Nestled in between two volcanic mountain ranges, Ecuador’s capital Quito is breathtakingly situated, and as the highest capital in the world with some astounding colonial heritage, its status as the first UNESCO World Heritage Sity is well deserved. HAPPYCAR is here to help you find the best car hire Quito has to offer so you can take full advantage of this boisterous city, and a direct car hire Quito Airport is also available. We check the prices of international and local providers so that you don’t have to check each website to provide you with the best deals on a car hire to make your money go further on a rental car that fits your specific needs. You have the options of choosing car size, pick up location and type of insurance to ensure you get the best deal on a great car hire!
General Information
Just twenty-two miles from the Equator and 10,000 feet high, Quito was originally a major Inca city and was officially founded in 1534 by the Spanish. Quito matured from its colonial core, and the historical heart of the city, its old town, underwent a restoration in 2006 that saw its proud heritage reborn, and quickly you find yourself transported to another world as you wander its cobbled alleyways. As the largest old town in the Americas, its array of churches, squares and convents make for a fantastic place to sight see, while its new town is a modern, fun take on an evolving 21st century Ecuador.
To Do
For excellent views of Quito and its surroundings, take a car hire in Quito and head to El Panecillo hill, where you can also take in the gorgeous statues along the way. The new town houses some great museums that are worth a visit, such as the Museo de Banco Central with its archaeological displays and the Vivarium in the Parque El Ejído for its distinctive reptiles. Just 45 minutes north with a Quito car hire and you find yourself at the Equator, where you can straddle both hemispheres and enjoy some information about old Quito. Back in the capital, there are many places to find unique artisan crafts, from guitar-makers to leather-workers, silversmiths, ceramicists and wood-carvers.
Eating
Ecuadorian food is diverse, and in Quito you can find it all. Replete with Andean produce such as fresh seafood, meat, potatoes, plantains and fruits of all kinds. Soups and broths are popular in the capital, such as ceviche and encebollado, a hearty fish soup. Perhaps surprisingly, even though Ecuador is so far from Asia, noodles and fried rice is a very popular choice by locals.
Attractions
You can see plenty of examples of Ecuadorian baroque in Quito, displaying a mix of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art that came together to be dubbed the “Baroque School of Quito”, and can be found in the Museo de Arte y Historia and the Museo de Arte Colonial. The San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are also excellent examples of this style. Quito Zoo is known for having the largest collection of native fauna in Ecuador, and makes for an excellent day out with young ones.
Excursions
With the equator a short trip north and the rest of Ecuador further south, there is plenty to uncover in Ecuador, and its relatively compact size makes driving very easy. A short trip north from the capital brings you to Otavalo, known most for its world-renowned Saturday market and its flourishing weaving industry. If you want to experience another wonderful city, you can make your way to Guayaquil. This port city is a great place to take the family. You can visit man museums to learn about the history of this beautiful town. 24 hours from the city in a Quito car rental takes you through the length of Ecuador and into Peru, where you can end up in Lima, Peru’s capital and another proud protector of South American culture. There is so much in this part of the world to see, do not be hindered by public transportation, book your next car hire now. The HAPPYCAR team wishes you a pleasant journey!