Capital city in Pichincha, Ecuador
Quito for solo travelers
Is Quito good for solo travel?
High-altitude colonial capital with a UNESCO old town, a new metro, good food and easy trips to volcanoes, markets and cloud forest. Altitude, rising crime and thin air quality in rush hour are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Catcalling is common but serious assault on visitors is unusual. Use app rides at night, watch drinks, and avoid empty streets in the old town. |
How to meet people in Quito
Hostels in La Mariscal and La Floresta host dinners and tours, language-exchange nights, salsa classes, climbing gyms and trekking groups. Spanish helps a lot.
Good things to do alone
- Ride the TelefériQo cable car to Pichincha's slopes
- Walk the old town on a Sunday morning
- Stand on the equator at Mitad del Mundo
- Day trip to Cotopaxi or the Quilotoa crater
- Take a Spanish class in La Floresta
Where to stay in Quito
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| La Mariscal | First-timers: hostels, restaurants, nightlife; avoid empty streets late |
| La Floresta | Nomads and long stays: cafés, galleries, calmer streets |
| Centro Histórico | Colonial sights by day; poor choice to stay at night |
| González Suárez–La Carolina | Safer, upscale, parks and malls |
| Cumbayá | Suburban expats; cars needed, far from the center |
Solo travel across Ecuador
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Quito | 4/5 | Limited |
| Galápagos Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cuenca | 4/5 | Limited |
| Baños | 4/5 | Limited |
| Otavalo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Mindo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Vilcabamba | 4/5 | Limited |
| Puerto López | 4/5 | Limited |
| Montañita | 3/5 | Limited |
| Guayaquil | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Quito good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). High-altitude colonial capital with a UNESCO old town, a new metro, good food and easy trips to volcanoes, markets and cloud forest.
How do you meet people in Quito?
Hostels in La Mariscal and La Floresta host dinners and tours, language-exchange nights, salsa classes, climbing gyms and trekking groups. Spanish helps a lot. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Quito?
Limited.
Is Quito safe for solo female travelers?
Catcalling is common but serious assault on visitors is unusual. Use app rides at night, watch drinks, and avoid empty streets in the old town.
More about Quito
Going to Quito solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Quito meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.