About The Port Of Quito
Set nearly 9,000 feet above sea level in a valley flanked by Andean peaks, Quito is one of South America's oldest capitals, built atop the remains of an earlier Inca settlement. Its historic center, among the largest and best preserved in the Americas, unfolds in a dense grid of colonial churches, convents, and plazas, including Independence Square with its cathedral and the ornate Basilica del Voto Nacional rising above the rooftops.
Walking tours led by local guides trace this old town on foot, pausing at San Francisco Plaza and its namesake church before continuing through streets lined with balconied facades. Quito also serves as the principal gateway for travelers heading onward to the Galápagos Islands, making it a natural point of arrival or departure for wider Ecuadorian journeys. Free time allows for further wandering, from artisan markets to viewpoints overlooking the city's patchwork of red-tile roofs.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Quito.
Ride the TelefériQo Cable Car
A gondola climbs from the city's edge to over 12,000 feet on the slopes of Pichincha volcano, opening sweeping views over Quito's rooftops and the Andes beyond. The ride takes about 10 minutes each way.
Stand on the Equator Line
Mitad del Mundo, roughly 45 minutes north of downtown, marks the equatorial line with a monument and small museums exploring Andean cultures and geography. It's a quick, worthwhile detour if time allows before or after a city tour.
Wander La Ronda Street
This narrow colonial lane in the old town is lined with restored balconied houses turned into small cafés, craft workshops, and galleries. Best explored on foot in daylight hours for a taste of traditional Quiteño life.
Last Minute Cruise Deals From Quito
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 8 | $10,038 | ||
| Oct 29, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 4 | $6,309 | ||
| Oct 30, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Delfina | 15 | $21,009 | ||
| Oct 30, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Endeavour II | 15 | $14,537 | ||
| Oct 30, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 13 | $9,925 | ||
| Oct 30, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Delfina | 9 | $14,098 | ||
| Oct 30, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 13 | $9,925 | ||
| Oct 30, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Endeavour II | 9 | $7,626 | ||
| Oct 31, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 6 | $6,416 | ||
| Oct 31, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 12 | $18,666 | ||
| Oct 31, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 7 | $9,066 | ||
| Nov 2, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 4 | $5,974 | ||
| Nov 4, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 8 | $6,695 | ||
| Nov 4, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 8 | $6,695 | ||
| Nov 5, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 15 | $13,591 | ||
| Nov 5, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 11 | $13,982 | ||
| Nov 5, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 15 | $13,591 | ||
| Nov 5, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 11 | $9,912 | ||
| Nov 5, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Islander II | 7 | $11,675 | ||
| Nov 6, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Endeavour II | 9 | $8,626 |
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