Discover Quito: Top 12 Amazing Fun Facts About the Captivating Capital of Ecuador!

1. Altitude Sickness Hotspot

Welcome to Quito, where the air is thin and the heads are spinning: Quito, Ecuador's high altitude of approximately 9,000 feet makes it a prime hotspot for "soroche," or altitude sickness, causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and breathlessness for unprepared visitors. To avoid joining the wheezing masses, acclimate slowly, stay hydrated, and ditch the booze and smokes. Oh, and maybe pop an Acetazolamide if things get too loco.
Source => greengotravel.com

2. Sky-High Capital

Feeling low? Quito is here to lift your spirits, quite literally: Standing tall as the second-highest capital city in the world, Quito elevates its guests to a breathtaking 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level, nestled in a valley on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes, offering picturesque panoramas and thrilling hiking adventures for all.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know Ecuador's Chimborazo mountain holds a cosmic secret? It may not be the tallest, but it's the closest peak to outer space! Discover more about this unique geological marvel.

=> Fun Facts about Ecuador

3. Inaccurate Equator Monument

Someone call the GPS police: Quito's famous equator monument seems to be suffering from a case of geographical inaccuracy! The Middle of the World monument, you see, is actually a whopping 240 meters south of the true equator line. But fret not, dear explorers, for the Intiñan Museum saves the day with its precise equator line and mind-bending demonstrations of the Coriolis effect and gravitational pull – making your trip to the center of the world a truly uplifting experience.
Source => communityadventures-ec.com

4. Animal Gargoyles

If you think stony-faced gargoyles are the cat's pajamas, wait till you see these Ecuadorian party animals: The Basilica del Voto Nacional in Quito is adorned with animal gargoyles such as birds, turtles, and caimans instead, showcasing the nation's diverse wildlife and providing breathtaking views from the tower.
Source => tripadvisor.com

5. Massive Green VIP Lounge

Did you hear about the VIP lounge for trees? It's in Quito, where they have a massive 550-hectare green room: In reality, it's Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, one of Latin America's largest city parks, offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city and surrounding snow-capped Andean mountains, as well as serving as a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy its numerous hiking and running trails.
Source => exploring-and-observing-cities.org

6. Cuarenta World Championship

When you're in Quito and feeling like a Poker face without the Grammy-winning tune: December festivities showcase the World Championship of Cuarenta, a 40-card Ecuadorian game that brings families and friends together for a week of cultural merrymaking.
Source => streetdirectory.com

7. Spicy Canelazo Nights

Feeling cold in Quito?Warm yourself from the inside out with the heat of a thousand Latin dance moves – with the help of one local liquid accomplice: Canelazo is a traditional Ecuadorian hot beverage made of cinnamon, sugar or panela, water, and aguardiente – a sugar cane alcohol that's known to make you dance a little longer and laugh a little louder. Perfect for embracing the chillier nights of festivities, you'll find it served on chiva buses or at outdoor shows – but be warned, too much aguardiente can lead to a fiery hangover the following day.
Source => laylita.com

8. Apocalypse-Proof Basilica

In a bittersweet display of apocalyptic procrastination, Quito's Basilica of the National Vow remains exquisitely unfinished to keep the world's finale at bay: This jaw-dropping Neo-Gothic church stands proud as the largest basilica of its kind in the Americas, despite the locals' unspoken agreement to keep it work-in-progress until the end of time, lest they usher in said very apocalypse by completing it. Rocking its premature gray ribbon since 1988 when Pope John Paul II consecrated it, this divine masterpiece will forever be one steeple away from completion.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Tallest Aluminum Monument

In the Great Chicken Dance of Hemispheres where you can quite literally teeter on the edge of the world, there's a shiny metallic beacon to guide your two left feet: Quito's La Mitad del Mundo is the tallest aluminum monument on the planet, built in 1736 by French explorer Charles Marie de La Condamine, marking the precise location of the equator and allowing visitors to straddle both the northern and southern hemispheres simultaneously.
Source => whc.unesco.org

10. Giant Virgin of El Panecillo

They say size doesn't matter, but Quito's Virgin of El Panecillo clearly didn't get the memo: Standing at an awe-inspiring 135 feet (41 meters) tall on the hill of El Panecillo, this shiny aluminum beauty is not only the tallest statue in Ecuador, but also hovers among the highest in South America! Designed by Spanish sculptor Agustín de la Herrán Matorras in 1975, she's stealing hearts and providing stunning selfies for tourists exploring the historic center of Quito.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Plaza de la Independencia Party

If Quito's Plaza de la Independencia were a block party, it'd be the one you wouldn't want to miss, filled with gossip-worthy neighbors and a never-ending supply of Latin flair: Surrounded by historical grande dames like the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, this vibrant square even has a plus one in the form of the Palacio Hidalgo, a private building built by city-founder-extraordinaire, Captain Juan de Díaz Hidalgo.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. Llama Drama in the Park

Looking for high-quality llama drama but tired of daytime television? Well, pack your bags for Quito! You're in for a treat: Parque Metropolitano, amidst scenic city views, harbors a charming herd of llamas that visitors can closely appreciate, adding a fluffy twist to their outdoor adventure.
Source => tripadvisor.com