Must-see entertainment in Ecuador

  • Jazz Society Café

    Cuenca

    The performance venue of the Jazz Society of Ecuador provides soothing aural therapy with Ecuadorian musicians, as well as international artists. The Jazz…

  • Ochoymedio

    Quito

    This Floresta film house shows art films (often in English) and has occasional dance, theater and live music. There’s a great cafe attached.

  • Pop Up Teatro Cafe

    Guayaquil

    A funky micro-theater and cafe that attracts a hip crowd who come to watch short performances throughout the evening. An audience of around 20 people…

  • Café Libro

    Quito

    Live music, poetry readings, discussions, contemporary dance, tango, jazz and other performances draw an arts-loving crowd to this long-running venue…

  • Café Arte

    Northern Highlands

    Surprisingly, one of the better live-music venues in Ecuador is here in Ibarra. It hosts bands from as far away as Cuba and Spain. The music ranges from…

  • Teatro Bolívar

    Quito

    One of the city’s most illustrious and important theaters, the Teatro Bolívar stages dance performances, concerts and plays. The wonderful art deco…

  • Teatro Sucre

    Quito

    Built in 1878, this stately, beautifully restored building in the lively Plaza del Teatro hosts Quito’s best theater, dance and music productions…

  • MAAC Cine

    North Coast & Lowlands

    This former museum is now an arthouse cinema and performance hall with daily film screenings (at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm). Some films are only in Spanish, while…

  • La Juliana

    Quito

    In an old converted house, La Juliana is a colorfully decorated space with a good mix of bands (rock, salsa, merengue) lighting up the dance floor most…

  • Casa de la Música

    Quito

    Top-flight orchestras, including Quito's own philharmonic, and musicians from around the world perform at this contemporary hall with great acoustics.

  • Multicines

    Cuenca

    Get your stadium seats, buckets of popcorn and blockbuster Hollywood flicks in English (with Spanish subtitles).

  • La Mesa Salsoteca

    Cuenca

    The place to show off or refine your salsa moves, but don't expect to get going until late.

  • Salsoteca the Jungle

    North Coast & Lowlands

    For salsa dancing, hail a taxi to Salsoteca the Jungle, east on Avenida Quito.

  • Cafe Democrático

    Quito

    Alternative live music (think salsa and Latin jam sessions, jazz-ska nights and flamenco guitar improvisations) and DJs keep the dance floor packed at…

  • Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo

    Guayaquil

    Home to Guayaquil's soccer champions Barcelona, the most accomplished team in Ecuadorian soccer history, with 14 titles under their belt. You can buy…

  • Varadero

    Quito

    This space, attached to La Bodeguita de Cuba, comes alive on weekend nights when it's transformed into a lively salsateca. If you're lucky you'll catch a…

  • MAAC Theater

    Guayaquil

    A modern 350-seat theater for plays, concerts and films, housed inside the Museo Antropológico y de Arte Contemporáneo. It also hosts film festivals like…

  • George Capwell Stadium

    Guayaquil

    Guauaquil's other champion soccer team, Emelec, has won 13 national titles, and plays at the George Capwell Stadium. Recently remodeled, it's been dubbed …

  • Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa

    Quito

    The city's main soccer stadium, opened in 1951, seats 37,750. Ecuador's national team, Deportivo Quito and El Nacional play here. Nearby is the shopping…

  • Ballet Folklórico Nacional Jacchigua

    Quito

    This folkloric ballet is as touristy as it is spectacular. It is presented at the Teatro Demetrio Agilera in the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana and is…

  • Peña La Jampa

    Otavalo

    A long-running favorite with locals. Head to this club for a mix of salsa, merengue, rock en español and folklórica (folk music); usually doesn't get…

  • Fundación Cultural Humanizarte

    Quito

    This excellent theater and dance group presents sporadic Andean dance performances, usually on weekend nights in La Ronda. You can also inquire about…

  • Discoteca La Gallera

    Tena

    Found next to Hotel Pumarosa, La Gallera has a fun but grown-up atmosphere, even though there’s an attached roller-rink. Hotel guests enter for free.

  • Teatro Patio de Comedías

    Quito

    Presents plays and performances Thursday through Sunday nights, usually at 8pm. It’s near the Mariscal between Calle 9 de Octubre and Av Amazonas.

  • Multicines

    Quito

    Multiscreen cinema at the Centro Comercial Iñaquito showing the latest Hollywood movies.

  • Pianoteka Andres

    Northern Highlands

    You're stuck in Tulcán for the night, right? Why not enjoy a bit of a singalong in Hotel Sara Espindola?

  • Cinema Malecón

    Guayaquil

    For Hollywood fare downtown, check out the IMAX theater on the malecón, connected to the MAAC.

  • Amauta

    Otavalo

    Live Andean music, generally after 10pm, is performed at this basement space in the center of town.

  • Fundación Arte del Mundo

    Baños

    This kids’ arts-and-reading program puts on plays and hosts movie nights in its small theater.

  • Cinemark

    Quito

    The most recent Hollywood blockbusters are shown here (usually subtitled rather than dubbed).

More destinations you need to see