Quito, Ecuador

The capital of Ecuador sits at the foot of the Andes Mountains and its active volcano Pichincha at an elevation of 9,350 feet. The old town is well-preserved, complete with colonial buildings and churches, and was named UNESCO's second World Heritage Site in 1978. As South America's oldest capital, Quito's past dates to the Inca empire and visitors can explore several ruins in the area. Among the well-known Quiteno churches is the 16th-century monastery of San Francisco, famed for its decadent façade, and the Church of St. Augustine, where many heroes of Ecuador's battle for independence from Spain are buried. Be sure to peruse outdoor markets for native crafts, and some tours visit the equator, just a 30-minute drive south. For panoramic views of the city, trek up the hill El Panecillo ("The Little Loaf of Bread") to the statue of the Virgin of Quito.

Language: Spanish
Currency: US dollar (US$)

Quito, Ecuador Weather
Temperature (Fahrenheit)
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 66 66 66 66 66 67 67 67 68 67 67 66
Low 50 50 50 51 51 49 49 49 49 49 49 50
Average 58 58 58 59 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58
Temperature (Celsius)
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 20 19 19 19
Low 10 10 10 11 11 9 9 9 9 9 9 10
Average 14 14 14 15 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14
Precipitation
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Inches 5 5 6 7 5 2 1 1 3 5 4 4
Centimeters 13 13 15 18 13 5 3 3 8 13 10 10


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