Hotel Boutique Casona 1914 — Quito, Ecuador
Tours in
Quito
The city of eternal spring · 9,350 ft above sea level
Recommended itineraries
Choose your
adventure
2
Essential
Quito
Quito
2 Days
- 🏙 Historic City CentreDeclared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 — the first city in the world to receive this designation. Cobblestone streets, colonial Spanish and mestizo architecture, and the best-preserved historic centre in Latin America.Go early. At 8am the streets are still empty and the light is perfect for photography.
- ⛪ Metropolitan Cathedral & Basílica del Voto NacionalThe Cathedral (17th century) holds the remains of Marshal Sucre, hero of South American independence. The Neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional is the largest of its kind in the Americas — climb the towers for sweeping 360° views of Quito.Climb the Basílica towers via stairs or elevator. The views of the city and surrounding volcanoes are unforgettable.
- ✨ Church of La Compañía de JesúsConsidered the most beautiful church in Ecuador and one of the finest Baroque interiors in the Americas. Its interior is covered with over 7 tonnes of gold leaf, built by the Jesuits between 1605 and 1765.Visit before 11am or after 3pm to avoid tour groups. Entry hours are limited — check the schedule at our front desk.
- 🏛 Plaza San Francisco & ConventThe largest square in the historic centre. The Franciscan Convent (1535) is the oldest religious complex in South America. Its colonial art museum houses a remarkable collection of Quito School paintings and sculpture.Try a traditional "helado de paila" (hand-spun ice cream) on the edge of the plaza — a 200-year-old Quito tradition.
- ☕ Cafés & Chocolate ShopsEcuador produces some of the world's finest fine-flavour cacao. Visit artisan chocolate shops like República del Cacao or Pacari. For specialty coffee, the bohemian La Floresta neighbourhood has Quito's best third-wave cafés.Order a hot chocolate with yuca bread at La Ronda — the most atmospheric street in the old town, especially lively on weekends.
- 🌿 Quito Botanical GardenLocated inside Parque La Carolina, the garden holds over 1,000 orchid species — Ecuador's national flower — along with native plants from every climatic zone in the country, from cloud forest to Amazon.Open Tue–Sun, 8am–5pm. January through March is peak orchid blooming season.
- 🚡 TelefériQo — Quito Cable CarRide from 9,680 ft to 13,450 ft up the slopes of Pichincha Volcano in just 8 minutes. At the top, breathtaking 360° views of Quito, snow-capped volcanoes, and the Andean horizon. Trails lead toward the Rucu Pichincha crater (15,413 ft).Go before 11am — clouds typically roll in by midday and block the views. Bring a warm layer: it's cold at the top year-round.⚠️ If you plan to hike to the crater (2h extra, round trip), bring water, snacks, and sun protection. You're at high altitude — take 10 minutes to acclimatise before hiking.
+
Middle of
the World
the World
Day excursion
- 🌐 Ciudad Mitad del Mundo & Intiñan MuseumStand with one foot in each hemisphere on the precise GPS location of the equatorial line. The Intiñan Museum offers fascinating hands-on experiments: balancing an egg on a nail, water spinning in opposite directions on each side of the equator, and demonstrations of the Coriolis effect.Visit both sites: the official monument and the Intiñan Museum, just 200m away. Together they offer a more complete experience — one more historical, the other more interactive.
Beyond Quito
Extended
Adventures
Day 3 — From Quito
Mindo
☁️ Cloud Forest · 4,100 ft elevation
- Distance: 80 km northwest — 2 hours by bus or car
- Organised tour: ~$45–70 USD/person (transport + activities)
- Birdwatching — over 400 species (world-class birding destination)
- Butterfly house — 25+ tropical species in flight
- Tarabita cable car over the Nambillo River gorge
- Waterfalls: Nambillo, Reina, Cóndor Machay (1.5–2h hike)
- Artisan chocolate — visits to cacao farm workshops
- River tubing through the jungle
Bring a waterproof jacket — the cloud forest is humid year-round. Best visited June–September (dry season).
Day 4 — From Quito
Cotopaxi
🏔 Active snow-capped volcano · 19,347 ft
- Distance: 90 km south — 1h 45min by car
- Guided tour: ~$60–90 USD (guide, transport, basic gear)
- Cotopaxi National Park — Entry: $2 USD
- Trek to José Ribas Refuge at 15,750 ft — 1.5h each way
- Mountain biking descent along the volcano's flanks
- Limpiopuncha Lagoon — trekking through high-altitude páramo
- Andean condors and wild llamas — likely sightings
- Glacier views from the parking area at 14,750 ft
No mountaineering experience required to reach the refuge. Bring warm layers, gloves, and SPF 50+ sunscreen — altitude sun burns fast.
5+ Days — Expedition
Amazon Jungle
🌿 Cuyabeno Reserve & Napo River
- Cuyabeno Reserve: 4–5h bus from Quito + motorised canoe
- Napo Wildlife (Yasuní): Flight to Coca + 2h by boat
- All-inclusive packages: $350–600 USD / 4 days
- Cuyabeno Lagoon — kayaking & swimming with pink river dolphins
- Night excursions — spotting caimans and anacondas
- Visits to Siona and Cofán indigenous communities
- Canopy walks and jungle trekking with native guides
- Piranha fishing and traditional cooking
- Sunrise over the jungle canopy — howler monkeys at dawn
Pack long-sleeve shirts, DEET 40%+ insect repellent, a basic first-aid kit, and a waterproof camera. Ask at our front desk — we'll connect you with certified, responsible operators.
Ready to explore?
Stop by the front desk at Hotel Boutique Casona 1914 for detailed information on every destination, tour bookings, transport arrangements — and to ask about your complimentary Free Walking Tour.
Location
Av. Gran Colombia y Briceño, San Blas, Quito
Front Desk
Open 24 hours
Maps
Available at reception
Tours
We organise & book for you