Things to do & places to visit in Pichincha Province, Ecuador

Pichincha Province #1 destination in Ecuador 2023. The average rating score is 4.54 based on 55.2k traveler reviews, of 144 attractions. Timezone: America/Guayaquil, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 2:16.

Top things to do (31)

Top destinations in Pichincha Province 35

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Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila (7.893 reviews)
- A magical place
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour History Museums

The Temple of the Sun Temple Painter Ortega Maila is a masterpiece built by the indigenous painter and sculptor Ortega Maila after a great research of design and ancestral architecture to maintain his art and culture of the Andes. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour with a guide. The tour includes an aromatherapy session and coca leaf tea courtesy of the museum. See more..
5.0 Yumbos Chocolate (191 reviews)
- Great experience of Ecuadorian Chocolate
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Food Tours

This place is hard to find although just opposite to San Francisco but well worth any effort (best ask at your accomodation). They offer a nice detailed tour an their chocolate making and you get to taste all the different sorts avalaible. They strongly support local farmers (fairtrade) which turns their products even more recommendable - besides the great taste of course ! See more..
5.0 Bird Paradise Tours (144 reviews)
- Amazing birdwatching tour
Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Tours

Sandra is amazing. She’s been birdwatching since she was 16 and has an incredibly sharp ear and eye. The way she can spot and identify birds is boarderline magic. Booking a tour with Sandra’s Bird Paradise Tours you’ll also be supporting a local female enterpreneur and the 1st female guide in Mindo. See more..
5.0 Mindo Cloud Forest Day Tours (144 reviews)
- Birding with Richard
Nature & Wildlife Tours

Richard was excellent at meeting our interests and very flexible when our accommodation was cancelled. He offered an excellent variety of locations for our 3 day private tour. He made sure all our needs were met and helped when we did not understand the language. We highly recommend Richard as a guide. We felt safe at all times while he drove on the winding roads. See more..
5.0 Andes Climbing (120 reviews)
- Safe Mountaneering in Ecuador
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Climbing Tours

This is my second time climbing with Andes Climbing. The first time we did two smaller acclimatization hikes, Iliniza Norte, and then Cotopaxi (in 2018). The second time we did three smaller acclimatization hikes, Iliniza Sur, and then Cayambe (in July 2022). Both times, we went as a group of 3-4 people and had a terrific experience. We would highly recommend Andes Climbing for any guided hikes or climbs in Ecuador. Diego (the owner) is excellent at organizing logistics, permits, and transportation. Between transportation often requiring a 4x4 to get to the trailhead and park permits, having a guide is really helpful in Ecuador. Diego runs a lodge in Machachi that is very comfortable, centrally located to many volcanoes (and avoids Quito traffic!). He has years of guiding experience and continues to guide so is very familiar with mountain conditions and challenges. He is also very accommodating with other activities and changes to plan, for instance setting up transport for us to go a nearby hot springs on our rest day. The other guides are excellent as well – we have worked with Marco twice and several other guides. They are well-aware of risks, very supportive, and in incredible shape for the mountains. We felt very safe on the climbs even with challenging weather conditions and more technical climbing on Iliniza Sur. At least one guide on each trip spoke great English (and everyone knew basic terms/etc). Overall, this is a terrific operator. They are local, safe, and generally terrific people. See more..
5.0 Pacha Quindi Nature Refuge (96 reviews)
- Beautiful land & lots of wildlife!
Nature & Wildlife Areas

World Famous Hummingbird Garden. Nature Refuge and Habitat Restoration Project. See more..
5.0 Marcelo Arias Birding Guide (90 reviews)
- Wonderful birdwatching experience
Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Our birdwatching tour with Marcelos Arias was the best birdwatching tour my husband and I have ever been on. We went early in the morning and we saw Quetzels and toucans! And many other beautiful birds. The thing that makes Marcelos so special is that he carries a telescope on a tripod. So when he spots a bird, he sets the telescope so that it is easy to see the birds. He is very knowledgeable and he speaks very clearly. He also scouts ahead so he knows where the birds are hanging out. Our tour with Marcelos was very special. See more..
5.0 MindoXtrem Birds (86 reviews)
- Wonderful 2 day trip to Mindo
Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Sightseeing Tours

We went on a small trip to Mindo and Luis was our guide for 2 days. In this short trip Luis showed us so many things. :-) 1. We went to the butterfly park - it’s a short drive from the town 2. We visited the 7 waterfalls around the hills, this was around a 2 hour walk. One must have good hiking shoes & reasonably fit to be on this trip 3. Next day we woke up at 5:00 to see the birds singing early in the morning. Luis was very helpful, prices were reasonable and would recommend his company to anyone who is visiting Mindo! Thank you very much Luis & have a wonderful 2020!!! See more..
4.5 Fundación Iglesia de la Compañía (5.028 reviews) from $5.50
- $5 entrance plus an additional $3 if you want to visit the rooftop and dome.
Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

This Jesuit church is a masterpiece of baroque and Quiteno-colonial art with lavish golden altars and gilded columns, making it one of the most ornate structures in Ecuador. See more..
4.5 Quito Old Town (4.845 reviews)
- Old town Quito
Historic Walking Areas

This historic district was the first city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted for its narrow streets, Spanish colonial architecture and historic attractions. See more..
4.5 TeleferiQo Teleferico Quito (4.614 reviews)
- Tram it up to the top for hiking
Spent 1-2 hours Trams

$6 taxi ride from the historic district then purchase tickets for a tram that takes you almost as high as the highest peak in the lower 48. I hiked further up the mountain while my wife enjoyed amazing views in the Cafe. I was hoping to crest the Ridge for views on the other side, but I didn't have the time for the 5 miles round trip. The oxygen deprivation was no joke so take the hike seriously. Good news is the views near the tram are spectacular so you don't need to hike. See more..
4.5 Basilica del Voto Nacional (3.918 reviews)
- Unique
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Considered the largest church in Quito, this impressive building features fine bronze doors, colorful stained glass windows and a tower with sweeping views of the city. See more..
4.5 Calle La Ronda (2.567 reviews)
- Photograph opportunities
Educational sites

This a famous street to take some fun pics. The buildings are colorful and roads are cobbled. There are restaurants and shops along the way. We enjoyed the pacarri chocolate shops, interacted with the locals. We walked around took some fun pics See more..
4.5 Intinan Museum (2.469 reviews)
- A True MUST SEE stop in Ecuador
Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Located close to the Equator Monument, this onsite museum features interactive exhibits on how the Incas determined the middle of the earth, plus interesting science experiments such as balancing an egg on a nail and the affects of the Coriolis force on earth. See more..
4.5 Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco (1.705 reviews)
- Beautiful
Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals

Established in 1536 by Franciscan monks, this magnificent architectural masterpiece features a museum in its convent with art from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. See more..
4.5 La Capilla Del Hombre (1.668 reviews) from $10.00
- The only museum needed on your list!
Friday: 9:30 AM - 4:45 PM Spent More than 3 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums

It is the last great project created by Oswaldo Guayasamín "Painter of Ibero-America". It is a space that invites the reflection of history from the point of view of Latin America, -from Mexico to Patagonia-, from ancient cultures to contemporary miscegenation. A point of reference for the whole world to look at the past and project ourselves into the future. The Chapel of the Man (La Capilla del Hombre) is part of the 4 cultural places of Guayasamin Foundation (Fundación Guayasamín) that you can visit with the same entrance fee: *"Casa Museo Guayasamín"(Guayasamín House Museum), , *“Sala Maruja Monteverde” (Maruja Monteverde Temporary exhibition room), *"La Capilla Del Hombre"(the Chapel of the Man), and *"Sitio Arqueológico y Parque De Las Culturas" (Archaeological Site and Park of Cultures). See more..
4.5 El Panecillo (1.606 reviews)
- Visible from practically anywhere in the city
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Resembling a type of small bread (panecillo), this hill makes an excellent observation point over Quito and features La Virgen del Panecillo, a majestic sculpture that can be seen from any location in the city. See more..
4.5 Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande) (1.497 reviews)
- Center of town
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Located in the heart of the Old City, this busy plaza honors those heroes who started the movement toward independence from Spain. See more..
4.5 Casa Museo Guayasamin (1.284 reviews)
- Don't miss this important artist's work
Friday: 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums

It is the residence where the Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamín lived and get inspired his last years. Keeps a very representative part of his art collections: Pre-Columbian, Colonial art, and Contemporary art from Ecuador, as well as objects from around the world. Casa Museo Guayasamín (Guayasamin's House-museum) is part of the 5 cultural places of Fundación Guayasamín (Guayasamin Foundation) that you can visit with the same entrance fee: *"Casa Museo Guayasamín", *"Estudio De Oswaldo Guayasamín”, *“Sala De Exposiciones Temporales Maruja Monteverde”, *"La Capilla Del Hombre", and *"Sitio Arqueológico y Parque De Las Culturas". See more..
4.5 El Palacio de Gobierno (958 reviews)
- amazing
Architectural Buildings

amazing visit of this palace. everyday there are many guided free tour that allow you to enter this fantastic old colonial building. you'll love it See more..
4.5 La Virgen del Panecillo (896 reviews)
- It's definitely worth a visit
Monuments & Statues

Located on top of the Cerro El Panecillo, this imposing sculpture can be seen from any location in downtown Quito. See more..
4.5 Mariposas de Mindo (877 reviews)
- Very enjoyable and colourful
Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Gardens

I wasn't expecting a lot here, although $7.50 entry is quite expensive for Ecuador. But it was well worth the cost. A short 5 minute explanation of the development from egg to butterfly and you are left to explore in your own time. You first enter the large covered are, both netting , obviously to retain butterflies, and a rain-proof dome, necessary for the long rainy season. And we were there on a wet day. The number, varieties, sizes and colours of butterflies are amazing. They are seemingly everywhere, quite magical. There is a board, about 2metres x 1 metre of pupas developing, we actually saw 3 hatch out and start to open their wings in a short time. Then outside to a similar sized area but higher netting with no rain-proof cover. Wonderful plants, a waterfall, less volume of butterflies but very nice. From here via secure netted doors to prevent escape you can access several towers for views over the site and the forest. See more..
4.5 Parque La Carolina (863 reviews)
- Great, Large, Park
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM Parks

Largest park in the Quito See more..
4.5 Museo Casa del Alabado (813 reviews)
- Best Museum of our 10-Day Ecuador Trip, and a Must-See in Quito
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Museo Casa del Alabado is a non-profit institution established with the purpose of preserving and sharing the legacy of Pre-Columbian cultures in Ecuador. See more..
4.5 Plaza de San Francisco (765 reviews)
- Packed for Festival
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Once serving as a lively commercial center during pre-Columbian times, this large cobbled square is dominated by the enormous Iglesia de San Francisco and the monastery of the same name. See more..
4.5 El Quetzal de Mindo (519 reviews)
- Excellent experience!
Friday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Cultural Tours • Walking Tours • Night Tours • Food Tours • Day Trips

Just a wonderful experience, a very nice hour spent with everything that's chocolate. You learn about how cocoa beans are grown, fermented, dried, how chocolate is made, etc etc, whilst also can have a look at some other plants grown in the gardens. Once you are finished with the tour, you get to taste a LOT of chocolate products made locally, all of them are of excellent quality. You also get to buy anything you tasted afterwards in the little shop inside. Fully recommended if you like chocolate, definitely a must do if you are in Mindo! Thank you! See more..
4.5 Catedral Metropolitana de Quito (468 reviews)
- Important church for the nation
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

The city’s main cathedral contains the tomb of Field Marshal Antonio Jose de Sucre, Quito’s liberator, and The Holy Shroud, a magnificent 18th-century sculpture by Manuel Chili Caspicara. See more..
4.5 National Museum of Ecuador (451 reviews)
- Very informative — a must see!
Friday: Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

The National Museum recognizes the multiplicity of identities of Ecuadorian society, its permanent transformation and mobility, and seeks to establish itself as a space for participation, dialogue, confrontation and representation in the public sphere. For this end, the Museum establishes a new model of relationship with the public, citizens and the community, that goes beyond specialized audiences. See more..
4.5 Parque Metropolitano (392 reviews)
- What a gem!
Parks

Very cool park. All sorts of paths scattered throughout the park that lead you to various artworks and lookouts. There are many small play areas for children and great places to sit and relax. The trails go in and out of the forest and there is always something around the next corner. The landscaping is amazing and we were lucky I enough to watch the alpacas mowing the lawn at one of the play areas. There are clean but simple bathrooms scattered throughout the park. Not sure why they are not running walking tours here, we were the only tourists in the park all day. Bring water as there is nothing for sale in the park. We started in the south west corner and it looked like it was just some narrow trails in the bush but it quickly opens up to many things. You oils also take a cab right to the main section of the park and go from there. Great for a novice mountain biker too. It felt very safe so don’t hesitate to explore the small trials. See more..
4.5 Mindo Canopy Adventure (350 reviews)
- Thrilling
Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Exceptional fun! My partner and I both ziplined, and I did the Tarzan swing. The ziplines were awesome and afforded great views over the valley. A couple lines were so long that you were in clouds for a few seconds - not able to see either where you came from, or where you were going. Magical! Two lines you had the option of going either butterfly (head down, feet up), or superman. I did both variations. Butterfly was incredible, superman was fun but the harness is hard on your guts. I am soft skinned, so I did end up with slight bruising on my back from the harness. The Tarzan swing was one crazy rush, highly recommend trying it out. See more..