The Do’s and Don’ts of Traveling to Quito

Whether you’re traveling to Quito for two days or two weeks, proper preparation is crucial for your safety and overall experience. This past summer, I spent several weeks volunteering in Quito and quickly learned the do’s and don’ts of being a tourist in Ecuador’s capital city!

Quito Do’s

DO be prepared for the altitude. At an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters), Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and don’t overexert yourself when you first arrive.

DO have small bills at all times. Ecuador’s currency is U.S. dollars, and Quito is 100% a cash city. Large bills and debit cards won’t get you very far here.

DO bring warm clothes. Honestly, my packing game was an epic fail. I arrived and was quickly disappointed in my lack of long sleeves, light jackets and pants. Be sure to prepare yourself for some chilly mornings and nights. The average night-time low is around 49 °F (9 °C).

DO dress casually. I’m a dirty blonde, blue-eyed female so blending in was a bit difficult, but I did my best to keep outfits as comfy and low-key as possible. Fair warning — you won’t find any locals dressed to the nines in Quito.

DO bring toilet paper. Yep, you heard me! Little packets of Kleenexes come in handy for situations like this. Many places in Quito also make you pay a small fee to use the washroom.

DO ride with a registered yellow taxi that has orange license plates. When hailing a cab, be sure to provide the specific address or major cross streets. Drivers must also use the meter during the day, but not at night.

DO have a paper copy of your passport, I.D. and flight itineraries. This is travel rule #1! However, many people learn this lesson the hard way (myself included).

DO use the public transportation system. Trolleys and buses are an incredibly cheap, efficient way to get around Quito. Trolley rides cost 25¢, and buses typically cost 25¢ as well but could be more depending on your final destination.

DO download free apps like Duolingo and Google Translate to learn some Spanish. I absolutely love Duolingo! Simply download the app, pick a language and begin learning. Google Translate is another fantastic tool if you need some extra help communicating. The camera feature on Google Translate is AWESOME for translating menus, signs, etc.

DO download MAPS.ME so you can navigate your way through Quito WITHOUT DATA. If you plan on only using WiFi, MAPS.ME is a clutch app that provides detailed offline maps. SIM cards are relatively cheap and can be found all over the city if you prefer to go that route instead.

DO be prepared for crazy amounts of air pollution. It’s the unfortunate reality of big cities, and Quito is no exception.

DO be mindful about what you eat from the street vendors. I’m all for exploring new cuisine, and of course not all street food will get you sick but just be careful!

Quito Don’ts

DON’T carry a large backpack/purse. This screams, “I’m a tourist, and I have valuables with me!” Cue the fanny pack. Whenever I was in a large crowd, I quickly zipped my jacket and my fanny pack was covered. If you decide to carry a backpack, be sure to turn it into a “front pack” when riding on public transportation.

DON’T have your phone out on the trolley or the bus. The amount of people using public transportation during rush hour is INSANE. Trolleys are so jammed up that crowds legitimately push their way on and off, so strolling around with your phone out will absolutely make you a target.

DON’T be out and about by yourself early in the morning or after dark, especially if you’re a female. The sun rises at 6 A.M. and sets at 6 P.M. every day, all year long. Never let your guard down and always trust your intuition!

DON’T bring a ton of shorts. Weird, I know. You’re gearing up for a trip to South America smack dab on the equator and packing all your summertime attire seems appropriate, but the Quito locals rarely wear shorts.

DON’T forget sunscreen. When the sun is out, afternoons can get quite warm with highs around 70°F (21 °C).

DON’T bring bug spray if you’re ONLY visiting Quito. Due to the high elevation, mosquitos aren’t an issue in Ecuador’s capital city. However, if you plan on traveling to the Amazon or other tropical locations — bug spray is a must.

DON’T forget to call your bank and notify them that you’ll be out of the country. Be ahead of the game, so you don’t find yourself in a sticky situation.

DON’T drink tap water. This is a surefire recipe for disaster! ONLY drink bottled water, and don’t forget that ice cubes are typically made from tap water as well.

DON’T wear expensive jewelry. This is a no brainer, but sometimes we all need a little reminder. Leave the jewelry at home!

There you have it! Everything you need to know about the do’s and don’ts of traveling to Quito. So long as you plan properly and take your typical big-city safety precautions, you’ll 100% enjoy your time in one of South America’s most historic cities! If you’re still looking for more information, be sure to check out the travel tips provided in this city guide.