Quito: Where to Stay by Area
Which neighborhood you pick in Quito matters more than in most cities, since the Old Town and the modern north sit several kilometers apart with distinct personalities. Prices below are already in US dollars, Ecuador’s official currency.
Centro Histórico (Old Town). The obvious base for anyone prioritizing the UNESCO-listed colonial core, walking distance from Plaza Grande, La Compañía, and San Francisco. Casa Gangotena, a restored 17th-century mansion on Plaza San Francisco, is the standout luxury option here, around $250-400 a night with a rooftop terrace overlooking the churches. Budget travelers will find hostels in the $20-35 range. The tradeoff is that the Old Town empties out and goes quiet after dark; it’s safe on the main plazas but not a nightlife base.
La Mariscal / Plaza Foch. Nicknamed “Gringolandia” for its concentration of hostels, travel agencies, and bars, this is where most short-stay visitors end up, and for good reason: it’s central, walkable, and full of restaurants. It’s also worth being honest about the risks here after dark. Muggings happen, and scopolamine drink-spiking is a real, documented issue in this specific nightlife zone, so always take a taxi or app ride home rather than walking back to your hotel late. Expect $25-60 for a mid-range hotel room.
La Floresta. A hip, bohemian neighborhood just southeast of La Mariscal, known for its cafés, the Ocho y Medio arthouse cinema, and a generally calmer feel than Plaza Foch while still being close to the action. Boutique guesthouses here run $60-120.
Guápulo. A steep, bohemian hillside village below La Floresta, with a colonial church and a handful of small guesthouses. A quieter, more local-feeling option for travelers who don’t need to be in the thick of things.
La Carolina / González Suárez. The modern, upscale north, near the park and botanical garden, with international hotel chains in the $100-200 range and easy access to the TelefériQo and the newer business district.
Cumbayá. A warmer valley suburb east of the city at a noticeably lower altitude, around 2,200 meters, popular with longer-stay visitors and those wanting a break from Quito’s chill. Good if you have a car or don’t mind a taxi into the center for sightseeing.
Whichever area you choose, use apps or licensed orange-plate taxis to get around, especially at night; street-hailed cabs carry a real express-kidnapping risk in Quito that’s worth avoiding entirely.
Read more: for what to do near each of these bases, see our things to do guide, and for a full day-by-day plan, the 3-day itinerary .