Outdoor sights in Ecuador
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Parque La Alameda
From the northeast edge of the old town the long, triangular Parque La Alameda begins its grassy crawl toward the new town. At the southern apex of the park stands the Simón Bolívar monument. Toward the middle of the park are statues of the members of the 1736-44 French Académie des Sciences expedition that surveyed Ecuador and made the equatorial measurements that gave rise to the metric system.
Nearby, the Quito Observatory, which was opened by President García Moreno in 1864, is the oldest observatory on the continent.
At the north end of La Alameda - an area popular with picnickers on weekends - is a pair of ornamental lakes, where rowboats can be hired.
Nearby, bet…
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Reserva Biológica Bilsa
Rugged types should head to Reserva Biológica Bilsa. Crashing waterfalls and spectacular wildlife adorn this biological station. Set in the Montañas de Mache (a small range of mountains), the reserve spans 100ha (247 acres) and is administered by Fundación Jatun Sacha. Biodiversity is exceptionally high in these last vestiges of tropical wet forest. Visitors may see howler monkeys and endangered birds such as the long wattled umbrella bird.
This trip is not for the feeble or the frail: January to June requires hiking or mule-riding a mud-splattered 25km (15.5mi) trail. Contact Jatun Sacha for reservations and volunteer or research information.
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Parque El Ejido
Northeast of La Alameda, the pleasant, tree-filled Parque El Ejido is the biggest park in downtown Quito. It's a popular spot for impromptu games of soccer and volleyball. The north end of the park teems with activity on weekends, when open-air art shows are held along Avenida Patria. Just inside the north end of the park, artisans and crafts vendors set up stalls and turn the sidewalks into Quito's largest handicrafts market.
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El Lechero
The Lechero is a famous tree known for its magical healing powers. It's well worth the invigorating hike - there's nothing like some fresh air, great views and, of course, a little magic! On the road out of town, follow the painted arrows on the ground until you pass a fragrant Eucalyptus grove - continue on to the crest of a hill until a lone, stubby tree appears...and be healed.
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Reserva Ecolólogica Mache Chindul
Created in 1996, this reserve covers 70,000ha (172,974 acres) of tropical wet forest, one of the last to be found on the Ecuadorian coast. Set amongst rivers, waterfalls and swimming holes upon two small mountain ranges, it's heaven for green thumbs and tree huggers alike - see ancient species that are new to science, like Cinnamomum and Matayba.
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Parque La Banda/Orillas de Zamora
From Parque Jipiro it is about a half-hour walk to Parque La Banda/Orillas de Zamora, where a small outdoor zoo shelters monkeys, ostriches and a pair of spectacled bears. The beautifully designed Orquideario maintains over 200 species of orchids from southern Ecuador.
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Centro Cultural Itchimbia
The Parque Itchimbia’s centerpiece is the Centro Cultural Itchimbia, a large glass-and-iron building, modeled after the city’s original Mercado Santa Clara, that hosts regular art exhibits and cultural events.
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Parque de El Valle
Just north of downtown, Parque de El Valle is the heart of the neighborhood of El Valle. It's worth a visit to see the old church and the wooden buildings surrounding the plaza.
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