Quito: Travel Tips Worth Knowing
Before you go: Ecuador in 2026. Quito is a welcoming Level 2 city, well away from the coastal areas most travel advisories flag. Ecuador is under a national state of exception in 2026 (it currently covers Quito’s province but with no curfew in place), so the sensible approach is ordinary big-capital street smarts plus one specific habit: only take licensed orange-plate taxis or ride-hailing apps (Uber, Cabify, inDrive), never an unmarked street taxi, to avoid “express kidnapping.” Conditions shift, so check your government’s current advisory before you fly.
Altitude comes first. Quito sits at about 2,850 meters, and the airport at Tababela is actually lower, around 2,400 meters, so you ascend into the city rather than descend into it. Mild soroche, headache, breathlessness, disrupted sleep, is common the first day or two. Take it easy, hydrate more than feels necessary, and save the TelefériQo or a Cotopaxi day trip for once you’ve adjusted.
Currency is simple, with one catch. Ecuador uses the US dollar, so there’s no exchange rate to think about and prices are already in dollars. The catch: Ecuadorian centavo coins circulate alongside US coins but are worthless the moment you leave the country, so spend them down before you fly rather than bringing home a pocketful of coins no bank will touch. Bring small bills, since $20s can be hard to break at smaller shops.
Entry is straightforward. US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders get a visa-free 90-day stamp on arrival. The yellow-fever certificate requirement was dropped entirely in August 2025; it’s still medically recommended if you’re continuing to the Amazon, but no longer required for entry.
Getting around after dark means apps or licensed taxis only. The Quito Metro’s Line 1, running since 2023, plus the Trolebús and Ecovía bus lines, cover daytime travel well. For anything at night, use Uber, Cabify, or inDrive, or a taxi with the licensed orange plates. Street-hailed cabs carry a genuine express-kidnapping risk here.
Know the specific safety spots. El Panecillo’s summit is safe and patrolled, but the walk up has real mugging history, so taxi up instead. La Mariscal and Plaza Foch are fine by day but see real muggings and scopolamine drink-spiking at night, so always taxi home. La Ronda is safe on its lit main street but not on the surrounding blocks after dark. Tap water isn’t potable anywhere in the city, so stick to bottled or filtered.
Dress for a cool, changeable climate. Quito’s near-equatorial location doesn’t mean tropical heat; altitude keeps daytime highs mild and evenings genuinely cool, so pack layers regardless of season. Modest dress is expected in churches.
LGBTQ+ travelers are generally welcomed. Ecuador legalized same-sex marriage in 2019, and Quito is comfortable for LGBTQ+ visitors, though attitudes outside the capital can be more conservative.
Tip around 10% in restaurants, and expect a friendly, formal greeting culture, a handshake on first meeting, more warmth on repeat visits.
Read more: for the fuller trip plan these tips support, see our main Quito guide , and for what these rules apply to once you’re out exploring, things to do .