Cycling

On the second and last Sunday of every month, the entire length of Avenida Amazonas and most of the old town are closed to cars, and loads of peddlers take to the street for the bimonthly ciclopaseo. The entire ride, which you can peddle part or all of, stretches from the airport, through the old town and into the southern reaches of Quito.

Local mountain-biking companies rent bikes and offer excellent tours including one-day rides through the páramo (Andean grasslands) of Parque Nacional Cotopaxi; down-hill descents; trips that incorporate a stop at Papallacta hot springs; two-day trips to Cotopaxi and Chimborazo; and two-day trips to Cotopaxi and Laguna Quilotoa. Single-day trips cost about around US$45, not including park entrance fees. Check both operators listed here to compare prices and trips.