Walking
by acemj
Quito's Old Town is great for walking. Whether you're just slowly taking in the sights, people watching or walking off a big meal, the streets are easy to navigate (although they get a little hilly on the northern side) and there is plenty of great architecture to hold your attention. If you have a decent map (most guidebook maps are good enough), you'll be able to give yourself a self-guided tour in a matter of a few hours.
However, walking up to El Panecillo is not a great idea as muggings are fairly common.
Small Bills, Change and Fake Money(Peque?o Cambio)
by nyctraveler77
Always bring small change with you everywhere. Especially when shopping and taking cabs. Use your $20 bills in large resteraunts or whenever you can. It is sometimes impossible to buy important things, like water or food, if you have a $5 bill or higher.
Also, Fake $10 and $20 bills are extremely common. If you get passed a fake bill, you'll never get rid of it, as the locals always check. Become aware of the proper watermarks and strips for each bill.
ALWAYS check bills. A counterfeit pen is a worthy investment if you don't the know the difference.
In short, always pay with the biggest bill allowed, while collecting the most amount of small change and be careful of fakes.
watch where you go but go
by richiecdisc
Layers are best as Quito's weather is very changeable. When the sun is out and the wind dies down you'll remember you're nearly on the equator. When it goes in and the wind picks up you'll swear you're in Patagonia. We used sandals with socks. If it got too cold we could always take off the socks or put them on when it got cold. Tampons are hard to find in South America so bring your own supply. Wide angle is essential to get the big buildings in one frame and a zoom is useful for photos of the locals without them knowing. A cheap day bag instead of a fancy Nikon camera bag. It looks less appealing to thieves.
Plaza de Santo Domingo
by mikey_e
The main draw of the Plaza de Santo Domingo is, undoubtedly, the Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo, but the square does have a bit of charm in and of itself. Apart from the indigenous women in traditional garb selling trinkets and souvenirs, the Plaza offers visitors with spectacular views of the skyline and surrounding mountains, while the architecture of the buildings provides you with a view to how somewhat modern (let’s say 19th century) development was blended into the Colonial sections of the city.
wohoooo
by Paulina00 about many places
1.Varadero - great live music! Varadero is one of the best musica en vivo venues in Quito. A must for anyone that likes Cuban music. A place to hit at least twice a month and definitely the kind of joint where you could stay for a whole evening. The restaurant next door (same owners) is also great! Authentic Cuban cuisine. Yum!
2.No Bar - gringos unite! The consummate young Gringo (18 to 25) hangout but also popular with young Ecuadorians, at least those that like Gringos. If you want to rage it's a good place to go. By 1:00, the majority of the patrons are thoroughly sloshed. You either love it or you hate.
3.Seseribó - salsa, salsa, salsa! Far and away Quito's best salsatech. Drinks are slightly expensive and they charge a cover but if you like salsa there is no better place in Ecuador.
4.Ghoz Bar - a swiss owned pub on the northern fringe of La Mariscal. Ghoz is known for its food, beer, and, above all, its games, which include pinball, darts, pool, and foosball. You almost never have to wait to play because they have plenty - 8 pool and 5 foosball tables.
5.E-house - the place to be seen. E-house is a sleek, loud, and fun techno-pop, after hours club. Things don't get rolling until after midnight but when they do you don't want to miss it.
6..Kings Cross Bar - after a few beers you'll forget you're in Ecuador. The Canadian run Kings Cross could be in any small town north of Mexico. The owner works the bar every night, serving Labatts Blue, great burgers, and chicken wings. Both the burgers and wings are arguably Quito's best.
7.Arribar - another Gringo hotspot. The scene is alternative. They play techno, rap, and hip hop. The people who go there are 21st century hippies. Also, they have a pool table and table football. Interesting!
8.Cerebro - very shishi and a little spendy. So exclusive that many of its regulars are members (really!). Needless to say it's also very dressy. But despite the formalities, it is a good place to dance and is known for its variety of music.
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An angular view of the Vice Presidential Office
The Baroque entrance to the Church
The façade of the Church and the entrance way
La Puerta Circasiana
