Quito

Where to stay

Most budget hostels cluster in La Mariscal, the new city neighborhood centered on Plaza Foch and Calle Reina Victoria. If you want quieter surroundings at slightly lower prices, La Floresta sits just east and still puts you within walking distance of the main hostel strip.

Getting around

• Quito sits at 2,850 meters above sea level. Plan a slow first day, drink a lot of water, and hold off on the Telefériqo cable car or long walks through the Centro Histórico until your body adjusts.
• A full almuerzo at Mercado Central in the Old Town runs just a couple of dollars and usually includes soup, a main, rice, and juice. Avoid paying three times that for the same calories at the tourist-facing spots around Plaza Foch.
• The Quito Metro Line 1 and the Trolebús corridor connect La Mariscal to the historic center for a few cents a ride. Use them during the day instead of taxis and you will cut your daily transport costs to almost nothing.

When to go

Hostels fill up and prices rise from June through August when dry-season weather coincides with North American and European summer travel. October through May is generally the cheapest window, with the exception of the Christmas and New Year holiday week.