Did you ever wonder which is the most wonderful capital of Latin America? Find out more about Quito, Ecuador's best kept secret.......
The capital of Ecuador has been one of the first cities to be nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, but in spite of that, in has not become a well-known tourist destination until quite recently. For those living in Quito in the the seventies, it would have been hard to believe that in a few decades, the city would become the most stunning capital of the continent with gorgeous old strolls and wonderfully restored monuments.
While Lima was the administrative center of the Spanish colonial empire in South America, Ecuador's capital was the religious center with many cathedrals, churches and monasteries, most of which have survived the countless temblors and the general wear of the centuries. Now wonderfully restored, Quito, the capital of Ecuador has architecturally wonderfully designed plazas that are interconnected by romantic narrow strolls, where people of all ages stroll unconcerned through this peaceful paradise of majestic monuments, local shops, well restored and redesigned mansions that now serve as restaurants and colonial posadas (inns). What I like so much about Ecuador's capital Quito is that it is a city dominated by its own people. Parents with their children play and picnic on the lawns and in the parks. Tourists are present but not in overwhelming numbers.
Whenever you go to Ecuador, please do yourself a favor and take at least 2 days to fall in love with this wonderfully restored city. If you like, you can take a half day's guided tour but after that, go out on your own, stroll through the narrow streets, sample the restaurants, explore beautifully illuminated Ecuador's capital Quito at night and mingle with the friendly Ecuadorians. They regard the colonial center of Ecuador's capital Quito or "Casco viejo" as the Quitenos call their old town, as their cultural heritage, the place that unites their rich history with the pleasures of twenty-first century.
With many pedestrians-only streets, the colonial center should be enjoyed, walking from plaza to plaza and cathedral to monastery. Distances are short and there is a great selection of low cost little eating places where you can rest when you feel tired.
There are more than 30 historical churches and chapels and it is impossible to name them all, but we like to at least mention the most delightful of all: The Compania Church with its renaissance faade and courtyard. The interior is covered with gold and is rich in renaissance statutes and paintings; Many consider it the prettiest church of Latin America.
In 2008, Quito, the capital of Ecuador was highlighted in the travel section of the New York times, listing Ecuador's capital Quito as one of the 53 most interesting cities in the world for Americans to visit. Samantha Brown called Quito "Passport to Latin America" being the perfect place from where to initiate travel to discover South America. Since then, Quito has been highlighted in television programs of CBN and NBC, while many other magazines and newspapers have dedicated center fold sections to this previously undervalued most splendid colonial capital of all the Americas.
In fact, the most impressive destinations in the continent starts with Ecuador, followed by Peru and the other Southern destinations, that can all conveniently be reached from the capital of Ecuador.
The capital of Ecuador has been one of the first cities to be nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, but in spite of that, in has not become a well-known tourist destination until quite recently. For those living in Quito in the the seventies, it would have been hard to believe that in a few decades, the city would become the most stunning capital of the continent with gorgeous old strolls and wonderfully restored monuments.
While Lima was the administrative center of the Spanish colonial empire in South America, Ecuador's capital was the religious center with many cathedrals, churches and monasteries, most of which have survived the countless temblors and the general wear of the centuries. Now wonderfully restored, Quito, the capital of Ecuador has architecturally wonderfully designed plazas that are interconnected by romantic narrow strolls, where people of all ages stroll unconcerned through this peaceful paradise of majestic monuments, local shops, well restored and redesigned mansions that now serve as restaurants and colonial posadas (inns). What I like so much about Ecuador's capital Quito is that it is a city dominated by its own people. Parents with their children play and picnic on the lawns and in the parks. Tourists are present but not in overwhelming numbers.
Whenever you go to Ecuador, please do yourself a favor and take at least 2 days to fall in love with this wonderfully restored city. If you like, you can take a half day's guided tour but after that, go out on your own, stroll through the narrow streets, sample the restaurants, explore beautifully illuminated Ecuador's capital Quito at night and mingle with the friendly Ecuadorians. They regard the colonial center of Ecuador's capital Quito or "Casco viejo" as the Quitenos call their old town, as their cultural heritage, the place that unites their rich history with the pleasures of twenty-first century.
With many pedestrians-only streets, the colonial center should be enjoyed, walking from plaza to plaza and cathedral to monastery. Distances are short and there is a great selection of low cost little eating places where you can rest when you feel tired.
There are more than 30 historical churches and chapels and it is impossible to name them all, but we like to at least mention the most delightful of all: The Compania Church with its renaissance faade and courtyard. The interior is covered with gold and is rich in renaissance statutes and paintings; Many consider it the prettiest church of Latin America.
In 2008, Quito, the capital of Ecuador was highlighted in the travel section of the New York times, listing Ecuador's capital Quito as one of the 53 most interesting cities in the world for Americans to visit. Samantha Brown called Quito "Passport to Latin America" being the perfect place from where to initiate travel to discover South America. Since then, Quito has been highlighted in television programs of CBN and NBC, while many other magazines and newspapers have dedicated center fold sections to this previously undervalued most splendid colonial capital of all the Americas.
In fact, the most impressive destinations in the continent starts with Ecuador, followed by Peru and the other Southern destinations, that can all conveniently be reached from the capital of Ecuador.
About the Author:
For almost 40 years, Wesly Vanderhill has traveled through the Andes of Ecuador and he shares his knowledge and high resolution pictures about highlights and other delightful places of Ecuador
