Flung far off the mainland of South America, the remote Galápagos Islands of Ecuador often demand an overnight in the country’s capital city of Quito in order to reach them. But to view Quito as just a stopover destination rather than a star all its own? That’s arguably one of the biggest mistakes one can make when traveling through South America.
I spent two glorious years living in Quito, so I’m certainly biased towards its beauty, particularly in its centuries-old Historic Center, but don’t take my word for it. UNESCO agrees, calling Quito’s Historic Center “the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America.” So architecturally impressive and historically precious is its Historic Center that in 1978 Quito became the first-ever city to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History aside, the neighborhood today is increasingly one where old meets new. “Quito’s Historic Center continues to evolve while holding onto its soul,” says Maria Cecilia Alzamora, vice president of branding and innovation for Metropolitan Touring, one of South America’s most respected travel companies, founded in Ecuador more than 70 years ago. “But what makes it truly special is how its past and present coexist.”
Quito, Old and New
Surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes and dotted with Spanish colonial-era churches, mansions and monuments, the beauty of Quito’s historic center is evident. But its age-old exterior hides its fair share of challenges, especially in recent times. Once considered among the safest countries in the region, Ecuador was rocked in early 2024 with cartel-related crime, with high-profile conflict and instability plaguing parts of the nation.
Much of the conflict and crime centered around the country’s coastal regions, far from Quito, tucked away in the heights of the Andes. However, Ecuador’s rising unease and instability were enough to scare away many visitors, at least for a time. International arrivals dropped significantly last year, as many travelers postponed trips or canceled travel plans entirely.
Almost two years later, a degree of calm has returned to Quito, one that feels like life is carrying on. Now, the long-awaited tourism renaissance can begin, with the most recent visitor numbers even breaking records for the country post-pandemic. What visitors are finding in Quito’s Historic Center is a new way to encounter the heart and soul of the city, with even more modern innovation set to make it shine.
The Metro Effect
Among the most notable recent additions to the neighborhood is a brand-new underground metro system, with a gleaming gateway stop located directly between two of the Historic Center’s most emblematic colonial churches. Almost 8 years in the making, the project represented a more than $1.5 billion investment, with the capacity to serve 400,000 people daily.
The transformative effect of the project can’t be understated, especially in a growing city nestled into a narrow valley, the ultimate recipe for a traffic nightmare. But its impact runs much deeper than just its metro stations.
For locals, the new metro system is manifest modernity and a point of pride in a city that in the past few years has desperately needed a big win. On my most recent trip to the city, every one of my local friends, without fail, recommended I check out the metro, if not more for the novelty of it than out of need. “It’s just nice to have nice things,” one said wistfully. “And the metro is really, really nice.”
Even nicer is its tangible impact on the Historic Center. “This new connectivity has made reaching the city’s cultural core easier and faster,” explains Alzamora. As a result, local businesses in the Historic Center saw an estimated 80% increase in sales following the metro’s inauguration, per calculations by Visit Quito.
De Vuelta Al Centro
Just around the corner from the new Plaza de San Francisco metro station is the storied Casa Gangotena, a 31-room historic mansion turned luxury hotel long considered one of the finest places to stay in South America. It doesn’t serve the type of traveler who might gravitate towards using the metro, but it’s joining the community revival and impact in the Historic Center in a meaningful way.
Casa Gangotena partners with De Vuelta Al Centro, a local NGO working to welcome visitors and locals alike to build a better Historic Center, on a foundation of care for its history and its people. The collaboration has led to widespread neighborhood beautification projects, skills training programs for locals, and meaningful, targeted support of local businesses. Last year alone, the initiatives supported over 120 small local businesses, many of them gastronomic, artisanal, or community-led.
Being a good neighbor, Casa Gangotena brings beauty beyond the geographic footprint of its historic building to community members potentially overlooked during the area’s renaissance. It’s an impact that travelers, too, can benefit from.
Quito Like a Local
Casa Gangotena’s Historic Center location is one of the property’s best features for guests. “From this privileged base, visitors can explore museums, artisan shops, street performances, and culinary gems on foot, experiencing Quito like a local. For many guests, this proximity transforms a hotel stay into an immersion in culture, heritage, and tradition,” says Alzamora.
Beyond the hotel’s partnership with De Vuelta Al Centro, it also reaches small businesses through its bespoke guest experiences like food tours, historical tours, and hands-on experiences. One of the most popular activities invites visitors into the workshop of a local chocolatier who sources the richest cacao from regions across Ecuador.
Another involves receiving a “limpia,” a traditional energy cleansing ceremony that has been a staple among Ecuador’s indigenous populations for generations. Partnering with local curanderas who perform the cleanse, the hotel makes this meaningful cultural exchange possible for travelers, while simultaneously supporting locals continuing traditional practices.
Point of Pride
Casa Gangotena was once the home of past presidents, hosting the elite of the country and continent and establishing a name for itself even before it was a world-renowned hotel. Its leadership in identifying the Historic Center’s greatest asset as its people is one that speaks volumes.
For Alzamora, it all comes back to the ever-growing pride that Quiteños have in their city’s most historic neighborhood. “The Historic Center represents the heart of Ecuador’s cultural, spiritual, and historic identity. It’s where the country’s independence was forged, and where traditions like religious processions, family-run bakeries, and baroque music still thrive.”
“Now, there’s a growing sense of pride, especially among younger generations and entrepreneurs, who are returning to the Historic Center to open businesses, create art, or renovate historic buildings,” she says. At a time when Quito needed a win, it certainly seems to have found one.