Quito, Ecuador

Quito (official name: San Francisco de Quito) is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America.Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world sitting 2,804m (9,348 ft.) above sea level. It was founded in 1534 by Sebastián de Benalcázar.

Quito is a city of contrasts where you can travel to the past in the Old Town and enjoy modern-day comforts in the New Town. In the Old Town, many of the original colonial structures have been preserved and restored. Quito is a city of grand churches, and 500-year-old buildings opening onto medieval-style courtyards, complete with columned archways.

North of the Old Town you'll find the New Town with its modern glass skyscrapers, electric trolleys, and early-20th-century mansions. There are modern art and archaeology museums in the New Town, restaurants, cafes and shops.

Within 2 hours of the city you can travel to colorful indigenous markets, a unique cloud forest, or to the glaciers of the world's highest active volcano Pichincha. Pichincha dominates the western side of the city but has failed to destroy its colonial past.

Things to see and do

* Day trip to Cotopaxi volcano
* Explore the Old Town and Historic Centre
* Bella Vista Cloud Forest reserve
* Quito cable car
* Itchimbia Park and Cultural Centre

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - US dollar (USD)
Language - Spanish
Land Area - 290 square kilometers
Population - 1,900,000 approx
Electricity - 2 pin round pins European style and 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT minus five hours
International Country Telephone Code - +593

Port Location - The nearest ports to Quito are located at Esmeraldas and Manta which are approximately 240 km's and 340km's respectively from Quito.

Transport Links - The airport in Quito is the major point of entry/exit in Ecuador located around 8km from Quito's center. You can also access Quito by bus with frequent connections to all major cities in Ecuador.

Getting around Quito is easy as there taxis and buses everywhere which are very inexpensive. You can also catch El Trole (The Trolley) and the Ecovía which follow north-south-lines down through the heart of Quito.