Quito

Quito is at an altitude of 2,870 ft. Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport is located 10 km north of the main hotel-strip and shopping area.

Try to “take it easy” upon arrival. “Soroche” is a very unpleasant altitude sickness and may linger for days. Avoid alcohol and smoking for 24 hours.

Climate

The days in Quito are usually warm with temperatures around 21 degrees Celsius. If you will be outdoors all day, beware of the high-altitude solar radiation. Use sunscreen.

The nights in Quito are mostly cool or plain cold, with temperatures quickly dropping to 10 degrees.  Intermittent rain-showers may be expected mostly, in the later afternoon.

The rainy season begins around October and ends in May.

Shopping and restaurants

The main tourist/shopping avenue is called “Avenida Amazonas”, and starts at the Hotel “Hilton Colon” at the “El Ejido” park and runs north all the way to the airport.

For the best shopping, stay between Avenue “Amazonas” and “Juan Leon Mera” (about 30 blocks) where there are plenty of art shops, jewelry stores, handicraft, clothes and leather goods

You will also find quite an array of fine restaurants in this area as well.

Finally, you may also inquire at your hotel’s front desk about the most renowned restaurants in town.