City Orientation

Quito is very easy to get around, especially if you ignore the new street numbering system. They say that good intentions pave the way to hell. I believe it. In 1998 Quito established a street numbering system that superseded (at least in theory) the city's traditional street addresses and house numbers. The new system never took and now it just confuses anyone that tries to use it.

For example, in 1997, Café Guápulo's address was merely "Café Guápulo halfway down Camino de Orellana (there are no cross streets), you know, the street that leads to Guápulo's Cathedral". Since 1998, Café Guápulo's address has been "N27-492". And you thought the 97 directions were vague! I recommend that if you are directing someone to Café Guápulo, follow my lead and say "it's halfway down the hill on the way to the Guápulo Dome" or, if you must, use a combination of the two systems.

Inside Guápulo's Cathedral. Photo by Luke Chambers.

If you insist on sticking solely to the new system, give your friend the technical street address followed by the explanation below and tell him you'll see him on the flip side.

How the street numbering system works:

All streets north of the colonial centre are lettered "N" and numbered in sequence. Streets running south of this divide are lettered "S". The systems east-west axis is La Avenida 10 de Agosto. Streets running east of the axis are lettered "E" and streets running west are lettered "O" (for oeste). Street numbers are followed by a dash and then the house or building number, e.g., N17-31 or E22-77.

Transportation

Once you know where you are going, Quito's tremendous transportation system makes the city easy to navigate. Buses and taxis are abundant, and the recent addition of the pedestrian and environment friendly Trolley Bus and Bus Ecológico, the transportation system has been even further improved. Buses and taxis can take you just about anywhere, while the Trolley and Bus Ecológico run north-south and serve the west and east sides of Quito respectively. The Trolley begins at the juncture of 10 de Agosto, Avenida America, and Avenida de la Prensa and follows 10 de Agosto to the mall El Recreo located on Avenida Maldonado in the Old City. The Bus Ecológico stretches north-south on Avenida 6 de Diciembre.

Buses

Two classes of color-coded buses run in Quito: popular and selectivo (sometimes called ejecutivo). Popular buses (blue) are the less expensive of the two and, correspondingly, are considerably less comfortable. They are always jammed packed and commonly spew black diesel smoke that leaks into the cabin. Furthermore, watch your stuff when riding popular buses, wandering hands frequently probe your belongings. Selectivos (red) cost about twice as much as populares but they are well worth it. For about 10 cents more you will have your own seat (no standing is permitted) and run much less of a risk of being robbed. In July 2000, populares cost 5 cents per ride and selectivos cost about 15 cents.

Taxis

Taxis, taxis, taxis, everywhere. You should never have a problem finding one of our little yellow friends, but beware some are more genial, and honest, than others. The taximetro (the little black box tacked underneath the dashboard) now charges in dollars. The starting fare is currently (as of September 2001) USD .30 and the minimum for a ride is USD .80. At night taxistas almost never use the meter and generally charge a minimum of USD 1. If the driver doesn't want to use the meter, get out and find another taxi or negotiate a reasonable fare before he sets off.

Airport

Quito's airport, "Mariscal Sucre", is on Avenida de la Prensa 5 kilometers north of the city's main tourist district. The easiest way to get to and from the airport is by taxi. On arrival you can catch a taxi directly outside of international arrivals area . Don't worry about calling a taxi ahead of time, they are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Expect to pay around $3 for a ride to the city and don't be afraid to negotiate if the taxista wants more. Ask taxi drivers to use the meter when going to the airport from Quito, it is a lot less than the reverse trip. Unlike on arrival, you have the advantage. You can easily get another taxi or take the bus if the taxi driver refuses to use the meter.

Bus Station

Quito's main bus station, called "La Terminal Terrestre de Cumandá", is located in the Old City close to Plaza Santo Domingo at 3077 Maldonado. Most bus companies, both domestic and international, have their offices in this Station, though there are a few bus companies that leave from various spots in the New City.

The Terminal Terrestre has three main levels. From top to bottom, the first two levels are shops and restaurants and the third (basement or subsuelo level) is where you buy tickets and also is where all buses depart from. Buses arriving in Quito drop their passengers off on the upper most level of the Station. Taxis are found on this level and are easy to get to from the place where the buses arrive. The Terminal and the area around it are breeding grounds for thieves, so keep a close eye on your bags at all time.

Train Station

La Estacion Chimbacalle, Quito's one and only train station, has a quaint quality that makes it easy to overlook its aged flaws. Until the Liberal Revolution and the significant development of transportation infrastructure that accompanied it, the train was, for all practical purposes, the only mode of long distance transport in Ecuador. Let's just say that the Station hasn't changed much since Mr. Alfaro's days.

Chimbacalle is located on Calle Maldonado deep in Old Quito, south of the historic centre and several kilometers from the New City. The easiest way to get to the station is on the Trolley bus. Coming north there is a stop right in front of the station. Going south you will need to get off at the Machangara stop and walk a few blocks.

Unfortunately, you need to actually go to Chimbacalle to buy tickets. And unless you like riding on the roof you'd better go at least a day before your trip. Trains do not run nearly as frequently as buses and almost everyone prefers to take the train over a bus for long journeys. Supposedly the ticket counter is open daily from 8:30 to 16:00 but employees regularly take lengthy, unscheduled breaks. The phone number of Chimbacalle is 651-752. There is also an administrative office on Calle Simón Bolívar in the Centro Histórico but you cannot buy tickets there.

For more information on transportation in Ecuador go to the EcuadorExplorer.com's transportation section.

On this page:City Orientation | Transportation | Buses | Taxis | Airport | Bus Station | Train Station |