they say its who you know. well i know this girl who knows this girl who has spent a considerable amount of time in ecuador... here is her advice, and importantly, tales of caution (all posted more for me to reference while i'm over there than for you to read... but the last part about safety is interesting, in a terrifying kind of way).
Fun places to go, things to do, food to try...
1. La Mariscal (aka Gingolandia) is a fun barrio in Quito
where lots of tourists go. It has a lot of bars, internet cafes, etc.
They will surely hear about this neighborhood, but should be careful
when going there at night. Check out the safety
advice below.
2. Teleferico is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ecuador.
It takes you up the mountain of Pichincha and offers amazing views of
the capital! Do NOT hike past the teleferico to the top of the mountain.
Read safety advice below.
3. Mitad del Mundo is a bus ride away from Quito and an
interesting, quick trip. It has some interesting history, like the
monument isn't actually the middle of the world but it's a few yards
away. It's a great photo opportunity and one of those things
you can check off your list!
4. Museo Guyasamin is a good half-day trip. It's got a lot of great
pieces and a nice change of pace from teh busy, dirty city. Most tour
buses stop at an overlook on the way up to the museum. It's a pretty
awesome view of the city.
5. Open markets are a great place for shopping, but be sure to
bargin with them and do the "ecua whine." (Yes, whine. It really works
to get people to lower prices. You should whine to taxi drives too, "Ay,
por favor no seas asi. Solo tengo $2"). If you
like scarves, there are TONS of scarves in all different colors. I
bought like 15 scarves during my various trips. They are great gifts
too.
6. Papaya Net is a good internet cafe that also has good munchies. It also has telephone booths to make international calls.
7. Cafe Mango Tree is a good restaurant that I htink has a lot of
vegetarian options. It has DELICIOUS food, and the typical Ecua wait.
8. Sports Planet is a fun American sports bar, especially if you
are in need for some American stuff. Sports Planet is a fun place, and
their version of TGIF is a hoot! The waiters wear "flare" just like that
movie! And the food is a horrible version of
what is served here, yes that is possible.
9. Magic Bean is a great place to have breakfast, but definitely
appeals to Americans more so than Ecuadorians. They have big portions
but it is pricier than other places. It is one place that has good
coffee in Quito.
10. Have an almuerzo ejecutivo! This is a big, cheap,
delicious lunch that every quiteño eats...it´s like $1.50 to $2.50 and
has soup, meat, rice, beans, maybe a salad and drink. Look for a hole in
the wall place or a cart that has a lot of people
in/around it.
11. Eat cuy! (Guinea pig. It's really popular in Quito.)
12. Try these foods: humitas, choclo! (basically corn on the cob but better. buy it hot from a street vender with the cheese sprinkle stuff. so goood!),
chifles (yucca chips. you can get these on the bus), ceviche (just be sure to order it from a restaurant, not a street stand),
encebollado (the ecuadorian hangover cure...basically tuna soup but really good. add chifles to it and you´ll be an ecua!)
13. Try these non-alcoholic drinks: colada morada, morrocho, tomate de arbol (my favorite juice ever!!).
14. Try these alcoholic drinks: Pilsner (beer that most people drink),
Club (beer that wealthier people and more quiteños drink), Cristal
(unpleasant liquor, but super popular in Ecuador. you should just try it
so you feel like an ecua)...and when you are feeling bold try some
aguardiente (national liquor of Ecuador made from sugarcane.
super strong. you need to try this for the cultural experience!). Don´t
drink wine. No good wine in Ecuador. If drinking at a friend´s house, be
prepared! They often pour one glass that is
passed around everyone until it is gone and then more is poured. So
take a sip and pass it on.
Day trips:
1. Baños is a super fun, hippy town with lots of adventure
activities! I loved going to Baños. Lots of partying and lots of woodsy
stuff. Great place to try
aguardiente.
2. Mindo is another place close to Quito where a lot of people go. I
think there is a butterfly "sanctuary" there where you go in a room
with tons and tons of butterflies. I never went but a few of my friends
went and loved it.
3. Otovala is a quick bus ride from Quito. Go on the market day
(Sunday I think?). This town is known to have the best market. They sell
a lot of llama and alpacha stuff in addition to the typical ecua stuff.
4. Cotopaxi is an awesome hiking adventure if you're up for the
challenge but you need to hire a guide. It's a full day hike so you get
there the day before, hike the next day, leave the following day.
5. If you have a chance to go to the beach Montañita is one of my
favorite beach towns ever! It´s closer to Guayaquil, so a long bus ride
from Quito but totally worth it. You won´t wear shoes at all while you
are there and you´ll live in your swim suit.
Even waiters at restaurants walk around bare foot in suits.
6. If you want to do a beach but closer to Quito, Esmeraldas is
probably the closest. As soon as you tell an Ecua you're going to
Esmeraldas, they will start talking about
los negritos. (Lots of racism in Ecuador.)
7. Papallacta!! This is a super awesome, relaxing "Baths" place.
There are a ton of hot springs and open baths of different temperatures
you can go in. You should definitely go in the cold bath and then back
to the warm one! It's a fun shock to your system
going in the cold bath. Super fun place. Bring a swim suit, towel,
shoes, change of clothes, and pack a lunch. Super fun place!
8. Black Sheep Inn is a famous and popular hostel for tourists. Never been, but everyone talks about it. Kinda expensive.
the "good"(?!) stuff....
Here's some safety advice:
1. Yeah, you might want to tell them my horror story or just inform
that about the kidnappings that happen on Pichincha. While Pichincha is
one of the biggest tourist attractions, there have been many
kidnappings and assaults on the hiking trails. It is
actually a pretty famous thing called the "Monstro de los Andres." They
should certainly go up the Teleferico because it gives an awesome view
of the city, but I would strongly discourage them from hiking to the
top.
2. "Secuestro express" are becoming more common in Quito. I would
suggest they find a taxi service that they can call to order a taxi. I'm
sure their program will give them a few good options, or sometimes the
Embassy/Consulate will share good services
with visitors but it is not posted online. I think these services are
called "taxi amigo" or something like that. If they can't call a taxi,
getting taxis from a major hotel is second best option. If that's not
possible, then always make sure it is a yellow
taxi and the car is in "good" condition. As soon as they get in a taxi
they should lock all of the doors; including the front passenger door
even if no one is sitting there. They should also put up all of the
windows. If they think of it, they should memorize
the taxi number which is located on the window usually.
3. Areas to be especially alert...Mariscal (aka Gringolandia). It's
an fun place where a lot of gringos go but I would always be travel in a
group in this area and not stay too late. When I was there, the US
Consulate had a 10pm curfew for US officials
for this area. I think it's okay to go after that time, but be in a
group and I probably wouldn't stay much later than 12 or 12:30,
especially if it's just girls. And NEVER hail a taxi from the street in
this area. You are just asking for something to go wrong
because everyone knows there are lots of gringos (money), girls, and
drinking. I'd walk a few blocks to the main street ("10 de octubre" is
the closest?) and get a taxi there if you can't call.
4. Passengers arriving at the airport from the US are often
targeted after leaving the airport. (They follow the car. And then cut
you off and rob you. Most major hotels have a shuttle service to/from
the airport and have a rule that they do not take the
most direct route or follow the same routes in order to deter these
crimes.) I imagine someone will be picking them up, so I wouldn't worry
too much but I would suggest they don't have all of their money in their
wallet. I would stuff some in the bra, undies,
and/or socks.
5. Some normal travel advice: carry copies of your passport. Have a
copy of your passport, credit card and other important materials so you
have the info in case they are stolen.
6. Buses are super crowed and there is sometimes petty theft. Most
common is slicing the bottom of the bag/purse. The bag should be in
front of you and you should put your hand on the bottom of the bag. This
obviously isn't always realistic, so I often
put a scarf around my wallet or hoodie in the bottom of my bag. No one
wants a scarf.
7. OH Ecuadorians are funny. A really popular scam is the ketchup
and mustard act. Someone will accidentally "spill" (or spray) something
on you and then try to dry you off while apologizing profusely. In the
meantime, an accomplice takes your bag, slashes
your purse, etc. If you get wet, just get your things and walk away.
Haha, it's pretty funny. While my friend and I were inside a church
museum, someone sprayed mustard on her. We walked away but it was
hilarious.
8. Read the State Departments info about traveling.
