One of the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site isn’t tucked away in a fabled European city, but sitting sky-high in the spirited South American country of Ecuador. This is the city of Quito, shimmering in the verdant shadow of the continent’s most famous mountain range, bordered by looming volcanoes, and built atop an ancient Incan capital. Stroll through its preserved old town for 16th-century treasures before heading out to Ecuador’s wildest nature reserves and parks.
Visit Quito: get started
Kick-start your trip to Ecuador! In Quito, explore the Old Town and its attractions: the Plaza de la Independencia, the Church of la Compañía de Jesús, and the Basílica del Voto Nacional. Embark on excursions up the Pichincha volcano or to Cotopaxi National Park. Plus, discover luxurious cruises that take you from Quito to the Galapagos Islands!
Quito travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Spanish
What to bring back
Ecuadorian chocolate, Alpaca wool scarves or blankets, toquilla straw hats (known as Panama hats, but actually from here!) and all types of artisanal crafts from the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal.
What to eat
Ecuadorian ceviche, plantain (try plantain soup!), chugchucara (traditional platter of corn, pork, empanadas and more), locro de papa (Ecuadorian potato soup), llapingachos (cheese and potato patties), cuy (guinea pig), langoustines and tons of tropical fruits best consumed in smoothie form from street-side kiosks.
Fun fact
Home to about 1,200 species of birds, Quito is quite the bird-watching destination. Look out for the national bird of Ecuador, the Andean condor, at the Antisanilla reserve or take the cable car up the Pichincha volcano (called the TelefériQo) for epic views of the city and flitting sights of the Ecuadorian Hillstar Hummingbird.
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
Discover this fantastic archipelago of 19 islands with Celebrity Cruises!
Choose from the all-new Celebrity Flora, the award-winning Celebrity Xpedition and the stylish, intimate Celebrity Xploration Catamaran.
Our cruise packages include:
- Transfers
- Luxury hotel accommodations
- Exclusive tours
- Meals and beverages
- All gratuities
- Flight from Quito to Baltra Island
- And more!
