City: Pichincha Province
Top Things to do in Pichincha Province
What to do and see in Pichincha Province, Ecuador: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Pichincha (Spanish pronunciation: [piˈtʃintʃa]) is a province of Ecuador located in the northern sierra region; its capital and largest city is Quito. It is bordered by Imbabura and Esmeraldas to the north, Cotopaxi and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas to the south, Napo and Sucumbíos to the east, and Esmeraldas and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas to the west.
Restaurants in Pichincha Province
1. Las Tangaras Reserve (Reserva las Tangaras)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
A lodge with full meal service in spectacular cloud forest near Mindo, Ecuador, Reserva las Tangaras is home to more than 300 bird species including Choco endemics: Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Club-winged Manakin, and Choco Toucan. Rare amphibians and reptiles, 25+ species of hummingbird, spectacled bear, and endangered capuchin monkeys reside here. We invite "ecologically minded" visitors - birdwatchers, photographers, and students of wildlife conservation. We provide guided visits to an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek, with up to 18 cocks displaying at sunrise and night walks to see tropical frogs. A network of trails, camping areas, and river and waterfall swimming holes are easily reached from the reserve lodge. We offer a beautiful and comfortable lodge with a large private or communal sleeping loft, hot showers, flush toilet, library, and delicious homemade meals. Join us at the Reserve for an incredible experience living in, learning about, and exploring the cloud forest.
Reviewed By asier2p
My partner and myself stayed for few days at las tangaras reserve in November 2019. We camped with our tent in the roofed hut (November can be quite rainy) and alternate our food with the meals they offer at the reserve. We highly recommend this place: from the main building we could watch many bird species, and we loved to stay at the terrace just watching the hummingbirds while they were feeding. The visit to the cock of the rock lek it's a MUST. Just amazing. At the time we were there, the managers Ayla and Guillermo helped us a lot: provided us with a lot of information and tips about the birds and birdwatching, and we learnt a lot with them. We spent few nights checking bird guides and asking them questions about the birds we had just seen during the day... It was great to share the experience with them.
2. Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7,730 reviews
The Temple of the Sun Temple Painter Ortega Maila is a masterpiece built by the indigenous painter and sculptor Ortega Maila after a great research of design and ancestral architecture to maintain his art and culture of the Andes. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour with a guide. The tour includes an aromatherapy session and coca leaf tea courtesy of the museum.
Reviewed By I2924GCdanielt - Prague, Czech Republic
Great place to visit, within the hour tour you can experience aromatherapy, coca tea, and view world-wide class paints.
3. Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,974 reviews
This Jesuit church is a masterpiece of baroque and Quiteno-colonial art with lavish golden altars and gilded columns, making it one of the most ornate structures in Ecuador.
Reviewed By tomy476 - Chicago, United States
Fundación Iglesia de la Compañía is a must see visit while in Quito. The $5 entry for tourists is well worth it. From floor to ceilings the cathedral of an overload of beauty for the eyes with gold inlay everywhere, carvings, statues, murals... While there Without a guided tour I listened in on a few guided groups and would recommend doing that. If you want, this would be an ideal place for a longer silent spiritual retreat like visit to take the beauty in...
4. Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,677 reviews
Established in 1536 by Franciscan monks, this magnificent architectural masterpiece features a museum in its convent with art from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Reviewed By georgesB4777WE - Miami Beach, United States
This is the oldest church in Quito (from the 16th century) and one of the most beautiful. Though one can argue that the Jesuit one is more “uber” than this church, it, nevertheless is “uber-magnificent” also. It is relatively plain from the outside, but its baroque inside explodes and takes your breath away. The main altar and the side altars are beautifully gilded and carved. Its decorated ceilings remind me of a Moorish design, probably coming from Spain. Every inch of the interior is covered with gilt or art. A site that cannot be missed. The admission to the church is free and photos during services are prohibited. The convent and museum next door however, charges a $4 admission fee and has a separate entrance.
5. Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,477 reviews
Located in the heart of the Old City, this busy plaza honors those heroes who started the movement toward independence from Spain.
Reviewed By CBPolitico
What an amazing place, the core plaza in old town, it has the Presidential Palace, the Bishop's palace and other old, government buildings. The place will be crawling with municipal, military and federal police. The smell of pot is always lingering in the air (be careful though, with all the police locals seem safe and able to smoke, but if you are seen paying for anything you could be in trouble). It is alive! There is so much going on in this space - music at all times, not planned, but spontaneous. People show up with their instruments and play throughout the day, singers will just set up and sing - not even for money, but for the joy of it. You can sit here all day - see it lit at night
6. Casa Museo Guayasamin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,254 reviews
This museum features exhibits related to the Ecuadorian contemporary artist Oswaldo Guayasamín including posters, signed prints and colonial religious art.
Reviewed By tortuga1959 - Bern, Switzerland
A great museum with a very interesting history behind. Guaysamin was a very special artist with huge talent.
7. Pichincha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By conniegJ4934AA
A group of 16 people from different countries join AJ adventures. We trekked to Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Chimborazo. Swing and ride a cable car in Bano. Also went to the Pailon Del Diablo waterfall in Bano. Thank you Paul Aguilar who was our guide. He was fun and knowledge of Ecuador history and culture. He also let us stop by local free market and shop....Thanks our driver/cook Carlos who cooked lunch for us. We couldn’t have such a good time and safety trekking without two of you. Highly recommended.
8. El Panecillo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,581 reviews
Resembling a type of small bread (panecillo), this hill makes an excellent observation point over Quito and features La Virgen del Panecillo, a majestic sculpture that can be seen from any location in the city.
Reviewed By georgesB4777WE - Miami Beach, United States
This is a hill which overlooks Quito. It is topped with a huge statue of The Virgin Mary and can be seen from the city even at night, when the statue is bathed in white light. The hill (shaped like a loaf of bread) is at Quito’s southern end (close to Old Town) and can be reached by either a city bus or via a cheap Uber ride. There is a restaurant (Pimms) on the top and there is no admission fee. The views of the city from the top are great and, in my opinion, superior to the ones from TeleferiQo. There is a $2 admission should you want to climb the stairs inside the silver aluminum statue of the Virgin. BTW, the City hop-on bus generally makes an extended stop here and you can take some wonderful pictures. A must-see!!
9. La Virgen del Panecillo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 881 reviews
Located on top of the Cerro El Panecillo, this imposing sculpture can be seen from any location in downtown Quito.
Reviewed By annemacmillan
The Statue can be seen all over the City, it reminded me of Christ The Redeemer in Brazil.. You can go inside the Statue it only costs $1 and walk all the way up to the top on each floor there’s a Gallery that tells the story of the Monument with the beautiful stain glass windows. The Statue stands over 3,000 meters above sea level once you get to the top you can walk around the outside and see a full 360c panoramic view of Quito it looks over City & Old Town and is very visible.. tip take a camera the views are incredible.
10. Quito Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,785 reviews
This historic district was the first city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted for its narrow streets, Spanish colonial architecture and historic attractions.
Reviewed By LidiaK54 - Toronto, Canada
Quito Old Town is exceptionnaly beautiful with ist numerous churches, narrow streets, picturesque squares, amazing views. It's an incredible pleasure discovering it by foot.
