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Qufu

Qufu (曲阜 Qūfù) is a town in Shandong Province, located about 2 hours by bus from the provincial capital Jinan. Famous as the birthplace of Confucius, its Confucius related sites are declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understand
"I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there."

- The Analects, Book 7

Qufu has more than 2,500 years of history. Best known as the hometown of China's "first sage", Confucius, it was the home of his descendants - who often ruled the place as feudal lords - for many centuries, until being forced by the Communist revolution to leave China's mainland for Taiwan.

The center of the national cult of Confucius, and the birthplace of the mythical Yellow Emperor (the legendary founder of the Chinese nation), Qufu saw many emperors decorate its temples with stone tablets (steles), praising Confucius and other heroic figures of the past. Usually written in Chinese, but during some dynasties also in Mongol or Manchu, these steles are among the most characteristic objects to be found at the city's historical sites. The most important of them are supported by mighty stone tortoises (which since the Ming era have become known as bixi). Entire books have been published in China cataloguizing Qufu's steles and transcribing their content.

While large Confucian temples can be found throughout China (e.g. Nanjing's Fuzimiao or Jianshui's Wenmiao) and some of its neighboring countries (e.g. Hanoi's Văn Miếu), Qufu's original temple is the "first in honor".

Qufu also boasts a strong Muslim ("Hui") community, concentrated in the Xiguan neighborhood outside of the western gate of the walled city.

By bus
Bus from Jinan is the usual way, or on a tour. There are buses all day, but check the last departure or you may be spending the night.

There are regular buses from Tai'an (1 hour), Qingdao (5 hours), and other major cities within the province.

By train
There are two main railway lines between Beijing and Shanghai: the high-speed line opened in 2011, and the century-old "conventional" railway.

If besides Qufu you are also visiting Mencius Temple and Mansion in the nearby Zoucheng, you may choose to travel by train to Zoucheng (which is also on the Beijing-Shanghai mainline), and go to Qufu by bus (¥6-7, about 30 min travel time) or taxi. However, buses stop running around 18:00.

By plane
The closest airport to Qufu is the rather misleadingly named . While the airport is fairly close to Jining, the capital of the prefecture that Qufu belongs to, it is over 90 km from Qufu by road. Bus J963 can take you from the airport to Qufu. The airport has flights from Beijing, Shanghai, and a few other cities, including Guangzhou, Chengdu, Qingdao and Shenyang.

Get around
Walk or if you stand in one place too long, hordes of people will offer to transport you via all manner of vehicle, from rickshaw, to bicycle, to taxi, to beast.

The historical central city, surrounded by the restored Ming-era city wall and a moat, and containing Confucius Temple and Kong Family Mansion near its center, is about a mile across, and is small enough to walk. The modern visitor center is located outside the southern gate of the city wall. From the northern gate one can walk to the Confucius Cemetery (Confucius Forest) along a pleasant tree-lined (and, in the summer, vendor-lined) avenue.

Qufu has a small and inexpensive local bus system. The buses run along the east-west street south of the walled city, and can be used to travel to various locations on the city's outskirts, such as Shou Qiu (see below), the Qufu Railway Station (see below), and the intercity bus station.

See
The historical walled city, within which three of the major sites (Temple of Confucius, Kong Family Mansion, and the Yan Hui Temple) and many hotels arejust a couple of kilometers away. The town is quick to walk through and nice along the main streets. There are some old, restored gates and a winding creek to add atmosphere.

The Confucius Cemetery is a kilometer or so north of the present-day city wall. The modern city center is south of the walled city. The Muslim neighborhood with its mosque and a lively market is outside the west gate, while the Song-Dynasty sites associated with the Yellow Emperor and Shaohao are about 4 km east of the old city.

You pay for admission (¥30 to 80 per site, as of 2010) to all the good sites and wander among the sacred buildings, everyday buildings, stelae with inscriptions in Chinese, Mongol, and Manchu, and so forth. A guide or guidebook is essential as many of the sites are very big. Foreign tourists can gain free admission to the Temple of Confucius, Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion if you memorise 5 or more verses of Confucius's Analects in any language, whereas Chinese citizens need to memorise 30.

 * Cemetery of Confucius, or Confucius Forest (Kong Lin)
 * Kong Family Mansion (Kong Fu)
 * Temple of Yan Hui (Yan Miao)
 * Temple of Duke Zhou (Zhou Gong Miao')
 * Tomb of Shaohao (Shaohao Ling) and Shou Qiu (birthplace of the legendary Yellow Emperor)
 * Temple of Duke Zhou (Zhou Gong Miao')
 * Tomb of Shaohao (Shaohao Ling) and Shou Qiu (birthplace of the legendary Yellow Emperor)

The main areas to see are the so-called Sān Kǒng ("Three Confucian [sites]"): the Confucian temple, the Confucian mansions, and the Confucian forest (just north of town). During the warm part of the year, it's very touristy and loaded with guides herding sightseers with little flags and megaphones, but in winter the place is almost deserted. English is not widely spoken.

Shou Qiu and Shaohao Tomb
A more remote site - 4 km east of the central city - consists of Shou Qiu ("Longevity Hill"), the birth place of the legendary Yellow Emperor, marked with two giant turtle-borne steles (apparently, the two largest monuments of this kind in China), and the nearby tomb of his similarly legendary son These monuments date to the Song Dynasty.

Do

At night the city walls are decorated with ornamental lights. The moat around the walls make for a picturesque walk at night. Many of the local elderly gather around these places to dance.

There is a swanky bar located, literally, in the city wall. It's usually a bit empty, but the bar tenders speak a bit of English and are very friendly. Local expats can be found there on most weekend nights.

Buy
There are tourist stands all around the temples and shouts of "hello! hello!" can be irritating. The main buys are copies of the Analects and a "chop" with your name engraved on it or something like that. Otherwise, it's the usual tourist stuff.

Eat
A great variety of restaurants can be found in the eastern part of the old walled city, a block or two east of Gulou Ave (the main north-south street of the old city).

For Halal food, fresh produce, tofu, baked goods, etc. head to the Muslim neighborhood: Xiguan St that runs west from the old city's west gate.

Most restaurants you will easily find have marked up prices due to the tourist nature of the city. Beware asking cab-drivers or "wooden cab" drivers as they seem to receive kickbacks. You can expect to pay at least ¥100 getting a meal for two if you are not careful and savvy.

Drink
Konfujia in black jar (46%)

Sleep
Finding a place to sleep isn't difficult, as you will probably be approached by people offering accommodation. Outside of the tourist season you can probably bargain pretty hard on the prices. There are a large number of small and mid-size hotels within the walled city, on the main north-south street and in the blocks to the east. There are also bigger and somewhat more modern-looking hotels in the streets south of the walled city, near the visitor center.

The Qufu International Youth Hostel is a very nice place to stay. With a friendly staff, and entirely new building this is an excellent place to sleep while exploring Qufu and its surroundings. The hostel is located at the northwestern end of the main street inside the city walls. It is ¥140 for a double/triple with private shower.

Muslim visitors may choose to stay at one of a number of halal (清真 qīngzhēn) guesthouses in the Xiguan neighborhood, west of the walled city.

Go next

 * If the China's First Sage, Confucius, isn't enough for you, you can visit the nearby Zoucheng, hometown of the perennially Second Sage, Mencius.
 * Tai'an, the gateway to the sacred Mount Taishan, is about an hour away by bus or (infrequent) train.

title: Qufu


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Quiberon

Quiberon is a town in Brittany, France (on the Altantic coast). It is situated on a peninsula Presqu'île de Quiberon. In France it is well-known as summer spa-resort.

Get in
By train from Paris. To get there you should take a TGV-Express from Gare de Montparnasse that will bring you to Auray town, where there is a connection with a bus directly to Quiberon (in July and August there is a train from Auray to Quiberon). In order to find a bus stop you should leave the railway station and go to the right, it is situated a bit aside. The tickets for the whole road can be bought on the Montparnasse railway station (the approximate price for return ticket - €135/person, people younger than 25 y.o. get a price reduction). Before getting into the train you should stamp your ticket in a yellow machine that are situated a bit aside from the platforms. It is also possible to buy a ticket only to Auray and to pay there to the bus driver on-site. The duration of one way is 4:55.

See

 * Côte sauvage - so called wild coast, where the ocean waves beat the stones, where it is forbidden to swim because of life-danger, where you can see picturesque landscapes...

Do

 * Surfing in the Atlantic ocean
 * Spa-procedures
 * Sunbathing on the Grande Plage

Buy
In the center of the town the small shops are open even on winter Sundays (at least in the morning). As a souvenir it is interesting to buy cider and sardines.

Sleep
There are a lot of small hotels and houses with apartments to be rent alongside the coast.

Go next

 * Belle Île - from Quiberon it is possible (also in winter) to take a ferry and to get to the island, well-known resort.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Quiberon


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Quillabamba

Quillabamba is a city in the Southern Sierra of Peru. It is the capital of La Convención Province, which is the largest province of Cusco. It is located in an area called the higher jungle. Agriculture is the most important activity, principally coffee, cacao, tea and coca. The town is a mixture of Andean and Amazonian migrants.

Get in
Daily Buses run to Quillabamba from the Santiago terminal in Cusco (7-8 hours, ~ US$4) via Santa María. Turismo Ampay is the recommended company to go on this trip with. Other destinations are Ivochote (12-14 hours) and Huancacalle (4-7 hours).

See
Ask a taxi driver for a local guide, they can take you to see some beautiful waterfalls in the jungle. Along the way you will pass beautiful wildflowers, shade coffee trees, and oranges you can eat off the tree. There is also a small zoo about 1/2 hour away, which can be combined with a day trip to the waterfalls.

Sleep
There are plenty of cheap hostels in town. Ask any cab driver.

Go next

 * Ivochote - Downstream from Kiteni, on Rio Urubamba. 7-9 hours by road from Quillabamba.
 * Kiteni - Where its possible to transfer to boat and travel down Rio Urubamba to Sepahua and on to Atalaya. Travelling down this section of the Rio Urubamba in not advised during the wet season (Nov to March) due to rapids, particularly the Pongo de Mainique considered the most dangerous whitewater pass on Rio Urubamba.
 * Machu Picchu - via Santa Maria then Santa Teresa, roughly the way the jungle trek goes.
 * Santa Teresa - Thermal springs the size of swimming pools.

title: Quillabamba


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Quilotoa Loop

Quilotoa Loop is a challenging 3-to-5-day hike in Ecuador that takes you past the Laguna Quilotoa, a gorgeous crater lake surrounded by Andean volcanic peaks.

Understand
The Quilotoa Loop (or Quilotoa circuit) is a remote, bumpy, mountainous road linking several high Andean villages and towns around the city of Latacunga. It offers one a chance to get off the Pan American highway and see some of the more remote people and culture of the central Andes of Ecuador.

It can be done as a self-guided tour by novice hikers who are acclimatized and properly prepared.

Prepare
This is a serious hike, so you will need proper hiking gear including hiking boots and clothes (layers), rain gear, and lots of water.

Walking poles are a good idea for safety and to protect your knees.

There are many hosterias in villages along the way, with all inclusive offers for very decent prices ($10-20 per person) so camping gear is not required. The trail may be acrobatic at some points, it is advised to keep your backpack as light as possible.

As there are many routes and the Wayfinder signs are sometimes confusing or nonexistent (as of Feb 2023), it is very easy to get lost or choose the wrong option. Take a printed map with you, or better: install an offline map application on your smartphone, and ask your hostel that they show you the directions on your map before starting the day. You really do not want to get lost since some are animal paths and are very dangerous (just above deadly cliffs).

Local people may offer to rent donkeys or horses to carry you and your gear along parts of the hike.

The hike takes place at high altitudes. Be sure to acclimatize before you set out. Quilotoa is about 1,000 m above Quito, so don't think that acclimatization in Quito is going to be sufficient. Altitude sickness pills (acetazolamide) can help.

Get in
There are frequent buses from Quito and other cities in the highlands to Latacunga and then to Sigchos, starting point of the 3-day trek. It is advised to take early buses so that you can finish your walk before nighttime.

The last buses from Quilotoa to Latacunga leave around 17:00.

Go
A popular route takes you from Latacunga through Sigchos, Isinliví, Chugchilán, and Laguna Quilotoa, then back to Latacunga:
 * Day 1: from by bus to, hike to
 * Day 2: hike to
 * Day 3: hike to, bus to Latacunga.

Hiking from Sigchos to Quilotoa puts the highlight of the hike at its end: the beautiful volcano crater lagoon, but it means climbing almost 1,000 m of elevation, two thirds of the climb on the last day.

Hiking the other direction, from Quilotoa to Sigchos, on the other hand, is easier as you descend by 1,000 m, two thirds of it on the first day.

Whichever direction you take, you will cross the Sigui/Toachi River valley three times, climbing up the valley’s steep trails during each crossing, and on each day of the trek.

Other routes may take you to:
 * Saquisilí
 * Zumbahua
 * Toacazo
 * Guangaje
 * Tigua

Transportation
Frequent buses connect Quilotoa to Latacunga.

There is a milk van from Sigchos to Chugchilán, but you will probably need a little Spanish to attempt this. The milk van is open-topped with a large canvas to keep it covered. Locals often use the van to get between the two small villages. Of course, it takes longer than the bus because of the milk deliveries, but jumping up onto the back of the truck and then standing up with your head sticking out the top as you go around little mountain roads is well worth it. Get up early and wait on the corner (with the bakery) by the bus station at around 06:30 (time varies so maybe get there at 06:00 and wait). There will probably be a few locals waiting around. You must pay the driver extra to get off about 400 m away from the Cloud Forest Hostel.

Stay safe and cope
There are some stray dogs along the trail. Although there is generally no issue, there is always risk of aggressive encounters and you should keep a hefty walking stick with you while you walk. Also, beware of bulls in the fields.

As mentioned above, it is easy to get lost, and alternative paths may end up being much more dangerous than the official path. According to alpine difficulty rating standards such as the French Hiking Federation, alternative trails reach maximum levels of technicity, effort and danger. Acrophobic people should know that some parts of the trail are very high. Be sure you get prepared and know the map of the day before leaving your hostel.

It is also very common that people on the way will ask money for a wide variety of reasons, among which: Follow your conscience, and keep in mind that many are scams. Children will always appreciate sweets.
 * “you are not on the right path, I will get you back on track” for $20
 * “I have no money to visit my son at the hospital” for $5
 * “you took a picture, I happened to be on it” for 1$

Go next
Consider travelling onwards to San Luis de Pambil

title: Quilotoa Loop


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Quimbaya

Quimbaya is a town in Quindío Colombia's Zona Cafetera.

By bus
There is regular bus service to Quimbaya from surrounding towns like Montenegro and Armenia. A one way bus fare from Armenia to Quimbaya is COP$2,400. A one way fare from Montenegro to Quimbaya is COP$1,200. The buses run 5:30AM-10PM.

By taxi
It is easy and safe to take a taxi between towns. A fare between Quimbaya and Montenegro will cost between COP$12,000 and COP$20,000 depending on whether you know the taxi driver, the time of night, and if your destination is far from the center of town.

Get around
Within town it is very easy to walk everywhere.

Do

 * Parque Nacional del Cafe
 * Panaca
 * Visit a nearby Finca
 * Salento and Valle de Cocora
 * Granja de Mama Lulu, a sustainable farm 2km from town.

Buy
Artesania On the main square in Quimbaya there is an Artesania mall with a variety of stalls. Several artisans have their workshops there and you can order custom made shoes, sandals and leather work.

Coffee Several coffee shops in town sell their own roasts. Aborigen on the main plaza or La Casa del Cafe on 6th Street.

Grocery Store There are several medium sized grocery stores in town where you can buy everyday items.

Eat

 * Street vendors sell arepas, plantains, empanadas, fruit, etc.
 * There are several restaurants around town: typical Colombian food, pizza, Chinese

Drink
The main square is lined with coffee shops, bars and juice bars.

Telephone

 * Police (policia) 123
 * Bomberos (firestation) 119
 * Cruz Roja (red cross) 132
 * Clinica Central Del Quindio 7465744
 * Hospital San Juan de Dios 7493500
 * Medicina Familiar del Centro 7521521, CRA 8 No 16-06, Quimbaya. Dr. Alberto Betancourth Damelines

Internet
There are many internet cafes all over town. Some have cables you can plug into your laptop. The average price per hour is COP$800.

title: Quimbaya


text:
Quime

Quime is a small city in Yungas of Inquisivi region of La Paz.

Understand
About mid way between Cochabamba, Oruro and La Paz, Quime is in a deep forested valley surrounded by high peaks of the Andes. The region is one of the steepest in the Bolivian Andes and the center of biodiversity of both Andean Bolivia and South America. Resident foreigners living in Bolivia call it the "Shangri-la" of Bolivia.

Quime is the center for climbing and exploration of the Cordillera de Quimsa Cruz. Traditionally, it has been an area with little tourism of any kind and perfect for self-guided adventure tourists. Though you won't find much about Quime in any tour guide books, the area has become an increasingly popular "word-of-mouth" area for travelers between La Paz and points south.

The population is 10,000, with 3,000 living in the town and the rest in 31 indigenous Aimara communities scattered over an area the size of Luxembourg.

The temperature lows are seldom, if ever, below 6 °C and highs seldom, if ever, over 26 °C.

The people, mostly miners and indigenous campesinos, are friendly to travelers. Communarios love to teach guests a few words of Aimara and miners will show you around their mining operations. Quime is working on setting up small native huts as guest houses in nearby villages, and a self-guided nature walk near the Naranjani Falls and Lake.

The name Quime comes from the Quechua word for "Place to Rest" and was a traditional stopping point for mules carrying coca and gold out, and food supplies in. One old resident remembers his grandfather bringing a grand piano in pieces via mule train. For the past 100 years it has been a commercial center for the numerous tin, zinc, tungsten, silver and gold mines which often cling to sheer cliffs.

Tourism
Unless you know how to get to the places mentioned in the following, like the Naranjani Laguna, the Naranjani Waterfall, the Devil's Slide, etc., it might not be worth the 170 km detour to Quime. Neither OpenStreetMap nor Google Maps are very helpful finding meaningful trails to these sites. However, local guides are available. Nevertheless, it might still take some time before the tourism in Quime develops so far that these sites will be easily accessible. Alternatively, head to Sorata, which is a little more developed with regards to tourism.

By bus
The easiest and fastest way to get into Quime is by taking any minibus whatsoever from La Paz, Oruro or Patacayama, or any national bus from Cochabamba, Potosi, Uyuni, etc., and get off in (2 hr from La Paz, 95 km from Oruro). Tell the driver that you want to get off in Konani, otherwise you might miss the point if it is a night bus. There you catch a bus, minibus, taxi or open air truck to Quime (about 1½-2 hr) for about Bs. 20-25—some might try to take you privately and charge Bs. 150-250. The first vehicles should head towards Quime between 05:00-06:00.

If using one of the direct La Paz-Quime buses/servis, it is best to make your bus reservation by phone (as follows) the day before to get a seat: The trip with these is about 3½ hr and costs Bs. 35.
 * From La Paz Bus Station: Flota Inquisivi has one bus per day. Their Office #38 is towards the back of the terminal. The bus leaves at 06:00. Call 2228-4050.
 * From El Alto bus station: Flota Inquisivi has another daily bus leaving from the El Alto bus terminal at noon. Their office is on Calle Téllez Ross between Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz (ex Calle 2) and Calle Luis Espinal (ex Calle 3). Call 2282-4734.
 * From El Alto bus station: Flota Apostal Santiago has four to five buses daily. The buses leave at 06:00, 11:00, 12:30 and between 16:00-18:00. Their office is near the Ceja of El Alto around the corner from the BCP Bank on "Calle 2". Call 225-97544.
 * From Santiago station (?): Jose Morales has one daily minibus at 17:00 and gets to Quime about 21:00.

The way to Quime down through the high Andes is above 4,300 m. They are steep, often covered with some snow, and perhaps the most spectacular in Bolivia. The road is wide, safe and well graded. While the rest of Bolivia may have strikes and road blockades, Quime is nearly almost open, without blockades and strikes. Quime transportistas know alternative routes to bypass blockades even on the main road between La Paz and Oruro.

Get around
Quime's a pretty small place, with everything within a short walking distance. However if going up the hill it might be useful to take a taxi. If not, it's great exercise, especially at 3,000 m. altitude. You can find the radio taxis on the Alameda by the Flota Inquisivi bus station a block from the central plaza.

There are numerous local trucks and buses that leave for just about everywhere in the province from the Alameda.

Mostly you get around on foot for and of numerous day hikes, or use mules for expeditions and treks. Visitors are catching the 06:00 truck to visit the high altitude mine at Chambillaya, a rather primitive and highly spectacular operation. They walk an hour down the mountain to return afterwards.

See

 * The views, some over about 80 km (50 miles) of Andean mountains and valleys, are spectacular from the upper edge of town or the surrounding mountainsides. Nearby are Elfin Cloud Forests laden with mosses, lichens, ferns and bromeliads. A number of rare birds inhabit the area, including the endemic Rufous-breasted Grosbeak. The reclusive and endangered Spectacled Bear lives in a refuge nearby but is seldom seen. Ornithologists and botanists continue to discover new bird and plant species in the area.
 * Chambillaya mine – The most popular day hike is to this primitive tungsten mine. You have two options:
 * From the Hostal Colibri walk three blocks east to the bridge at 05:30 and catch the mining truck for Bs. 5 to the mine. You will be riding with the miners and it is highly suggested that you bring a half pound of coca leaf to share with them. About an hour up the mountain you get to the abandoned Chambillaya mining town, now in ruins but with some pretty interesting artifacts laying about. The mine is another thousand feet up the mountain. If you make friends with the miners, actually quite easy sharing coca, they will take you on a tour of the mine for free. In any event, so far they have been very friendly about showing off their work. Some tourists have continued up to one of the nearby summits to watch condors. From the mine its an easy hour or so hike back to Quime.
 * Otherwise, it is also possible to hike up to the mine during the day—use OpenStreetMap to find the way. If you take the western track up or down to/from the mines, there is an impressive waterfall about 1 km from where the two tracks up to the mine meet. This is a good compensation for the 7 cascades (Naranjani) in case you are unable to trek them. This waterfall is quite high and more colorful due to the minerals this river carries down from the mines to the village. Ask in town what you could bring for the miners to be welcomed at the mine.

Do

 * The Quime area is for people who either want to take a break and sit around on a mountainside without a bunch of other tourists around, romance, take day hikes, picnic and rest or for adventurers and trekkers who want to do something no one else has ever done before: Exploration hiking.
 * Pumuta Indigenous Community Ecological Park – This Aimara community is developing an ecological park in remnant cloud forest about one hour of a walk from Quime. Visitors may be interested in helping with the location and development. Along the way is picnicking in the canyon of Rio Chichipata about 45 minutes walk away.

Events

 * The Santiago Fiesta starts July 23 and lasts a week. This is a week of 1,000's of Quime families dancing in indigenous costumes, making social contact, free drinking (until you drop)the local "coktels" and eating native food including huatias.
 * Indigenous Community Loctayas – The entire month of August indigenous communities around Quime have their annual rituals giving thanks to Pachamama, making huatias (earth-cooked food), sacrificing llamas and dancing. The "whole world" is welcome to take part. Pin some bolivianos, as is customary, to the shirt of the person who is sponsoring the rituals and bring some coca to share.

Hiking

 * Day hikes include: the Naranjani Waterfall, the Naranjani glacial lake, the Chambillaya mines, Chambillaya Ghost Town below the mine, and the Devil's Slide.
 * The Naranjani Waterfall is actually 7 waterfalls falling about 2,000 feet from a cirque lake down into the forest near Quime. The area has been proposed as a municipal nature reserve and self-guided nature hike (volunteers welcome). It is a 3-hr walk from Quime up and an hour down. The central fall which drains a cirque lake dries up in the dry season, but other smaller falls are suitable for bathing.
 * From Quime, one can see the Devil´s Slide. It is a 1,000-m-high landslide constantly producing plumes of dust reminiscent of an active volcano. The Devil's Slide is about 2-3 hr walk.

 * Two-day hikes include:
 * Huichincani Hot Springs – This is unique in that it has never been developed except by campesinos making rings of rocks around pools. The springs are on a steep mountain slope over looking the Miguillas River Valley and ringed by a cirque above.
 * Sacambaya Castle – A pre-inca castle in the immediate area where the Jesuits buried their gold after their expulsion from South America. According to archives, slaves built caves to hide the gold, then were buried alive with the gold under massive landslides. Major expeditions dating back as much as a century have falled to find the Lost Jesuit Gold of Sacambaya.

Bicycle
Especially interesting day trips are:

 * From the Cumbre to Quime is 35 km of a moderate gradient dropping ca. 2500 m with switch backs on the all down-hill graded or paved road. The best bet is to take a bus or van from Quime with rented bikes, get off at the Cumbre de Tres Cruces and coast back into Quime, stopping along the way to view glaciers, waterfalls, rare plants, ruins and so on.
 * From Quime bike to the river below Inquisivi which is a hot, dry subtropical area. You then catch a bus back to Quime.
 * Single track competition trail – The oldmule trail (The Coca Trail) has been rehabilitated as a single track biking trail used in international competition. 30 km long. Spectacular drops from the Cumbre de Tres Cruces at 5400 m. altitude direct to Quime at 3,000 m. Have the bus drop you at the Cumbre de Tres Cruces. This is not only spectacular but can be truly dangerous, unlike the so-called "Death Road" which is about as deadly as Granma' s rose garden. Along the way stop for lunch at a mine about half way down which is built about 300 m up on a sheer cliff with ladders etc.

Buy

 * Those on a low budget or hate shopping will love Quime since there is nothing much to buy unless you are interested in hand woven blankets and native costumes made by and for local people, or locally made aloe veroe shampoo.
 * You can buy lots of food to cook, as well as fruit and vegetables, especially at the local Sunday Fair: You can also get basic household things and pretty much outfit a minimilist rough-it expedition.

Eat

 * Quime's famous specialty is the huatia. This is meat in a mild chili sauce, cooking bananas, sweet potatoes, horse beans, sweet corn and potatoes buried in red hot rocks covered with earth and tree tobacco leaves then baked underground for an hour or so.
 * There are numerous "eat at your own risk" restaurants in the Alameda where the local buses stop for lunch. The soups are safe. The only restaurant that Quime resident Jhon recommends is the one on the corner across the street from the Apostal Santiago Bus office. At the Sunday fair there are local dishes like Picante de Pollo, Fricase, Sajta de Pollo for about Bs. 10 a plate.

Drink

 * No discotheques or bars, but you can drink with locals at their parties usually on Fridays and Saturdays.
 * You'll have to drink like the local Aimara people, that would be either beer or another Quime specialty: the coktél. The coktél is made of 180 proof cane alcohol (perfectly safe and rather hallucinogenic) mixed with fruit juices (orange, passion fruit, lemon/lime) and/or herbs like coca, mint, lemon mint and/or chamomile. These are served hot or cold.
 * Whatever you do, don´t try the coktéles made out of kool-aid and cane alcohol they sometime serve at the almost constant weekend parties. Cane alcohol coktéls made with fruit juice are strong.

Sleep
There is apparently a city tax of 10% per tourist per night.

Cope

 * Basic services include: hospital, cell phone service, call centers, and three small radio stations. There are no ATMs but internet has been connected.
 * There are many hiking trails in the area, but they are still not yet clearly marked. The hosts at Hostal Colibri can recommend routes and give details for self-guided hikes. With advance notice, it may be possible to arrange a tour guide.
 * The owner of the Hummingbird Ranch - Hostal Colibri, has a collection of maps and thirty years of experience in the area and will help arrange day hikes and much longer treks, including trips to the newly discovered Enchanted City of Choquercamiri, and still only partially discovered pre-inca Cotas culture ruins which are reminiscent of Macchu Picchu, but little known and unrestored.
 * Generally Quime is very quiet and hiking opportunities are limited. If you prefer the opposite, you should rather head to Sorata, which is better in this sense.

Connect

 * The mayor's office has opened an internet cafe on the main plaza with 30 computers running at 512 but may be infected with viruses. Internet cafe also on the Alameda near where the minibuses leave. Hostel Colibri has the use of an Entel modem for your laptop.
 * Cell phone services are by TIGO and ENTEL with boothes in the center.

Go next

 * There is regular and frequent daily servis and even regular buses to La Paz (first one at 17:00, but there are also some at 22:30 and 02:00) for Bs. 25-35, and a constant flow of minivans to Konani (two hours away). Shop around in Quime for the best company and time. You can also buy tickets in advance. In Konani you can catch a bus to any other destination in Bolivia including Oruro, Potosi, Cochabamba or Santa Cruz. However, note that certain destinations along the main highway from/to La Paz which could be hailed in Konani might only be served at certain hours, e.g. night buses are very common. Otherwise, you will end up waiting forever before you destined bus arrives.

title: Quime


text:
Quimper

Quimper is the capital city of the Finistère department. Its specialty is Quimper faience, a type of white glazed pottery with colourful painted designs and patterns.

By bus
The local bus service is called QUB. A map of the network can be found here.

One trip costs €1.50 (Feb 2023). If you plan to get around by bus, drop by the first and get a 10-ride card for €11.90 to save a few euros. Day passes are also available for €4. The 10-ride cards and day passes are also sold in some cafés, and at the bus station office, near the train station.

By car
Quimper is a fine city to drive in. Traffic is usually fluid even at rush hour and, outside of the centre, most streets are free to park in and have plenty of space. It can however be hard to find free parking near the city centre.

By bike
Getting around by bike in Quimper is risky. Bike lanes are rare and drivers are not used to bike traffic. Bike parking is also rare.

See
"Quimper" is Breton for "Meeting of Two Rivers," and when you enter Quimper by train you walk along the River Odet, which has many pleasant small bridges along it. One can also walk up the River Steir for a quiet promenade, leaving city streets behind for greenery.

The city's grandest and most unmistakable monument is the, a Gothic cathedral with two spires which dominate the townscape. The interior is beautiful, but like most of Quimper's visiting places, it closes for lunch. Other remarkable churches include (which is also Gothic style) and  (a church preserved from the Middle Ages, with a spare elegance.)

It is pleasant merely to walk up and down the streets of Quimper, which are very well-preserved, but for an excellent view you can also climb Mont Frugy, the large green hill to the south of the river Odet. Frugy has several trails, and not only is a walk peaceful and not-too-challenging, but the views of the city can't be beat.

There are several charming gardens open to the public in Quimper: the to the southwest, near Locmaria and the Earthenware Museum, which is a faithfully preserved (or reproduced) Medieval cloister garden, and the, in the north of town, near the Jesuit Chapel. This garden has more exotic plants such as palm trees. Also the Max Jacob theater, near the train station, has a beautiful garden behind it,, which is open to the public.

Buy
Pottery and other earthenware is a regional specialty of Quimper, usually white with beautiful coloured patterns. Another common motif found in Quimper is the triskelion (the three-pronged spiral), in the region's colors of black and white.

Eat
The seafood is very good in Quimper, but the food that you will find in greatest profusion is crepes. Sweet and savoury, almost every street will have a creperie on it. As crepes are the regional specialty, you really can't go wrong.

Bakeries will carry far bretons and gateaux bretons as other regional specialties -- don't be afraid to try them out, either.

Go next

 * Concarneau
 * Benodet
 * Douarnenez

title: Quimper


text:
Quincy

There is more than one place called Quincy:

United States of America

 * Quincy (California) - a place in Plumas County in California.

 * Quincy (Florida) - a city in Gadsden County in Florida.

 * Quincy (Illinois) - a city in Adams County in Illinois.

 * Quincy (Massachusetts) - a city in Norfolk County in Massachusetts.

 * Quincy (Michigan) - a village in Branch County in Michigan.

 * Quincy (Mississippi) - a village in Monroe County in Mississippi.

 * Quincy (Missouri) - a place in Hickory County in Missouri.

 * Quincy (Ohio) - a village in Logan County in Ohio.

 * Quincy (Washington) - a town in Grant County in Washington.

 * Quincy (Wisconsin) - a town in Adams County in Wisconsin.

title: Quincy


text:
Quincy (California)

Quincy is a city in Plumas County, California. It sits in the heart of California's Gold Country where gold miners from all over came for their chance at gold in the 1800s. It is a small town of around 5,000 people with a bookstore, an art gallery, a movie theater, and a few places to shop.

By car
It's on Highway 70 in Northern California in the northern end of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Quincy is between Oroville and Portola.

To the north on Highway 89 is Greenville and then Chester. Quincy is at above sea level, which brings snow in the winter. During snow storms and fog, check for road conditions before traveling there.

Highway 70 on the west side of Quincy is the North Fork Feather River in the Feather River Canyon which is over an hour's drive on windy roads and through some great tunnels and over some great bridges.

Coming from the east is around an hour and a half drive from Reno, more or less.

Get around
On the northwest side, Quincy begins at Gansner Park at Spanish Creek on Highway 70. Then there is the Gansner Field Airport. But before this there is a turnoff West to Feather River College on Golden Eagle Ave. Highway 70 is now called Crescent Street from here to downtown. As you get closer to downtown you will notice a giant white building up ahead which is the Plumas County Courthouse. Right before you get there the street splits up to 2, 1-way roads and turns left. The east-bound road is Main Street and the west-bound road is Lawrence Street. Right after it splits up, there is another intersection which Main Street turns into Bucks Lake Road which goes out of town toward the hospital, Meadow Valley, and Bucks Lake which goes West. Going East on Main Street is downtown Quincy where you will see many small shops, restaurants, etc. If you are heading toward Plumas County Museum, you will want to go behind the Plumas County Courthouse to Jackson Street. Across the street from the museum on Jackson Street is the Plumas County Library. Going East on Main Street you eventually get to the Post Office on the left side. The Post Office is in the middle of Main Street and Lawrence Street (which is the west-bound road). A little farther down Main Street you will get to where Lawrence Street and Main Street come together again and form the 2-way Main Street again. A short distance from there is the shopping center on the right side and the stop lights. On the left side is the High School. Going past that you will start climbing up a short hill and over and back down and now you are in East Quincy. East Quincy has the Plumas County Fairgrounds which is the turnoff on the left-side. East Quincy also has a shopping center on the left and more shops, restaurants, etc. Past East Quincy and you will be on Highway 70 going East toward Portola, CA and it ends at Highway 395 which goes to Reno.

See

There are a lot of nice forests, streams, and lakes to camp and explore around Quincy.

Do
Fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking surrounds Quincy in Plumas County in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. You can go to the yearly county fair, see a movie at the theater, visit the many shops and restaurants, and spend an afternoon at Gansner Park at Spanish Creek. You can also take a short drive to Snake Lake off Bucks Lake Road. If you like golf, you can take a day-trip to the town of Graegle to the East on Highway 70 and play a round. But fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, and boating are the main attractions around this great community.

Pharmacies

Go next
Quincy is a starting point to many campgrounds and lakes in the area. Bucks Lake and Snake Lake have campgrounds off Bucks Lake Road. Or you can venture and camp at many other lakes in the region: Lake Davis near Portola off Highway 70, Round Valley Reservoir near Greenville off Highway 89, Lake Almanor near Chester off Highway 89, Mountain Meadows Reservoir near Westwood off Highway 36, Antelope Lake near Greenville (but before you get to Greenville you turn East) off Highway 89, and the Gold Lake region near Graegle off Highway 70. Please bring a map to make traveling easier.

title: Quincy (California)


text:
Quincy (Florida)

Quincy is a city in Middle Florida.

Go next

 * Apalachicola National Forest

title: Quincy (Florida)


text:
Quincy (Illinois)

Quincy is a small city of 40,000 in Adams County, Western Illinois. It is near the westernmost point in Illinois on the Mississippi River, and is home to some of the most impressive historic architecture in the region.

By Train
Quincy is served by Amtrak which comes into the Quincy Amtrak Station (QCY) at North 30th Street and Wisman Lane. Amtrak has two trains daily, originating in Chicago and terminating in Quincy. As of 12/2011, the trains depart Chicago at 7:35AM and 5:55PM and take approximately 4.5 hours.

By Plane
Quincy is served by Quincy Regional Airport-Baldwin Field, to the east of the city. It is easily accessible from the city center by going east on Illinois Route 104 (Broadway St.).

By Car
If coming from St. Louis, you can take I-70 west towards Kansas City. At exit 210B, take the ramp right for US-61 North towards Hannibal. Stay on US-61, and in Hannibal, take the ramp right for I-72 East / Mark Twain Avenue East towards '''Springfield IL. / Downtown Hannibal'''. At exit 4B, take ramp left for I-172 North towards Quincy. Get off at exit 14, Broadway St., to get to the center of town. This trip takes roughly two and a half hours with traffic.

If arriving from Chicago, take I-55 / Stevenson Expressway towards St. Louis. At Springfield, keep right and stay on I-72 West. Keep straight onto I-172 North. This trip takes about four and a half hours with traffic.

Get around
Quincy is best explored by car or on foot. There are many sidewalks in some of the historic districts, but parts of Broadway are not so pedestrian-friendly.

See
Quincy has four major historical districts. The Quincy Historic Business District displays a wide variety of architectural styles and shows the wealth of the years 1850-1930 when Quincy was the most important river town in Illinois. Quincy’s East End Historic District contains every formal style of architecture found in the Midwest from 1830-1930. This East End area has a collection of Italianate, Greek Revival, Romanesque, Queen Anne and Prairie designs. Quincy’s South End Historic District was the home of Quincy’s German population. The sturdy homes, some ornate and others very simple, stand as reminders of Quincy’s German heritage. The fourth major historical area is Quincy’s North End, containing a collection of Italianate, Queen Anne and Renaissance Revival designs found in the Midwest from 1858-1930.

Eat
Downtown Quincy is where many locally-owned restaurants are. Most of the restaurant chains have a location on Broadway Street, the main drag that cuts straight through the middle of the city.

Outside Quincy
For those who want (or have) to make their own food, Quincy has plenty of grocery stores to choose from.

Sleep
As with restaurants, the Broadway area is also a great place to find a hotel.

Go next
On the way out, you can follow the Great River Road north of Quincy towards Nauvoo, Illinois, and visit the sights there. Alternatively, you can drive south to Hannibal, Missouri, and see the Mark Twain sights

title: Quincy (Illinois)


text:
Quincy (Massachusetts)

Quincy is in Massachusetts. Quincy was the birthplace of presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. United States Declaration of Independence signer and first Massachusetts governor John Hancock was also born here. Quincy produced the first commercial railroad in the country in order to transport the granite from its quarries to Boston for use in many buildings there. Quincy's shipbuilding history started with sailing ships in the 1800s and continued with battleships at the Fore River Shipyard. Howard Johnson's and Dunkin Donuts restaurants were also started here.

By plane

 * Logan International Airport, in Boston.

By train

 * Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA or "T"), Phone: +1 617-222-5215. Quincy has both subway and commuter rail connections to Boston and some other South Shore towns.

By bus

 * Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA or "T"), Phone: +1 617-222-5215. Quincy has a number of bus routes as well. Many bus routes are numbered in the 200s and operate from Quincy Center station, with a few additional connect at other Quincy Red Line stops.

By car
Interstate 93 runs south from Boston through Quincy. You can also use Route 3A from Neponset Circle to get deeper into Quincy.

Get around
Quincy is primarily residential, although the area around Quincy center is solidly urban. You can reach much of the city by bus, but most things worth seeing are within walking distance of an MBTA (Red Line) station. Bus routes here are a little less frequent, being further out of Boston. Quincy Center is the major hub for much of the bus routes, make connections here.

See

Do

 * Boston Harbor Islands State Park, Phone: +1 617-727-5290, . Take a ferry (703 Washington St., Phone: +1 617-223-8666, ) out to George's Island and water shuttles to visit any of five other islands in Boston Harbor. Ranger-led activities, events, narrations, or just swim, picnic, camp or fish.

Drink
Quincy, especially along and around Hancock Street in Quincy Center, has a large number of bars. They are generally filled with locals from Quincy and surrounding areas. Popular bars include The Stadium and The Commonwealth. Unlike Boston, though, Quincy bars close at 1 AM.

Go next
The many attractions of Boston and Plymouth are only a short train ride away. Cape Cod or the North Shore are good day trips, too.

title: Quincy (Massachusetts)


text:
Quintana Roo

Quintana Roo, also called the Mexican Caribbean, is a state of Mexico that is part of the Yucatán Peninsula. Its shoreline along the Caribbean has grown in just a few decades into a major tourism destination. It includes large resort cities built for the Yanqui/Euro tropical vacation business, small communities with a more local Maya-Mexicano character, and fascinating ancient Maya archaeological sites.

Regions
The Mexican Caribbean is divided in some micro-tourist destinations that include: Cancún, the Riviera Maya, and the Costa Maya.

Cancun is the largest and most famous destination of the Mexican Caribbean. It boasts hundreds of major beachfront resort hotels and draws visitors from around the world.

The Riviera Maya is a tourist corridor that goes from Puerto Morelos to Tulum. The Riviera Maya´s heart is Playa del Carmen, an eclectic and seductive city that mixes the Mexican flair with a Caribbean ambiance influenced for all possible cultures from all over the world.

The Costa Maya is south of Tulum to the border of Belize. It includes the state capital, Chetumal, the laid back scenic lagoon town of Bacalar, and the artificial atmosphere of cruise ship dock Mahahual.

Cities

 * — hosts the Museum of Mayan Culture, and has several archeological sites nearby
 * — a small town with a spectacular bay, clear waters and underground rivers
 * — an historic town with the beautiful lagoon of 7 colors
 * — beach tourism central
 * (Majahual) — the next Playa del Carmen, a tourist development
 * — an eclectic and seductive Mexican city
 * — a secluded, charming district
 * — a quiet fishing town
 * — a remote village for great fishing and diving

Archaeological sites

 * – large ruined Maya city near Tulum
 * – impressive Maya archaeological site built in a cliff that faces the ocean
 * - large Maya archaeological site, much of it unexplored and unrestored, famous for its Temple of Masks
 * - Maya archaeological site that is thought to have been the seat of the Kan dynasty in the 5th and 6th centuries

Nature reserves

 * – a, the biosphere reserve is an enormous area of coastal wetlands and tropical jungles

Islands

 * – the largest island, it is a major scuba diving destination and a popular cruise ship port of call
 * – an uninhabited small island and bird sanctuary
 * – a tropical paradise away from the hustle and bustle of mega resorts
 * – small cozy retreat close to Cancún

Understand
This eastern part of the Yucatán Peninsula shares much history with the neighboring states of Yucatán and Campeche; a long Maya heritage and conquest by the Spanish in the 1500s. It was long part of the state of Yucatán. In the 1840s, however, local Maya people revolted against the Hispanic people who dominated politically and economically, starting what is called "the War of the Castes". With long battles the Maya succeeded in driving out the non-Maya from this area, and established their own government with the capital in Chan Santa Cruz, now the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. The Maya state was briefly recognized as an independent nation by the British Empire. An uneasy truce ended in the 1890s with a Mexican counter attack which succeeded in bring the area back under the Mexican flag in 1901. The area was then designated the Mexican Territory of Quintana Roo, named after Andrés Quintana Roo, a Yucatecan hero of the Mexican war of Independence in the early 19th century.

Comparatively sparsely populated and undeveloped, the territory of Quintana Roo did not achieve statehood until 1974, making it Mexico's youngest state. In the 1970s, Mexican developers realized the area's beautiful beaches, lush forests, and historic Maya ruins could make it a prime visitor destination if only infrastructure could be put in place. New highways were laid, new International Airports constructed at Cozumel and Cancun, and hotels were built. The tiny remote village of Cancun became a boom town, the first center of the new development of Quintana Roo, drawing a new population of workers and residents from other parts of Mexico.

Today Quintana Roo is popular with visitors with bustling tourism developments thriving while large areas of natural beauty remain unspoiled.

Get in
Highways link Quintana Roo to Yucatán.

By plane
Major international airports are Cancún International Airport, Cozumel International Airport , and Tulum International Airport. Cancun International Airport is by far the largest, serving more than 30 million passengers per year. Chetumal has a small international airport, but is primarily served by domestic flights to Mexico City (both AICM and AIFA). Tulum is a new airport, opened in December 2023 and is now the best option for travelers to Playa del Carmen and much of the Riviera Maya. Tulum is is served by domestic flights only, but international flights begin in 2024.

By bus
Bus service throughout Quintana Roo is excellent with many routes to cities in neighboring Yucatán. The main bus company is ADO. They have a station in downtown Cancun and in the Cancun International Airport, as well as Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and other cities and towns. Several second-class bus lines serve smaller towns and remote communities. Shared vans (combis) are common between some destinations (such as Tulum to Felipe Carrillo Puerto).

By train
Quintana Roo is a major focus area for the new Tren Maya intercity rail service. The railway's largest station is Cancún International Airport. Other stations in Quintana Roo will open in early 2024 include Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Tulum International Airport, Bacalar and Chetumal. Tickets and information about services are available on the official Tren Maya web site.

Get around
Quintana Roo, and Mexico in general has an excellent bus system. ADO (Autobuses del Oriente) is the largest carrier in the region. It provides first class bus service between major cities, sights and the airport. It is wise to use their app for buying and storing tickets, as you do not have to deal with buying them in person - when buying the ticket online, just show the QR from the app to the bus driver. Other bus companies in Quintana Roo include Caribe and Mayab.

Driving is a good way to get around because outside of Cancun, traffic is manageable, though sections of highway MEX-307 get congested and construction has been frequent in the early 2020s as the Mexican government works to significantly upgrade its infrastructure in tourism areas. On the island of Cozumel renting a motorbike is a fun, affordable way to see the island. Three-wheel motorcycle cabs called moto-taxis are used in some towns and on Isla Mujeres golf carts are commonly used as taxis. Taxis are generally safe throughout Quintana Roo and ride-hail apps like Uber are common, though arriving airline passengers should know that Uber and local taxis are not allowed to pick up passengers at the Cancun airport.

As of December 2023, Mexico has a modern, comfortable, affordable rail system throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. The Tren Maya (or Tsiímin K'aák if you prefer the Mayan name) has its main station at the Cancún International Airport with service along the Quintana Roo coast all the way to Chetumal. Initially, only the westward section towards Merida and Campeche is open for business, but stations in Tulum, Chetumal and the southern leg are scheduled to open in February 2024.

See

 * Coral reefs - the Mesoamerican Reef is the second largest reef system in the world, it lies a few hundred meters offshore along the entire Quintana Roo coast. The reefs provide spectacular underwater scenery that draws scuba divers and snorklers from around the world. Reefs are a navigational hazard to shipping and several shipwrecks are among the most popular dive sites. The reef and its subsystems are protected natural areas that may impose special restrictions on visitors to the area. Dive tour operators can advise you of local rules but most sunscreen products are banned at reefs along the coast because they contain harmful chemicals that kill the living coral. Look for brands that are labeled as "reef safe". Reefs and protected marine environments include:
 * Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park — reef system south of Cancun
 * Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park — includes most of the popular dive sites near Cozumel island
 * Arrecifes de Xcalak National Park — pristine, less visited dive sites near Mexico's southernmost Caribbean shore
 * Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún y Punta Nizuc National Park — long name, but it basically protects the offshore sites on the east side of Isla Mujeres, and the points at the top and bottom of Cancun's hotel zone.

Do

 * Aventuras Mayas — Offers jungle and ocean adventures, including zip lines, rappeling, snorkeling in tropical reefs and underground rivers, as well as visits to the archeological site of Tulum
 * Swim with Dolphins — Swim with dolphins and enjoy this unforgettable and magic experience. Swimming with dolphins is everything you´ve imagined and more — and a chance to encounter these highly intelligent and friendly marine mammals which will fascinate and amaze you.
 * Jeep Adventures. Your self-drive Jeep Adventure will take you on an amazing journey around Cancun and the surrounding areas and give you the chance to see parts of Mexico you wouldn't be able to see on your own. During your Jeep Adventure you will get to: Explore Mayan Ruins, visit a private jungle reserve, swim/snorkel in an underground cenote, experience an amazing interactive zoo, visit an authentic Mexican town, enjoy a buffet lunch on the beach, and many other activities all while under the guidance of a friendly, knowledgeable and humorous guide.
 * Aqua Tours. Exciting water tour! Choose either a Jetski or two person Jetboat for a trip through the lagoon out to snorkel on the reef, their top tours are Jungle Tour and the Sailing Quest (Catamarans).
 * The scuba diving and snorkeling around Isla Mujeres is unforgettable. The Manchones Reef begins just off of Isla's shore and the Cuevones and Banderas Reefs are close by. The waters are calm and clear — perfect for the beginner as well as the advanced diver.
 * Lobster Dinner Cruise. Romantic night out. Both the guys and gals will enjoy this trip. Take a trip out on the calm lagoon on a beautiful boat with friends you have not met yet. The staff allow you to take part in the fun or settle back and watch the sunset. Steak and lobster is cooked on the boat and tastes so much better away from the city sounds
 * Cenotes of the Yucatán
 * Cenotes of the Yucatán

Eat

 * Owing to the closeness to the Caribbean you can get a lot of seafood here
 * Generally speaking most hotels and restaurants in places a tourist might conceivably pass through serve "internationalized" fare as well as more local food.

Drink
Beer is by far the most popular drink on Mexico's Caribbean coast and there are several small artesanal craft breweries in the state of Quintana Roo that can satisfy a traveler's taste for robust, full-flavored beers. New brewpubs open regularly and keeping a complete list up-to-date would be difficult, but here are a few of the local craft beers to start your beer-hunting journey:
 * Cerveceria Tulum (in Tulum on MEX 307 at km 230) - mostly light-bodied ales including a golden ale, pale ale, and brown ale
 * Cerveceria Akumal (in Playa del Carmen at Calle 38 y Av. 1) - hop-heads will enjoy the IPA and probably the American pale ale too, though their English robust porter is the maltiest and tastiest of the bunch
 * Puerto Juarez Brewery (in Cancun at Puerto Juarez waterfront, Calle 51 #85) - Couple different IPAs, a lighter golden ale and a sour saison, seasonal offerings may vary
 * Chela de Playa (in Playa del Carmen at E Nte. 17, Mundo Hábitat) - Microbrewery (not a brewpub) with hippie atmosphere and an assortment of ales, from IPA to a light poundable wheat beer
 * La Obregón Cerveceria (in Chetumal at Av Álvaro Obregón entre 5 de Mayo y 16 de Septiembre) - lively brewpub with a local clientele that comes for the karaoke, always ask what's on tap because only the standard flagship brews are listed on the menu and there are always seasonal brews rotating on and off tap

The traditional beers of the entire Yucatan peninsula are Montejo and Leon, both brewed by Modelo in the Yucatan. Montejo is a basic light lager and Leon (also known as Negra Leon or Leon Negra) is an amber colored lager that Texans will find similar to Shiner Bock. Not exactly bold, but they don't offend mainstream drinkers.

There are three liquers that you'll find in Quintana Roo that you may not be able to find in any other state. All are worth trying if you run across them:
 * Balche — unusual drink found only in the Yucatan, made from melipona honey and the bark of the balché tree (Lonchocarpus violaceus). Used by the Maya for ceremonial rituals.
 * Xtabentun — unusual drink that is worth seeking out because it's generally not exported. Traditional Mayan liquer made from xtabentum honey and flavored with anise. The Mayans say it has hallucinogenic properties, but they're probably just trying to sell more Xtabnetun.
 * Kalani — coconut and rum liqueur that's typically blended in cocktails

Stay safe
Quintana Roo is generally very safe for foreign travelers. Some reports of crimes and violence in the early 2020s center on the drug trade with either narcotraffickers getting shot or young foreigners trying to score cheap marijuana or meth getting beat up or shot by local drug dealers. Neither type of incident should overly worry most law-abiding travelers.

There are also incidents of petty theft. Leaving valuables in plain sight is never a good idea, not even on a beachside lounge chair while you just jump in the water for a quick dip. When you go on vacation, make sure that your common sense doesn't take a vacation too.

Go next

 * Belize
 * Campeche
 * Yucatán
 * Ruta Rio Bec

title: Quintana Roo


text:
Quintay

Quintay is a seaside resort village in Central Chile. It is easily visited as a daytrip from Santiago or Valparaíso.

Get in
Quintay is 122 km from Santiago. Buses from Santiago and Valparaíso. Colectivos from Valpariso to the main square cost 1400 pesos.

Get around
Mostly walkable.

Do
There are two beaches.
 * is complete with a resort and a golf course.
 * to the south is deserted.

Sleep
There are quite a few pousadas and cabanas.

title: Quintay


text:
Quinter

Quinter is a town in Western region of Kansas.

Get in
Quinter is right off I-70. It is hard to miss.

Get around
The best way to get around is by car. It's not a very big town - about 1,000 inhabitants - so it's hard to get lost, but if you do, ask local people to help you get around.

See
In addition to cows, cattle and all kinds of wheat, sights around town include the following.

Buy
There are a lot of small shops on main street. You can buy groceries, food, souvenir shirts, electronical devices, flowers, etc.

Go next
I-70 gets you around. The best way to do so is by car. You can visit cities nearby like WaKeeney, Grainfield, Grinnel, Hays (about 18,000), Salina, etc. Or even Denver, CO.

title: Quinter


text:
Quito

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in 1534 on the ruins of an ancient Inca city. Quito's Old City is the largest in the Americas and was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recognized as the largest and most intact colonial city center remaining in the Americas. It has undergone a restoration and revitalization program and boasts more than 40 churches, and 16 convents and monasteries.

In 2022, 1.8 million people lived in Quito, with 2.9 million in the metropolitan area.

Understand
Quito stretches across valleys between two mountain ranges which are part of the Andes. At an altitude of 2,850 m (9,350 feet), it is one of the world's highest capital cities. The altitude is high enough that most individuals will experience some degree of altitude sickness for the first few days, so plan accordingly.

Quito is roughly divided into three parts: the Old City at the center, with southern and northern districts to either side. It was the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 (along with Kraków in Poland).

Old town also includes 17 squares (plazas), the most significant being Independence Plaza where the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, a hotel used primarily by diplomats and the main municipal of Quito make up the four sides. Almost always music, performed by locals who use the Plaza as a gathering place in the evening, permeates the scene in spontaneous affairs, and can range from singing to guitar to singing. In some cases tips are appropriate but most are not looking for money. A beautiful place to spend a lazy afternoon. Significant police presence, including military and national police, keeps the square as one of the safest places in the city (due to the Presidential residence). Old Town has been called the 'Reliquary of the Americas' for the richness of its colonial- and independence-era architecture and heritage. It's a great quarter to wander, with several excellent museums and plenty of restaurants and terrace and courtyard cafes for a rest while sightseeing. With unique restaurants, incredible churches worth seeing regardless of your religious views, museums, shops and more this 500 year old colonial city center provides a unique experience. The convent and church of San Francisco was built in 1535, making it the oldest intact convent in South America.

Modern, northern Quito (just to the north of the old city and south of the old airport - now called Parque Bicentenario) is a larger place worth exploring, particularly the "La Mariscal" quarter, with plenty of museums, urban parks, restaurants, and nightlife. With the greatest concentration of tourist facilities, this is the place to be if you wear a backpack. Bars, restaurants, hostels and internet cafes abound, and young people from many countries tend to congregate there. Of particular note also, the new National Museum is here, a very well put-together history museum focused on Ecuador, especially the different native and Catholic colonial cultures. Simon Bolivar is a major presence, both in the museum and across the city. As Ecuador's most famed national hero, Simon Bolivar should never be slandered or debated with locals despite more controversial views of him outside Latin America.

The southern and northern (from Parque Bicentenario up) districts of the city are more working class and seldom visited by tourists. Be careful if traveling in these parts of the city, especially at night. Ask reliable locals about safety, including taxi drivers who will often tell you when you should lock your doors and roll up your windows. Many taxi drivers are using translation apps on their phones to try and speak with those from other countries (especially China and the USA). Using a voice translation app on your phone is a great way to engage and learn about your surroundings, and is appreciated - though be sure to try and greet and say goodbye in Spanish even if you mess up.

Be prepared to speak some basic Spanish in order to get along. Very few locals speak English except in the touristy areas of North Quito which includes "La Mariscal" quarter, where most tourist businesses are located. But Quito is an excellent city in which to learn Spanish before heading off to other places in South America. The Spanish spoken in Quito is very clear and it is spoken slowly as compared to coastal areas. There are many excellent Spanish schools, where you can have private or group lessons very economically. These schools will also arrange homestay accommodation which is convenient, inexpensive and a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the culture and try the local food.

Ecuador, especially the Sierra region that includes Quito, is culturally a very conservative society. This is reflected in manner of dress. People of all socio-economic backgrounds tend to dress up in Ecuador. For men, this means a pair of trousers and a button down shirt. For women, slacks or dresses are acceptable. Men and women seldom wear shorts in Quito, although casual clothes have become somewhat more accepted especially among the young and on very hot days. Some popular nightclubs and restaurants enforce a dress code. Lastly, remember that Quito is said to have "all four seasons in a day". Once the sun goes down it can get downright cold. Dressing in layers is a good idea.

Climate
The standard weather forecast just doesn't suit Quito.

Located on the equator, there is almost no variation in daily temperatures year-round. The altitude makes it cooler than one would expect when directly on the equator, providing a reliably comfortable temperature range daily. The altitude also means the city has very few insects, and most windows in hotels will lack screens for this reason. Air conditioners and heaters are virtually nonexistent because of the steady temperature that varies between the low 50s at night (Fahrenheit) to roughly 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.

There are two recognized seasons - dry and rainy. However, it often sprinkles and sometimes rains hard, even in the dry season. If you see rain forecast for every day of your visit, it doesn't usually mean a full day or rain, or even that it will rain in the part of the city you are visiting. If you do not want to get rained on, it is a good idea to carry an umbrella or poncho.

Its tropical location, altitude, and surrounding mountains make it a city of microclimates and intra-day variations. While small, the sudden changes can be jarring at first. With the city extending up the sides of some volcanos, most notably Pinchincha, the climate can feel different simply due to altitude.

By plane

The airport is modern and well organised, with domestic and international sections all contained within the one terminal building. Checkin Zones A and B generally lead through to domestic, and zones C and D to international. All arrivals (domestic and international) are funnelled into the baggage claim and landside area and have to clear security before joining another flight.

There is a single large VIP lounge upstairs in the international area, airside. It has partnership agreements with some airlines, and paid admission. It has showers, and a rest area, choice of drinks and selection of food. There is a restaurant airside in each of the international and domestic segments, and a selection of shops. There is a TGI Fridays landside.

Across the road from the terminal is an airport centre. There is a broader and cheaper selection of restaurants here, and a food court. There is some souvenir shopping and a handful of general shops, and shops where you can buy SIM cards from Claro and Tuenti (on the ground level). There is a layover lounge that's small and expensive (US$38), but has showers and some refreshments.

The whole terminal and adjacent airport centre has fast and free Wi-Fi.

There is a taxi kiosk to the left of the information desk on the arrival floor. Inside the terminal building, but landside after exiting baggage claim. Destinations are listed with fares. The kiosk can tell you which zone is for your hotel and the right fare for you. Fare should be between $25-35. The fare to the Centro Historico is $26 (Jan 2018), and you get a card that entitles you to a $29 fare back to the airport. You'll get a slip of paper, that you take to the rank controller, and you'll pay the taxi driver on arrival.

There is an airport express bus (look for the red signs on the ground floor or of the terminal) that will take you into the city for $8, or $14 return (Jan 2018).

There are some public transport buses, that connect to the bus terminals outside Quito.

By bus
The old "Terminal Terrestre," which was in Cumandá (center of the city), has been replaced by two new terminals.

 * Terminal Quitumbe ( in the far south of Quito), services all the buses that go to any destination south of Quito: Basically all of the coastal provinces, all of the Amazonian provinces, and all of the mountain region (sierra) provinces except two: Carchi and Imbabura (where Otavalo and other tourist attractions are). This terminal can be reached by local buses (which often leave La Marin in Old Town) or by the Trolebus and Metro trolleys.
 * For Carchi and Imbabura (where Otavalo and other tourist attractions are) two you need to go to Terminal Carcelén (in the far north of Quito). This terminal can be reached by local buses (which you can catch at La Marin in Old Town or El Ejido in New Town) or by Ecovia, Trolebus and Metro
 * Some bus companies have their own terminals near La Mariscal. These include TransEsmeraldas (just past la Colon), Flota Imbabura (above El Ejido), and Reina del Camino (also above El Ejido).  However, Reina del Camino buses are among the country's most dangerous, and are either too warm or too cold.  A number of English tourists and many Ecuadorians have died in Reina bus crashes.

Complete bus schedules are at EcuaBuses.com. Fares depend on where you're going. Long distance bus fares in Ecuador cost around $1 per hour, but generally the price is already established. So if for some reason, your bus trip takes double the time to get to your destination, for whatever reason (damaged road, too much traffic, etc.) you don't have to pay the extra hours.

Still, the same safeguards apply: as long as you hold on to your belongings and don't hang around there at odd hours, it is safe. People will probably shout at you asking where you are going. They either work for a bus company and want to get you to buy a ticket with that company or want to help you find the bus you are looking for in exchange for a tip. If you arrive with a lot of luggage it's best to avoid the public transportation system in Quito and take a taxi to your hotel. Ecuadorian long-distance buses will generally let passengers off anywhere along their route.

Get around
Taxis and buses are everywhere and very inexpensive.

By bus
There are 3 independent systems of buses, that have enclosed stations - the stops are roadside platforms, covered with entrances where you pay your fare on the way in. There are a few transfer stations, but most transfers involve exiting the station. They are very inexpensive ($0.35 for a single ride (Nov 2022). These lines follow north-south-lines down through the heart of Quito, and they have stations close to La Mariscal where most hotels are located. There is no tradition of waiting for people to disembark before people board, so this may take some getting used to. The buses are among the cleanest of South America. While the buses can be extremely crowded, pickpocketing is a rare occurrence and can be avoided with common sense.

 * El Trole (green stations, buses of different colors) run from station La Y in the north to El Recreo in the south. In the Centro Historico, it has the closest stations to Plaza Grande. Many buses that run on the route are not trolley buses, but are diesel-fueled.
 * Metrobus (Blue stations marked with a Q, buses of different colors) run from Universidad Central in America Avenue, next to Prensa Ave, and then to Diego de Vasquez Ave. until Carcelen last station, this is the best bus service for visitors who wants to visit the Mitad del Mundo Monument, because at Ofelia station the public service buses that go to Mitad del Mundo monument wait to make the transfer and carry visitors to Mitad del Mundo, $0.25 until Ofelia station, $0.35 to Mitad del Mundo Monument ($0.15 if you come from/go to the Metrobus).
 * Ecovia (Red buses and stations marked with an e) run from Rio Coca Station (north) to La Marin Station inside the Quito historic downtown. Serves stations close to Casa de la Cultura and Estadio Olímpico and Quicentro mall. 25¢, change available at the stations.

By metro
The Quito Metro opened in December 2023 and travels from Quitumbe bus terminal through the Centro Historico and La Mariscal to the El Labrador bus terminal at Parque Bicentenario in approximately 30 minutes. Trains run every 5-8 minutes, depending on time of day. Prices are $0.45 (general), $0.22 (children 6-17, senior adults), and $0.10 (disabled individuals). For tourists, physical QR code tickets are likely the best option, though other payment options are available. The metro operates 0530-2300 Monday-Friday, 0700-2300 Saturdays, and 0700-2200 Sundays and holidays. It is likely that the opening of the metro will cause changes to the Trolebus, Metrobus and Ecovia services.

By taxi
Taxis are generally an easy and cheap way to travel around Quito. In the main city areas you won't wait more than a few seconds for a taxi, and if they see you by the roadside they will flash their lights as they approach if they are available. However, Quito traffic can make them a slow way to travel at times. A taxi ride costs a minimum of $1 during the day and a minimum of $2 at night. No more than $5 will usually get you to any of the main tourist sites.

Safety is a much discussed issue with Quito taxis, and the local authorities are trying their best to improve their reputation, by installing cameras and tracking in taxis. However, some care should be taken. Most hotels, restaurants and tourist establishments will call you a taxi that they have approved as safe and legitimate. You won't wait more than a minute or so. It is a standard service for tourists, and you won't get a second look for asking. If unsure about a taxi, call your hotel and they can generally have a safe taxi dispatched to your location. Easy Taxi is the most used app for taxis in Quito, and identifies the taxi you are using. Uber also operates in Quito.

If you decide to flag down taxis on the street, then only use official taxis (yellow with a number painted on the door). Make sure the driver turns on the taxi meter if you don't want to get ripped off and find another taxi if they claim it's broken (taxímetro). Some taxi drivers tamper with the meters to cause them to run faster than they should (e.g. when turning corners). If you observe this, tell the driver to stop, get out, and get another taxi. At night or if they refuse to use the meter, negotiate the price before getting in, or wait for the next.

Carry small denominations of money and have exact change for your taxi fare. If you do not have exact change, taxi drivers conveniently won't be able to make change for you and will try to convince you to make the change a tip instead. When taking a taxi be sure you are aware of the fastest route; if a driver is using the meter he may take the scenic route.

There have been instances of taxi drivers pulling weapons on tourists and steal their money, cameras, etc. Secuestro express (express kidnapping) is a crime that taxi drivers have committed. It may make you feel safer knowing that in most parts of Quito Mariscal and Old Town during the day the taxi will rarely go much faster than walking pace, and would struggle to make a rapid getaway.

By train
The railway station is at the south end of the old city, close to the El Trole route. The railway is very rundown and services are erratic. It's best to check with the Visitors' Bureau on the most recent timetable.

By car
You can rent a car in Quito, but it's not recommended for getting around the city. It's not worth the effort with taxis so cheap. Renting a car is a possibility for exploring further afield, to the Cotopaxi or Otavalo or Papallacta areas, for instance, but is only recommended for those who speak a bit of Spanish and can handle the tension of Ecuador's 'lax' driving rules.

By bike

 * You can also get around by renting a bike at Yellow Bike or Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental. Quito offers a unique cycle path that goes around the northern part of the city, throughout Av. Amazonas to Parque La Carolina. If you rent a bike to travel around Quito be careful and use a helmet, it is a nice adventure and a cheap way to get around:
 * Lizardo Garcia 512 y Almagro, La Mariscal
 * Yellow Bike
 * Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental, Finlandia N35-06 y Suecia, Sector la Carolina. They offer a wide range of motorscooters and motorcycles and can fit them with a GPS. With a self-guided GPS tour, you can see all of the sights in the city at your own pace and see much more than with a car, bicycle or taxi. Each rider goes through a mini safety course on how to ride the scooter and all rentals include helmets.

Do

 * Explore the Old Town With its gorgeous mixture of colonial and republican/independence era architecture (late 1500s to 1800s), relaxing plazas and a stunning number of churches. If you happen to be there during Christmas or Easter, you'll be amazed at the number of events, masses, and processions that bring out the crowds. You'll find craft shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels across its grid of streets.
 * Quito Free walking tour is the only Free walking tour that adapts its tours to what you want to see and has small groups so you don't have to struggle to listen to the guide, They can focus the tour on what you want to see and learn about. it is also easy to book,
 * A recommended walking tour that could enhance your vision of the Historic Center is as follows. Take the trolley (watch your belongings) south until "Cumanda" stop. Get down, you are on Maldonado street. There you will have an impressive view of what once was the "Jerusalem" ravine, which stands between Panecillo and the core. Walk north past the trolley stop and go down a narrow stairway that brings you to La Ronda street, of Pre-Columbian origins. Walk up picturesque La Ronda until you reach Av. 24 de Mayo. This boulevard was built on top of this section of Jerusalem ravine to connect the two sides of town. On Garcia Moreno Street turn north and you will arrive to the Museo de la Ciudad, which provides an easy and interactive history of Quito. Then walk on Garcia Moreno street until Sucre, which is a pedestrian street. La Compania is at the corner and if you go up Sucre street you will reach San Francisco. If you continue on Garcia Moreno you will reach the Main (independence) Square. If you go to San Francisco, then walk to La Merced and down to the Main Square. This itinerary follows a chronological and logical sequence of sites. Most people do it backwards, turning La Ronda and Museo de la Ciudad as distant points where you're usually worn out by the time you get there. In any event, the Historic Center is so vast that you need more than one visit to see it all. The recommended walk provides you with a good overview if you're short of time or want to see as much as possible on a first day.
 * La Floresta is Quito's artsy neighborhood, and home to many of Quito's most beautiful murals. In La Floresta, you can find everything from 150-year-old colonial houses to creative relaxing cafe's. Also known for great restaurants and street food (Parque de las Comidas), La Floresta is worth a visit for people looking for Quito's hidden gems.
 * Watch the old men play Ecuador's version of bocce at Parque El Ejido. You can also see some serious games of Ecua-volley, the local version of volleyball, on a Saturday or Sunday.
 * Bicycle Ride: the Ciclopaseo takes place every Sunday. 30 km (20 miles) of roads running north-south through the city are completely closed to traffic. People cycle, run and blade the route. Up to 30,000 people take part. Several bike shops rent bikes for visitors to be able to take part.

Buy
There are lots of artisans working on unique crafts in the capital. These include guitar-makers, candle makers, tanners and leather-workers, silversmiths, ceramicists and woodcarvers. You can find them at their workshops, published in a guide by the Visitors' Bureau.

There are also several fair-trade shops in Quito which promise to pay the craftspeople fairly for their products. The ones at the Tianguez (Plaza San Francisco), El Quinde (Plaza Grande), and Museo Mindalae are all very good. There are many shopping malls in Quito such as Quicentro, Mall el Jardin, CCI, CC. El Bosque, Megamaxi, Ventura Mall, Ciudad Comercial el Recreo, San Luis, etc. and every street corner has several small "Mom and Pop" shops or stands where only a couple of items are for sale. If your shopping list is very long, you may spend all day looking around for the stores that have the items on your list.

There are many casual wear stores like MNG, Benetton, Lacoste, Guess, Fossil, Bohno, Diesel, NrgyBlast or Pura+. So if you need some items Quito is in fact a very good place to buy nice clothes at relatively low prices.

Ecuador's indigenous peoples include many highly skilled weavers. Almost everyone who goes to Ecuador sooner or later purchases a sweater, scarf or tapestry. In Quito vendors are found along the sidewalks of more touristy neighborhoods. You should also consider travelling directly to some of the artisan markets, such as the famous one in Otavalo. If you haven't got time for Otavalo, you can find virtually the same gear at the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal on Jorge Washington and Juan Leon Mera in the Mariscal district. The Mariscal is replete with dozens of souvenir, craft and T-shirt stores which make shopping for a gift very easy.

Eat
You name it, and it's available in Quito. Restaurants range from the basic places offering chicken and rice for $1.50 to international food with very expensive prices. The country benefits from all worlds, with a variety of dishes inspired by both coastal and Andean produce. Seafood and fish is fresh and delicious, while meats, particularly pork, are excellent. These combine with typical ingredients such as potatoes, plantains and all sorts of tropical and Andean fruits. A good area to head to for eating out is the Plaza El Quinde (or Foch) which is in the Mariscal district at Foch y Reina Victoria. There are dozens of restaurants and eateries all around this area. La Floresta, up the hill from the Mariscal around 12 de Octubre, also has many fine restaurants. The La Floresta traffic circle turns into an evening market after 5PM and the most popular dish served is tripa mishqui (grilled beef or pork intestines).

Churrasco is a great Ecuadorian version of a Brazilian dish. Tallarin is a popular noodle dish mixed with chicken or beef.

Chinese restaurants are known as "Chifas" and are very abundant. Chaulafan is the local term for fried-rice, a very popular dish. Cebiche (also spelled ceviche) is a very popular dish in which clams or shrimp are marinated in a broth. Worth trying, but look for a well known restaurant with many locals to be sure you are getting fresh seafood.

When buying from lower-priced restaurants or shops, if you only have bills larger than a $5, it's a good idea to get them changed at a bank first.

 * La Concha de la Lora, Valladoli N24-438 y Cordero, +593 2-323-0117. Argentine restaurant.
 * Cebiches de la Rumiñahui Ceviches are its specialty. Reasonable prices for excellent cebiche. Popular with locals. Juan León Mera N26-164 La Mariscal. Also in the food courts of "Quicentro Shopping" Mall, "San Marino Shopping" Mall and "El Recreo" Mall.
 * La Concha de la Lora, Valladoli N24-438 y Cordero, +593 2-323-0117. Argentine restaurant.
 * Cebiches de la Rumiñahui Ceviches are its specialty. Reasonable prices for excellent cebiche. Popular with locals. Juan León Mera N26-164 La Mariscal. Also in the food courts of "Quicentro Shopping" Mall, "San Marino Shopping" Mall and "El Recreo" Mall.

Drink
There are several Ecuadorian brands of beer, but you generally won't find any variety in Quito. Usually you'll get a choice of just two. The most prevalent throughout the country is Pilsener, with Club being a little more expensive, but not wildly more flavourful. There are some micro-brews available, but it's still a fledgling industry in Quito.

There are also some alcoholic drinks which can only be found in Quito like Mistelas, etc.

Dance clubs
La Mariscal offers tons of places for dancing or just drinks.
 * Varadero - Reina Victoria 1751 and La Pinta; Small, local and super sweaty, this bar-restaurant packs in the crowds for high-energy live Cuban music. Small cover to get in and drinks are moderately expensive.
 * Varadero - Reina Victoria 1751 and La Pinta; Small, local and super sweaty, this bar-restaurant packs in the crowds for high-energy live Cuban music. Small cover to get in and drinks are moderately expensive.

Outside of La Mariscal are other clubs that are more famous among locals.

Guapulo
Check out the Guapulo area of Quito, its a winding steep area with several great bars and cafés with a real bohemian feel. Just be careful if you go in after sundown, since this area is a bit dodgy.

Sleep
There are many of hostels and hotels in town to accommodate all types of visitors. Most people stay in the new town, which is closer to the nightlife. For travellers with very early departures or very late arrivals from Mariscal Sucre International Airport, as well as those who are not staying in Quito but continuing elsewhere should consider looking at accommodations in Tababela or Puembo for the convenience of not needing to make the 25-km journey.

In the old town it's hard to tell the quality of a hotel from the outside. Many of the best hotels have only an innocuous entry to the street, with the luxury only evident as you enter.

Old Town
Old Town is a good base for sightseers.

Splurge

 * There are several boutique hotels in the Old Town. These include the five-star Hotel Plaza Grande, Villa Colonna Quito, El Relicario del Carmen and the longest-established: Patio Andaluz.

Crime
As in every big city tourists should take special care in certain areas.

Do not travel up El Panecillo on foot; use a taxi even during the day. Not only is the neighborhood bad, but the road leading up the hill has very narrow sidewalks, and sometimes no sidewalks at all. This is dangerous as large buses chug up and down the road with little room for pedestrians.

It is probably best to avoid "Gringolandia" (La Mariscal area) alone at night, as there is quite a bit of assault even during the day. Drunk foreigners are easy targets in this neighborhood full of bars and clubs, so stick with a group. This is not, however, a reason to miss out on all this lively area has to offer.

As the Old City becomes quite dead late at night, it is best to avoid walking around alone. However, the central squares of the Old Town are patrolled by police and well-lit, so it is fine for a stroll in a group at night. During the day, it is perfectly fine, bustling with locals, shopkeepers, hawkers and tourists, and well patrolled by police, especially at the main tourist attractions. Nevertheless, pickpocketing and pursesnatching can be a problem, so take normal precautions. The plaza and doors of the San Francisco church, and the main trolley station near Plaza Domingo are particularly notorious areas for this. Pickpocketing is done by highly skilled groups of 3 or 4 people. You are best off not bringing a wallet at all—just some bills split between various pockets. Also, watch out for the busses and trollies while in old town. On many streets, sidewalks can be very narrow, so it is best to pay attention at all times so you can flatten against the wall and cover your face (diesel fumes!) if you need to let one pass, especially when the sidewalk is crowded.

Mariscal Sucre and all parks among other areas can be unsafe at night so taxis are advised for even short distances. Keep your belongings as close and as secure as possible, and if you feel in danger, duck into a bar or shop, and then hail a taxi. Beware of credit card fraud, which is an increasingly serious problem in Quito as tourists are being targeted in the Mariscal area.

The area near Hospital Militar is quite dangerous, even in the late morning. The road "Solano" where Casa Bambu Hostel is situated is especially dangerous. Armed robberies have become more common. Men have been known to jump out of cars to target and physically threaten foreigners in order to steal their belongings. Although its views are amazing, exercise caution when walking to and from your accommodation. Taxis travel up and down this road frequently so if you can spare $1.50 to get into Mariscal Sucre, do so. Parks nearby are also dangerous. Perhaps walk around the parks instead of going through them.

Con artists
The main bus station is an area known to target travelers (foreigners or locals alike). Watch your bags closely, before departure, during departure, even once on the bus. It is best not even to put your luggage in the overhead shelving or under your own seat, as you can be easily distracted and have all your key possessions stolen before realizing it. Watch your bags on top of, or under the bus, at every stop until you arrive at your destination. There are two important sorts of scams that you may encounter on buses:

One common one scam involves a thief impersonating bus staff (this can be easy because those of many companies have no uniforms) who will direct you to a seat and finding some excuse to ask you to put your bag in the overhead compartment or directly under your own seat where you cannot see it; an accomplice seated directly behind you will then slash open your bag and steal the belongings. Having the bag between your legs is not safe either as children are commonly used to climb down under the seat (from behind you), slash the bag, and remove belongings without you ever feeling a thing. Always have your bag on your lap.

Another scam will often have an accomplice who will provide a distraction such as pretending to sell sweets before spilling them all over you, giving their friend the chance to steal your belongings. This can't be emphasised enough: never let your belongings out of sight. If something suspicious is happening like this on a bus, just refuse to co-operate and hold your belongings close to you. Robberies of this kind are common, particularly on buses leaving Quito. It is worth considering paying $3 or $4 more for a trip on a more high-class bus as these often have additional security measures, which can prevent robberies of tourists and locals alike. On city buses, it is best not bring a backpack. If you absolutely have to bring one, wear it on your chest, not your back.

Finally, several neighborhoods located to the very north and south of the city are infamous among locals for having gang/delinquent trouble. "La Bota" to the north is specially notorious as it even locals try to avoid passing through it as much as possible.

Wearing "gringo" clothes (fishing vests, travellers' pants, bright colored t-shirts, dirty sandals) will make you a target. Ecuadorians in Quito generally dress conservatively; a pair of nice black pants or dark jeans and a non-descript white/off-white t-shirt will help you blend in.

Travellers in Quito are likely to be approached at some point or another by con artists or persons with "sob stories". Ignore such persons and be wary of anyone asking for money under any pretext, including children begging. If you feel charitable, Ecuador has lots of legitimate charities you can support.

Drugs
Avoid associating at all with the drug trade in Ecuador. Ecuador has strict laws against possession, transportation and use of illegal drugs and foreigners caught transporting drugs at the airports have been sentenced to long prison terms. Unfortunately, any foreigner with an "alternative" or "hippie" appearance (such as men with long hair) may be assumed by some Ecuadorians to be looking for drugs. If you are approached about drugs in any context, it is safe to assume the person approaching you is up to no good.

One exception is use of entheogens by indigenous people. Interest in ayahuasca is prompting increasing numbers of Americans and Europeans to travel to South America in order to partake in traditional ceremonies, and Ecuador is one such place. It is advisable to plan such a trip with a reliable guide before you travel there.

Police
All Ecuadorian citizens and visitors are required to carry ID at all times. If your stay in Ecuador is for a few months or longer, sooner or later, you will encounter a roadside police check and be requested to show ID. You can show your passport; however, carrying your passport around all the time is not advised due to the risk of loss or theft. A better option is to have a copy of your passport certified by your embassy and carry that. Students and long-term residents will be issued an Ecuadorian "censo" card that can also be carried in place of a passport for ID purposes.

If you are the victim of a crime it is suggested you report it to the Ecuadorian National Police (by law, you must report within 72 hours of the incident), as well as to your home country embassy and to the South American Explorers Club.

Connect
Most Trolebus stations provide free WiFi.

Embassies and Consulates

 * 🇧🇷 Brazil
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next
Quito is surrounded by a variety of places that could interest all kinds of tourists. A couple of hours on a bus ride is all it takes to reach them:

To the north, all tourists should visit the province of Imbabura, which has beautiful lakes such as Yaguarcocha and San Pablo. Hikers and mountain climbers can also ask for adventures in Cayambe National Park, home of the 3rd largest volcano in Ecuador. It's inactive. Otavalo is a town with an Indigenous market that is famous worldwide for the quality and variety of products on sale. Don't forget to haggle for your preferred price!

To the northwest of Quito lies the region of Mindo, a subtropical rainforest paradise, full of rivers, majestic waterfalls, unique wildlife and more. The region is home to a variety of animal wildlife sanctuaries, and is famous locally and internationally because of its beauty. At a slightly higher altitude to Mindo is the Cloudforest. The variety of plants, birds and butterflies is wonderful. The guides carry good quality binoculars to help you spot some of the many varieties of birds. After each guided walk you can return to the lodge for meals. Near the main buildings there are many hummingbird feeders which attract many of the energetic and luminous birds. Accommodation is simple but very clean and pleasant with balconies from which you get beautiful views into the forest. You can visit the butterfly and hummingbird farm too for $3. The staff will show you around and explain to you in Spanish the life cycle of the butterflies (very worthwhile!) Landslides are known to occur on the roads to and from Mindo. Traffic can be held up for hours if this occurs. Trout (trucha in Spanish) is a specialty of Mindo and a dish of this should cost around $6. To get to Mindo from Quito, catch a taxi to Ofelia bus station ($5-6) and at the North bus terminal buy a ticket to Mindo for $2.50. The frequency of these buses differs between weekdays and weekends and travel guide times may be out of date. The earliest bus on a weekday is at 08:00 (April 2010). The bus trip is around 2 hours in length.

To the east, lies Papallacta which is a thermal water resort town. If you're into spas and relaxation, dipping into one of the natural hotwater pools for a couple of hours is a no brainer. The trucha (trout) dishes that are served here are also exquisite (~$5). Take a taxi to Cumbaya bus station (from Mariscal Sucre it should cost about ~$8) and from there you can catch a bus ($2.50) to Papallacta. Just ask the buses that stop if they are going there. The bus will drop you in the centre of the town or on the main highway just a few minutes walk from the town (be sure to remind the driver to let you out!). You can get on the back of a Ute by hailing it (with wooden seats) for about 50¢ per person to get to the hot springs. Entry into the hot springs is about $7. Be careful with your belongings here. You can hire lockers (50¢ per locker plus a $5 deposit) but staff advise that you leave your expensive valuables behind the counter. The choice is up to you.

By train - There are trains to Latacunga from Thursdays to Sundays leaving at 08:00. The train makes a stop for breakfast and at Cotopaxi National Park. It arrives in Latacunga at 12:00 and heads back to Quito at 14:00, arriving there at 18:00. The price is $10 for the return trip. You can use it as an excursion from Quito or get off at Latacunga and travel on from there by bus.

title: Quito