9 Best Day Trips from Quito
Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, has so much to offer. Do you want to explore what is beyond the city's limits? Here's our travel guide on the best day trips from Quito. Quito day trips are super-rewarding both culturally and naturally - let's dive into it!
Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, which is very interesting on its own, but it also has many aces in the sleeve when it comes to day trips.
Although the city is widespread, its historic center is compact, very walkable, and this destination offers many top attractions.
There are so many things to do in Quito, plus the city center is listed in UNESCO, and it is definitely one of the main reasons why so many travelers have Quito on their Ecuador travel itinerary.
Hopefully, Quito's safety reputation, often cloudy skies, and the possibility of suffering shortness of breath from altitude won't put you off visiting this city located at unfamiliar 2850 meters above sea level.
We are convinced that all types of travelers, budget backpackers, long-term travelers, but even those who have in Quito just a short stopover before heading to the Galapagos Islands, will enjoy their time here.
How many days do you need to spend in Quito? We would say two to three days should be enough to cover the top attractions.
But what if you have more time? Or what if you simply want to base yourself in Quito and explore must-visit places without the necessity to pack all your stuff and change hotels every day?
In that case, we are happy to share with you that we have many tips on the best day trips from Quito.
Ecuador is rather a small but very diverse South American country, and many must-visit places can be reached from Quito on a day trip. Quito day trips, same as the country itself, offers incredible diversity.
In almost no time, you can relax in hot pools, hike in the national parks, be surrounded by volcanoes, admire insanely blue lagoons, enjoy views, or discover fascinating species in the cloud forest.
Without even noticing, it is possible to spend in Quito for over a week and not get bored.
Feel free to get inspired and plan your day trips from Quito with our travel guide, where we also share tips on how to get or where to stay.
BEST DAY TRIPS FROM QUITO
We are often super-excited when we find out that a destination offers much more in the near surroundings. As we are often on the road, it always feels good to stay put at one place for a while and take only short and budget-friendly trips to see nearby attractions.
Of course, some of the places mentioned below are destinations on their own, and if you have more time, feel free to spend there a night or two.
But still, when planning your Ecuador adventure, it is good to know that some of the top travel destinations Ecuador has to offer can be easily visited from Quito.
MITAD DEL MUNDO
Mitad del Mundo is actually the easiest day-trip from Quito. It can be even only a half-day trip as it lies only about 20 kilometers from the city center in Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, but it depends on the type of transport you will choose.
Mitad del Mundo alias the Middle of the World is one of the top-visited attractions in Ecuador, and we think you should not miss it even if you are in the capital city only for a short amount of time.
Why is Mitad del Mundo worth a visit, and why so many travelers have the place on their bucket list? Well, can you even justify to travel to a country named after the equator without visiting the equator?
Mitad del Mundo is a place with a monument that marks the equator.
Except for the monument itself and several museums (it is actually a whole complex), you will find here a line that clearly divides the Northern and Southern hemispheres, which means you can take a photo while standing with each leg on a different hemisphere.
As measurements took place more than two hundred years ago, new and modern devices discovered that the equator's line sits some 240 meters from the monument.
Moreover, the equatorial line moves, but it is only a detail, and we think the visit is definitely worth it.
The entrance fee to Mitad del Mundo is $5.
Getting to Mitad del Mundo independently is easy but time-consuming.
You need to take a bus to Ofelia station and here switch a bus that will take you to the monument. Public transport in Quito is cheap, but the heavy traffic is often annoying, plus you should keep an eye on your valuables as the buses tend to be crowded.
A popular alernative is to take a Mitad del Mundo tour and spend the day on the equator with a local guide.
RUCU PICHINCHA
A wonderful volcanic landscape surrounds Quito, so one of the best day trips will take you high above the city to admire views.
There are many mountains to choose from, but one of the most popular trips lead to Ruchu Pichincha, whose summit Guagua Pichincha is 4794 meters above sea level.
The volcano trip has two parts, and you can actually choose what works for you the best. First of all, you need to take a TeleferiQo cable car that will take you to 4000 meters.
Here, you can decide whether the views and walk along the ridge are enough for you or if you prefer to continue the climb to the very top.
Before the hike, it is important to acclimatize - we took the cable car only one day after returning from our one-week cruise around the Galapagos Islands, and we could really feel that it was not a good idea.
The weather in the mountains often changes.
So no matter if you plan on hiking or not; you should have in your daypack a rain jacket, sunscreen as the sun is strong here, and water bottle. Staying hydrated is important at this altitude.
You do not need a guide for climbing Rucu Pichincha as the trail is well-marked. However, feel free to check out this Quito Volcano Summit Hike Tour that includes a knowledgeable guide and transport if you don’t have experience with similar activities.
If you want to get to the base of TeleferiQo independently, take a bus to Colon station. Here take another bus that goes to La Comuna and tell the driver where you would like to get off.
From the drop off point, you need to either walk 1 km uphill or take a taxi.
OTAVALO
There's probably not a more popular one day trip from Quito than the one to Otavalo, a market town that is located in the northern part of the country, less than two hours' drive away.
As we've mentioned, Otavalo is a market town, and everything - the life of local people and the number of travelers - revolves around it.
Our opinion on Otavalo's markets is somewhat mixed. We found these markets more touristy and less authentic that we would have appreciated, but on the other hand, the visit gave us an insight into the everyday lives of local people.
Markets take place in Otavalo every day, but the real market days are Wednesday and particularly Saturday, when stalls spread around the town, outside the main plaza.
For us, it was definitely the highlight to watch indigenous people who live in Otavalo and who are actually the majority of inhabitants.
Men wear hats and long braided hair, women wear their traditional dress, and even the ordinary walk around the city center gets, thanks to it, a new, more colorful dimension.
We spent three days in Otavalo, but if your time is limited, one day dedicated solely to the best things to see and do is enough.
Getting to Otavalo is super-easy, although reaching the North Terminal in Quito takes some time as it is located on the city's very edge.
On the other hand, once you get on the bus, the ride is smooth, and you will be dropped off close to Otavalo's main square. Buses between Otavalo and Quito run quite frequently, but ask when the last bus leaves the station, just in case.
In case you prefer to take a tour, there are many services to choose from - this Otavalo tour from Quito has great reviews, and one of the biggest advantages is the pick up in the historical center of Quito.
CUICOCHA LAGOON
If you prefer nature over towns, the region around Otavalo has more interesting places you can visit from Quito. At least in our opinion, one of the best attractions is Cuicocha Lake, a crater filled with water approximately 25 kilometers from Otavalo.
To get to Cuicocha Lagoon, you need to take the same bus from Quito to Otavalo as we’ve described above. In Otavalo, you need to switch to a local bus that goes to a small village, Cotacachi, and here you have to hire a cab.
It might sound complicated, but it's not, and if the weather plays along, we promise you'll have a blast.
The highlight of visiting Laguna Cuicocha is the trail that encircles the lake. It took us five hours to finish the Laguna Cuicocha hike, but we made many stops to take photos of the unique flora and fauna.
According to locals, the islands in the middle of the lake resemble guinea pigs, but our imagination failed us this time.
If you still have more time before returning to Quito, we recommend visiting Cascada de Peguche, a beautiful waterfall that is only 3 kilometers from the town.
It seems that most of the tours from Quito to Cuicocha Lagoon include just a brief stop by the lake as they visit other destinations - if you want to do the hike, the best option would be to make this trip individually.
QUILOTOA LAGOON
When reading lists of must-visit places in Ecuador, not even one forgets to mention Quilotoa Lagoon. This crater lake is a true gem, and when thinking back on our Ecuador adventure, we could not but rank this natural sight very high.
Getting to Quilotoa Lagoon on a day trip from Quito is probably better with a tour.
Most travel agencies and hotels in Quito offer this tour; you can even book Quilotoa Lagoon Tour in advance online.
You know that normally we prefer traveling independently, but in this situation, if you want to get the most of your time, the tour makes more sense.
If traveling on your own, you would have to take a bus from Quito's South Terminal to Latacunga, and from Latacunga, take a bus to Quilotoa village, which does not run that often, and it would have been a long and tiring day.
Quilotoa Lake is a result of a collapsed volcano, and this newly appeared crater was later filled with water with a beautiful, blue-green color.
The majority of travelers stay close to Quilotoa, where is also a very popular viewing platform.
Still, if you have time, you can spice up your travels either by walking around the crater (it would take you several hours) or you can walk down to its shores.
In case you decide on hiking, wear comfortable hiking boots because the trail is a bit rough at some places.
In case you want to get more of this photogenic landscape and your itinerary allows it, consider hiking a top-rated 3-day Quilotoa Loop Trek.
This two to four-day extension will take you across farmlands, Ecuador's countryside, and the highlight of the trip is rightfully Quilotoa Lagoon.
WHERE TO STAY IN QUITO
If you know you want to explore Quito's historical center and want to make a few one-day trips, it is necessary to consider a few things when choosing your Quito accommodation.
First of all, make sure your hotel is close to public transport that will take you to the main bus terminals - that is especially crucial if you plan on traveling independently.
If you prefer taking tours, it is much easier to select the best hotel as the location does not matter that much.
Here's our list of the three best hotels in Quito for every type of traveler.
Budget | Hostal Juana de Arco - This hostel was our base for several nights, and we could not be happier. Rooms were clean; we could store our luggage before the Galapagos trip; location was awesome, same as breakfast and kitchen for guest's use.
Mid-range | Hotel Reina Isabel - This nice stylish hotel has air-conditioned rooms, modern facilities, bright rooms with city views, and an excellent Mariscal district location, one of the top areas for backpackers.
Luxury | La Casona de la Ronda Hotel - Set in a colonial-style house at a great location in Old Town, La Casona de la Ronda Hotel features comfortable beds, spacious rooms, a great restaurant, and it has all the amenities you need.
PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS
It might seem that Quito does not have much to offer to travelers who just want to unwind and take it slowly.
Yet, we were able to find an activity you could find enjoyable. Moreover, this site is well-accessible from the capital city of Ecuador.
We talk about Papallacta hot springs.
This tourist attraction lies high in the Andes but on the way to the Amazon. Papallacta is worth the trip even if you do not plan on venturing further to the Amazon, but we think it pays off to set your expectations right.
There's not much to do here except for soaking in the hot springs, and from our personal experience, we know this activity is not for everyone.
If you love to be pampered, Papallacta hot springs are the must-visit place for you, and you should also check out the entrance tickets, as you can buy a more upscale one that includes more procedures.
Buses leave Quito's Quitumbe Terminal often, but it is good to know that thermal pools are still a walk away from Papallacta village.
This Papallacta tour from Quito also includes an entrance ticket, and it might be a great option for travelers who want to enjoy a peaceful day.
Visiting Papallacta hot pools is a great idea for a trip on the first or last day in Quito if you want to take it slowly.
And if you are intrigued by the idea of a relaxing spa day, you can consider staying in Termas de Papallacta overnight.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
BANOS
Admittedly, we were a bit reluctant to include Banos in our list as it is not a traditional one-day trip from Quito.
In our opinion, it is too far from the capital for independent travelers, and you would spend a lot of time on the bus, and with no activity arranged on-site, you would have to arrange a taxi, which would be costly.
On the other hand, Banos de Santa Agua is one of the must-visit places in Ecuador, and we understand that you might have it on your bucket list when in the country.
Banos is famous for waterfalls, hot springs, adrenaline activities, hiking, biking, and wonderful views from the surrounding hills.
As you can see the number of possible activities in Banos, it is pretty clear that it is impossible to tackle them all in only one day.
But to take a glimpse of Tungurahua province and get an idea of this place, there's quite a comfortable alternative.
You can take Banos Tour from Quito that includes the famous Insta spot Casa del Arbol, incredible Pailon del Diablo waterfall, and local market.
It is not perfect though, and if you have time, we definitely recommend to spend at least one night in Banos, hike to Casa del Arbol independently, or bike Ruta de las Cascadas.
But on the other hand, one day in Banos counts, and it is better than nothing, right?
COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
Cotopaxi National Park, home to a 5897 meters high Cotopaxi volcano, is one of Ecuador's most photogenic places.
Cotopaxi's perfect shape can be on a clear day seen from Latacunga, which is often a base for exploring the park, but even from Quito that is located more than 70 kilometers away!
As we traveled from Quito to Latacunga, we will never forget the bus ride when Cotopaxi's views accompanied us for the majority of the day.
Even one of our best travel memories from Ecuador is connected with Cotopaxi.
Most of the hostels in Latacunga have roof terraces, and we were lucky enough to see beautiful sunset the day we arrived from Quilotoa Loop Trek - it is definitely better to have a telephoto lens to capture the beauty.
It is possible to hike or bike in the park, but you can even climb to the very top of the Cotopaxi, but you should be well-acclimatized for this experience, plus it would be better to base yourself in Latacunga.
Visiting Cotopaxi National Park from Quito is a very common day trip.
Because there's no public transport that would take you to the park, it is necessary to either arrange your own transport or take a Cotopaxi Tour from Quito.
Cotopaxi is an active volcano; the park was even closed for more than a year recently because of the activity, so always check out the current condition because of your safety.
MINDO
Most of the places in this travel guide are about a single activity. But if you decide to visit Mindo on a day trip from Quito, you will have to prioritize.
Mindo is a small village hidden in a picturesque cloud forest that might not seem on the paper as a busy tourist hot spot. But this can't be further from the truth as Mindo offers plenty of things to do.
You can do a lot of things in only one day in Mindo, but it is worth it to know beforehand if you are interested in hiking along waterfalls, taking a cable car ride, bird watching, cloud forest tours, night walks, butterfly watching, chocolate tour, or ziplining.
Plus, you can come up with something totally different; the key to success is to plan well.
There's a bus to Mindo from Quito - it is better to travel from North Terminal than from the South one, but you can also consider taking a Mindo Cloud Forest Tour.
Mindo was one of our favorite places we visited in Ecuador - we actually loved the most the drive as the change of leaving the bustling city of Quito behind and entering the cloud forest was very dramatic and eye-catching.
To put it simply, cloud forest in Mindo carries this name for a reason and we hope you’ll have time to visit it.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
