After arriving from Bogotá, Quito immediately impressed us with its historic old town, beautiful plazas and lively cafés. The city sits high in the Andes at almost 2,900 meters and has a unique atmosphere where colonial architecture meets the dramatic landscape of the surrounding volcanoes.
Our first evening was spent exploring the streets around the historic center. Small bars, local restaurants and the warm lights of the old buildings made for a great first impression of the city.
However, something else quickly became noticeable. The presence of the military was impossible to ignore. Throughout the city center — especially around government buildings and the main square — heavily armed soldiers and security barriers were everywhere.
Locals later told us that earlier in the year a high-profile criminal had escaped from prison, which had led to a major security response across the country. Even months later the impact was still visible in Quito.
While the city itself is beautiful and full of great places to eat and explore, the strong military presence created a slightly tense and heavy atmosphere. It felt very different from many other South American cities we had visited.
Despite that, Quito was still an exciting place to start our journey through Ecuador and the Andes.
Country: Ecuador Region: Pichincha Province Elevation: ~2,850 m Highlights: Historic old town, Andean mountain scenery, local restaurants and cafés Travel mood during visit: noticeable military presence in the city center