 million
Elevation
2,850 m
9,350 ft
Time zone
UTC-5
America/Guayaquil
Airport
UIO
Mariscal Sucre International
Founded
1534
Getting around
Metro de Quito (1 line, opened 2023), Trolebús + Ecovía BRT, buses, taxis
Signature dish
Locro de papa, hornado, encebollado, llapingachos, ceviche de camarón
Neighborhoods for travelers
Centro Histórico (largest in Americas, UNESCO)La MariscalLa FlorestaCumbayá
Ecuador at a glance
Country center
-2.0°, -77.5°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
276,841 km²
106,889 mi²
Country population
18.2 million
66/km²
Subregion
South America
Currency
United States dollar ($)
USD
Dial
+593
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Ecuadorean
Internet
.ec
UN
Member state
ISO code
EC / ECU
Where in the world
-2.0° · -77.5°
Ecuador
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Did you know
- Quito's historic center was the very first UNESCO World Heritage Site (1978), alongside Krakow.
- The equator passes 26 km north of Quito. You can stand on the Mitad del Mundo with one foot in each hemisphere.
- At 2,850m, Quito is the second-highest capital in the world (after La Paz).
- Ecuador's Galápagos Islands inspired Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection: the islands are home to 9,000+ species found nowhere else.
- The equator runs through the country: the "Middle of the World" monument stands 26 km north of Quito.
Bordering Ecuador
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Quito
What currency is used in Quito?
Quito uses the United States dollar ($), ISO code USD.
What languages are spoken in Ecuador?
The primary language is Spanish.
What is the international calling code for Ecuador?
The calling code is +593.
What airport serves Quito?
Mariscal Sucre International (IATA: UIO).
Is Quito at high altitude?
Yes, Quito sits at 2,850 m (9,350 ft). Give yourself a day or two to acclimatize.
Other South America destinations
Arequipa
Arequipa is the White City carved from volcanic stone, Santa Catalina Monastery (a city within a city), and the Colca Canyon condor viewpoints two hours out.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio is Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, Sugarloaf cable car, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Santa Teresa's hillside streets, and Lapa's nightlife.
Salvador
Salvador is Brazil's Afro-Brazilian heart. Pelourinho's colorful colonial core (UNESCO), capoeira and samba reggae, and Bahian food like moqueca and acarajé.
Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls span the Argentina-Brazil border. 275 individual falls, the Devil's Throat at 80 m, catwalks from both sides, and jungle you can stay inside.
Mendoza
Mendoza is Argentina's wine capital. Malbec at Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley, Andes cordillera backdrop, and summer climbing on Aconcagua.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is the southernmost city on earth. Tierra del Fuego National Park, Beagle Channel cruises, penguin colonies, and the main departure port for Antarctica.