What currency is used in Quito?

Quito uses the US dollar (USD).

How much does a day in Quito cost?

Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-100 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Quito?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Quito without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Quito travel guide

Ecuador

A long Andean capital stretched beneath the Pichincha volcano, with one of the best-preserved colonial centres in the Americas. The equator lies a short drive north.

Essentials

Language: Spanish; Kichwa is spoken in highland communities
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Plugs: Types A and B, 120 V
Emergency number: 911
Tipping: Many restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the bill; a little extra for good service is welcome.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $25-40, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $60-100, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Quito

Centro Histórico: a UNESCO-listed old town of churches, plazas and gilded interiors.
La Floresta: a residential area with cafés, an independent cinema and street art.
Guápulo: a steep hillside barrio below La Floresta, with an old church and valley views.

Getting around Quito

The metro, trolleybus and Ecovía lines run north to south along the valley; use ride-hailing apps after dark. At about 2,850 metres, the altitude is worth a slow first day.

Best time to visit Quito

June to September, the driest months.

Top things to do in Quito

Climb the towers of the neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional for views over the old town
See the gilded interior of the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
Walk Calle La Ronda in the evening, a restored colonial street of small bars and craft shops
Stand on the equator line at the Mitad del Mundo monument and the nearby Intiñan museum
Eat lunch at the Mercado Central, known for its locro and fresh juices

What to eat in Quito

Locro de papa: a creamy potato and cheese soup served with avocado
Hornado: slow-roasted pork with llapingachos, fried potato patties
Empanadas de viento: puffed, fried cheese pastries dusted with sugar
Canelazo: a hot cinnamon and naranjilla drink, often with a splash of sugarcane spirit

Day trips from Quito

Otavalo: a large Indigenous craft and textile market, busiest on Saturdays, about two hours north
Cotopaxi National Park: a snow-capped volcano and high moorland, around two hours south
Mindo: cloud forest with birds, butterflies and waterfalls, roughly two hours west

Local etiquette

Carry small notes, as $50 and $100 bills are hard to break, and greet people formally with usted. Ask before photographing Indigenous people at markets.

Staying connected

Claro and Movistar SIM cards are sold in malls and phone shops (bring your passport), eSIMs work, and most cafés and hostels have Wi-Fi.

Staying safe

Pickpocketing and bag-slashing happen on crowded trolleybuses and in the old town, and distraction tricks, such as a stranger spilling something on you, are a known ploy. Take a taxi up El Panecillo hill rather than walking the stairs.

A local tip

Ride the TelefériQo cable car in the morning, before clouds settle over the volcano.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Quito on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Quito for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Quito, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Quito

What currency is used in Quito?: Quito uses the US dollar (USD).
What is the emergency number in Quito?: In Quito, call 911.
When is the best time to visit Quito?: June to September, the driest months.
How much does a day in Quito cost?: Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-100 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Quito?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Quito without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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