8 Great Day Trips from Quito to Discover More of Ecuador
Quito, a sprawling high-altitude metropolis built over the ruins of an ancient Incan city, is a popular destination where many travelers began their trips to Ecuador, whether they’re planning to travel more around this mountainous country, or perhaps take a trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Quito is known for its well-preserved historic colonial center and amazing views from Pichincha Volcano which overlooks the city, and is worth taking some time to explore on its own. But if you have some extra time in Quito, it also makes a great base for day trips around northern and central Ecuador.
Whether you want to discover volcanoes, waterfalls, cloud forests, or lagoons, a diverse array of natural beauty and cultural treasures await you within a few hours of driving from Quito.
Read on to discover the top destinations you can visit in a day from Ecuador’s capital city.
The Best Day Trips from Quito
Here’s a look at our top picks for the best day trips and tours you can take from Quito:
1. Mindo
One of the best day trips from Quito is to Mindo, a small town about two hours from the capital city that’s surrounded by a lush cloud forest. The unique environment means that you can see lots of beautiful wildlife, including exotic birds, butterflies, and flowers.
In Mindo, other activities include hiking to waterfalls or taking a cable car through the cloud forest. The town is also known for its chocolate production, and you can learn how chocolate is made and sample local flavors on a tour of a chocolate factory.
Although you could technically rent a car and get to Mindo on your own, the winding roads that lead there aren’t always in great condition, so you might prefer to book an organized tour that includes all the most popular activities.
Mindo tours from Quito:
2. Quilotoa Lagoon
Another incredible destination you can visit on a day trip from Quito is Quilotoa Lagoon. This dramatic crater lake was formed by the collapse of a volcano long ago, and today is a vibrant emerald-turquoise color if you visit on a sunny day.
Although some travelers opt for the multi-day Quilotoa Loop (a hike through the Andean highlands that finishes at the lake), you can visit Quilotoa Lagoon on a day trip as well. You can hike all the way down to the bottom of the crater and back up if you’re feeling adventurous, or just take in the views from the top. (Note that this lake is at very high elevation – almost 13,000 feet! – meaning the hiking will be more challenging!)
Quilotoa Lagoon is about a 3.5-hour drive from Quito, so it’s a long day trip, but worth it! Some tours to Quilotoa Lagoon include stops in other destinations along the way, like Cotopaxi National Park or local indigenous villages in the Andean highlands.
Quilotoa Lagoon tours from Quito:
3. Otavalo
If you want to get a glimpse into traditional indigenous culture in Ecuador, a day trip to Otavalo for the town’s famous market is a great way to do so. Since Incan times, there has been a large artisan and handicraft market in Otavalo. It’s an amazing place to shop for unique souvenirs that you won’t find anywhere else.
Otavalo is a small mountain town located about an hour and 45 minutes from Quito by car. You can also take a direct bus from Quito to Otavalo if you’re looking to save money — the bus leaves from Carcelén Bus Terminal in the northern part of the city every twenty to thirty minutes, and costs approximately $3 each way.
You can also drive yourself or visit Otavalo on a guided tour. While the market technically runs every day of the week, Saturday and Wednesday are the best times to go because these are the official market days when the most vendors come to town.
Otavalo tours from Quito:
4. Papallacta
Termas de Papallacta, or Papallacta hot springs, is another excellent day trip from Quito, especially if you’re looking for a relaxing activity. These hot spring pools combine glacial spring water with natural thermal heating for a rejuvenating experience.
The waters of the Papallacta hot springs are said to have healing powers, and you can easily spend several hours soaking in the warm pools while enjoying the scenic views and sounds of nature from the mountains around you.
You can get to the Papallacta hot springs by car in about an hour and a half from Quito. The entrance fee to the hot springs is $9 and they are open every day. You can also book a guided tour if you don’t want to deal with the logistics of renting a car and driving yourself.
Papallacta tours from Quito:
5. Cotopaxi
One of the most impressive places you can go on a day trip from Quito is Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi Volcano is the second-highest peak in the country at 19,347 feet. While reaching the summit is a challenging hike with a major elevation gain that can’t be accomplished on a day trip, you can see amazing views of the volcano from within the national park.
Cotopaxi National Park is about two hours south of Quito by car, and the best way to visit on a day trip is with a knowledgeable local guide. The national park offers many scenic walks and viewpoints, including the dramatic views of the peak from across Limpiopungo Lagoon.
There are other activities you can enjoy inside the national park on a day trip, including horseback riding. You can also combine a visit to Cotopaxi with Quilotoa Lagoon. If you’re looking for an active adventure, this is a great choice for a day trip.
(Again, Cotopaxi National Park is at high elevation, so take it easy if you haven’t acclimated yet in Quito!)
Cotopaxi tours from Quito:
6. Mitad del Mundo
If you want an easy day trip from Quito, head to Mitad del Mundo. This is actually more of a half-day trip that can be done in a single morning or afternoon from Quito because it’s located quite close to the city and you don’t need much time there.
Mitad del Mundo, or Middle of the World, is a large monument 16 miles north of Quito where the equator cuts through the country. In case you weren’t already aware, the name of the country Ecuador literally just means “equator” in Spanish. At Mitad del Mundo, there are plenty of silly photo ops, like standing with one foot in the Nothern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are also some museum exhibits and tourist shops and restaurants you can visit. It’s a little cheesy, but nonetheless a fun experience! And since it’s so close to Quito, you can combine your visit to Mitad del Mundo with more sightseeing in the city.
Mitad del Mundo tours from Quito:
7. Baños
Baños (full name Baños de Agua Santa) is a spectacular destination in Ecuador that is well worth a visit. Ideally, you would have several days to spend in Baños, but if you’re short on time, you can see some of the highlights on a day trip from Quito.
This town is known for its proximity to thermal hot springs, beautiful waterfalls, and amazing scenery. It’s also a gateway to the nearby Amazon rainforest. Being located 3.5 hours from Quito by car, Baños is a long day trip, but one that is worth it.
The best way to visit Baños is on a tour. You can enjoy several activities, like visiting the Devil’s Cauldron waterfall, taking a cable car ride over the river, and stopping at the adventure park La Casa del Arbol with its famous “Swing at the End of the World.”
Baños tours from Quito:
8. Antisana
Finally, one more day trip you can take from Quito is to Antisana Ecological Reserve. This lesser-known protected nature area doesn’t get as many tourists as Cotopaxi National Park despite being located closer to Quito.
You can get to Antisana in about an hour and a half by car from Quito, although the best way to visit is with a guide who can point out the wildlife to you and show you the best places to go within the large reserve.
This is an ideal destination for birdwatchers, because Antisana is home to many majestic condors, as well as other birds like the carunculated caracara. You can also see diverse scenery within the ecological reserve, including lagoons and the impressive Antisana Volcano.
Antisana tours from Quito:
Where to Stay in Quito
Since this post assumes you’ll be staying in Quito as a base and taking day trips from there, here are our top picks for Quito hotels:
Budget-friendly: Viajero Quito Hostel – Located in the historic center of Quito, this stylish hostel offers affordable accommodations including dorms with shared bathrooms and private rooms with private bathrooms.
Mid-range: Casa El Edén – If you’re looking for a nice mid-range hotel in a convenient location, look no further than Casa El Edén, which is in the colonial heart of the city. This lovely hotel features bright and airy rooms and an included breakfast each morning.
Luxury: Hotel Casa Gangotena – For a luxurious stay in Quito, Hotel Casa Gangotena is an immaculate five-star boutique hotel in San Francisco Square. This grand hotel offers deluxe rooms and an included breakfast that you can enjoy on the rooftop terrace overlooking the square.
More resources for your day trips from Quito
- Looking to stay overnight somewhere? Find great places to stay at any of these destinations here on Booking.com. (Hotels.com and Expedia are worth checking too.)
- Rental cars: Check out the best local rental car deals here.
- Tours & activities: Check out the best local options here on Viator and Get Your Guide.
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