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The Ultimate Quito Travel Guide 2026: Itineraries, Safety, & Backpacking Tips

Quito is an absolute whirlwind of high altitude energy, dramatic mountain views and beautifully preserved colonial history. Sitting at 2850 meters above sea level right in the middle of the Andes, the Ecuadorian capital is a city that instantly takes your breath away, both literally and figuratively! If you are looking for the perfect Quito travel guide to help you navigate your stay you are in the right place.

From the chaotic cobblestone streets of the historic Old Town to the views from the towering gothic basilica towers, this city is the ultimate starting point for any budget backpacking loop. Whether you are touching down for the very first time or transiting through on your way to the jungle or Galapagos, I have put together the ultimate Quito travel guide. From the famous rooftop scene at The Secret Garden to standing across two hemispheres at the equator, here is everything you need to know to navigate Quito safely and confidently!

Mainland Ecuador – Ultimate 2 Week Travel Guide

Me and Luke posing next to the official latitude 0.00.00 equator line marker during a day trip from Quito. Quito Travel Guide Must do!

Quito

The Ultimate Quito Travel Guide 2026: Itineraries, Safety, & Backpacking Tips

Safety is the number one concern for backpackers arriving in the Ecuadorian capital. Sitting at a high altitude with crowded public transport networks, Quito requires a bit of street smarts to navigate successfully. My real, honest experience was very positive, but you do need to watch out for pickpockets

Always stick to Uber to move around after sunset, especially when going back to your hostel from a night out or the old town. Keep your backpack on your front when walking through busy squares like Plaza Grande and do not get your expensive phone or camera out on the street. If you are street smart and listen to local advice, you will have a perfectly safe and fun trip using this Quito travel guide!

If you are flying into Ecuador you will land at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, located around 45 minutes outside the city centre. The cheapest way to reach the main backpacker hubs is by taking the public airport bus to Rio Coca Terminal then switching to the local trolleybus system. I personally recommend using Uber as it is a lot easier, especially after a long flight. Uber is surprisingly affordable and you can always message in the Hostelworld group chat to try split the fare with someone else arriving at the same time.

If you are doing the popular overland backpacking route coming down from Colombia you will cross the border at the Rumichaca bridge. While some people make the long trip straight from Bogota, the most popular option is to break up the journey by starting in Cali, the famous salsa dancing city.

When booking your transport, you have two choices. The first option is my personal preference and suggestion. You can use Busbud to buy a ticket taking you from Cali straight to Quito. Just keep in mind that even with a single ticket, you still must get off the bus at the border with your bags to get your passport exit and entry stamps on foot before getting on a connecting partner bus on the Ecuador side.

Alternatively, to save money, you can book the legs completely on your own. Simply take a cheap local bus from Cali to the Ipiales terminal, hop in a quick taxi to the bridge, walk across the border and take a 10 minute shared taxi to the Tulcan bus terminal. From Tulcan, local public buses leave for the capital all day long. Whether you choose a single ticket or do it yourself, your bus will drop you at Carcelen Terminal in north Quito. From there, you can easily grab a local bus or a cheap taxi straight to the historic centre.

For first time visitors and budget backpackers reading this Quito travel guide, there is only one place you should consider booking: The Secret Garden Quito. Located right on the edge of the historic Old Town, this famous hostel is the best place to stay. The standout feature is their rooftop terrace which has panoramic sunset views over the city, amazing cocktails and massive family style dinners that make making friends completely effortless.

The hostel also has a travel agency,which is where I booked my equator day trip and my trip to Cotopaxi. Make sure to book your bed at least a few weeks in advance in high season as this hostel sells out often!

Safety is the number one concern for backpackers arriving in the Ecuadorian capital. Sitting at a high altitude with crowded public transport networks, Quito requires a bit of street smarts to navigate successfully. My real, honest experience was very positive, but you do need to watch out for pickpockets

Always stick to Uber to move around after sunset, especially when going back to your hostel from a night out or the old town. Keep your backpack on your front when walking through busy squares like Plaza Grande and do not get your expensive phone or camera out on the street. If you are street smart and listen to local advice, you will have a perfectly safe and fun trip using this Quito travel guide!

If you are flying into Ecuador you will land at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, located around 45 minutes outside the city centre. The cheapest way to reach the main backpacker hubs is by taking the public airport bus to Rio Coca Terminal then switching to the local trolleybus system. I personally recommend using Uber as it is a lot easier, especially after a long flight. Uber is surprisingly affordable and you can always message in the Hostelworld group chat to try split the fare with someone else arriving at the same time.

If you are doing the popular overland backpacking route coming down from Colombia you will cross the border at the Rumichaca bridge. While some people make the long trip straight from Bogota, the most popular option is to break up the journey by starting in Cali, the famous salsa dancing city.

When booking your transport, you have two choices. The first option is my personal preference and suggestion. You can use Busbud to buy a ticket taking you from Cali straight to Quito. Just keep in mind that even with a single ticket, you still must get off the bus at the border with your bags to get your passport exit and entry stamps on foot before getting on a connecting partner bus on the Ecuador side.

Alternatively, to save money, you can book the legs completely on your own. Simply take a cheap local bus from Cali to the Ipiales terminal, hop in a quick taxi to the bridge, walk across the border and take a 10 minute shared taxi to the Tulcan bus terminal. From Tulcan, local public buses leave for the capital all day long. Whether you choose a single ticket or do it yourself, your bus will drop you at Carcelen Terminal in north Quito. From there, you can easily grab a local bus or a cheap taxi straight to the historic centre.

For first time visitors and budget backpackers reading this Quito travel guide, there is only one place you should consider booking: The Secret Garden Quito. Located right on the edge of the historic Old Town, this famous hostel is the best place to stay. The standout feature is their rooftop terrace which has panoramic sunset views over the city, amazing cocktails and massive family style dinners that make making friends completely effortless.

The hostel also has a travel agency,which is where I booked my equator day trip and my trip to Cotopaxi. Make sure to book your bed at least a few weeks in advance in high season as this hostel sells out often!

The Ultimate Quito Bucket List: Top Attractions & Day Trips

Me and Luke posing on a high stone ledge inside the Basilica del Voto Nacional with the 2 giant clock towers rising directly behind us.
A telephoto zoomed in view looking toward the prominent El Panecillo hill in Quito with the giant aluminum statue of the Virgin Mary standing on top.

1. The Secret Garden Free Walking Tour

Taking the free morning walking tour organised by The Secret Garden hostel is the absolute best way to understand your surroundings in the city and must be factored into your Quito itinerary. Led by local guides, this social walk takes you through the hilly cobblestone paths while introducing you to the history, legends and architecture of the area. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow travellers right after checking in and you might end up travelling with the same people through Ecuador!

Pro Tip: The tour is technically free but make sure to pack some cash to tip your amazing guide at the end!

Me and Luke trying on traditional multi colour wooden festival masks during a free walking tour in the historic centre of Quito.
A panoramic viewpoint look at the steep green hillsides of Quito covered in hundreds of bright colourful houses under a blue sky.

2. Cotopaxi National Park

No trip to Quito is complete without heading south to see the famous snow capped peak of Cotopaxi Volcano. While some travellers opt for a rushed, exhausting single day trip from Quito, we booked a multi day package through The Secret Garden to stay at their hostel overlooking the volcano. I have written a completely dedicated, indepth guide covering our exact trekking experience, details on the all inclusive hostel experience and how to plan your stay. Click here to read the Ultimate Cotopaxi National Park Guide!

Pro Tip: Make sure to book this in advance. We went in low season and tried to book 5 days in advance and managed to get the last two beds. If you want a private room I recommend booking at least a month in advance.

A medium shot of me smiling while wrapped inside a heavy grey and blue patterned traditional wool poncho with the volcano behind me.
A beautiful landscape view of the snow peak volcano with delicate wild red paramo flowers blooming in sharp focus in the grass foreground.

3. Explore Old Town

The historic Centro Historico is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with busy public plazas, pretty government buildings and lively street vendors and is one of the best things to do in Quito. Spend an afternoon exploring the Plaza Grande (Independence Square) and find a cafe to sit in and people watch. If you are exploring the area in the evening make sure to wander down Calle La Ronda. This narrow historic lane is lined with traditional iron balconies and artisan shops, making it the perfect place to try a canelazo which is a delicious hot spiced cinnamon drink made with local alcohol.

A ground level street view looking up a steep narrow cobblestone hill lined with historic colourful houses in old town Quito.

4. Basilica del Voto Nacional

This massive neo Gothic building is easily one of the most unique churches in the Americas. Instead of traditional European gargoyles, the exterior is carved with native Ecuadorian animals like tortoises, iguanas and condors. For a true adrenaline rush, you can pay a small entry fee to climb the steep, narrow ladders to the top of the condor towers for the best panoramic views in the city.

Pro Tip: The final iron ladders leading outside the tower are incredibly steep and exposed so skip this climb if you have a severe fear of heights!

Me and Luke posing on a high stone ledge inside the Basilica del Voto Nacional with the 2 giant clock towers rising directly behind us.
A zoomed in close up shot of the unique stone gargoyle statues carved as native Ecuadorian animals on the exterior of the Basilica church.

5. Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip vs Overnight Stay

If you want to escape the city to explore a green cloud forest filled with waterfalls and wild hummingbirds, heading to Mindo is a great idea. The travel desk at The Secret Garden hostel offers day trips here if you are short on time. However, these packages are expensive and include group activities that you probably do not want to do but have to sit through anyway since it is part of the deal.

We found out that it was half the price to just grab a cheap local bus from the station and stay the night on our own! Taking the bus lets you completely control your own schedule, save money and decide exactly what you want to pay for. Plus, Mindo is a gorgeous, quiet town that is worth spending a night or two in. I have wrote a dedicated, indepth guide covering our route, the best accommodation and top things to do. Click here to read the Ultimate Mindo Cloud Forest Guide!

  • For my 6 best things to do in Mindo check out my full guide here.
A portrait photo of me standing on a wet wooden viewing platform directly in front of a massive rushing tropical waterfall in Mindo.
A close up shot of a hand holding a tiny red cup of sugar water nectar while a wild iridescent hummingbird hovers right above to feed.

6. TeleferiQo Cable Car

Although we did not make it up ourselves on this trip, riding the Teleferiqo is widely rated as one of the best things to do in Quito by other backpackers we met. The cable car whisks you up the slopes of Pichincha Volcano in just 10 minutes, landing you at an altitude of 4100 metres. At the summit, you will find walking paths, coffee stalls and the famous swing over the clouds.

Pro Tip: Make sure you bring a jacket as it is cold up there. Also keep an eye on weather as if its a cloudy day you might not see much


7. Quito Equator Tour (Mitad del Mundo & Intinan)

We booked our Quito equator tour excursion directly through the travel desk at The Secret Garden. If you have a group it could be cheaper to use an Uber, but we loved this tour for the social side of meeting other backpackers. The trip takes you to stand across both hemispheres at the official Mitad del Mundo monument. The main reason you are all visiting though is because of those videos you have seen on TikTok at the interactive Intinan Museum next door. You can participate in quirky science experiments like balancing an egg on a nail or watching water drain in opposite directions based on which side of the border you are on.

Is it a scam and fake? Maybe. Did we have fun? Absolutely.

A hand holding up an official certificate for successfully balancing an egg on the head of a nail at the equator.
Me and Luke posing next to the official latitude 0.00.00 equator line marker during a day trip from Quito.


8. Secret Garden Family Dinner

Aside from the amazing day trips, one of the highlights of staying at the main hostel hub is joining the famous Secret Garden family dinners. Every evening, everyone backpacking Quito gather on the rooftop terrace to share stories over a massive, delicious home cooked meal. It is incredibly cheap for the huge amount of food you get, the atmosphere is amazingly social and it is exactly how we met so many people who we ended up travelling with!

A telephoto zoomed in view looking toward the prominent El Panecillo hill in Quito with the giant aluminum statue of the Virgin Mary standing on top.

9. Otavalo Market Day Trip

If you want to experience the largest indigenous artisan market in South America, a day trip north to Otavalo is highly recommended. We skipped this stop, as we were not there for a Saturday which is the large famous market, but there is a smaller version on every single day. The market is famous for its textiles, hand woven blankets, traditional alpaca sweaters and local silver jewelry.

MORE TRAVEL INSPO

What is Next?

A wild sea lion lying on the white sand and lifting its flippers into the air to complete a massive stretch.
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Flying to the Galapagos from Quito?

If you are flying out of Quito to explore the Galapagos Islands and want to do this on a budget rather than an incredibly expensive yacht cruise then read my dedicated posts.

We did the entire trip on a budget by island hopping the 3 main islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal on our own! I have written a dedicated post breaking down our exact budget itinerary, how to book the cheap local public ferries, the tours worth spending your money on and how to see the best wildlife for free without a guide.

See the Full Route
Nights

Ultimate 10 Night Land Based Galapagos Itinerary

If you are flying out of Quito to explore the Galapagos Islands and want to do this on a budget rather than an incredibly expensive yacht cruise then read my dedicated posts.

We did the entire trip on a budget by island hopping the 3 main islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal on our own! I have written a dedicated post breaking down our exact budget itinerary, how to book the cheap local public ferries, the tours worth spending your money on and how to see the best wildlife for free without a guide.

See the Full Route

Where to next?

I am constantly discovering new hidden gems and sharing the magic of the world in real time. If you would like to follow my journey through 44 countries and beyond, join me on social media. Whether you are looking for daily travel inspiration or honest travel advice for your next big adventure, I would love to have you as part of the Where Katie Goes community. Let us explore the world together.

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