Quito is located on a horizontal strip of land running north to south between beautiful mountains. The splendor of the city's natural setting, combined with its attractive squares, parks and monuments as well as the warmth of its people, makes it a unique and unforgettable place. Founded in 1534 with a mere 204 inhabitants, Quito is now the bustling capital of Ecuador, with nearly two million people. For 360 years, its boundaries were marked by the Cerro del Panecillo in the south, Plaza de San Blas in the north, Volcán Pichincha in the west, and Plaza de la Marín in the east. Today the city is much larger, and has been growing since the early 20th Century. In 1980, La Mariscal tourist area was developed between Patria, Colón, Amazonas and 6 de Diciembre Avenues. In 1978, Quito was declared a World Heritage site due to its extraordinary historic center. Quito offers marvelous views anywhere you stand. The majestic snow-capped mountains that surround it—Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Ilinza and others—stand proud like stony guardians of time. The bells from the old churches resound throughout the city center, awakening the suburbs in the north, south and nearby valleys.

The Middle of the World

We start this trip 25 kilometers to the north, at zero latitude, where the exact position of the equator is marked by the La Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) monument. Here you can visit, among other interesting places, the Ethnographic Museum and see a miniature model of colonial Quito. You can also buy handicrafts in one of many artisans' stalls here. Nearby you will find the Proyecto Arqueológico Rumicucho, a site with archaeological evidence of the Inca, the ancient inhabitants of this territory.

North Quito

In the north is modern Quito. If you enter through Avenida de la Prensa, you will find the first stop, the Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre. Take Amazonas Avenue, which has some large shopping centers. One such is Mall El Jardín, located right in front of Parque La Carolina, the largest recreational park inside the city. In this part of the city you will find fine restaurants such as Rincón la Ronda, which serves typical Ecuadorian food. Due to the rapid growth of the northern zone, the new city is called Distrito Metropolitano de Quito. It is a very touristic, commercial area, where some of the most important hotels are to be found, including the J.W. Marriot, one of the largest in Ecuador. Also here is the city's most important stadium, the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, and most of the larger movie theaters such as Cinemark 7. The main roads in the north are Amazonas, de los Shyris, Naciones Unidas, González Suárez, 6 de Diciembre, 10 de Agosto, Eloy Alfaro, and La Occidental.

Central North

This area is the best for nightlife. Its main streets are: Juan León Mera, Calama, Reina Victoria, Cordero, 9 de Octubre, 12 de Octubre, a section of Amazonas, Colón and Patria. The area starts in Avenida Orellana and goes through to Avenida Patria. There are bars such as Papillón, ice cream parlors like Baskin Robins, as well as restaurants like el Maple. There are hostels, including the Palm Garten and more costly places to spend the night, such as the Swiss Hotel and the Hilton Colón. You will also find cyber-cafes and discos such as Zulu.

Historic Center

You are in front of the popular Alameda Park, constructed in 1596. La Plaza de San Blas is practically the entrance to the city center. Then you get to the Plaza del Teatro and take busy Guayaquil Street towards the Plaza Grande. Near this square you'll will find the Palacio de Gobierno—the president's house, also known as Palacio de Carondelet—El Palacio Municipal, the Cathedral, and La Iglesia de San Francisco, among other buildings which constitute the treasures of Old Quito.

South Quito

The border of this area is Calle 24 de Mayo, which leads up to the Cerro del Panecillo, an attractive observatory on a hill. Now head south over the San Diego bridges. An old cemetery of the same name is located here, where the famous dictator Velasco Ibarra is buried. The Maldonado Avenue is the main artery of the southern district. In front of the trolley-bus station you will find Mack's, a nightclub with various dance floors, which plays all sorts of music.

The Nearby Valleys

If you wish to enjoy Quito's valleys, close to the city you will find San Rafael, with a pleasant climate and recreation centers. You can catch the bus that goes to this area on Avenida 12 de Octubre, in the central-north area close to the Swiss Hotel. Other important valleys are Tumbaco, in the northeastern area, where you will find fruit from the region, and Cumbayá, where you will find the amusement center Via Ventura. In the north, in Guayllabamba, you will find the zoo. You can take north-bound buses on Avenida 12 de Octubre.