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Galapagos Islands
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Quito - Gateway to the Galapagos
 Quito is the doorway to your Galapagos Adventure.
Most travelers
arrive first in the capital of Quito. Once the capital of
the northern Incan empire, Quito is home to "Old Town",
one of the most extensive colonial districts in Latin America.
Named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the seventies, Quito's
Old Town will transport you back and forth between centuries
as you meander down its cobblestone streets, passing by vendors
selling everything from choclo (Andean corn) to ceramics to
techno CDs. From the Panecillo, you'll have a grand view of
Quito and, on a clear day, you'll also see the peaks of some
of Ecuador's volcanoes, among them the famous Cotopaxi
volcano.
Centrally located, Quito is also an excellent
jumping-off point for a number of interesting one and two-day
trips, including river-rafting, cloudforest exploration, birding,
mountain biking, hotsprings, and many more.
Flights to the Galapagos generally leave from Quito, Ecuador, a city nestled high in the Andes mountains that has countless travel opportunities of its own. In most cases, you'll need to spend a night in Quito to catch your flight to the Galapagos.
Quito Hotels:
there are numerous hotels, most of them situated in Mariscal, the area between the modernous, northern parts of Quito and Old Town Quito with its beautiful colonial buildings.
Quito - Upscale Hotels:
Quito - Mid-Range Hotels:
Quito - Economy-Priced Hotels:
Hotels Near Quito:
Make Reservations at a hotel in Quito
Places to see around Quito:
Mitad del Mundo.
Just north of Quito, you'll
find the Mitad del Mundo, a monument marking the equator.
Mitad del Mundo is a convenient half an hour from central
Quito. It includes a museum with informative displays on Ecuador's
four regions and ethnic groups. Don't miss the opportunity
to place one foot in each hemisphere!
Pululahua
is an impressive, and dormant, volcanic crater turned geobotanical
reserve. Pululahua is just a few kilometers beyond El Mitad
del Mundo's equatorial line monument and about an hour drive
from Quito. Pululahua boasts a mild climate, spectacular scenery,
and a myriad of unique flora and fauna. Amidst the many small
farms that pepper the crater's floor rests are acres of pasture,
complete with horses and gardens. Experience the magic of
Pululahua or hire a guide to take you
horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking.
See VIVA Travel Guides for detailed info:
Quito Travel Guide
Quito Hotel Guide & Reviews
Quito Restaurants Guide & Reviews
Quito Old Town (Centro Historico) Guide
Quito's Mariscal Area Guide
Quito Weather and Climate
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