If you're wondering what to do in Quito, Ecuador for 2 weeks, check out this post!

What To Do In Quito, Ecuador For 2 Weeks

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WONDERING WHAT TO DO OVER 2 WEEKS IN QUITO, ECUADOR!?

Are you heading to Quito, Ecuador for 2 weeks and wondering what there is to do!? Dylan and I stayed in Quito for two and a half weeks in October 2024 and have plenty of recommendations to give! You can spend days exploring the historic center and there are many day trip opportunities you won’t want to skip out on! Let’s dive in.

This blog posts covers what to do and where to visit in Quito Ecuador over the course of 2 weeks.

What To Do In Quito Ecuador For 2 Weeks: An Overview

Whether traveling slowly, backpacking, or vacationing in Quito for two weeks, there is plenty to see and do. Since we are digital nomads who have been slowly traveling through South America, we found that two weeks was the perfect amount of time to really get a feel for the city and the surrounding area. Here’s everything we’ll cover today:

2 Weeks In Quito, Ecuador: What To Do & Where To Visit

If you’re heading to Quito, Ecuador for 2 weeks and wondering what the heck there is to do around, don’t worry. There is plenty to see and do within the city, on day trips, and in other cities nearby. You can explore the historic center, hike the beautiful nearby volcanoes, take a day trip, or venture to nearby destinations.

Overview of Quito from the Basilica

Explore The Historic Center

Quito’s historic center is a must-see when you visit. The colonial-style buildings, cobblestone streets, delicious restaurants, and street vendors make it a fantastic place to explore. After traveling through Ecuador and Peru for four months, I can confidently say it was one of my favorite cities. Let’s go over what to do in the historic center.

Where To Stay

$ Viajero Quito Hostel: We loved staying here. This hostel has a restaurant, social areas, private rooms, and dorm rooms.
$$ Hostal La Terraza: This is a nice hostel with a beautiful rooftop, coffee shop, and fully equipped kitchen.
$$$ Friends Hotel and Rooftop: This charming hotel has adorable seating areas, private bathrooms, and patios.

If you're wondering what to do in Quito Ecuador for 2 weeks, start by taking a walking tour to get to know the historic center!

Free Walking Tour

A great way to get introduced to the historic center is by taking a free walking tour. You’ll learn about the history while stopping at main attractions en-route, including the Plaza de Independencia where you’ll see the Presidential Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral.

There are tons of free tours available, though the one we went on, we also were able to try traditional candy and Ecuadorian chocolate made from 100% cacao at Yumbos Artesanal Chocolate! If you don’t book one through your hostel, check out this list here. It might be free, but tips are often encouraged at the end!

Watch our YouTube video on the free walking tour here!

Basilica del Nacional Voto in Quito Ecuador

Basilica del Voto Nacional

If you’ve done the free walking tour and are wondering what to do with 2 weeks in Quito, Ecuador, your next stop should be the Basilica del Voto Nacional. It’s the largest neo-Gothic basilica in North and South America, and you can climb the tower to the top for a breathtaking overlook of the historic center.

Climbing the tower might be challenging if you’re afraid of heights, but it is well worth it. It costs $4 for travelers to enter the church and climb the tower. There are a few gift shops to check out as you climb up!

Wondering what to do in Quito Ecuador for 2 weeks? Grab dinner at Calle La Ronda in the historic center for all your dinner meals!

Calle La Ronda

Right behind Viajero Hostel, you’ll find the cutest little cobblestone street lined with restaurants and bars. A ton of them have rooftop spots for beautiful views. Calle Ronda is a great street to stroll with live music during the evenings, especially on the weekends. There are art vendors, ice cream stores, and delicious local cuisine.

Mercado Central

If you like to stroll through markets, head to the Mercado Central. You’ll find many vendors selling fruit, meat, flowers, and more. Dylan and I went to a local fruit vendor and tried a bunch of local fruits we don’t have in the States. It made for one of my favorite days exploring the historic center!

If you’re wondering what the vibes are like at the Mercado Central, watch our YouTube video here!

If you don't know what to do in Quito Ecuador for 2 weeks, consider heading to the Panecillo. It's a museum and overview all in one!

El Panecillo

During the time you spend wandering around the historic center, don’t forget to make a stop at El Panecillo. The Panecillo is the hill overlooking the city with the Virgin statue that you can pay to climb up.

When you visit, you will get a sense of how huge the statue truly is, and if you pay the $1 entrance fee, you can learn all about the history of how the statue was built to begin with! Food and street vendors surround the monument, so you won’t be left empty-handed if you’re hungry for a snack!

Sam at Quilotoa!

Explore The Outdoors

Another great way to experience Quito is by exploring the outdoors. Quito is surrounded by many volcanos, making it a great place to get into mountaineering and trekking. There are a ton of hikes near Quito, though these are the most popular:

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is a volcano near Quito that draws many people to the area. It’s snow capped mountain surrounded by grassy fields is a sight to behold and a nature lovers dream. Dylan and I never got around to hiking it, though we hope to make another trip to South America for more trekking.

If you have enough time to train and prepare to hike to the top, summiting Cotopaxi is definitely doable. However, we know many people from our hostel who did a day tour. They hiked to the first refuge on the tour and highly enjoyed it. You can find the Cotopaxi Day Trip Tour here.

Rucu Pichincha should be on your list of what to do in Quito Ecuador for 2 weeks!

Rucu Pichincha

Rucu Pichincha is the closest volcano to Quito, just on the outskirts of town. There is a cable car that takes you up to the top, and it’ll take less than a half hour to arrive. You can order a taxi, Uber (this is the cheaper option), or figure out the transportation system, though it won’t take you directly to the cable car ticket booth, and you’ll have to walk up the hill.

It costs $9 to take the cable car up, and once you’re up at the top, you can take in the views, eat at one of the restaurants, explore the gift shops, or hike up the Rucu Pichincha Volcano! I would recommend acclimating before you go because the top is over 15,000 feet!

Watch us hike up Rucu Pichincha on YouTube here!

Cayambe

Cayambe is another trekking-lovers destination near Quito. It’s the third largest volcano in Ecuador, and you can do a range of hikes, from day hikes to climbing the eight-hour summit. If you want to summit the volcano, plan and prepare for it and acclimatize to the elevation before you go.

The day trips around Quito, Ecuador are amazing!!!

Take a Day Trip

Another great way to spend your 2 weeks in Quito, Ecuador is by taking a day trip to the surrounding cities and attractions. Two weeks is a long time to spend in one place, so day trips can really add to your Quito experience. A few of our favorite days in Quito was when we took a day trip to a fascinating destination! Here are a few worth considering:

Otavalo Market

Otavalo Market

One of the must-visit spots near Quito is Otavalo. It’s only a little over an hour away, and it has one of the largest indigenous markets in South America! The markets operate daily, though I’d recommend visiting early mornings on Saturdays or Wednesdays because the market is the most lively on those days.

You’ll find many artisanal booths selling clothing, cookware, fresh produce, toys and dolls, and more. Every booth is vibrant, and the booths feel like they go on forever. You can also explore around the town, like the Peguche Waterfall or Condor Park, and you can read more about those attractions in my blog post: The Best Day Trips from Quito, Ecuador.

Watch our trip to Otavalo on YouTube Here!

When I wondered what to do in Quito Ecuador during our 2 weeks there, one of my favorite things was heading to Mindo Cloud Forest

Mindo Cloud Forest

Next on the list is Mindo Cloud Forest. This is a breathtaking destination that has a cute town and lots of outdoor activities to do just outside of the city. We enjoyed taking the Tarabita Cable Car to the Nambilla Cloud Forest to hike to five waterfalls. Other popular attractions and activities in Mindo include a Butterfly Garden, a Bird Sanctuary, and a Cacao Tour.

Watch our YouTube video on the Cable Car & Bird Sanctuary Here!

Dylan and I in Latacunga at Harika

Latacunga

One of the cities we visited just south of Quito was Latacunga. Latacunga is a lesser-visited town outside Quito, though it has charm, culture, and things to do. You can stroll around the central plaza or learn more about the city’s heritage by visiting Harika – a place where you learn about the traditional Mashca.

Many travelers stay at Latacunga before heading to other destinations like Quilotoa or Cotopaxi. We only stayed for one night before heading to Quilotoa, and we felt like it was enough time. However, if you can visit on a Tuesday or a Sunday, you’ll get to experience their animated meat market.

Watch our overnight trip to Latacunga on YouTube Here!

If you're wondering what to do in Quito Ecuador for two weeks, consider taking a day trip to Quilotoa Crater Lake!

Quilotoa

A second favorite day trip we took from Quito was Quilotoa. Quilotoa is a small town four hours away from Quito on the outskirts of a breathtaking turquoise crater lake. Dylan and I completed the crater-lake loop hike, though there are other hikes in the area, too! If you like to hike, it’s definitely worth the trip!

Watch us struggle to hike the Quilotoa Loop on YouTube Here!

Middle of the world monument

Middle of the World

Last but certainly not least, if you’re wondering what to do in Quito, Ecuador, during your two weeks there, head to the center of the world (AKA the equator line!). The equator was the first day trip Dylan and I took, and I admit that while touristy, we did learn some fascinating stuff.

Many people venture to Mitad del Mundo, a monument with various museums and a viewpoint. While it was interesting to visit, we’d recommend walking a block away to Itiñan Museum, where the actual equator line is. Itiñan costs the same amount, and you get an interactive and guided tour of the premises.

Watch us visit both museums on YouTube here!

Sam in the Cathedral in Cuenca

Venture To Other Cities

If you run out of things to do in Quito and the surrounding area, you can always head a few hours away to other fantastic destinations! There is a ton to see and do in Central Ecuador, though we’d recommend staying a few days in the farther destinations. Here are a few of our favorite places we traveled to from Quito:

Picture of Baños Ecuador sign

Baños: The Adventure Capital

If you enjoy adventure sports (think bridge jumping, canyoneering, canopy circuits, white water rafting, paragliding, etc.), then you’re gonna want to head to Baños, Ecuador. Baños is a magical place where all the elements come together. It’s a cute little mountain town with plentiful restaurants, activities, and attractions worth experiencing.

Dylan and I spent two weeks in Baños exploring waterfalls, hiking trails, and adventure sports. One of our favorites was Pailon del Diablo, one of the most gigantic and powerful waterfalls I’ve ever seen. If you like to test your limits, Baños is the city to do so.  

Check out our YouTube video on 17 Things To Do in Baños Here!

Where We Stayed

We stayed in two different hostels in Baños: Mama Tungu and Erupcion Art Hotel & Hostel. While both were affordable, we definitely recommend Mama Tungu because of its amenities and cleanliness. However, Erupcion was downtown (whereas Mama Tungu was outside of town) and offered breakfast included.

Picture in Ahuano Ecuador at GAIA Amazon EcoLodge

Tena & The Amazon Rainforest

Another great destination to travel to from Quito is the Amazon rainforest. In order to get to the gateway to the Amazon, we headed to Tena from Quito before venturing further into Ahuano. However, Tena is a great place to take day trips to places like Misahuallí (monkey-island).

Where We Stayed

Before we headed into Ahuano to volunteer, we stayed at Hostal Pakay in Tena, which we highly recommend! It comes with free breakfast, hammocks to lounge in, and open-spaced hostel rooms. In Ahuano, we volunteered at GAIA Amazon EcoLoge, which is pricey for a budget traveler, but if you volunteer, you get access to food, room, and tours.

Overview of Cuenca from Ramirez Room terrace

Cuenca: Ecuadors Most Beautiful City

Last but not least, we have Cuenca, also known as Ecuador’s most beautiful city. Dylan and I spent two weeks in Cuenca exploring the enchanting streets and taking day trips to places like Ingapirca’s archeological ruins. There are tons to do in Cuenca, including visiting the historic center, going to Cajas National Park, and hitting the largest flower market in the world!

Where We Stayed

We spent two weeks in Cuenca and stayed at Ramirez Room Bed and Breakfast and Check Inn Bed and Breakfast. Out of the two, we recommend the Ramirez Room because you get a private room that’s quiet and clean, though Check Inn B&B did offer free breakfast.

If you're wondering what to do in Quito, Ecuador for 2 weeks, check out this post!

About Quito, Ecuador

Now that we have covered what to do during your 2 weeks in Quito, Ecuador, we can talk more about the city itself! After spending two weeks there, here are some insider tips on transportation, food recommendations, packing lists, safety considerations, and what to budget.

Bus in Vilcabamba Ecuador

Transportation

Getting around Quito is fairly straightforward. We spent most of our time in the historic center where everything was close enough to walk. However, to get around the city, we took the subway (or metro) a few times, which runs north to south, taxis when necessary, and Ubers when we could (this was usually cheaper than a taxi). We never did figure out the public bus system to get around the city, but there were buses constantly running.

There are multiple bus terminals in Quito. When researching our day trips, a quick Google search always led us to the correct terminal. Once we were at the terminal, vendors would call out their destinations, so finding the correct ticket booth was easy enough. Overall, getting around via public transportation was a breeze in Quito, and I wouldn’t recommend renting a car unless absolutely necessary because the traffic and roads can be pretty gnarly.

Locro de Papa

Food Recommendations

Like any city, there will be cheap places to eat and more expensive places to eat. Since we spent two weeks there, we found a few spots that we fell in love with quickly that I’ll share with you here. These are all in the historic center near our hostel, Viajero Quito.

  • We always went to Gotitas de Miel for breakfast. The restaurant had a continental breakfast for $2 and an American breakfast for $3 on their menu. It included juice, bread and cheese, eggs, and a fruit cup with the American breakfast. The panaderia is on Simon Bolivar and Rocafuerte.
  • We found our favorite Locro de Papas (potato soup) at El Pertil de Alicia for lunch underneath the Metropolitan Cathedral in Plaza de Independencia. They also made fantastic cappuccinos, which was nice after having Cafe Pasado for every breakfast. It’s a bit spendier, costing around $10 per soup, though it was worth it, and we had beautiful plaza views.
  • For dinner, we really enjoyed Leña Quiteña in Calle La Ronda. We went here a few times because the rooftop views were amazing, and the pizza was pretty dang good, especially if you’re sharing it with a group.
Picture of most of the clothing I brought on my Backpacking Trip to Ecuador. Find a full packing list on this blog post!

Climate & What To Pack

Quito’s climate is pretty moderate, with sunny afternoons and chillier evenings. If you visit during the rainy season, it might rain off and on in the late afternoons and early evenings. The temperatures don’t vary drastically throughout the year, and you can expect lows in the high 40’s and highs in the high 60’s.

You’ll want to pack layers for the changing temperatures. A good rule of thumb is to bring a few pairs of pants, a few T-shirts/tank tops, cover-ups or sweaters, a light jacket, and a rain jacket. If you want more help figuring out what to pack, check out my backpacking Ecuador packing list here.

Sam walking on the cobblestone streets in Quito

Is Quito Safe?

Before Dylan and I left for Ecuador, we received lots of warnings about how dangerous it was. We personally never had any problems in Quito, but we made sure that we didn’t wander around with our phones out and didn’t bring our professional cameras with us around the town.

My advice is to use general caution and your intuition. I decided against bringing my larger purse and used a small coin purse I could put in my pocket instead. We also only brought small bills out with us in case anything happened.

We received other warnings about getting our backpacks stolen on buses and people stealing our phones out of our hands in taxis. We kept our bags close to us, didn’t let our guard down on public transportation, and didn’t have our phones out in taxis. As long as you are aware and take the necessary precautions, I would say that you’ll be okay.

What To Budget

Quito is generally a cheap place to stay, and as budget travelers who stayed in dorm hostels and ate at affordable restaurants, we spent around $975 total over two and a half weeks. That includes food, accommodations, toiletries, day trips, transportation, attractions, and activities.

You can spend more (or slightly less) than that depending on your lifestyle, but we rarely spent more than $20 between the two of us on any meal. Quito is cheap, and it’s crazy to look back and realize we paid less than a thousand dollars between the two of us over two and a half weeks.

Overview of Quito from Rucu Pichincha

Wrapping Up: What To Do in Quito Ecuador For 2 Weeks

There you have it, a few ideas on what to do in Quito, Ecuador, for the 2 weeks you’ll be visiting. Hopefully, this post has sparked inspiration for things you can do in the city and surrounding areas. I loved every second I spent in Quito, and I hope you do too! Safe travels!