Quito, overlooked gem (Quito)

Member Name: llamass

Product:	Quito
Date:	23/05/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: interesting and plenty to see

Disadvantages: Crime and pollution

Quito is sometimes overlooked as a destination in itself with tourists passing through on their way to the Galapagos Islands or to the jungle. It also has a, somewhat justified, reputation as dangerous due to high levels of street crime. However, whilst it is advisable to be a little cautious and use common sense precautions, Quito is an interesting city with plenty to do. I am going to give my top 5 things to do as why you should stay longer than it takes to get over jet-lag or arrange an onward trip.

1. The Guayasamin museum- based in the house of indigenous artist Oswaldo Guayasamin this museum displays the work of this, Ecuador's most famous artist. His work focuses on the oppression of South Americans from the colonial period with a special focus on indigenous life. Apart from being a brilliant painter the museum form a useful background to the history and struggle of those who live here.

2. Old town-this is the colonial centre of Quito and the first city to be named a UNESCO world heritage site. This area comprises many plazas, churches and monastries scattered over the steep and winding streets. It is difficult to recommend some over the others and I believe the best way to explore this area is simply to take a wander around by foot.

3. Mitad del Mundo-the Middle of the World or the Equator is Quito's premier tourist attraction. The official Mitad del Mundo is a little tacky but gives ample opportunity to take cheesy photos jumping over that all important equator line. Just outisde the offical site is the Intiñan Solar Museum which marks the point of the 'true' equator, the official site having got it around 240 metres wrong. The museum is well worth visiting for the experiments and information of the equator which are missing at the offical marker. To reach the equator take the trolley bus to Ophelia (the end of the line) where you can swap onto any one of hundreds of buses shouting out Mitad del Mundo!

4. The Teleferico-this is the world's second highest cable car taking people from the 2850 metres altitude of the city up to just over 4000 metres. Wait for a clear day and ignore the odd and usually deserted fairground at the bottom as the top of the mountain with both literally and figuratively take your breath away with stunning views over the whole city-you can even see planes flying through the valley below you! To get here either take a taxi for $2-3 from the Mariscal area or buses that run from the end of the Metro bus line. The cable car itself costs $8 for foreigners.

5. Mariscal-the Mariscal area is the tourist part of Quito, so much so that it is also called Gringolandia. Despite this the area is worth going to for the restuarants, there is excellent food available or just a break from local fare, and the nightlife, which is good enough to keep you coming back night after night. Salsa is huge so lessons are widely available and then salsatecas open at night.

Summary: Definitely worth spending some extra time in