City: Pichincha Province
Top Things to do in Pichincha Province
What to do and see in Pichincha Province, Ecuador: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
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. 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.
2. Volcan Cayambe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By E3809NNcarolinac
Hello, I want to talk to you about my experience of living in Cayambe. I have lived in Cayambe since I can remember, this small town saw me grow up. Cayambe is a very magical place, full of places to visit and traditional and delicious food. Cayambe's weather is very crazy, there are days when the sun is very hot, others when the cold makes you freeze, and others when the wind is so strong that you feel it can take you. In my opinion I prefer cold weather, it is much more pleasant. Cayambe is the place of the Bizcochos and the Queso de hoja, throughout the town of Cayamabe you can find some restaurants that have Quesos de hoja and Bizcochos, it is a traditional dish of Cayambe. Many tourists come to Cayambe to try the Queso de hoja and Bizcochos, some people also take them abroad. The best known place where tourists go to eat bizcochos is the Bizcochos del Padre restaurant. Cayambe also has some places that you can visit for example: monument to the middle of the world, the Cariacu waterfalls, the snowy Cayambe, the Puntiatzil architectural complex, Municipal Museum, Molios ta Onio railway bridge. Cayambe also has many parks that you can go to, it also has rivers, another known place is also the house of Mariana de Jesus, a very beloved saint in the country. There are also many pools, one that I know is on the bank of a river. Of the places that I have visited in Cayambe, the Cariacu waterfalls are my favorite places, these waterfalls are very large, they are in a community called Cariacu, to get to these waterfalls you have to walk a lot. The first time I went to these waterfalls, I was a girl and the road was not pretty, because it was in poor condition, years after I went again, the road was already more arranged and with signs so that you can get there. The people of the community are in charge of taking care of the waterfalls, and the people should not damage or dirty the waterfalls I have not been able to go to the snowy Cayambe, but in the photos I have seen, it is a very magical and beautiful place, with a beautiful view. In order for you to get to the snowy, you must be accompanied by someone who knows the way because you can get lost. Living in Cayambe has been a beautiful experience, the food and all the places it has for you to have fun. If you ever come to Ecuador, I recommend that you visit Cayambe in the province of Pichincha. Cayambe is near to the capital of Ecuador. I hope you visit some Cayambe and visit the Cariacu Waterfalls and eat the delicious Quesos de hoja and the Bizcochos.
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. Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Considered one of the world’s largest volcanic craters, this extinct volcano is one of two populated craters in the world whose first inhabitants were the Incas.
Reviewed By RavindraKulkarni - Bengaluru, India
This place was never to be missed during our visit to Ecuador. Luckily we found a cab driver who agreed to take us around all places. Our second visit after Teleferico was this. The clouds were just below us and it was soooo good. Do not miss to visit this place. There are few restaurants near parking, which are good.
